After reviewing the 219 pages of the 2013 Bahamas Customs Regulations, it is even more confusing. The regulations indicate that private aircraft should use a C7B as an OUTWARD General Declaration. Well, there is NO C7B. The section of the same 2013 regulations with all of the Bahamas Customs forms has a C7 and a C7A as there has always been but NO C7B.

Therefore, it is ambiguous. However, after speaking with several FBO's they indicate that PRIVATE flights are only paying US$ 50 in and nothing out. Charter flights are paying US$ 75 in and another US$ 75 out. I am more concerned about AOE's that get little traffic in the Out Islands where the officer may not be totally up to speed.

As far as an official notification, nobody received any prior notification. The FBO's did not find out until the last minute either. We have received emails and telephone calls with predictable reactions.

Taking a step back, the Bahamas continues to be very attractive destination from a fee schedule standpoint when compared to other destinations. However, any fee that increases costs is going to be a negative, period. Unfortunately, the way the communications was handled (or not handled) left a lot to be desired. Worst of all, there is no indication that the fees collected from General Aviation aircraft will be used for the infrastructure used by those aircraft rather than spent on other projects.

Rick Gardner
Caribbean Sky Tours