Customs Fees
Customs, immigration, port fees, departure taxes, and processing fees are $75 per person (pp) from the USVI to the BVI and $45 pp from the BVI to the USVI.
If you are a past traveler between the USVI and BVI, you have undoubtedly noticed large increases in international processing fees over the last 10 years. The BVI continues to add additional fees for tourists visiting the islands.
We often get questions about the “international processing fees” we charge here at Dolphin for guests traveling to and from the BVI. Years ago, this was simply referred to as “BVI customs fees.” However, after security changes resulting from COVID-19, along with additional governmental increases from both the BVI and the USVI, Dolphin adopted the broader term “international processing fees.” Today, there are roughly half a dozen different cost components that make up the $75 pp inbound fee to the BVI and the $45 pp fee for returning to the USVI.
The most frequently asked question is: “Do we have to pay this if we take the public ferry?” The short answer is: “Yes, but not nearly as much.” Public ferries receive exemptions on roughly three-quarters of the inbound fees to the BVI, and passengers typically pay only $20–$25 pp in departure taxes when returning to the USVI. Other inbound fees for public ferry passengers are built into the ticket price.
All private operators are required to pay different fees from public ferries each time they enter and exit.
The variety of fees is broken down in part as follows:
For arrival in the BVI:
- $16 pp BVI cruising permit fee
- $25 pp document preparation and filing fee
- $14 pp (included in per-boat entry costs, per-guest wharfage fees departing the secure port in Red Hook, and BVI immigration processing fees)
- $10 pp miscellaneous taxes and port fees
- $10 pp environmental fee
For returns from the BVI to the USVI:
- $20 pp BVI departure tax
- $8 pp USVI customs dock usage fee in St. John and Red Hook
- $6 pp average outbound boat clearance fee
- $25–$35 per boat entry fee to the U.S.
