Needed Cash When Leaving and Entering the BVIs

A lot has changed in the British Virgin Islands after hurricane IRMA hit. This includes some new taxes and fees when leaving and entering the country.

These fees depend if you are flying into the British Virgin Islands directly (Airport EIS) or if you are taking the ferry over from St Thomas.  If you are flying directly into the British Virgin Islands on your sailing vacation, you do not need to worry about any additional taxes than what is in your airline ticket.  You will actually get a receipt for your environmental tax when you land and get off the plan.

However, if you are taking the ferry over from St Thomas you need to plan on having some cash on you for taxes and fees when you enter and leave the British Virgin Islands. 

When entering the British Virgin Islands, you need to plan to have some cash for your bags that you carry on the ferry.  Most ferry services charge you $5 for each bag that you check on the ferry. When you enter the British Virgin Islands and go through customs, you will be greeted by someone collecting “The British Virgin Islands Environmental and Tourism Levy.”  The tax is $10 dollars and you need to have that in cash. 

The ticket you receive when entering the BVIs

When you get out of customs plan on having cash for your taxi ride to your marina.  Most taxis will take you to the marinas ranging from $5-10. 

After your sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands is over and you head back to St Thomas you will need cash for the “exit cash” and “security fee.”  The exit tax is a $15 fee that you pay at the ferry terminal and they add and additional $5 fee for collecting it.  So plan on having $20 in cash handy for leaving. You will also need $5 for each checked bag again while leaving.