Yacht Shipping Checklist & Customs Guide (2026)

January 5, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Moving a yacht across oceans is very different from a weekend repositioning run along the coast. Before a transport vessel ever lifts your boat into container, there is a long list of practical and regulatory tasks to complete. A structured pre‑shipping checklist protects your yacht, helps prevent delays at the terminal, and keeps your international transport on schedule.

West Coast Shipping’s team specializes in moving boats of many sizes to international destinations using containers and RoRo services from facilities in California, Florida, and New Jersey, with regular sailings to many major seaports in Latin America and other key regions. Route availability varies by yacht size, method, and destination.

1. Confirm dimensions, weight, and lifting points

Every safe yacht shipment starts with accurate technical data. Carriers and loaders need precise information to choose the right cradle, lifting gear, and ship.

Essential measurements include:

Overall length (LOA), beam, and height with and without masts or arches
Draft and displacement, including typical load condition for loading day
Clearly marked and structurally sound lifting points or spreader‑bar locations

Supplying yard drawings, survey reports, or manufacturer specs allows West Coast Shipping’s boat team to pre‑plan cradle design and stowage on the vessel.

2. Choose the right shipping method

Yachts can move internationally by container (for smaller boats) or RoRo when they can be presented as wheeled cargo. Each method has trade‑offs in cost, protection, and port availability.

Typical method guidance:

Container shipping: Ideal for smaller boats and personal watercraft that can fit after removing outboards and securing them to custom cradles.
Flat‑rack: Common for mid‑size sailboats and motor yachts that need lift‑on/lift‑off handling.
RoRo with wheeled handling: RoRo works when the boat is on a road‑worthy trailer (or can be moved as wheeled cargo using terminal equipment acceptable to the carrier), even if the yacht itself is not engine‑operable.

The international boat shipping page outlines how West Coast Shipping uses containers and RoRo to match hull size and budget to the best method.

3. Schedule haul-out, cradle work, and yard time

Most yachts require yard work before loading—haul‑out, pressure‑washing, cradle building, and rigging adjustments. Treat these as scheduled milestones, not last‑minute tasks.

Key planning points:

Reserve haul‑out and yard space early, especially during spring and fall.
Allow time for cradle fabrication or trailer inspection and any repairs.
Coordinate yard dates with the vessel’s loading window from West Coast Shipping’s operations team.

A realistic yard schedule reduces the risk of missing the ship because of a delayed crane slot or incomplete cradle.

4. Strip, secure, and protect exterior equipment

Heavy weather and cargo‑ship vibrations put unusual loads on deck gear, arches, and appendages. Anything that can move, catch wind, or chafe should be removed, locked, or lashed.

Typical exterior preparation steps include:

Remove or secure biminis, canvas, dodgers, and soft enclosures.
Unstep masts or lower radar arches when required for height limits.
Lash booms, furlers, and deck gear; secure dinghies and outboards.
Use foam padding and shrink wrap on vulnerable stainless, rails, and consoles.

For boats in containers or on RoRo, West Coast Shipping’s loading teams rely on this preparation to cradle and strap hulls safely in the tight spaces described in the specialty cargo and boat container guide.

5. Prepare the interior for movement

Inside the yacht, cabinets, appliances, and loose items can become projectiles if not secured. A careful “sea stow” mentality works here, even though the yacht is riding on a transport ship, not under its own power.

Interior must‑dos include:

Empty or latch all drawers, lockers, and galley storage; tape doors where needed.
Secure or remove loose furniture, TV screens, artwork, and countertop appliances.
Defrost refrigerators and freezers; dry them and leave moisture absorbers.
Confirm bilge pumps, float switches, and alarms are in working order if power will be available and has been specifically arranged for the voyage or storage period.

Thoughtful interior prep makes post‑shipment re‑commissioning faster and reduces the chance of surprises when you step back aboard.

6. Drain, clean, and manage fluids

Yards, ports, and carriers expect boats to be clean and free of avoidable environmental risks. Excess fluids and fouling can trigger delays, extra cleaning charges, or possible refusal to load, depending on terminal policies and carrier discretion.

Fluid and cleaning checklist:

Drain water tanks, hot‑water heaters, and non‑essential systems as instructed.
Reduce fuel to compliant levels for the chosen method and destination rules.
Run bilge pumps and clean bilges to remove standing water and residue.
Pressure wash hulls to remove growth, especially if biosecurity rules are strict at destination.

West Coast Shipping’s container shipping guide emphasizes similar principles for vehicles: clean, dry cargo is easier to inspect and move through customs. Yachts benefit from the same discipline.

7. Document condition with photos and inventory

Before handing a yacht to any logistics provider, you want a clear record of its condition and what is on board. High‑quality documentation helps resolve questions later and supports customs declarations.

8. Align ground transportation and port delivery

Unless the yacht is already in one of West Coast Shipping’s facilities, it must be trucked or delivered by water to the loading terminal. That leg has to line up precisely with the vessel’s loading window.

Planning points:

Decide whether you will deliver the yacht by water or use a professional boat hauler or West Coast Shipping’s ground‑transport network.
Confirm crane, travel‑lift, or yard‑tractor availability at both origin and port.
Build in buffer time in case of weather or road delays on the way to port.

The article on ground transportation and international car shipping illustrates the same principle for vehicles: inland legs must be synchronized with ocean departures.

9. Review destination requirements early

Some destinations require specific hull cleaning, fumigation, or biosecurity declarations for boats. Others may restrict certain equipment or require proof of ownership and tax status.

Ahead of shipment, work with West Coast Shipping to:

Confirm any special cleaning, quarantine, or inspection rules for yachts.
Check duty, VAT, and harbor fee expectations for import, temporary admission, or re‑import of your own vessel.
Understand whether you will be entering under tourist/temporary‑import status or full import procedures.

West Coast Shipping’s global guide to car import taxes and duty‑free options provides vehicle‑focused examples of how authorities approach customs value, duty, and reliefs; the same concepts often inform yacht tax treatment, even though vessel‑specific rules will differ by country.

10. Coordinate communications and tracking

Once the yacht is loaded, you still need clear visibility into the voyage and what happens at destination. A good plan for updates and tracking helps you align travel plans, pilots, and yard bookings on the other side.

Best practices include:

Confirm who your primary contact is at West Coast Shipping for schedule updates and status reports.
Use West Coast Shipping’s client communications—such as email updates, shared documentation, or portal access where available—to monitor key milestones and confirm when the yacht has cleared each step.
Book yard or marina space at destination with arrival windows based on realistic transit times, not optimistic assumptions.

West Coast Shipping prioritizes timely document and shipment updates so owners can plan around current vessel movements rather than outdated schedules.

Customs and Import Basics for Yacht Shipping

Even the best‑prepared yacht can get stuck at the dock if customs documents are incomplete or duties are misunderstood. Customs authorities treat yachts as significant assets, and the rules differ depending on whether you are importing permanently, re‑importing your own vessel, or entering temporarily as a visitor.

Understanding these basics upfront helps you decide whether to plan a long‑term relocation or a time‑limited cruising visit.

Permanent import vs temporary admission

Customs processes for yachts typically fall into two broad categories: permanent import or temporary admission for tourism or events. Each path comes with its own paperwork, time limits, and tax consequences.

Key distinctions:

Permanent import: Duties and taxes are usually paid, and the yacht may need to be registered locally or meet specific technical standards.
Temporary admission: Offers duty and tax relief for a defined period, provided the yacht is re‑exported and not used commercially or sold locally.

West Coast Shipping’s article on temporary imports for muscle cars shipped to international events explains how temporary‑admission regimes work for vehicles; yachts often follow similar principles in many jurisdictions, with additional nautical layers like cruising permits and harbor rules.

Ownership, value, and tax calculation

Customs agencies want to know who owns the yacht, what it is worth, and why it is entering the country. These details drive duty and VAT calculations and determine whether any reliefs apply.

Typical documentation for valuation and ownership includes:

Original bill of sale, builder’s certificate, or recent appraisal for older vessels.
Evidence of prior taxes paid in other jurisdictions if you are claiming specific reliefs.
A clear declaration of whether the yacht is entering for private leisure, charter, racing, or as cargo being sold on arrival.

The global import tax guide gives vehicle‑oriented case studies of how authorities compute duties; while yacht‑specific rules differ, the underlying customs valuation concepts are similar.

Country-specific yacht rules

Beyond generic customs law, many countries maintain specific rules for pleasure craft—everything from cruising permits and harbor dues to local safety gear requirements. These may apply separately from customs clearance.

Examples of country‑specific elements you might encounter:

Time‑limited cruising permits or navigation licenses for foreign‑flagged yachts.
Special rules for boats staying in bonded marinas or storage yards under customs control.
Local surveys, tonnage certificates, or safety inspections for longer‑term stays.

Destination‑focused articles such as guides to shipping vehicles to Europe and country‑level tax overviews for places like the Netherlands show how national regulations layer on top of basic customs procedures.

Working with agents and handlers

Most yacht owners rely on a combination of shipping companies, customs brokers, and local agents to navigate this landscape. The key is clear role division: who handles export paperwork, who manages import clearance, and who is responsible for marina or yard logistics.

West Coast Shipping typically:

Manages export documentation, bills of lading, and coordination with the carrier.
Works with destination agents who handle local customs clearance and final delivery.
Provides guidance on standard document packages for the most common yacht routes.

If your shipment is part of a larger relocation, West Coast Shipping’s articles on door‑to‑door international transport illustrate how inland and ocean legs can be combined with customs support into a single plan.w

Documentation & Compliance Before Departure

Long before your yacht is lifted onto a ship, customs forms, export declarations, and compliance checks should be underway. Missing or inconsistent paperwork is one of the most common causes of delay in international movements of high‑value assets like yachts.

A disciplined document checklist, built around your origin and destination, keeps your schedule predictable and your costs under control.

Core export and transport documents

Exact forms vary by country, but most export shipments share a familiar documentation backbone. West Coast Shipping organizes these materials as part of the booking process so they align with carrier and customs expectations.

Core documents usually include:

Bill of lading: Issued by the carrier or its agent, defining the transport contract and yacht particulars.
Commercial invoice or pro‑forma invoice: Showing value, seller/buyer details, and a clear description of the yacht.
Packing list and inventory: Especially important if tenders, outboards, or spare parts travel in the same shipment.

The article on clearing customs and documentation for vehicles lays out a similar flow for cars and shows how properly prepared paperwork prevents last‑minute surprises.

Ownership, title, and lien checks

Customs and carriers both want assurance that the yacht is being shipped by the rightful owner or an authorized party. If finance companies or other third parties are involved, consents or releases may be required.

Key compliance checks:

Clear title in the name of the exporter or a documented authorization from the registered owner.
Lienholder letters or finance company approvals, if the yacht is subject to financing.
Registry documents if the vessel is flagged in a particular country or under a specific registry.

For buyers moving newly acquired boats, West Coast Shipping’s various “buy and import” checklists—such as the European car import checklist—show how to align purchase documents and export plans.

Technical and safety compliance at destination

Some destinations apply technical and environmental rules to imported yachts beyond customs and tax. These can relate to emissions standards for engines, waste‑management systems, or safety equipment carriage.

Before departure, it is wise to:

Check whether the yacht’s engines and equipment face any specific restrictions or documentation requirements.
Verify whether long‑term stays could trigger local survey, registration, or compliance inspections.
Plan any upgrades or modifications that are easier to complete before shipping, such as electronics changes or safety‑gear updates.

Destination‑specific compliance guides, like those covering vehicle imports into Europe or country‑level regulations, provide a model for how yacht rules may be structured even when there is no separate “yacht” statute.

Detailed inventory and serial numbers

A detailed inventory is more than just a practical packing tool—it is a compliance asset. Customs authorities may ask for serial numbers on engines, generators, or major equipment items to confirm declarations.

Your inventory should capture:

Hull identification number (HIN), engine serial numbers, and generator IDs.
Major onboard equipment: navigation systems, tenders, outboards, and high‑value spares.
Any items moving separately in crates or containers alongside the yacht.

The specialty cargo container article emphasizes how detailed inventories speed up customs processing for complex mixed loads, and the same applies when your yacht travels with extra gear.

Coordinating with West Coast Shipping before you book flights

One of the most practical compliance tips is also one of the simplest: do not commit to fixed travel dates until your yacht’s loading window and export documents are confirmed. Port congestion, weather, and carrier schedule changes can all move loading dates.

Practical coordination advice:

Work with your West Coast Shipping coordinator to lock in vessel, terminal, and documentation milestones before buying non‑refundable tickets.
Rely on the updates and documentation shared by West Coast Shipping—via email, shared files, or client‑facing tools—to track status changes and milestones.
Keep your marina or yard at destination flexible until the yacht’s ETA is firm.

Plan Your Yacht Shipment with West Coast Shipping

Once your checklist, customs plan, and documentation are mapped out, the next step is to see real numbers and dates. Add your call‑to‑action button here so readers can open West Coast Shipping’s boat shipping page, use the international calculator, and coordinate with the yacht logistics team to lock in their route, method, and schedule.

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