Shipping a Car to the US Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are US territory, so this is a domestic move with a customs step, and that combination is what confuses people. You are not exporting the car, but it still clears US Customs and Border Protection on arrival and it still attracts territorial duty and fees. Budget for that alongside the freight, have the title ready before the car sails, and the rest is a straightforward overland leg followed by an ocean crossing.
Two Legs, One Booking
Vehicles reach the territory by sea, and almost all of them sail from a southeastern US port, most commonly in Florida.
So the move breaks into an overland leg to the port and an ocean leg to St Thomas or St Croix, with an onward inter island transfer if your destination is St John. Both legs need to be arranged together, because the sailing schedule is what everything else has to hit.
Plan on three to five weeks door to door. The overland part is the flexible half; the sailings are not.
Sailings Are Fixed and Infrequent
This is the biggest practical difference from a mainland move.
Vessels serving the territory run to a published schedule rather than departing when your car arrives. Miss a cut off and the next sailing may be a week or more away, while the vehicle sits at the port accruing storage. The overland leg therefore has to be booked to hit a specific vessel, not merely to reach Florida sometime.
Build slack in at the mainland end rather than at the port end, because a car waiting a day at home costs nothing and a car waiting a week at a terminal does.
Paperwork, and Why the Title Matters Early
Have the original title, your photo identification, and the bill of sale if the car is recently purchased. If there is a lien, the lienholder must authorize the shipment in writing, and getting that letter is frequently the slowest step in the whole process.
Start it before you book the transport rather than after. A car sitting at a Florida terminal waiting for a lender’s letter is the most avoidable delay on this route.
The vehicle also has to be clean and empty. Customs will inspect, and personal belongings inside are not permitted, not insured and will hold up clearance.
Duty and Fees Are Real Money
The territory levies its own excise duty on imported vehicles, assessed on the vehicle’s value, plus port and handling charges at arrival.
That is separate from and additional to the shipping cost, and it is the line people leave out when comparing a quote against the price of buying locally. Ask the receiving agent or the territorial authority what applies to your specific vehicle and its value before you commit, because on an older car the duty and fees can approach the freight itself.
What It Costs
Two components, quoted separately. The overland leg to the Florida port is priced like any domestic move, so from the Northeast or Midwest expect roughly $500 to $900 for a standard sedan, less from within the Southeast.
The ocean leg is priced by the shipping line on the vehicle’s measured size rather than its weight, which is why a large SUV or pickup costs disproportionately more than a sedan on the same sailing. Reducing measured volume is not really possible with a car, so the vehicle you choose to send is the main lever you have.
Then add the territorial duty and the port handling charges at arrival, which are yours to pay on collection rather than part of the transport quote. Getting all three figures before you commit is the only way to compare shipping your car against buying one locally.
Registration and Driving There
Once the car clears, it is registered locally, which means an inspection and territorial plates within the period the authorities allow.
Worth knowing before you ship: traffic in the US Virgin Islands drives on the left, while the vehicles themselves are ordinary left hand drive American cars. That combination is unusual and takes some adjustment, but it does not change anything about the shipping or the registration.
Preparing the Vehicle
Wash it inside and out. Customs inspects, and a clean car clears faster.
Empty it completely, including the trunk and the glovebox. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Photograph every panel in daylight, including the roof and the wheels, and keep those images dated, because with an overland leg, a port and an ocean crossing there are several handoffs at which condition could be disputed.
Remove toll transponders and any aftermarket item that is not permanently fitted. Hand over a key, and make sure whoever is receiving the car at the far end has one too.
Common Questions
Is this an international shipment? No. The USVI is US territory, so it is domestic, but the vehicle still clears customs and attracts territorial duty.
How long does it take? Three to five weeks door to door, driven by the sailing schedule rather than the driving distance.
Can I leave belongings in the car? No. Customs will inspect, items are not insured, and it delays clearance.
What if there is a loan on the car? The lienholder must authorize the shipment in writing. Start that early.
What does duty cost? It is assessed on the vehicle’s value and is separate from the freight. Confirm the figure before booking.
Get a Quote
Call Ship A Car, Inc. at (866) 821-4555 with your origin, the destination island and the vehicle, or price the mainland leg with the instant calculator.
