BVI’s proposed charter fee hikes at root of USVI’s tariff threat
The call by USVI Governor Albert Bryan for an emergency legislative session to discuss imposing a 25% tariff on imports from the BVI was reportedly prompted by proposed BVI legislation that would drastically increase fees for commercial yacht charters entering BVI waters.
According to the VI Consortium, the proposed amendments to the BVI’s Commercial Recreational Vessels Licensing Act, initially enacted in 1992, suggest a substantial fee increase and could potentially cripple the USVI’s charter sailing industry. Overnight operators would see annual fees rise from $400 to $24,000, while day sail operators’ fees would escalate from $200 to $12,500.
Staci Smith, executive director of the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA), highlighted the economic significance of marine tourism to the USVI. “Marine tourism is a vital economic driver to the USVI, contributing more than $100 million annually,” she stated. Smith expressed concern that the proposed BVI fee increases could threaten the growth and viability of the USVI charter industry.
Andrew Ball, chair of the BVI’s Marine Association, addressed these concerns during a recent meeting, emphasising the importance of collaboration between the territories. He noted that up to 80% of some BVI service providers’ business comes from USVI-based operations.
However, some industry stakeholders remain sceptical about the effectiveness of such discussions. An operator named Jared, with 18 years in the industry, expressed doubts, noting that previous high-level talks had not yielded significant changes. “Fees keep going up, more paperwork, more processes,” he remarked. “They kind of smile and placate us.”
Talks ongoing
Meanwhile, Acting Premier Kye Rymer issued a brief statement following the news about Bryan’s proposed tariff threat to the BVI. Rymer acknowledged the proposal and assured the public that “constructive dialogue has commenced with the Bryan Administration regarding this important issue for all stakeholders concerned.”
He emphasised the government’s commitment to maintaining the strong familial and economic ties between the BVI and USVI, which are “rooted in mutual respect, shared history, and a spirit of collaboration.”
Rymer further stated that the government is dedicated to addressing the matter “through open communication and good governance” to protect the interests of the people and businesses in the territory. He also assured residents that timely updates would be provided as discussions progress, urging them to stay informed through official channels.
Industry protection
Bryan emphasised the need to protect local industries and ensure fair trade in a letter to Senate President Milton Potter. “For too long, we have experienced economic leakage and inconsistencies in our trade relationship with the BVI,” the USVI Governor stated. “It is time we take decisive action to protect our local industries, generate revenue for essential services, and create a more balanced regulatory framework.”
The proposed measures include setting tariffs on imported goods from the BVI at 25% or higher and implementing new entry and exit fees for non-residents travelling to and from the USVI via the BVI.
The Bryan administration has expressed readiness to provide lawmakers with data and impact assessments to support the discussion. Governor Bryan urged the legislature to convene promptly to deliberate on the proposed measures and evaluate their potential impact on businesses, residents, and travellers.
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Looks very much like VIslanders and others are restricted from getting to that beach!!
But we cannot let greed get the best of us either. They have been cases right here in the BVI where docking and storing fees for boats have been hiked substantially for no other reason the “they can afford it” Seeing tourist as an ATM will eventually backfire and all to often that is the mind set . There can be reasonable discussion and eventual agreement but lets not think they we are holding ALL the cards either.
The insatiable greed of the ruling class constantly killing this place. USVI could fight back, God help us who can’t.
Deadman’s Bay… And Yes, restricted.
its merely a barrier against the stinky stuff. you can still get to the beach from the water side.
So all are free to go to Peter Island resort and access the beach from the resort side. Thankyou, i did not know that.
Up to the high water mark!
Until the constitution changes, we have been, we are, and ALWAYS will be the VIRGIN ISLANDS. He needs to learn the history of these VIRGIN ISLANDS and those sold by Denmark to the United States for $25 million ($594,550,000 in 2025) which took over the administration on 31 March 1917 and renamed the territory the United States Virgin Islands. This is documented history. So please do not get it twisted. Over the years we have literally given more to the US Virgin Islands than they have given to these VIRGIN ISLANDS. Those who know, know. Those who just come will never know the unwritten history and that is why we should all get along. Sort it out better than this Gentlemen.
Tit for tat
No one is hampering USVI’s Charter industry you can have it. But you see the problem is you have no industry if you cannot use BVI. People in USVI like to say they don’t need the BVI. If that were the case why are we even having the conversation? Why, because you have no charter boat industry.
Ahhhemmm, @??? take a better look, they do indeed have a charter boat industry. We lost a lot of business to the USVI during coved because the BVI shut down and the USVI stayed open resulting in a lot of charter boats moving to the USVI. Yes the BVI has a lot to offer but at $24,000 for an annual license for maybe a few visits, I don’t think so…
You are correct. BVI Businesses make a lot of money for USVI charter yachts. Re think this nonsense and interpret legislation with the correct meaning. Not ministerial for yes to mean no
Your own statement killed your argument. “When BVI was closed during COVID”. Much like the women’s baseball league during WW2 , it existed because the men were off fighting the war that league sprung up. But, that market was only created because of no options and to fill a void for a short time. Help me out once baseball and normalcy returned what happened to that league?? Do tell…..
In my opinion, the current fees are stupidly low. 25% increase in tariff will only hurt their economy. which means less money for their taxis, hotels and airport. Don’t yield for a bully
USVIs gets plenty of tourists without needing the BVIs as a conduit. A 25% tariff on goods imported from there is not going to amount to much, unless US Customs agrees to look away for 25% of the value of South American products brought through US VI waters, in some instances by BVIslanders.
The proposed cruising fee increases if they go through will simply prompt better development of USVIs cruising industry. It will leave the BVIs to the megayachts, which is what is probably the end goal. It’s really nothing short of a money grab by people who, based history, have a poor grasp of reality.
To those suggesting this is further reasoning for dropping upwards of $500 million to expand the Beef Island airport to stick it to the USVI, consider two things: where is the money coming from, and how is it going to be paid back. It will also take half a decade or more.
Anyone notice who is really at those USVI meetings pushing to take over/leech into BVI’s charter boat industry. Just look at the photos and you will understand who is pulling the strings…….
Always easy to pull the race card when you have no other logical, well researched leg to stand on. Pathetic!
Because that’s always the end reason/result when it is peeled back. Don’t believe me? Take a second to consider all sides of the argument, who it’s impacting, benefiting. If you are really honest.
Another old, boring, uninformed race card puller response.
The way I see it is we have the handle and they holding the blade we can chop off their hand if we want. Last time he was over here strong arming the premier is because he wanted their boaters to have easier access to our waters. Is always them need something from us. We should try to get along yes but he need to understand he can’t threaten us with nothing. American Airlines flying straight into beef island now the day we upgrade our airport thats it for us needing them for anything at all. So he need to take some bass out he voice when he talking to or about us is how I see it. The fee hike seem drastic it can be negotiated some more.
We don’t need to bite the hands that feed us. And we do not have control over this.
Expect the USVI to hike fees for our residents visiting there. It will cost US in the end, not them.
And sure we can fly AA, back to Miami, but the loss of convenience of STT and access to San Juan will be felt by all of us. No way around it
Truth be told going to St Thomas stopped being convenient years ago. Between the 100 plus in boat fees, the money spent to taxi to the airport, the cost of food in their airport. You are looking at costs of $300-$400 + before you even start your trip. Only a few BVIslanders still waste time with that hot mess. Most only went because Spirit was there. Also the people that you think are BVIslanders still going there are not. They are visitors and other Caribbean nationals who are working/living in BVI. BVIslanders are killing the AA option and it is only growing. Also getting to Puerto Rico was never an issue. There are numerous connections from Beef Island that get you there. People just wanted straight cheap flights, thus Spirit. And even Spirit is looking shaky as of late. But just like BVIslanders had to adjust to not shopping at Kmart, they will adjust to using Beef Island to Miami hub and unto whatever country they need to get to. Your fear tactics work with US not us. We know things change and you just adjust and adapt, no big deal. Nothing in life is set in stone. We have already told some of our return guests and they are happy to use Beef Island. As those we surveyed said the track through St Thomas was too hassling, tiring and costly in some cases anyway. Just look at how much a family of 4 would spend doing this and you will realize it has not been convenient.
eventually proved that the USVI charter yacht industry relies heavily on access to the BVI. When the BVI was closed in 2020 and later with restricted access in 2021 and 2022 the USVI charter yachts voyaged over to STX, Culebra, Vieques and eastern PR. Those US islands are hospitable but below the standards of the 60 islands in the BVI.
This tit for tat exchange between the 2 local governments in the Virgin Islands is juvenile. Perhaps the time has come for the 2 ‘mother countries’ to step in and resolve this controversy between their colonial children?
So if they can’t access the BVI for dirt cheap they basically have no marine industry.
The USVI’s clientele is a cut above…they are well aware that sailing as a hobby, comes with a hefty price.
Historic familial, cultural, economic, respectful and fairness common sense ties should be the basic pillars from which a mutually beneficial agreement must be reached.
Moreover, the owners of the USVI boating industry are an entity that is completely disconnected from the USVI VI human cultural mileu and relations.
Hence, lobbying the Leaders of the USVI to grant them economic priviliges and concessions to be exracted from the VI source illustrates clearly the mind set of those people.
Additionally, they will remain selfish and greedy for as long as they are alive. And if people other than them seek to look out for their own interests,
they are looked upon negatively and black mailed. Those are just facts.
Having explored other sides of the issue, it is now realized that Mr Bryant did not arrive at his legislative decision arbitrarily. In fact, it reaks with the stench of the caucasion modus operandi.
It is hoped then, that wiser caring heads for the people on both sides, but especially for the people of Tortola, VI, with the greater valued tourism boating product will be fully respected and compensated for accordingly. May fairness reign supreme.
Hon. Bryan lost Hon. Wheatley’s number? When he was up here on the political stage asking Virgin Islanders to vote for VIP, he knew how to get in touch with him. I am certain of that. But these fees are suggested and the first thing he does is pull out his rocket launcher, 25 % tariff? Looks to me like the VIP should be very, very careful who their “friends” are or keep them long Sam as my grandmother would say.
He should have gotten on his cell phome and speed dialed his “friends” to set up friendly talks on the matter. But, no, it seems like his white boater millionaire friends got him jumping too high too quickly. We all have options so he needs to be very careful.
Oh please…
I love my family in the USVI. But that set of imports from the mainland are the ones pushing this. My thing is if I call myself a landlord and you call yourself a landlord that is fine. But if you are that second landlord and your rental is my house then you are not a landlord. Which is the case here. They are saying they have a boat charter industry, but it’s our waters, locations they using. Then you do not have a yacht charter industry…..
to STT will suffer on Ferrys and water taxis…so will the owners of those vessels as traffic deteriorates…that is how it would affect us the most
Last time I checked a BVIslander can not work over in the USVI.
Exactly. They treat BVI as their workplace but they don’t allow us to go to theirs. Then they cry foul when we want them to pay for using *our* territory to run *their* businesses.
they have their Eye doctor come and set up shop on the top floor of the Hospital here and their dentist come up from St. Thomas to conduct business only God knows if they pay any fees for working in the BVI
Why should they pay fees. they are helping with bvi health. i believe all fees should be eliminated.
Why should they pay fees? Because it is the law. Everybody who comes to our country to make money has to pay taxes. What are you drinking? We may need specialist doctors and dentists galore, but they should not collect their hefty fees and then just walk away. Are you kidding me? While this is an anything goes country, that is simply illegal. No reciprocity there. You couldn’t set up shop to sell candies in the USVI without paying your taxes.
The BVIslanders that I know have dual citizenship,
functions and operates business, work, owns property whatever their hearts desire as a US citizen in the US VI which includes filing and paying taxes.
From what I’m hearing, those fees were long over due to increase. But that’s not my industry so hey.
We reduce the proposed fee increase by 25 percent. That might be a good place to start and see what Bryan proposes as a counter measure. On another note its disgraceful for our elected representatives on both sides to have allowed Caucasians to destroy our local culture and industry and empower themselves by creating an industry where they have become the economic power….puppet masters in the shadows while we as greedy grinning idiots talk s**t about a job while giving away our priceless heritage. All the politicians that we laud and give holidays for including Mr. 10 percent were clueless selfish sellouts a disgraceful lot. Look at the mess that they have created while the oppressor talks about
you’ll own nothing and be happy. For those of you who are comfortable on the plantation take the veil from your eyes and realize that we’re at the eve of destruction and misery.
I have many years experience in the BVI charter industry as a captain and owner operator. What enabled me to do this was not my Caucasian race, but the fact that I was willing to earn my qualifications, and invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase my boat. Anyone else, of whatever color or race could and can invest in a boat, and gain the qualifications. It always appalls me to hear, from someone ignorant of the facts, that I was able to get in the business, due to my colour. Forget your colour; get out your wallet, invest in a boat, make the effort to earn your qualifications, be content to live aboard,at anchor, and bingo! You, too, can be a charter owner/operator, just like me!
Sit back, don’t bother to get qualifications, decide not to invest in a boat, and the only thing you will be able to do is complain and shout about perceived racism!
Where your money come from to buy the boat? Lol
the day boats need to be charged the $12,500 a year as they are stealing business from local operators.
the $24,000 a year for charter boats and crewed vessels that charge upwards of $35,000 a week so its less than $1000 a week for those pperators and if they dont want to come into the BVI then their guests will book BVI based crewed charter boats, so its a won win.
25% tariff on what exports?
its laughable
Not so @reality, those day boats coming from the USVI are not stealing business from local operators, they bring people staying on St Thomas and St John to the BVI for a daytrip. They pay Customs and cruising permit fees and spend tons of money at local bars and restaurants….
So usvi will hit our water taxis that come and go. About 400 people affected in bvi. You think that’s fair?
BS
They’re not stealing anything from us. They are BRINGING US BUSINESS. They pay fees, by goods, eat and drink (a lot), and tip excessively.
So don’t spread lies about them stealing anything
Thats an example of the greed and short term thinking that i am talking about, that thinking will surely kill the goose laying the golden egg.
Actually they are, those guests that they supposedly bring want to come to the BVI. Realistically those guests would have booked and embarked from BVI rather than USVI. The problem is USVI and their charters are using BVI places and advertising as if that is USVI which misleads the guests into thinking they have to book in USVI. This results in BVI only being able to secure fees, compared to the income taxes they would be able to get if the bookers/charters were based in the BVI. Before you say they don’t do this next time you fly into the USVI airport take a good look at the advertisements and the ones in New York…….
Ok Bryan Gas, Grass or a**, no body sail in here for free.
Ah when Myron said St Thomas Eating the lunch ayo wanted to kill him .
Ting just start
Grow food , open the wells, secure the 200 nautical miles perimeter for fishing and empower our fishermen and fishing industry
Nonody paying attention how global events are going to affect the BVI wake up my
People
Change the demographics of these BVI to one where the hideous aspect of the Caribbean chain is less prevalent and there won’t be a concern regarding the USVI and competitive tourism.
Make these VI great again.,,ZERO crime is an easy start.
Can’t clap
While I am not 100% in the marine industry like many of us I have a hand in it somehow or other. Fact- the USVI boat operators do run their businesses in the BVI. Charging a “day boat”, which is a powerboat that comes up from STT or STJ for the day, $10,000 p/annum for a license is not unreasonable. I would say say levying a much higher fee on the overnight yachts as unreasonable. If you charge a USVI based yacht $24,000 then why not also charge all the non-BVI based yachts this fee. And if you do it will put a dent in the industry. Every STT boat operator I know says the same thing- it’s not the fees they object to but rather it’s the intolerable wait times and surly service. I’m a frequent inter-island boat traveler and am in and out of RT, WE and JVD customs. Its true. We treat boaters like doggy doo. Lastly, in season the BVI is too crowded. We should be imposing quotas not higher fees. And we need to invest in our infrastructure. I’m not gonna comment on our miserable roads but look at the arrival facilities- port authority tries to charge $1 p/foot as a “harbor fee”but you can’t even find a cleat to tie your boat to. And one more thing. Gov Bryant’s 25% duty threat is ill-conceived. Instead they will focus on the water taxi business, which we largely controlled by us BVIslanders. If they want to really pinch us they will curtail our dread brethren’s charade of “day work” and stop them collecting BVI-bound tourists in their $1 million+ go-fast boats.
You will lose a trade war, avoid that, proceed with wisdom and caution.
Exorbitant, all around!
400 dollars, to 12 grand?
Why not 6 grand, and give monthly payment schedules?
200 dollars to 24 grand?
Why not 8 grand, and again, offer monthly payment schedules?
Auto-bill payments could save the day!
A “tit for tat”, bullying marine wars, helps none of the parties involved, but, instead, to spread mistrust and disdain, all around!
Our Goverment has a short memory. During Covid the USVI thrived because their borders were open and the charterboats were busy and thriving. If we hike the rates it will happen again as nobody will come and our beachbars around the islands will suffer. Norman, Jost and VG will die.
Think again please
The outrage really is that for $ 24K per year you’ll still get the same slow surly disdainful service every time you enter the BVIs and there’ll still be arrivals, departure and cruising taxes on top.
Change, everyone talking about how change is inevitable and the USVI should expect it, been too long already to not increase the charter industry fees on USVI because…well, SAY IT, simply because they’re from the US-VI….oh and its a “revenue stream to put into the Tortolan budget to finish projects and make improvements the island needs” Ive been coming here with my family every year for a month for 30 plus years staying ON LAND, renting houses, cars, eating at restaurants chartering fishing and sailboats tryin to spend as much money as I can, tryin to buy a house while we watched multiple administrations for over 12 years play games with the non-belonger land holder license process while we threw thousands of dollars at that ruse, still been tryin to pay those non-belonger land holder fees (welcoming term for sure!)pay annual taxes, create and stimulate employment for Tortolans. We have many old friends who have been doing the same for longer…well most have given up but we bring new friends to all do the same. But, we are treated at the points of entry (the first and lasting impression of the BVI Govt. with the exception of the impression the gentlemen who is the guest of the US for the next 135 months may have left) with the clear message conveyed that we are at best a nuisance if not downright un-welcomed. We persist, get past the attitude that guarantees to leave the intended taste in our mouths, find our true beautiful Tortolan friends of which there are many, tryin to spend as much money as we can in their businesses then we all, Tortolan and non-belongers alike, simply watch and smell the human waste bubble up and run down the streets into the ghuts, plastic pollution piling up on the beautiful beaches and roadsides…. a deteriorating, rudimentary at best, municipal water and sewer infrastructure system, zero petrochemical discharge enforcement poisoning your mangroves and salt ponds, filling in wetland resource areas for a place to dump abandoned vehicles with fluids and batteries and refrigerators, which is absolutely killing your marine ecosystems, running successful business owners off the island because a skin colour some need to focus on to avoid the mirror, leaving unemployed Tortolans and empty buildings to rot. AND!!! an education system that rejects help from outside to assist offering a way to improve the minds of young people who are your future. There has been NO change. Find a mirror and admit it or keep the same merry-go-round going and keep thinking the off-shore banking industry is going to be your saviour. So proud to have an office in Taiwan or wherever soliciting off shore “banking” for 10 years now, and that has done what? Bulit some nice hill top houses for a few… (Oh, hey..anyone heard of crypto?) and you will keep seeing the same thing we see only its happening at a MUCH faster pace. Many of us will still come back and listen to the petty rabble in the background about how you don’t need us, yeah set up your 200nm fishing border and tax the USVI charter industry to come here to spend money…or drive them away, let the cruise ships destroy your beaches for the head tax and make sure its bordering on offensive to be anywhere on land but within 3′ of the high tide mark. We will all keep leaving at the end of our stay, HAPPILY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS LIGHTER than when we arrived hugging our Tortolan friends goodbye then scratching our heads as we get on boats to STT to get somewhat reliable air transport back North wondering if you will realize before it is too late that your bilge pump is not keeping up with the rising tide…the BVI is sinking and it has been sad to watch. Perhaps consider listening to Mr. Andrew Ball on this issue but you have MUCH bigger issues to address, like yesterday. We will help any way we are allowed, just ask when you land after you take that direct flight from EIS to MIA someday…flying over the rotting ex-revenue stream that was called the last resort.
People are forgetting that the $12,500 is just the license fee… the boats are still paying $75 per head plus $1.00 per foot in addition to the new license fee. This is why the USVI is so upset. These boats are usually spending $400-$500 in fees alone each time they enter with guests.