# British Virgin Islands (VG) **Capital:** Road Town **Currency:** US dollar (USD) (USD) **Population:** 39,471 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 151 km² > The British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean and an island market heavily dependent on imports. Sea transshipment mainly runs through Port Purcell in Road Town (Tortola), air transport through the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. There is no value added tax; the state partly finances itself through import duties of around 5 to 20 percent on CIF value. Many shipments are transshipped via Puerto Rico or San Juan. The main risk is the hurricane season from June to November. The British Virgin Islands (ISO code VG) are a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, east of Puerto Rico, and comprise an archipelago of over 50 islands; the main inhabited islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. The capital is Road Town on Tortola. The economy relies on offshore financial services and tourism, while industrial production is small. The island market is heavily dependent on imports: food, consumer goods, building materials and petroleum products are mainly brought in by sea freight, often transshipped via Puerto Rico and San Juan. Central logistics hubs are the Port Purcell cargo port in Road Town and the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. The currency is the US dollar. No value added tax is levied; the state is financed, among other things, by import duties of around 5 to 20 percent on CIF value as well as fees from the company registry. Logistically, the Atlantic hurricane season from June to November, which can lead to port closures and delivery delays, is decisive. **Top Import Partners:** US, CN, GB, DO, PR **Top Export Partners:** US, GB, PR, DO, KN **Top Import Goods:** Food, Consumer goods, Petroleum products, Building materials, Vehicles **Top Export Goods:** Services, Rum, Fish products **Key Airports:** - [Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/terrance-b-lettsome-international-airport-eis) - [Captain Auguste George Airport (NGD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/captain-auguste-george-airport-ngd) - [Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/virgin-gorda-airport-vij) - [Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital Heliport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dr-d-orlando-smith-hospital-heliport-airport-28333) - [Road Town Seaplane Base (RAD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/road-town-seaplane-base-airport-rad) - [Tortola West End Seaplane Base (TOV)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/tortola-west-end-seaplane-base-airport-tov) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** No value added tax (VAT). Revenue instead comes from import duty of around 5 to 20 percent (ad valorem, CIF basis). **Customs complexity:** medium **Customs system:** Import under the Customs Management and Duties Act 2010. Ad valorem duty usually 5 to 20 percent on CIF value. Responsible: His Majesty's Customs in Road Town. **Customs authority:** [His Majesty's Customs (Virgin Islands)](https://bvi.gov.vg) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Caribbean island territory, offshore financial centre and import market **Economic area:** British Overseas Territory (UK OCT) **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** low to medium **Pharma/cold chain:** low ## FAQ ### Is there a value added tax (VAT) in the British Virgin Islands? No. The BVI do not levy value added tax. Instead, import duties of around 5 to 20 percent on CIF value apply. In addition, depending on the goods, fees apply and in some cases a service charge in the services sector. ### Which authority is responsible for customs clearance? His Majesty's Customs (Virgin Islands) based in Road Town on Tortola. The legal basis is the Customs Management and Duties Act 2010. ### What are the import duty rates? The rates are ad valorem and usually range between 5 and 20 percent, calculated on CIF value (goods value plus freight and insurance). The exact rate depends on the type of goods under the tariff. ### Through which ports and airports does freight move? The main hub is the Port Purcell cargo port in Road Town (Tortola). Air cargo runs through the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS/TUPJ) on Beef Island. Many shipments are transshipped via Puerto Rico and San Juan. ### Which documents do I need for importing? Common documents are the commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill, packing list and the import customs declaration. For certain goods, a certificate of origin or import permits may be required. ### Are there sanctions or export control requirements? Yes. As a British Overseas Territory, UK sanctions apply via Orders in Council. The BVI Financial Services Commission publishes the OFSI sanctions list for financial service providers. ### What seasonal risks exist for logistics? The Atlantic hurricane season from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. Storms can close ports and the airport and delay deliveries by two to four weeks. ### Which currency is used? The legal tender is the US dollar (USD), which simplifies trade with the USA and Puerto Rico. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://bvi.gov.vg](https://bvi.gov.vg) - [https://bvi.gov.vg/departments/her-majestys-customs](https://bvi.gov.vg/departments/her-majestys-customs) - [https://bvi.gov.vg/content/collection-import-duties](https://bvi.gov.vg/content/collection-import-duties) - [https://bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/resources/Customs%20Management%20and%20Duties%20Act%202010%20plus%20Ammendments.pdf](https://bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/resources/Customs%20Management%20and%20Duties%20Act%202010%20plus%20Ammendments.pdf) - [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_the_British_Virgin_Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_the_British_Virgin_Islands) - [https://www.bvifsc.vg/international-sanctions/targeted-financial-sanctions-consolidated-list](https://www.bvifsc.vg/international-sanctions/targeted-financial-sanctions-consolidated-list) - [https://www.bvifsc.vg/international-sanctions/UK-Sanctions-List](https://www.bvifsc.vg/international-sanctions/UK-Sanctions-List) - [https://bviports.org/about/facilities](https://bviports.org/about/facilities) *Last verified: 2026-06-22* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/vg](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/vg)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/vg](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/vg)*