Do you want to ship your vehicle from the USA to St. Thomas?
Shipping A Car To St. Thomas
Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- Typical shipping costs for transporting a car from the U.S. to St. Thomas range from $1,600 to $3,600.
- Costs will vary based on the vehicle's type, size, weight, and point of origin within the United States.
St. Thomas is one of the islands contributing to the archipelago, the US Virgin Islands. Because it is a US territory, the rules and regulations regarding importing a vehicle from the US are not nearly as stringent as shipping overseas internationally. However, it is still crucial that you work with a reputable auto export company to ensure the smoothest process possible.
Determining whether or not it is cost-effective to ship your car to St. Thomas is in your best interest. Transportation throughout the island can be challenging without a vehicle, as public transportation is minimal and taxis are expensive. There is also a significant dealer markup on cars sold on the island, so you will probably find that as long as your car can handle the somewhat rough terrain of St. Thomas, it is worthwhile to bring it with you.
Required Documents For Dispatching A Vehicle
- Current Registration
- Bill of Lading
- Vehicle Title (or notarized permission from lien holder allowing the vehicle’s transport)
- Current US Driver’s License
- Bill of Sale/Commercial Invoice (if available)
- Passport
- Proof of registration
Steps of Procedure:
- After arriving with your vehicle in St. Thomas, you must pass through Customs. No duty fees will be owed if your car is manufactured in the United States. If you are unsure, check the VIN. VINs beginning with 1, 4, or 5 are from the US and, therefore, are not obligated to pay duty. If the VIN starts with 2 or 3, the duty is 6% of the vehicle’s value as determined by either the bill of sale or the current blue book calculation. If the VIN begins with six or a letter, the duty is 3.5% of the vehicle’s value.
- You must now bring the Bill of Lading provided by your shipping company (www.a1autotransport.com) to the Internal Revenue Office (http://www.vibir.gov/) to pay the road tax, which is currently 16 cents per pound (vehicle weight). Please keep your receipt; you will need it to register your vehicle.
- Before you can move your vehicle from the dock, you will need to obtain auto insurance. After your insurance is in place, you must request a moving permit from the Department of Motored Vehicles (http://www.usvibmv.org/). The fee for this permit is $5 and will allow you to transport an unregistered vehicle to the DMV to complete an inspection and proceed with registration.
- The vehicle must then pass an inspection by the DMV before you can register it. You must present all the previous documents in the shipping procedure, including proof of insurance.
You can use your stateside driver’s license for a grace period of 90 days to allow you time to obtain a valid Virgin Islands driver’s license. To get your new license, you will need only to trade in your current stateside permit and not be required to take any tests.
Because St. Thomas is considered a US territory, the official language is English, and shipping your vehicle can be a breeze without a language barrier. Just enlist the help and support of a great auto transport company, and ALWAYS remember to drive on the LEFT.