Customs/BIR harassing Foreign Yachts in Port Bonbonon

[Pelagic]

Can anyone with local knowledge in Tambobo Bay, Negros, advise me as to why all the Foreign Registered Yachts moored there are being given a “Show Cause” notice as to why they should not pay import tax on their boats?

The Philippine Coast Guard/ MARINA department does not issue any cruising permits with length of stay allowed, does not have any record of enforcing limits on visiting yachts… Only Immigration Visas.

So yachts with valid foreign registration have had no guidance for many years on length of stay…. and with the borders now closed, no option to leave.

Our plan in 2021 was to relocate our shore home from Subic to Dumaguete area, bring our foreign registered sailboat to Tambobo, while borders are still closed, before heading to N E Indonesia via the Pacific.

Since this Customs/BIR issues is not happening anywhere else but Bonbonon, does anyone know if this is a local fight or form of intimidation??
Thanks for any info.

[NCWDave]

Wow ouch. I heard Indo is opening up if you can clear out.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by NCWDave

Wow ouch. I heard Indo is opening up if you can clear out.

That is a definate option, if this does not get sorted out