Temporary Wharfage Calculation Glitch
HM Customs says a recent software change tied to the Government’s Basket of Goods initiative caused a small number of customs declarations to show an incorrect wharfage rate. The Ports Authority will manually apply the correct 1% rate for affected entries while a permanent fix is implemented; importers are advised to wait for their Payment Summary before paying.
HM Customs has warned importers, brokers and traders of a temporary wharfage calculation issue affecting a limited number of customs declarations after changes linked to the Government’s Basket of Goods initiative. According to a department Facebook post, the initiative initially expired on July 31, 2026, and the system correctly reverted the wharfage rate to 2 per cent for goods arriving between August 1 and August 3.
When the Government subsequently extended the Basket of Goods scheme through August 31, 2026, the system was updated and the wharfage rate was restored to 1 per cent for eligible goods arriving after August 3. HM Customs says a small number of declarations filed in the intervening period may still display the 2 per cent rate instead of the applicable 1 per cent.
HM Customs is advising affected parties to continue validating and submitting their TDs (customs declarations) as normal and to wait for the Payment Summary before making any payments. The department emphasised that wharfage is a Ports Authority fee: HM Customs calculates and displays the amount on the declaration but does not collect the charge.
For questions about the wharfage amount, importers and brokers should contact the Ports Authority directly. As a temporary measure to avoid delays at the wharf, the Ports Authority cashier will manually calculate and apply the correct wharfage amount to affected declarations at the time of payment.
HM Customs apologised for any inconvenience and thanked brokers, importers and traders for their patience while a permanent system correction is implemented. What this means for BVI businesses and consumers: wharfage is a small but visible component of import costs that can affect cash flow for businesses clearing goods.
Brokers and importers should carefully review Payment Summaries and retain documentation in case manual adjustments are applied. Traders scheduling deliveries should allow for potential minor administrative delays while the manual correction is in place. HM Customs encouraged anyone with concerns to use its usual contact channels and to liaise directly with the Ports Authority about specific wharfage charges.
The extension of the Basket of Goods initiative remains in effect through August 31, 2026, so eligible shipments arriving after August 3 should receive the 1 per cent wharfage rate once the system correction is finalised.
Primary source: VINO