A number of local cargo shipping companies have already begun notifying their customers of the new change, which they said will take effect on September 1.

The fees range from $1 to $30 depending on the weight of the item being shipped.

These fees were approved under the previous NDP administration days before they were voted out as the governing political party.

The fees have been included in a document titled Virgin Islands Airport (Fees and Charges) Order of 2019. This document was published in government’s official newsletter on February 6 this year and is now part of the territory’s Airport legislation.

According to the said document, the fees will be paid into the general revenues of the BVI Airport Authority.

Due to this new tax, at least one local cargo shipping company has advised its customers, who want to avoid these additional costs, to exercise the use of maritime shipping services.