Sustainability Fee
Starting July 2024, Aruba will implement a $20 Sustainability Fee for visitors arriving by air to the island. This fee will support a number of projects aimed at enhancing and improving sustainability efforts on the island.
Once implemented, the sustainability fee will be visible and payable through the existing online Embarkation & Disembarkation (ED) Card platform when completing the ED card process to enter Aruba: edcardaruba.aw.
The following travelers are not required to pay this fee: local residents, children under 8 years, repeat visitors who have already paid this fee to visit Aruba within the same calendar year, cruise ship passengers, and Aruban students who can prove they are studying at a foreign educational institution (and have been residents within the past 8 years).
Frequently Asked Questions
The following information has been provided by Aruba Wastewater Sustainable Solutions (AWSS):
What is the sustainability fee and what will it be used for?
The Sustainability Fee will be used to upgrade the existing sewage water treatment plants and infrastructure (SWTP) as well as to build a new, larger one to handle future demand.
When will this sustainability fee be in effect?
This fee will go into effect for all arrivals by air as of July 1st, 2024.
Who is exempt from having to pay this fee?
The following persons are not required to pay this fee:
- Aruba residents
- Children under 8 years
- Repeat travelers who have already paid to visit Aruba within the same calendar year
- Cruise ship passengers
- Aruban students who can prove they are studying at a foreign educational institution and have been residents no longer than eight years before their arrival
If I travel to Aruba more than once a year, will I be charged every time I visit?
You will only pay once per calendar year using the same passport number. Should your passport be renewed within the calendar year, you must pay again the next time you enter the island.
How will this sustainability fee be charged?
The sustainability fee will be charged through the online Embarkation & Disembarkation (ED) Card platform while one is completing the ED card to enter Aruba. The user will enter their passport information and be checked for residency status. They will then be provided with a form to fill in their credit card details or other chosen payment method (see below for more payment details). Once the payment is approved, the user will proceed with the entry questions and receive their ED Card.
Can I pay cash upon arrival?
No, the fee will have to be paid online via the ED Card before Airline check-in, in order to get clearance to travel.
What payment methods will be accepted for processing the $20 charge?
The available payment options include Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Western Union, iDeal, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
Under which company will the charge on my card appear?
The bank will use the name of the processing account, which will be AWSS, or it may appear as "Aruba ED Card payment by AWSS". You will receive a receipt for the ED Card payment in your email.
Will my card be charged directly after filling in the ED Card?
AWSS will charge the fee based on a hold-and-release method for the ED Card. A hold will be placed on the credit card, and the fee will only be charged when crossing the border. If the border is not crossed, the hold will be released.
I made an error on my ED Card after paying the $20 fee, must I fill out a new ED Card?
The customer will need to create a new ED Card, as there will be no option to edit the existing one.
In case of travel cancellation, will the traveler receive a refund? What happens if the airline cancels a flight?
During the first phase of implementation, the process will be done manually, and refunds will be processed in 3 days. In the second phase, once the system is more established, refunds will be processed within 7 days after the flight date registered in the ED card system.
If I am traveling in a group or with family can the fees be paid together in bulk?
Each traveler, whether traveling on their own or as part of a group, will have to fill in their individual ED Card and pay individually.
How can travelers with issues related to the ED Card website, including payment problems, contact AWSS?
AWSS will provide a customer care service that is available 24/7 to address any issues related to the ED card payment: info@utilitiesarubanv.com
For more information about the Sustainability Fee, kindly visit https://www.utilitiesarubanv.com/, email info@utilitiesarubanv.com or call (+297) 582-8277.
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