Car Registration & Shipping It to the Islands

Hello Steve,

The personal tax is for individuals shipping things in. It doesn't just apply to cars but anything for personal use that is over $1000. The formula is Value of 'thing' minus $1000 times 4%. The thing can be one item or a group of items shipped together.

If you were just thinking of bringing in a few cars, registering them yourself and then selling them then you would pay the personal tax under the premise that you were shipping the car for yourself. If you were running a business/used car lot you would pay business taxes rather then personal, which I believe is excise tax.

In the booklet I have, dated fall 04, it says Excise tax is "2-25% of net invoice value plus a markup of 5% on items brought into the territory for business use or resale. There is no excise tax on vehicles. However, vehicles registered in the VI pay a highway tax."

Call the Excise Tax office and ask them about the car/excise tax situation, they would be able to give you all the details and current information. Their number is (340)776-3740 on St. Thomas. And on St. Croix (340) 778-0833 and (340)773-3766.

--Islander

Anna: I have a Ford Expedition too, want to get it to St. Thomas. I live in NY. Where did you ship your SUV from for the above mentioned cost? Where is Crowley out of?

Also, I read somewhere that cars that are leased are sometimes not allowed off the mainland. Any information on that? Thanks for any information you can give me.

Joanee

This is just my two cents worth:

I am always amazed by folks that want to ship their cars down. We DO have cars already here (too many of them, actually), and there are always some for sale. There are also car lots. The expense and hassle of shipping a car here would be too much for me were I moving here. Maybe that's because I have seen so many people ship their cars, then, after living here for six months, find that the islands are not for them and they take a beating on their car cuz they can't afford to ship it back. Lots of "leaving Island" cars for sale here. I bought my wife's Jeep for over $2K LESS than the Kelly Bluebook Value from someone moving off island.

Why would you want to bring a Ford Expidition to the USVI's? It will not fit down many roads, the price of gas is only going up, and as a local, I will tell you that there is little tolerance for a newbie with their suv stuck backing into traffic because his car won't fit down the road. I'm with Marty on this one.

The parts thing seems to be in practice, a myth. The US Customs office has very little recourse in determining a part's point of manufacture. most everything with vehicles is determined by the VIN and data plat that shows the point of manufacture. My Toyota Tacoma VIN starts with 4 (USA) and is manufactured in Freemont, CA. that's all they seem to care about.

Purchasing a new car in the VI isn't that great of an experience. Many dealers are third rate. There isn't much competition Look at the dealer's showrooms and shops. Plus dealers don't inventory much in the way of parts.

After having purchased a new car locally I would never do it again.

It is much less hassel to buy a car state side and ship it to the VI.

I dropped a car off in West Palm Beach on April 14th, it arrived on STX on April 23rd and I will pick it up VI road ready on the 25th.

This is contast to a new Ford I ordered in Sept of 2005 which I still have open issues with the dealer.

Shipping a car isn't a no brainer, but Tropical Shipping isn't that hard to deal with. It will cost you money, but if you can afford to write the check buying a car isn't that much more difficult than buying a book on Amazon.

Jim

Does anyone know if you need a clear title to bring a vehicle into VI?

My husband and I would like to ship our vehicles over, but we bought them last year they both have liens against them. If we sold them before we moved, we would lose our shirts because of the depreciation.

Appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.

I am almost sure that you need to have it paid off, or get permission from your lender. I know it's true of leased vehicles. That whole "moving out of the country" thing. I guess they are paranoid about trying to repo it if you quit making payments.

Offrdfun73,

Yes, your titles must be cleared or you must have a notorized letter from the bank clearing you to ship your vehicle out from the states.

On the comment concerning shipping vehicles, I rather ship my used vehicle than to have to deal with some old beaten up island car. I know that not all island cars are bad, but I sure have had my share of experience with used cars. Its like buying someone elses problem.

Thats why I'm shipping my vehicles to STX. Atleast I know where my cars have been and they have been well maintained. Matter of fact, I dropped off my Toyota Tacoma off at Orlando this past Friday so the Government can ship it out. It should be there by the 8th of May. Just a couple of days before we arrive.

On my wife's minivan, I have to take that to West Palm Beach to ship it out via Tropical Shipping on the begining of May, and yes, they have been very helpful and easy to deal with.

Althou the cost to register both vehicles and clear the whole tax issue is not cheap, I will sleep better at night knowing that niegther vehicle will leave my wife and kids stranded in some dark street at night.

Price for shipping my wife's minivan: $1264.00
Price for Taxes, registration, etc, etc: $1000.00

Price for peace of mind: "PRICELESS"

For everything else, there's Master Card!

For my Truck, the Federal Government will pickup most of that bill.

Tony
U.S. Navy (Retired)

Many lenders will provide you with a letter of permission to ship your vehicle if you owe money on it. My Jeep is financed through Chrysler Financial and I was allowed to ship it to the VI.

Check with your lender.