customs

My idea is to let them do it...trying to fight any Gov't Agency will be fruitless...JMHO, mind you....

Hi Marty
I would never even question them but it seems really weird but then again it's all really weird sometimes. Thanks,

Yeah, we do things 'differently' here...and most times, us folks from the Mainland look at them like they have 3 heads...some of the sh*t they come up with here! Sheesh! But, that's the price we pay for living here....just put up with the BS and move along....

probably just doing an inventory to give to the burglars.:@)

your probably right Terry but I'm still not jaded enough yet to believe that a customs agent is preparing a list of items for burglars, but maybe I'm just an old and inexperienced. Thanks for your thoughts.

We too had to have customs present as we unloaded our container. No big deal. If you want your things it is best to comply. They were very pleasant.

never did that to our stuff but that was way before 9/11. guess that changed alot of ways things are being done now. maybe they do
that randomly. i will ask some friends of mine that just moved a container down here and had unloaded at their house.

of course you can't refuse the inspection......and they know that.

are they going to open boxes too???

Shipments are randomly selected for inspection. Used belonging are not taxed, but taxes are assessed on anything in the shipment that the inspectors perceive as "new." They also look for prohibited items in a shipment, and levy fines as well as confiscate those items.

Our container sailed thru.
Showed up in my driveway with the same lock I put on it.
No questions asked.
After 9/11...... in 2006

We've moved from NJ to STX, STX to CA, and recently returned to STX from FL. Each time with a container that was being handled by a local moving company. With our most recent move this past summer to STX our container was held at Customs for three days. On the third day, a Friday, I received a call from the moving company saying the Customs agent had some questions for me. I called the Customs officer who asked me things like did we have any new electronics, did we have any weapons or firearms, if he opened our container would he find any weapons or firearms? I had to provide proof of some of the things he was asking about which, had we been in the states i would've challenged the reasons there of. But it was 3:00 PM on a Friday in the VI. We'd already been on island for two weeks and we just wanted our stuff cleared so we could move into our empty house. So I entertained the guy, did some running around to gather what paperwork he wanted to see, and I presented it to him at the airport facility. A few more questions to answer and one last "If I open your container will I find any weapons in there?" I looked him dead in the eyes and "No sir!". He signed our forms and we were on our way.

The thought of them unloading our stuff, opening boxes, and "repacking" everything was sickening. Can you imagine the kind of packing job they'd do? Had he wanted to inspect the contents I would gladly have agreed to let them do it as the container was being unloaded at the house. Bottom line is if they want to look they're gonna look. May as well cooperate and get your belongings where you want them as quickly as possible. Hey...where else can you get an armed officer to monitor your movers?

Not to open a new topic but there are too many illegal guns on the island. Obviously it's way too easy to import them. We knew there was always a chance Customs might want to look inside our containers when we've moved. It's one of the prices you pay when you move here. But we've nothing to hide.

I've worked with law enforcement agencies (in a supporting role) and know how tough it is for them to do their jobs. As inconvenient as it is I applaud US Customs for making an effort. One less AK-47 out there is OK by me.

probably just doing an inventory to give to the burglars.:@)

i think you got them mixed up with the local police

We are moving to STX in March-what items are prohibited and can be confiscated? Also why are we not allowed to bring anything "new" with us?

guns without permits are bad, new stuff can be subject to duty depending upon where it is manufactured.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/

Nobody said you can't bring anything new, but new items are charged duty and used items are not. The reason for the duty charge is because we are outside the customs zone.

If you own a gun and want to bring it you should go to a FFL dealer and have it shipped to a FFL dealer here (e.g., the gun range) where it will be stored until you get a permit. If you decide you don't need a carry license (which I understand is tough to get) and don't need a gun at home then leaving it at the range for target practice is easy enough.

I'm wondering...I collect vintage jewelry. Would I be charged duties on that? Because one of the dealers is telling me that I will once I make the move, but I can't get a hold of anyone in customs to ask, and it's not listed on any website that I saw. Everyone's saying "new, new, new," but this dealer keeps telling me that they're listing STX as international, because they'd have to fill out customs forms and I'd have to pay duties on my end. I'm confused.

well good news. the container was unloaded yesterday and they only hit us for duty on a new bedroom set. it should always be this easy !

I'm wondering...I collect vintage jewelry. Would I be charged duties on that? Because one of the dealers is telling me that I will once I make the move, but I can't get a hold of anyone in customs to ask, and it's not listed on any website that I saw. Everyone's saying "new, new, new," but this dealer keeps telling me that they're listing STX as international, because they'd have to fill out customs forms and I'd have to pay duties on my end. I'm confused.

Surely you won't be shipping vintage jewelry in a container, will you?

Just remember if your furniture was made in the USA you shouldn't have to pay and if it was imported in the USA before you bought it the customs duty was already paid. In the latter case you need to call either manufacturer or retailer and see if they can get the TIN (? if memory serves me right) for the product you bought which will allow customs to look up the payment in their system at which point you should be entitled to a refund of any duties you paid.

well good news. the container was unloaded yesterday and they only hit us for duty on a new bedroom set. it should always be this easy !

Don't bring your jewelry in your suitcase, either. (Lawsuit in progress due to lost jewelry in luggage with Cape Air. Cape Air also "lost" our friend's luggage somewhere between STX an PR.) Send the jewelry by USPS, insured and registered.

thanks goodtogo. did not know about this. will do some research and see if i can get my $90 back.

Airlines have always recommended that jewelry be carried on because they do not assume any responsibility for lost jewelry that was packed in luggage.

Note that in order to collect USPS insurance you need receipts. Possibly appraisal's beforehand on jewlery would work but I WOULD NOT ship jewlery USPS if you had no way to prove value as the insurance is basically worthless at that point.

I would definitely carry on jewlery when you fly. If going through SJU on Eagle keep it in a bag that will fit in the overhead/in your purse as even normal rollers get gate checked on Eagle.

Sean

If I'm not mistaken, the customs duties have little or nothing to do with US Customs. It all stems from an agreement the USG made with Denmark when we bought these islands. Apparently, the USG granted to the Virgin Islands the right to continue (for 99 or 100 years or something) to collect customs duties on items not of US or Danish origin. Since the collection of customs duties (under US law) is a function of the federal government, US Customs officials collect the duties due under the old Danish law. It looks like one is paying US customs duties, but one is not. I got deeply involved in this when I imported my car -- upon which US customs duties had already been paid when the car was imported into the US. I still had to pay the Danish duties when the car was imported into the USVI.