What is the Bahamas charter tax?

Marcelle Hailwax
Yacht charter broker, DMA Yachting

14% of the base charter fee. Since July 1, 2025 it is a single consolidated charter fee collected through the Bahamas Port Department; before that it was split into 10% VAT plus a 4% Port Department fee, so the total is unchanged, only the collection is simpler.

It applies to the charter fee only. Your APA is not taxed, and neither is the crew gratuity. On a $60,000 charter, the tax is $8,400, and it is due with the final payment.

It is the highest charter tax in the region, which makes quote comparison tricky: some brokers leave it out of early numbers to look cheaper. Every quote we send includes it from the first line, so the number you approve is the number you pay.