Definition of Departure Tax
A departure tax is a fee that a traveler must pay to the host country when leaving it. The tax is collected at the time of the departure. This fee is charged to cover the expenses of using the airport, including security, services, and facility maintenance.
Departure taxes vary from country to country and are calculated based on the duration of stay, the type of visa, and the destination of the traveler. The amount of departure tax also depends on the mode of transportation used to exit the country. For instance, if the traveler leaves the country through land transportation, the departure tax may differ from that of air transportation.
This tax is usually not included in the flight ticket, thus travelers will have to prepare to pay it before leaving the country. Not paying the departure tax or being unable to do so may result in being delayed or denied existed from the host country.
The collection of departure taxes is a common practice in many countries to generate revenue that contributes to the development and maintenance of their airport infrastructures and services. It also helps to control the flow of people in and out of the country. Therefore, travelers should always research and keep in mind the possibility of a departure tax when planning their itinerary.
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