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Excessive Fees Private Vessels #290677
11/06/2022 07:35 PM
11/06/2022 07:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306
Tustin CA
d_fish Offline OP
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d_fish  Offline OP
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306
Tustin CA
I had to create a new thread to inquire about this possible issue:

I jumped on to Noonsite to check current cruising fees for private vessels and stumbled upon this:

“Fees in the BVI are reported to change with
some officials in some ports charging private
yachts extra and excessive fees. If you
question a fee being charged contact the
Ports Authority and keep all receipts.”

Has anyone heard about this?

I certainly do not want to be blindsided with extra/excessive based on the whim of a C&I agent. And then have to waste time attempting to resolve this issue.

My first POE will most likely be Spanishtown as we are sailing from Sint Maarten.

BVI Sponsors
Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290683
11/06/2022 08:58 PM
11/06/2022 08:58 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
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GeorgeC1  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
15 years ago I cleared in at Spanish town from SXM. I was charged around 600 dollars to check in and could not get receipts for all the ancillary charges I paid cash for. A request for a full receipt was not well received.

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290685
11/07/2022 02:14 AM
11/07/2022 02:14 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
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Zanshin  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
@d_fish - I have never had a good experience in Spanish Town. Take a look at 2020-02-17 Blog entry where it took me 3 hours to clear back in there. The fees for that entry were $120, but usually the charges are a lot less than that as I have my annual temporary import paid. The important thing is to ensure that you and your boat are private and not remotely a charter boat. As that blog entry showed, another boat in line which was a charter boat but the owners were aboard and sailing privately was charged $1100!

Last edited by Zanshin; 11/07/2022 02:14 AM.

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Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290686
11/07/2022 05:54 AM
11/07/2022 05:54 AM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306
Tustin CA
d_fish Offline OP
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d_fish  Offline OP
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306
Tustin CA
It is my understanding we must clear close to where we make landfall which will be Spanishtown given where we are sailing from. We could head to Road Town as we will most likely arrive very early due to sailing overnight passage.

My concern after reading this nonsense is our vessel is private only and never been or will be chartered, HOWEVER it is owned by an LLC that we personally own and I have documentation proving that. However I don’t trust the C&I to necessarily understand why our vessel it registered this way.

We only intend on staying 10-14 days, our daughter & grandchildren for 6-7 of those days. If we end up viewed as a commercial vessel upon entry that makes the whole trip exhorbitantly expensive coupled with all the rest of the fees, moorings, service charges, exit fees & private water taxi 🏴‍☠️etc, not to mention how I would feel - violated. Meeting our family in the USVI is beginning to look like a better option.






Last edited by d_fish; 11/07/2022 08:12 AM.
Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290691
11/07/2022 08:12 AM
11/07/2022 08:12 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
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Zanshin  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
I think that many boats are registered to LLCs, that shouldn't be cause for worry. I've cleared in at Road Town when coming from St. Martin before and it is particularly inconvenient, there is no dinghy dock for you to use. You could clear in on JVD, and if asked state that when you were going between Prickly Pear and Neckar you realized it was too early for Spanish Town and that you just continued on to JVD since that was your destination. I used to use Gun Creek to clear in, but I am given to understand that they are not open yet (after Irma).

The downhill run from St. Martin is a lot better than working upwind from the BVI, but you will have the wind and waves almost right behind you so it will be a rolly ride. I often end up tacking downwind to minimize roll and that adds a lot of miles to the passage.


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Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290701
11/07/2022 09:33 AM
11/07/2022 09:33 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
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RickG  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
We had a boat for 5 years that was owned by a two owner LLC. We carried our Articles of Organization that listed the two owners. The boat was a former Moorings Beneteau 40. We were very careful to say "This is a private vessel owned by our LLC. It has NEVER been in charter." Never a problem in the BVIs. In Sint Maarten a different boat with the same name as our boat's former name owed Simpson Bay bridge fees; they tried to get us to pay that. We did not pay.

We recommend checking in at West End. Road Town is a major challenge to do ferry traffic through C&I. If you cut between Norman Island and St. John, there you are. Gun Creek will not reopen. Too bad, never a wait!

Cheers, RickG

Last edited by RickG; 11/07/2022 09:33 AM.

S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290707
11/07/2022 11:40 AM
11/07/2022 11:40 AM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,996
U.K. and Spain
Jeannius Online content
Traveler
Jeannius  Online Content
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,996
U.K. and Spain
Good luck Debbie. At all C&I places in the BVI they always used a random number generator to 'calculate' the fees. Of course my knowledge is now somewhat dated but I'll bet things haven't changed for the better. Hope you and Fraser are keeping well.

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290782
11/08/2022 09:26 AM
11/08/2022 09:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
D
Deepcut Offline
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Deepcut  Offline
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D
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
Perhaps go to USVI and when family aboard, go to USVI. My preferred going from STT is to JVD or West End.


Wes
s/v Sea Tiger (2022 Lagoon 46)
www.BareBoatBVI.com

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290794
11/08/2022 10:39 AM
11/08/2022 10:39 AM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
H
Husker Offline
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Husker  Offline
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H
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
Is there an issue with bringing a charter boat in to the BVI as an owner as compared to a private non-charter boat? Ours is US flagged and based in BVIs. Pre-covid, we went to and from USVIs without much hassle, or cost, as far as I recall. Sounds like the rules, or their random application have changed.

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290804
11/08/2022 11:42 AM
11/08/2022 11:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
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Zanshin  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
It is random application and interpretation, I believe. As linked above, the people being charged $1100 were evidently the owners of the boat (same names as on the ownership papers), yet the BVI still classified this as a "charter" type entry because there were others aboard who had different names (friends of the owners) and charged accordingly. I think that had only the owners been aboard in that case it would have gone through as a private trip. I think that, in Spanishtown at that time, they were looking for any reason at all to charge fees. The French owners were not aggressive or impolite, at least until they'd been presented the bill!


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Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290821
11/08/2022 05:35 PM
11/08/2022 05:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
Perhaps go to USVI !!

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290910
11/10/2022 12:35 PM
11/10/2022 12:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,296
Colorado and Sailing the World
Maria_and_Steve Offline
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Maria_and_Steve  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,296
Colorado and Sailing the World
Most long term sailors in the Caribbean are totally avoiding the BVI's altogether. Too many made up fees, unfriendly C/I officers, etc. etc.
I talked with the tourism representatives at the Annapolis Boat Show, last month about the many issues and problems in da islands.
The tourism people seemed oblivious to what was going on with the cruising community avoiding their islands. They explained that charter boats are what they like to see, regardless of what real sailors feel.
Unfortunately that is the attitude throughout the BVI's.

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #290912
11/10/2022 12:44 PM
11/10/2022 12:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,423
Miramichi NB Canada
Sandsailsun Offline
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Sandsailsun  Offline
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Posts: 2,423
Miramichi NB Canada
Originally Posted by Maria_and_Steve
Most long term sailors in the Caribbean are totally avoiding the BVI's altogether. Too many made up fees, unfriendly C/I officers, etc. etc.
I talked with the tourism representatives at the Annapolis Boat Show, last month about the many issues and problems in da islands.
The tourism people seemed oblivious to what was going on with the cruising community avoiding their islands. They explained that charter boats are what they like to see, regardless of what real sailors feel.
Unfortunately that is the attitude throughout the BVI's.


This makes me very sad . Watching this thread closely as we will be trying to enter e private boat from USVI in April. Love the BVI but not loving hearing about all of this attitude !


Kim

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #290916
11/10/2022 01:13 PM
11/10/2022 01:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
@Maria_and_Steve - unfortunately the overseas tourism representative jobs are effectively sinecure and looking at the surnames of those folks you might see a correlation to those currently wishing to keep the status quo. And those same families are earning from the cruise ships and charter companies and cruisers don't rank. Unfortunately, a bigger proportion of islanders don't profit from cruise ships but need income from cruisers and private visitors; but they don't have much of a say. Impolite and incompetent C&I/other officials are just a side-effect of the BVI's unemployment policy and a remnant of the "good old days" when IBC and offshore banking guaranteed a good income stream for the country.

I depart for a couple of months of sailing the Caribbean next week. I'll be in St. Martin shortly, and think I'll sail to the USVI while skipping the BVI completely. The reception at C&I that I expect to get is keeping me from planning on visiting, unless Mal happens to be there when I come past, in which case I might drop by and re-visit the BVI. It is unfortunate that despite the beauty of the islands and the friendliness of the majority the cruising community tends to avoid the BVI (at least until after the obligatory first visit).

Last edited by Zanshin; 11/10/2022 01:18 PM.

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Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: Zanshin] #290919
11/10/2022 02:10 PM
11/10/2022 02:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,035
Buffalo, NY
LauraTheTshirtGal Offline
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LauraTheTshirtGal  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,035
Buffalo, NY
Arndt, and Kim, if you havent already, talk to Tony and Melody (just went thru BVIs a few months ago) and Dirk and Sandy (will be going through). Arndt when would you be passing through? Ill be there for Thanksgiving!

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: Husker] #291840
11/30/2022 11:39 AM
11/30/2022 11:39 AM
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Santa Cruz, CA
R
rcevans100 Offline
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rcevans100  Offline
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R
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 66
Santa Cruz, CA
We just spent 10 days in USVI, Vieques and Culebra on Sweet Spot. A Leopard 48 owned by a partnership and in charter with the Moorings. I am one of the owners.

Here is a quick summary of our experience.

1. Clear out of Roadtown.
It happened to be most convenient….but as others say it’s not the usual first choice.
Everything is now done on Sail clear…. Easily completed over Internet in advance. If no Internet there are terminals available.
Check in with customs with your Sail Clear number.(emailed to you)
Unfortunately for some reason the Sail Clear number was cross linked with another boat !! Had to delete the original departure notification and generate a new on on the terminal.

Then had to wait for customs to be available.
Customs prints all forms, ….then off to cashier. $15 charge.
Then to immigration ….unfortunately my timing to avoid ferry arrival was thrown off by the sailclear issue.
Total time 1 hour. Customs was friendly.

2. Clear in at Cruz Bay.
Since we had 4 Uk citizens on board we didn’t use ROAM …not sure if it’s available here.

We arrived at customs at 5.40 …customs closes at 6. We were given a hard time by the 3 agents for late arrival. (Should be there by 5.30)
Cleared in by 5.50 Officers wanted to leave asap. 10 minutes total.

3. Clear in at Culebra.
Called customs ….asked to fill in Roam. I didn’t realize you could do this for UK citizens as well
Purchased Dtop online.
Initially they wanted us to go to Fajardo !! but asked to go to airport in Culebra.
Short walk (15 minutes) to airport. Customs was very friendly….didn’t understand why we were there !! After a few phone calls…..realized he just needed to check UK citizen passports. 10 minutes total.

4. Clear in at Sopers Hole.
Friendly immigration officer entered some boat details.
Then to customs with Sail Clear number.
Told them it was my boat … taking it to Moorings. Had BVI cruising permit showing it was a BVI based boat.
I was asked if I had a tender …and did I tow it or on Davits. Since I towed it the customs official wanted me to generate a sailclear notice !! After showing her the dinghy and getting a second opinion….no need for Sailclear.


Next to Cashier to pay $3, then to port authority to pay $48 port fees…..a $1 a ft .
Finally immigration … told the officer we were all leaving the next day. No need to fill in forms….just tell airline/ferry you lost the departure slip !!

30 minutes total.


Cheers

Bob

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #291850
11/30/2022 04:02 PM
11/30/2022 04:02 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
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RickG  Offline
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Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
Sounds like an improvement over the paper system. We will be giving this a try soon.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #291890
12/01/2022 04:03 PM
12/01/2022 04:03 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 631
BaardJ Offline
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BaardJ  Offline
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Posts: 631
We cleared into Great Harbour, BVI from USVI on Nov 18th for a 1 week visit on our private vessel registered under an LLC.

Fees included:
- Customs & Immigrations - $24
- Environmental Tax- $10pp X 6 crew = $60
- Port charge - $1/ft X 49ft = $49 (charged whether you are anchored or moored during your clearance)
- No cruising tax (unlike daily fee of $4pp or $16pp for BVI or non-BVI registered charter vessels)

Make sure to use Sail-Clear to submit your vessel manifest in advance of arrival. You'll still need to fill out the paper Immigration Form - one for each crewmember. I was unable to purchase additional blank forms from either Great Harbour or West End as they said no extras to sell.

At C&I (at least in West End or Great Harbour) you'll visit 4 windows - Immigration (present passports and Immigration Forms), Customs (provide your SailClear arrival notification ID. They'll calculate your fee and Environmental tax and provide you with stamped paper copy of the Sail-Clear info), Treasury (pay the Customs fee and Environmental tax), Port Authority (pay the port charge).

Note that the Immigration Form has a bottom section for depature info - the date should be your planned departure date and the port is your next port of call (after you depart the BVI). Make sure you also fill out the back of the from with your Customs declaration.

On departure from West End I was charged a $4 Customs fee. No departure tax was charged. Again, use Sail-Clear to submit your departure notification in advance. I went to 3 windows - Customs, Treasury, then Immigration.

Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: d_fish] #291894
12/01/2022 05:01 PM
12/01/2022 05:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
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Zanshin  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,492
Grenada
They missed the $0.25 for the form, I always get charged that and it seems superfluous considering all the other fees.


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Re: Excessive Fees Private Vessels [Re: BaardJ] #291899
12/01/2022 05:57 PM
12/01/2022 05:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
D
Deepcut Offline
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Deepcut  Offline
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D
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 933
Georgia & South Carolina
Originally Posted by BaardJ

On departure from West End I was charged a $4 Customs fee. No departure tax was charged. Again, use Sail-Clear to submit your departure notification in advance. I went to 3 windows - Customs, Treasury, then Immigration.




No departure tax for your boat as all aboard are "Crew" and not "Passengers".


Wes
s/v Sea Tiger (2022 Lagoon 46)
www.BareBoatBVI.com


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