TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands BVI Increases Temporary Import Fee threefold

The BVI has once again managed to add a new boating fee without giving any corresponding service. The old temporary import, which is necessary if the boat remains in the BVI for more than 30 days, costs around $200. As of June 1st, that fee has gone up to $600. And back in the day, you could do your temporary import in just a few minutes at any port of entry, but now that needs to be done in Road Town.

BVI Charter Acts changes

They are also trying to make it very difficult for USVI based charter boats to travel to the BVI.

How does this affect the day boats from the USVI that invade White Bay, JVD every day? That could put a HUGE dent in beach business there.

Zanshin, I just read the rules and it seems they apply to charter vessels, not private vessels. To what George says, the BVI government believes, and the USVI government acknowledges, that most of the US fleet depends on visiting the BVI to sustain their charters. As BVI waters have become more crowded, they want to protect the BVI marine industry.

And what do our visitors from the USVi and Puerto Rico do when they are here in the BVI's? They spend $$$ unlike cruise shippers who use our facilities and spend little ashore ( just ask the folks who have beachfront bars). If you are not a taxi driver or beach chair renter you wont get rich off them..whereas cruising boaters come ashioe for drinks, supplies and often dinner or lunch and, according to the staff, are quite generous tippers..

Some of the charges are increasing 600%. That might cut into the tipping!

The premier acknowledged the seasonal saturation with cruise shippers, and said they are working with the cruise ship companies to spread the visits out throughout the year. Unlikely, since most of the boats move to the Mediterranean in summer. Also unlikely the government will restrict cruise arrivals because they are addicted to the passenger fees and beholden to the votes of taxi drivers. If they are aware of the negative impact of cruise over saturation on business, they don't care.

The fee increases were driven in part by government looking for revenue, but also by the BVI charter industry seeking parity. In addition to the revenue are issues of work permits and other regulatory burdens.

I am not sure in what area the BVI charter industry is seeking parity. Their fees were already lower than USVI boats.

No, the TP of $600I is for all boats not registered under the BVI flag. Regardless of whether private or charter. While the BVI can, and does, set fees at their own discretion, there should be some business-savvy people advising the politicians, but evidently, there aren't. Even a first-year college student learns about supply-demand curves. While I love the BVI, they should realize that cruisers and charterers have other options.