The BVI Government has announced that 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.

He explained that home-based charter boats will be required to pay $6 per person per day all year round, 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.

The Commissioner said that the other changes in the legislation include the change in the terms of classification.

“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 licensed 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.

All cruisers are encouraged to remain compliant.