New business info

Same as on STT. Go to the Post Office in person and fill out the forms to get a box for an annual fee, or use a private mailbox service. As far as setting up a business is concerned, contact the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs about licensing requirements in your particular field and you will also have to register your company name with the Lieutenant Governor's Office.

And, no, there is no sales tax.

No sales tax, but there is Gross Receipts Tax!

Islandboy:
If you are NOT on island yet,you can get a P.O.Box in STX from the states,BEFORE leaving the states.The Post Office in STX(if you call them)will tell you that you need to be there to get a P.O.Box.That is NOT true.Look at the regs. for P.O.Box applications.I went to my Post Office here in Kodiak Alaska(another Island)and took my application(I printed and filled out from the internet)to the window.They assured me that I was correct about my being able to get a P.O.Box in the VI from here,without ever going there.He filled out the verification/ proof of my residence and identity here,and I enclosed the part on the P.O.Box regulations about permitting opening other P.O.Box in another place without being there.You must enclose that,or the P.O.Master in the VI WILL argue and tell you that it is NOT possible without being there.I sent it off to the VI Postmaster with my 48.00 Money Order for a years box rental and a request note for a small box and number with receipt and a self addressed stamped envelope(to save problems).I got my receipt,my new box number and all my proper verifications back within a couple weeks,with no more arguments.It only took,the verification of my residence where I am currently by my current Postmaster and the copy of the regulations pertaining to P.O.Boxes to get my P.O.Box.I knew the Regulations and was not swayed by my initial phone call to the VI,which said I COULDN'T do that.So,be informed,you can get a P.O.Box without moving somewhere first.Go For it.It's not that hard...Just don't take "NO"for an answer.....LA

P.S.I sent it certified so they would have to verify they got it and it wouldn't end up in the trash pile somewhere.Just a safeguard...LA

Hi,

Where did you find the application online? I looked at usps.com and couldn't find an actual link with an application. They just had basic information on boxes and costs.

Hello

Tango10lima, Found this one on the USPS website

http://www.usps.com/forms/_pdf/ps1093.pdf

LA, Were you able to indicate a preference for the post office location or were you given a box at whichever post office location had one available?

--Islander

Hello,

Thanks for the helpful info! I had already found the usps web site, but didn't see the forms section initially. Where did you find the regulations regarding po boxes? That is the one thing that I cannot find.

I just printed out the application and am going to try taking it to the local post office to see what happens.

Ok... I tried.

No LUCK. I went to the local post office in this large city and the workers there just stared at me blankly and basically said I had to apply in person at the location where I want the box.

I can't believe that you were able to do this from Alaska. Where did you find the regulations to print out? Of course, I am really not surprised at my situation. I haven't ever had good experiences with the post office here.

Look under federal post Office Box Regulations.The printer will print out a long segmented list of Regulations.It is buried towards the end ,under Post Office Boxes.It will say that you must have an address to get a Post Office Box.It DOES NOT specify WHERE!! So as long as your local Postmaster(stateside)fills out your verification of address where you are,AND you enclose the Regulations,then you cannot(by law be refused).Make sure your ducks are all in a row when you send it(don't leave Anything out)or it will be used as a loophole for an argument.I enclosed my written request,money Order,and self addressed stamped envelope with the Postmaster verification and regulations(underlined)as to the specific section on address requirements.Good Luck!!LA

I sent it to, Postmaster Fredriksted,VI 00841.It will work at other Post Offices also if you just send it directly to the place that you want the P.O.Box.MAKE SURE IT IS SENT CERTIFIED,as it will be signed for and have a time limit on how long it takes for your request to be dealt with.It just makes it easier for them to send it to you,rather than argue with you,extensively...My Postmaster said that they must do their job as required in the fed. regs. or face disciplinary measures.He was right!!!LA

There are tons of Coast Guard coming/going from the island on a regular basis,and most have families.Thus,it is a very common practice to get a Post Box where they are being shipped(BEFORE THEY GET THERE).Since they have little time to prepare for leaving,it is imperative to have things set up from long distance in advance.Maybe thats why my Postmaster was SO helpful and up to speed on the actual regulations....Guess ya just have to be persistent,and they will have to deal with you,to make you happy,so you'll go away,and quit bugging them..I also let them know in my note that I sent,that IF I was refused,I would immediately contact the Postal regulatory committee,that seemed to do the trick....LA

Hello

Tango, I went back to the USPS website and searched around, I found a FAQ section on getting a PO Box. It is not the regulation section LA mentioned (couldn't find that).

Here is a link to the FAQ section: http://hdusps.esecurecare.net/cgi-bin/hdusps.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6520&p_created=1106170049&p_sid=RVdonKYh&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD01MTImcF9wcm9kcz0wJnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PXBvc3Qgb2ZmaWNlIGJveA**&p_li=&p_topview=1

LA - Thanks for the reply. I asked because I was curious what would be done if you sent the request to a post office that didn't have any boxes in the size you requested available. That is a possibility. Did your post master mention anything on that when you applied with them?

--Islander

LA: I am interested in knowing if you actually have possesion of a post office box after applying by mail. Call me a skeptic!

I requested the smallest box size,and made out the money Order for the 48.00.I wouldn't know what would happen if a larger box requested was not available,because,I didn't run into that problem....
I do have a proper receipt issued by the Fredriksted Post Office and a P.O. Box # assigned to me on that receipt.You only have to pick up your key,when you get there,since they don't send the key itself in the mail. LA

Thanks LA for the information.

--Islander