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Regulatory news and changes · Start here

Which regulatory developments matter most to a charter buyer?

Short answer

The most immediate checks concern Bahamas tax collection, revised Bahamas cruising charges, BVI licensing, Greek electronic charter filings and French anchoring restrictions. For Mediterranean arrivals, distinguish the operational Entry/Exit System from ETIAS, which the latest official FAQ reviewed still describes as not operational. (laws.bahamas.gov.bs)

Redacted charter papers and a pen on a teak desk
DevelopmentRelevant date and statusWho should investigate?Buyer action
Bahamas charter-tax collectionRule 3 of S.I. 57/2025 commenced January 1, 2026; it retains a 4% payment plus applicable VAT.Buyers of charters falling within the permit-based regime.Require the tax basis, collecting party and receipt process. (laws.bahamas.gov.bs)
Bahamas cruising and anchorage chargesRevised regulations effective April 1, 2026.Buyers whose yacht is subject to these entry or anchorage charges.Replace old estimates; establish whether the quoted charge applies to this vessel and trip. (laws.bahamas.gov.bs)
BVI commercial recreational vessel licensingAmendment Act effective June 1, 2025, with separate large-yacht fee bands.BVI charters and USVI–BVI itineraries.Identify the yacht’s actual licence category before accepting a surcharge. (bvimaritime.vg)
Greece e-CharterpartyLaunched May 14, 2026; the announced parallel-process period ended June 30, 2026.Charters involving yachts within the relevant Greek regime.Obtain filing responsibility and confirmation of the applicable procedure. (hcg.gr)
French Mediterranean anchoringOrders 177/2026 and 182/2026, issued in June 2026, revise relevant arrangements.Particularly Pampelonne/Ramatuelle and Cannes itineraries.Have the captain validate the current anchoring plan for the yacht’s length and tonnage. (premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr)
European Entry/Exit SystemFull deployment completed April 10, 2026.Guests crossing participating countries’ external borders.Build border processing into transfers and embarkation arrangements. (eulisa.europa.eu)
ETIASLatest official FAQ reviewed: not operational; applications not being collected.Future Mediterranean guests potentially requiring authorisation.Monitor official announcements; do not treat an old launch forecast as a confirmed deadline. (travel-europe.europa.eu)
Marshall Islands Yacht Code 2026Effective January 1, 2026.Buyers considering Marshall Islands-flagged yachts.Ask the manager to identify the applicable certification basis. (register-iri.com)
Red Ensign Group Yacht Code correctionsPublished April 28, 2026; selected provisions use a January 1, 2027 construction-contract trigger.Relevant REG-certified yachts, especially new builds.Do not confuse a construction trigger with a universal fleet retrofit deadline. (redensigngroup.org)
Mediterranean sulphur controls0.10% fuel-sulphur limit from May 1, 2025.Mediterranean yacht operations.Request an evidenced fuel budget rather than accepting an unexplained environmental surcharge. (imo.org)

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