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BVI customs
#282032
05/09/2022 08:37 PM
05/09/2022 08:37 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,640 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,640
GA/NC
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I read a interesting discussion on a BVI Facebook page. A Elderly Spanish couple arrived in the BVI on a private cat during high winds. They attempted to anchor in Roadtown to clear customs but found conditions to rough. They proceeded to West End where the husband injured his back getting the boat moored. They realized they could not climb the wall to customs and went to the other side. The hailed a cab to drive around to customs but decided to get the husbands back looked at first. Returning to customs they told customs what they had done. They were separated and placed under arrest. They were driven to Road Town but later returned to their boat under guard by 3 policeman. They were accessed a fine of 20,000 dollars each. They were also verbally berated by the customs officials for a extended period of time. The fine was reduced to 5000 Euro’s. Clearly they were in the wrong but this seems excessive. The story can be found here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1266848426813237/Scroll down a bit to find it. G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 05/09/2022 08:44 PM.
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#282035
05/09/2022 08:51 PM
05/09/2022 08:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 496 Ohio
jagmansr
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 496
Ohio
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I read the story too. Bottom line was they DID NOT check in with customs before taking off to see a clinic (and as far as anyone including customs know, what else they did). Sorry for their problems but really,,,, checking into any county, you go through customs first,,,,, otherwise, YES there are consequences, end of story.
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#282036
05/09/2022 08:57 PM
05/09/2022 08:57 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 704 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 704
Redmond, WA
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I saw it too and though I have sympathy for their situation it seemed like they took a bit of an "ask forgiveness instead of permission" approach and it didn't work out. Also, a certain lack of respect for the officials came through in the post and may have exacerbated the situation.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#282056
05/10/2022 08:54 AM
05/10/2022 08:54 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 704 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 704
Redmond, WA
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Ultimately they paid less. Threatening a higher fine is probably an effective way to get people to pay a lower fine.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: MrEZgoin]
#282057
05/10/2022 08:58 AM
05/10/2022 08:58 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,256 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,256
Washington DC
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Ultimately they paid less. Threatening a higher fine is probably an effective way to get people to pay a lower fine. Classic sales technique...need to raise money to get their Premier back
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#282063
05/10/2022 09:22 AM
05/10/2022 09:22 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718 Massachusetts
maytrix
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,718
Massachusetts
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It's been years since we've been, but isn't there still a dinghy dock by customs at Soper's hole? That's what we always used when checking in or out. Our last trip was 2016 though. Looking forward to getting down there in July!
Matt
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#282083
05/10/2022 12:14 PM
05/10/2022 12:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 875 Georgia & South Carolina
Deepcut
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 875
Georgia & South Carolina
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As I mentioned he was in the wrong but threatened with prison and a 40,000 dollar total fine is a bit much! I agree it seemed excessive. I read the FB post as well, and it seemed a contributing issue may have been the language barrier. I have personally seen a French delivery captain treated so rudely without any provocation. BVI Customs and Immigration should have the goal of being an enjoyable experience for visitors (tourism is still a major portion of economy). Too often, the tourist have a negative experience due to C&I attitudes. For the truly criminal elements, I am all for strong enforcement.
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#282093
05/10/2022 02:06 PM
05/10/2022 02:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,640 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,640
GA/NC
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Another poster mentioned they also had a very bad experience and were threatened at Sopers. They arrived after a long open water voyage and picked up a ball at 1:30 AM. They put up a quarantine flag and went to sleep. Waking up just after 10am they went straight into customs and were berated and threatened because they were not standing in line when customs opened that day. G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 05/10/2022 04:44 PM.
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#282114
05/10/2022 06:29 PM
05/10/2022 06:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640 MD, USA
polaris
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640
MD, USA
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Years ago I sailed Jeannius (thanks again Mike) from Martinique to BVI, clearing in and out of 5 countries enroute. I had prepared a self-made form containing all the passport information of each crewmember, it was readily accepted in each country, stamped the passports, paid whatever and wished me a good day. Then, after an overnight passage from Antigua we pulled into JVD, sent the crew off to Corsairs for breakfast and I went to C and I. They made me fill out a form for each crewmember, containing the exact info as my form, then stapled my form to theirs. Sent me to another room, I guess Customs, and filled out a variation of the first forms and paid 70 cents - I guess it was $.10 per person!
The whole thing took so long my crew came back after having breakfast to see what had happened to me. I had spent more time checking in to BVI than in all the other 5 countries combined.
Polaris
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Re: BVI customs
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#287517
08/19/2022 12:19 PM
08/19/2022 12:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640 MD, USA
polaris
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 640
MD, USA
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In going through some old sailing papers I came across my FIRST entry to BVI - March 3, 1978! We were on a Pearson 365 from St. Tropez charters in CA. The entry was at West End and the charges were: $.90 Clearance Fee $5.00 Harbour fee $2.06 Overtime fee $.60 Form 5 For a total of $8.58
Polaris
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