A register of every licence, permit and policy a Panama charter business holds, with the issuer, the number and the renewal date for each. Use it once you are set up, and check it every month. Have the originals in front of you when you fill it in.
Fill in the fields below, then print the worksheet or download your entries as a text file. Entries stay on this page until you leave unless you download them. Don’t enter passport, card or medical details; keep copies of those separately.
How to fill it in
One sheet for the company, plus lines 5–7 repeated for each boat and line 10 for each person. Put the expiry date in the right-hand margin and copy every date into your phone calendar with a reminder 60 days ahead. Not every line applies to every business: a bay tour from Amador will never need the Guna Yala or foreign-yacht lines.
Which office issues what
- MICI, DGI, municipality. The company layer. Every other agency asks for the aviso de operación first.
- ATP. Registers marine tourist transport under Decreto Ejecutivo 82 of 2008. Its minimums include an AMP registration, the aviso, a civil liability policy, a life jacket for every passenger, compass, radio, chart and an awning. It does not publish a renewal term, so ask and write the answer down.
- AMP. Three different files: the boat (patente, radio licence, certificate after the annual inspection under Ley 57 of 2008), the business (operating licence from the DGPIMA, valid up to 10 years with an annual fee) and the people (Gente de Mar). New operators often hold only the first.
- Foreign yachts. Under J.D. 089-2020 the charter navigation permit runs up to 12 months, with a B/.1,000 fee for a foreign-registered yacht, and the local company must hold the yacht-leasing licence.
- Activity permits. ARAP for fishing; MiAmbiente for parks and the whale rules in DM-0144-2022 (250 m, 4 knots, 30 minutes); Guna authorities for San Blas; the ACP for Canal waters.
Panama tips
- Expiry is the usual failure. AMP inspections in Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí in 2024 found expired operator licences and navigation permits. Boats without a valid passenger licence may not sail or board guests.
- Copies aboard. Keep originals or certified copies of the patente, radio licence, certificate, crew licences, insurance and the day's manifest in one dry bag. SENAN and the AMP check them together at the dock.
- Fees. Most fees are not published as a tariff. Confirm current amounts with each agency; the AMP's number is +507 501-5000.
Read the companion guide
Before using this resource, read Every licence and permit a Panama charter needs.
Use it alongside these guides
Every licence and permit a Panama charter needs
A Panama charter needs an aviso de operación, ATP registration, AMP vessel papers and operating licence, licensed crew, insurance and activity permits.
AMP commercial vessel licensing for passenger boats
A Panama charter boat needs AMP interior-service registration, a commercial patente, inspection and certificate of fitness, plus an AMP operating licence.
ATP tourism operator registration for boat tours
Boat tour operators register with the ATP as marine tourist transport under Decreto Ejecutivo 82 of 2008. The requirements, documents, steps and renewals.
Charter boat safety inspections: what AMP checks
AMP inspectors check life jackets for everyone, life rings, lights, extinguisher, flares, compass, radio, anchor and current licences. How to prepare.
Charter startup checklist (Panama)
Printable Panama charter startup checklist in licence order: company, aviso de operación, AMP boat and operating licence, ATP, captain, insurance, ITBMS.