Good thing we have governments to protect us from thieves and scammers.
"On our first circumnavigation, we didn’t even budget for clearing-in costs because they were so minor. Alas, they have skyrocketed.
For example, it used to cost every vessel a dime to clear into the BVI; now, a St. Thomas charter boat pays hundreds of dollars per visit. Tonga was $4 and is now closer to $400 for the winter season. The Bahamas used to be $12, and now, it is $300 minimum for a 40-footer; some boats pay nearly $500 if they want to toss over a fishing line. There are countries that even tack on a $4-per-day liveaboard fee, in addition to a boatload of other landing, garbage collection and port security charges.
In Funafuti, I was asked to pay $30 for a “navigation-light fee,” and shot back, “Are you kidding me? There’s not a single nav light working in this entire nation!”
The guy smiled, shrugged and said, “Well, you can’t blame me for trying.”
“Yes, I can,” I said, while looking him in the eye. “And I do.”
African officials sometimes force you into an expensive dock (owned by their brother-in-law) in case they might need to do a random spot inspection.
In Oman, a permit is required to dive over to clean your prop, and you have to hire a designated translator to fill in the form. They attempt to fine boats clearing out for “improper insurance compliance” as well.
Once, in Puerto Ayora, in the Galapagos, the harbormaster would not allow us to anchor without paying a fumigation and de-ratting charge. Once paid, a smiley guy came out to our boat with a tank of poison, pointed out that his poison was really poisonous stuff and graciously offered not to spray the boat for an additional fee. I’m ashamed to admit I paid rather than sail westward across the Pacific sleeping on deck.
One greedy but confused fellow in Panama was demanding yet another cruising permit fee and visa to clear out. “No freakin’ way,” we laughed as we scooped up our passports and fled.
For a while in St. Lucia, the customs man demanded that you fly an expensive courtesy flag that his wife sewed. If you refused to buy it because you already had a courtesy flag, well, he’d then inspect your boat for drugs in such a damaging manner that you’d gladly pay for the darned flag to get him to stop.
Madagascar became so imaginative with these what-can-we-dream-up-next fees that all the cruising boats left en masse. They were only wooed back when a list of five minor official charges was announced. Regardless, the thugs on the dinghy dock of Hell-Ville (yes, how aptly named) still demanded a dollar a day not to sink your dinghy."
https://www.cruisingworld.com/on-watch-clearing-in#page-2
"On our first circumnavigation, we didn’t even budget for clearing-in costs because they were so minor. Alas, they have skyrocketed.
For example, it used to cost every vessel a dime to clear into the BVI; now, a St. Thomas charter boat pays hundreds of dollars per visit. Tonga was $4 and is now closer to $400 for the winter season. The Bahamas used to be $12, and now, it is $300 minimum for a 40-footer; some boats pay nearly $500 if they want to toss over a fishing line. There are countries that even tack on a $4-per-day liveaboard fee, in addition to a boatload of other landing, garbage collection and port security charges.
In Funafuti, I was asked to pay $30 for a “navigation-light fee,” and shot back, “Are you kidding me? There’s not a single nav light working in this entire nation!”
The guy smiled, shrugged and said, “Well, you can’t blame me for trying.”
“Yes, I can,” I said, while looking him in the eye. “And I do.”
African officials sometimes force you into an expensive dock (owned by their brother-in-law) in case they might need to do a random spot inspection.
In Oman, a permit is required to dive over to clean your prop, and you have to hire a designated translator to fill in the form. They attempt to fine boats clearing out for “improper insurance compliance” as well.
Once, in Puerto Ayora, in the Galapagos, the harbormaster would not allow us to anchor without paying a fumigation and de-ratting charge. Once paid, a smiley guy came out to our boat with a tank of poison, pointed out that his poison was really poisonous stuff and graciously offered not to spray the boat for an additional fee. I’m ashamed to admit I paid rather than sail westward across the Pacific sleeping on deck.
One greedy but confused fellow in Panama was demanding yet another cruising permit fee and visa to clear out. “No freakin’ way,” we laughed as we scooped up our passports and fled.
For a while in St. Lucia, the customs man demanded that you fly an expensive courtesy flag that his wife sewed. If you refused to buy it because you already had a courtesy flag, well, he’d then inspect your boat for drugs in such a damaging manner that you’d gladly pay for the darned flag to get him to stop.
Madagascar became so imaginative with these what-can-we-dream-up-next fees that all the cruising boats left en masse. They were only wooed back when a list of five minor official charges was announced. Regardless, the thugs on the dinghy dock of Hell-Ville (yes, how aptly named) still demanded a dollar a day not to sink your dinghy."
https://www.cruisingworld.com/on-watch-clearing-in#page-2