Effective August 1, home and foreign based charters will see an increase in cruising permit fees to $6 and $16 per person per day respectively.

Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Wade Smith said the amended Cruising Permit Ordinance (Cap. 203) was passed by the House of Assembly on June 6, and gazetted on June 16.

Mr. Smith said that home based charter boats will be required to pay $6 per person per day all year around and not $2 in season (December 1 to April 30) or $0.75 in off season (May 1 to November 30) as presently charged; whereas foreign based charter companies will be required to pay $16 per person per day all year round and not $4. 

He added that the law will take effect on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 and all cruisers are encouraged to remain compliant.

The Commissioner said that the other changes in the legislation included the change in the terms of classification. He said,  “The term ‘Charter boats based in the Territory’ was replaced with ‘home based charter boats’ and ‘Charter boats not based in the Territory’ was replaced with the words ‘foreign based charter’ company.Thus, there will be one standard rate that cruisers must adhere to.”

While explaining the new classifications, Mr, Smith said a home based charter boat means a boat operated in the Virgin Islands, generally maintained in the Virgin Islands and managed by a company or any other legal entity incorporated, registered or licenced in the Virgin Islands for a period of five (5) months or more in any 12 month period.

He further explained that a foreign based charter boat is any boat other than a home based charter boat.

The Commissioner is encouraging all charter companies operating in the Territory to get familiar with the new legislation.

For more information about the new Cruising Permit Fees, contact Her Majesty’s Customs at (284) 468-6800 or via e-mail at bvicustoms@gov.vg.

Her Majesty’s Customs remains committed to serving the Government and the public with professionalism, fairness and integrity by providing quality service, maximising the collection of revenue, protecting the Territorial borders and facilitating legitimate trade efficiently, effectively and economically in order to safeguard the well-being and security of the Territory.