The costs to transit the Panama Canal in a yacht less than 65 feet will typically be:

  • $1600 Transit Tolls

  • $54 TVI Inspection

  • $130 Security Charge

  • $891 Buffer (if no agent – returned when all goes well)

  • Around $100 for Lines and Fenders

  • Around $40 transport costs for volunteer linehandlers

  • Whatever your food and drink costs for the group

If you choose to use an agent:

  • $400-$500 for an agent

  • $100 each for “professional” linehandlers

  • No buffer fee required

No small vessel will be accepted for a Panama Canal transit before inspection and payment of transit fees and charges. From the ACP form 4352 the charges currently are:

As soon as possible after the Admeasurer inspection, arrange payment to Citibank.

  • Tolls payment can be arranged through a local bonded agent or paid in cash directly at Citibank

  • Payments are usually made in cash (US dollars only)

  • You must present the proper Admeasurement Clearance and Handline Inspection form

  • Citibank in Colon is close to the commercial port, and on the Pacific side is in Niko’s Plaza in Balboa

  • Panama banks are open weekdays from 08:30-15:30

  • You are supposed to be able to arrange a bank wire transfer to Citibank to avoid walking around Colon with that much money in your pocket, but some have been told this isn’t possible

  • Make sure you reference your SIN and the name of your yacht.

  • After making the payment, check that they have faxed the information to the Canal authorities

 

Cash in Colon

There is no ATM at the Citibank in Colon, but there are at Cuatro Altos shopping centre, Millennium Plaza and Colon 2000. Many ATMs limit you to $500 so you might need to get to a few different banks.

 

The Buffer fee

The buffer covers any additional charges incurred during transit and will be refunded when all goes well (It is not paid if you use an agent).

There are numerous opportunities to incur extra charges or fines during a transit. Some examples are:

  • US$440 Delay of Transit for not maintaining your nominated boat speed, such as during a breakdown, or for requesting a stop-over in the lake

  • Admeasurer making the inspection outside of 07:00 and 14:00 (US$75 per hour with a two-hour minimum)

  • Advisor’s meal including delivery by launch – this can be US$10 for the meal and US$300 for delivery!

  • A launch to bring out a late linehandler can be US$364

  • You can pay US$2800 to request a next-day transit

Assuming all goes well with your transit, the ACP will return your buffer into the bank account you detailed for them in Attachment to 4614. This can happen in a week but might take longer.

If Transit Fees and the Buffer are paid via the agent and not directly, it should be made clear beforehand how and when the Buffer is refunded or accounted for.

If you do have to spend the night in the lake through no fault of your own, get your Advisor to state so in writing and confirm that no transit delay charge or related charges will apply.