Government

Container Tax Doubled After 22 Years as Lawmakers Push Financial Lifeline for Waste Management Authority

Lawmakers on Thursday voted in favor of legislation to increase the cost of bringing containers or flat rack containers into the Virgin Islands. Bill 36-0039 was sponsored by Senator Angel Bolques Jr., who called it a “long overdue update to the Virgin Islands Container Tax.” According to the draft legislation, a container up to 39 feet will be charged $100 instead of $50. Containers 40 feet and more will be charged $200 instead of the previous $100. The fee, Bolques said, “has not been updated despite the rising cost of port operations, infrastructure maintenance and waste management.” The bill also adds a “new container rate for 45-foot flat rack containers, which are the standard across the global shipping industry in the areas of heavy materials and construction.” Still, Mr. Bolques maintained that despite the increase, the USVI will remain competitive. He also dismissed concerns over the impact on consumers. “Let's be realistic, while shipping companies may threaten to pass the ...