Immigration and Customs offices under scrutiny
Tourists’ questions prompt investigation
Belize Customs & Excise Department
San Pedro Sun | On Tuesday August 3rd, 2010, The San Pedro Sun was contacted by Mr. Peter Lawrence of Pedro’s Inn with concerns that two of his guests, Mr. Matti Ruben and Ms. Linda Bade might be victims of a possible scam being perpetrated by Government Officials from the local Immigration Department and Customs Office.
Mr. Lawrence informed us that two of his guests, upon checking in, inquired whether it was normal for tourists visiting the country to be charged a $120.00 fee to enter the country. Mr. Lawrence further stated that he made several calls to the Immigration Department and other relevant authorities, upon which he discovered that the charges were fraudulent and should not have occurred.
In an interview with Mr. Matti and Ms. Bade, the couple explained that they chartered a boat in Xcalak, Mexico to go to San Pedro, Belize. When they arrived in San Pedro, their captain immediately took them to the Immigration Office. The door to the Immigration Office was closed, so the captain went into the Customs Office, which was not closed. Apparently a lady (which later appeared to be the Immigration Officer on duty) came and said that they are closed but she will open the office for them. They considered it a friendly gesture and went into the Immigration Office. The lady (alone in the office) took their passports and asked where they were traveling from. She then demanded $40USD from them as a “boarding fee”.
The couple went on to explain that they did not have any US currency and that the officer would not accept Pesos. She told them that the Belize equivalence was $80. Before going to the ATM to withdraw money, they asked how much Belize dollars they would need for the whole immigration and customs process were told that apart from the $80BZ for immigration, they would have to pay the same amount next door at the Customs Office. After paying the money at the Immigration Office, the couple stated that they requested a receipt and were told it was not necessary and were not given one.
The couple went on to explain that they then moved over to the Customs Office where their boat captain was already talking to the Customs lady. She asked for $20US and as they had no US currency she wanted $40 BZ. The amount of $50BZ was paid and the couple received their change. They asked for a receipt and were told that one was not necessary.
After making inquiries into whether they were charged according to the law at the hotel where they were to be staying, the couple returned to both offices in search of an explanation for the charges as well as a refund. At the Custom’s Office, they were told, “we only deal with the boat captain” by the officer that had earlier taken their money and not issued them a receipt. The couple explained that on their second visit, the lady was less friendly than before and had an already prepared receipt. The only name on the receipt stated the boats name “Yirien”. The couple insisted on a receipt and was eventually given a copy of the receipt in the officer’s books. According to the couple, the officer’s reasoning for the charge varied and changed during the course of the encounter from a boarding fee to the couple having to pay for her overtime, as she had to process their paperwork during her lunch break.
At the Immigration Office, the couple was also met with a prepared receipt. This time it was the captain’s name on the receipt and instead of the $80BZ paid, the amount on the receipt was $40BZ. After much arguing and persistence on the part of the tourists, they were offered a $20US refund and the prepared receipt. After continued persistence by the couple for a receipt in their name and an explanation for the charges, they were called to the back office to speak with who they assumed was the person in charge. He explained to the couple that the actual boarding fee was $40 and that they were charged the $80 in error. The couple explained, “We saw that this discussion led us nowhere so we left the office with another receipt made out in our name and the boat captain’s name and the $20US.”
In the SPSUN investigation we discovered the following fees that are chargeable at the various ports of entry / departure; DEPARTURE FEES:
- International Passengers by Air
- Philip Goldson International Airport:
- Passenger Service Fee $15.00
- Airport Development Fee $18.00
- Conservation Fee $3.75
- Security Fee $2.50
- Total Airport Departure Fees: US $39.25
International Passengers by Land:
Northern border with Mexico and Benque Viejo del Carmen, western adjacency zone with Guatemala
- Border Processing Fee $15.00
- Conservation Fee $3.75
- Total Border Departure Fees: US $18.75
- International Passengers by Sea:
- Departure by boat from Punta Gorda, Dangriga or San Pedro
- Conservation Fee $3.75
- Total Sea Departure Fees: US $3.75
- Domestic Air Passengers:
- International Airport to Domestic Airport
- Security Fee $0.75
- Total Fee for Domestic Air Passengers: US $0.75
All fees are payable in US or Belize currency. All fees apply to non-Belizean citizens. Exemptions: children under 12; permanent residents of Belize; visitors from border towns for first 24 hours.
While the list of fees above mention no such fee as the fees charged to the two visiting tourists, The San Pedro Sun had a chance to meet with Mr. Efrain Phillips, Customs Examinator Grade 1 and OIC – Officer in Charge of the San Pedro Customs Branch Office, located on Coconut Drive who managed to shed some light on the situation.
According to Mr. Phillips, while the fees are not published in the laws of Belize, it is general knowledge that any vessel entering Belizean waters from international waters needs clearance from Customs and Immigration as well as the Health Department. He explained that while San Pedro is a Port of Entry, there is no specifically designated area where all vessels may dock and Officers are readily available to clear them.
As a result, Officers must leave their offices and go out to meet these vessels where they are docked. He explained that in other Port of Entries, the fee is called transportation fee, and/or something else. Here in San Pedro, the fee is knows as a Docking fee. The docking fee is not standard for all agencies and may vary. He further explained that, while it should not happen, here in San Pedro; vessel captains are allowed to leave the docking area and travel to the various offices to process their paper work.
The fee is to be charged to the Vessel Captain as it is a fee for allowing the vessel to enter Belizean Water and having the Officers go out to clear such vessel. This is a system that he met here, and as it seemed to be working, he saw no need in changing it. He also made mention that, while he believes that a receipt should be issued, it is not necessary. He maintained that his officer dealt with the situation legitimately and that while the captain chose to transfer the fees to his guests, it should have been an issue between the vessel captain and the tourists.
The San Pedro Sun attempted to contact the OIC of the Immigration Office here in San Pedro for a comment on the couples’ accusations, but were informed that the OIC was out on leave.
A formal complaint has been lodged to the Belize Tourism Board. In a telephone interview with Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Heredia informed The San Pedro Sun that he has taken the matter upon himself and expects a report from Mr. Enriquez from BTB.
The matter has also been brought up with the Director of Immigration and he is looking into the matter as well. He has spoken with all the heads of the organizations and shortly it is possible that some disciplinary action of some sort of action will be taken. In an effort to prevent such an incident from happening in the future, Mr. Heredia suggested having signs at every Port that outline all of the fees and charges that exist.
This experience has left two international tourists leaving the country with a very sour taste for the country. It is unfortunate that this incident had to happen and as the couple has placed their statement online, it is sure to cause some negative publicity for San Pedro. The matter remains under investigation by the heads of departments along with the Belize Tourism Board. The San Pedro Sun will be updating you as the results of these investigations become available.
