We anchored in the Bay at 11 am on 27 June 2011, inflated our rowing dinghy, and arrived at Customs at 11:50 am. A German couple was just completing their clearing. There were 2 Customs people on duty.

After starting to complete my clearance another man entered the office and sat silently on a stool in front of the counter. At noon, the clerk turned his attention to the man on the stool, had a personal conversation about the man’s sailboat, beach time, etc. The clerk completed that man’s “extension” a few minutes after noon, took 2 personal phone calls from a woman he was making a date with, made some comments to his co-worker about the woman, then completed my clearance procedure.

He then charged me $20 EEC for “overtime fee”. There was no sign indicating any overtime charge liability.

I complained to the Tourist Bureau there and also to the chief of police, for whom the Customs staff work. I felt that the “overtime fee” was unethical and inappropriate: the “friend” who entered after me was not charged and his business was not completed until after 12:00.

The government officials are clearly untrustworthy.

Don Haynie

Ed: Overtime fees are charged outside office hours and on Sundays and public holidays. Grenada Customs and Immigration offices are generally open, Mon-Fri 0800-1145 and Mon-Thurs 1300-1600; Friday 1300-1700; Weekends from 0900-1300.