British Virgin Islands

Official vessel-formalities overview

Under BVI customs law, vessels arriving from abroad must proceed to a customs port. The master must report arrival in the form and manner specified by customs within 12 hours of reaching that port. If unavoidable circumstances require arrival elsewhere, report immediately.

Official source: Customs Management and Duties Act

The BVI Tourist Board's current Arriving by Sea page lists Road Town (Tortola), West End (Tortola), Great Harbour (Jost Van Dyke) and St. Thomas Bay (Virgin Gorda) as seaports of entry. Gun Creek is marked 'reopening soon', so it is not treated here as open. The page's customs/immigration office locations and hours do not exactly match its port list. All arriving vessels must clear customs and immigration immediately after arrival. Before departure, confirm that the intended port currently receives yachts, its service hours and whether an appointment is needed.

Entry card

The government's online ED Card FAQ says all arriving travellers, including residents, tourists and business visitors, must use the online system. Submission at least 72 hours before scheduled arrival is recommended. The ED Card is not a travel document: valid passports and other applicable entry documents remain necessary.

Official source: Online ED Card FAQ

Personal entry documents

Government guidance requires a valid passport and, where required by nationality, a visa. The online ED Card replaces neither the passport nor other applicable entry documents. Immigration officers assess each person's eligibility.

Official sources: Government passport-entry notice; Online ED Card FAQ

Vessel customs formalities

Vessels arriving from abroad must proceed to a customs port and the master must submit the required arrival report within 12 hours of reaching it. If unavoidable circumstances require a call elsewhere, report immediately. Goods may not be unloaded and people may not leave the vicinity of the vessel without customs consent.

Official source: Customs Management and Duties Act, sections 22 and 24

Plant, animal and agricultural quarantine

Before bringing plants, plant products or agricultural products into the BVI, apply to plant quarantine for any required import permit and establish the documentation needed, including an origin-country phytosanitary certificate where applicable. After approval, advise quarantine officers of the expected arrival date, time and port. Goods must be inspected on arrival and may not be released without approval. Conditions vary by commodity and origin; confirm them before sailing.

Controlled items

Endangered wildlife and its products may require CITES permits. Government examples include conch meat, shells and products, coral and coral products, pet snakes, pet birds and orchids. This is not a complete prohibited-goods list. Before carrying firearms, medicines, plants, animals or other controlled items, confirm declaration and permit requirements with customs and the relevant authority.

The government's tourism department requires arriving vessels to clear customs and immigration immediately. The skipper should have valid passports and vessel registration papers ready. Formalities take place at seaports of entry. Listed ports, office hours and remote-clearance arrangements can change; confirm directly with local customs and immigration before departure.

Fees and departure

The Immigration Department's fee schedule, effective 1 October 2025, lists hourly out-of-hours vessel/aircraft immigration-clearance fees: US$20 per immigration officer per hour for vessels or aircraft carrying fewer than 15 passengers, and US$50 per officer per hour for ferries, vessels or aircraft carrying 16 or more. It does not specify the category for exactly 15 passengers or establish whether all private yachts pay a separate standard-hours clearance fee. Confirm the applicable charge when booking. The Tourist Board says out-of-hours entry can be arranged in advance for an additional fee.

Returning after departure requires fresh customs and immigration clearance for the vessel and crew. All travellers must submit the free online ED Card on entry and departure. Confirm outward reporting, clearance and payment arrangements with the port, and request an itemised bill.