New vehicle shipping

I bought an used car in the states, all cash, didn't register it and had it shipped, no problem.  Just make sure you have everything the BMV needs and notarized as necessary.  The title was even in the previous owner's name and that was no problem either.

I shipped 2 cars here last month. Both that I already had. 1 was paid off and had the title. The other was financed through Pen Fed, and one phone call they gave me a approval to ship here letter. 

Zero issues shipping, no issues with customs, and no issues getting them registered here. 

Keep in mind if the vehicle is built in the USA then no custom taxes. If they were built outside the USA you will pay custom taxes on it. 

New car?  You have to get it titled first somewhere.  Apparently it's not possible to by "new" in the states without getting a title.  Some state has to get it's tax money on the new vehicle, the dealers can't sell it without applying for title in some state.    Most stateside dealers can apply for title in another state from where they are located but can't apply for a VI title.

I bought one new last year in NC, could not avoid the title fee but fortunately NC is one of the lowest cost states to get a new title.  Did not register it in NC, not need for that.  Had to wait a month or so for the title to come in the mail but that was not a problem at that time.  Once you have the title, the rest is easy, just logistics to get it to VI.

A used vehicle will come with a title so no problem there.  We also bought a used one in FL last year from a dealer, did not register it either.  Had the dealer deliver it right to the port and onto the boat to STX.

@Scubadoo

Thank you, we have already shipped a used here. We wanted something new. Right now there are very few new cars on island and the prices are considerably higher then the states. 
One question, did you go to Fl or buy over the phone?

@knowlesstak 

Thanks for the info. 

I have bought several new cars in the states and had them shipped down.  You have to poke around a bit to find a dealer who is willing to, and knows how to, export.  The dealers do have agreements though. So you may run into that.   I have run into that with Ford.   Technically the agreement is that since there is a Ford dealer here, anything you find at a Ford dealer in the states would have to ask the local dealer for permission to sell to you.  Which they won’t do.  But the dealer in the states I work with chased it all the way up the chain to allow it.  Because we have had horrible experiences with the local Ford.  And they equally had horrible experiences when they called the local dealer to ask permission to sell to us.  It’s not hard to find a dealer in FL who will export.  I bought a new Subaru not that long ago and I think I called two dealers before I found one that would export.  

Posted by: @li2stxx

@Scubadoo

Thank you, we have already shipped a used here. We wanted something new. Right now there are very few new cars on island and the prices are considerably higher then the states. 
One question, did you go to Fl or buy over the phone?

The vehicle I bought in FL was slightly used, bought from a dealer,  and the transaction was completely remote by phone and email.  That was purchased for a business.  Actually the same year and model as the new one I bought in NC earlier in the year for myself.  Since the NC purchase was in person the dealer had nothing to do with the export, I took care of all that myself with Blue Ocean.  But the dealer was fully aware of my intention.  Having an NC address probably helped.  My original intent was to by late model used but could not find one I wanted at that time and the dealer gave me a good price on new.  They had to get from another dealer at the other end of the state, standard procedure, no extra charge.  I still had to go through all of the standard sales/finance manager BS spiel they have to give everyone when signing the final paperwork despite none of it being applicable to not keeping the vehicle local.

@Scubadoo in NY, new cars are titled in the dealer's name, so it may be based on each state's laws.

i know people that buy from florida and ship. not sure of the procedures 

In my case I never used a dealership. I moved to Puerto Rico for 7 months, and then transferred here. Since my Suburban was paid off I just paid a company to take care of the shipping. I think it was about $1400 total. They picked up the car from my house in Texas and shipped it to Florida. Then by boat to Puerto Rico. 

In Puerto Rico I bought a Jeep when I moved there. I shipped the Suburban and Jeep to STX. Few issues but the company I paid to do it took care of all the issues, and shipping from PR requires a lot more stuff than one coming in. 

All I needed for the Jeep was a copy of the title and the letter authorizing it to be shipped. 

Not sure about the title issues with the buying from dealerships as I never went that route. It may be cheaper to use a different company than a dealer. After all the majority of the price will be the same either way as it is going to pay for the transport by boat. Can always see which middleman is cheaper and better to use for the rest. 

Private message me down the road if you need a little clarification on what to do when the car actually arrives. It’s easy once you have done it once lol. 

Posted by: @knowlesstak

Few issues but the company I paid to do it took care of all the issues, and shipping from PR requires a lot more stuff than one coming in. 

We tried to buy a late model used vehicle from a dealer in PR last year without having to go there in person during all the COVID restrictions.  The paperwork to get authorization to export from PR was too painful.  After several weeks of hoop jumping we gave up and bought from FL.  Much much easier process from FL.

Lol I know thats why I gladly paid someone. Zero chance I cooks have done it myself.  As you know I would Never recommend anyone to buy a car from Puerto Rico to ship it somewhere else. I can’t believe how much stuff and practically impossible time limits they put to have a car LEAVE their island. 

Not an answer to your question, but, I personally would never buy a new car either here or in the states and bring it to the VI. A used truck or beefy SUV is what's needed for these crappy roads.

Everyone, thanks for all the input.

vicanuck, I used the term car instead of vehicle. We have lived and driven here for 10+ years , I’m talking about a SUV. 
Thanks again. 

Posted by: @vicanuck

Not an answer to your question, but, I personally would never buy a new car either here or in the states and bring it to the VI. A used truck or beefy SUV is what's needed for these crappy roads.

I didn't expect to buy a new truck either.  But when the late model used trucks are holding value and a used one of the desired model can't be found in the area in the time frame needed and the dealer offers a discounted price on the new model that competes even when adding in the new title fee, then new truck it is.  And the new truck still costs less than a used beefy SUV and does better on our crappy roads.  And I don't have to visit the inspection station for 7 years.

Posted by: @vicanuck

Not an answer to your question, but, I personally would never buy a new car either here or in the states and bring it to the VI. A used truck or beefy SUV is what's needed for these crappy roads.

I used to only buy used cars (vehicles) but in the last 10 years everything has become so technology intensive, and the technology is moving so fast, that I worry about servicing older vehicles.  I’m now buying new or maybe a year old and brands that have a dealership on island.  We shipped down 2 Jeep’s in 2020, one we bought new and one that was used but the current model year (so 6 months old).  As for the road quality, yes, they are poor but that’s not exclusive to the USVI. 

Posted by: @knowlesstak

I shipped 2 cars here last month. Both that I already had. 1 was paid off and had the title. The other was financed through Pen Fed, and one phone call they gave me a approval to ship here letter. 

Zero issues shipping, no issues with customs, and no issues getting them registered here. 

Keep in mind if the vehicle is built in the USA then no custom taxes. If they were built outside the USA you will pay custom taxes on it. 

I've just shipped a vehicle here from the states (paid off w/ title), it's with the port, and I'm currently awaiting clearance to pay the excise tax. Can someone explain the process, please?

Left a message on the other thread.  I use Boynes Trucking to deal with all of this for my new to the territory vehicles.  

Thank you guys for helping

1) Go to Port to get bill of lading. 

2) Go to tax office behind the Sunny aisles Kmart to pay road tax. 

3) Go to customs by airport by taxes if not made in the USA. 

4) Go to the BMV get a move permit to move car from Port to BMV. 

5) Go to port to get vehicle. Make sure to get copies of the Bill of Lading etc. 

6) Back to BMV for a car inspection and to drop off registration paperwork. Take pictures of all your paperwork before dropping it off. They say you can’t technically drive the car until you get the tags and registration, but said if you get pulled over (lol) show picture and you should be good. 

7) Wait around 2 weeks for them to tell you your appointment time is to get tags and plates. Pay for registration. 

8) At some point have to get your car insurance. Can’t remember which step but think you have to have it to get the moving permit. They want to see the car at the insurance company, but they allowed me to send the pictures. After I got the car I had to drive it to them so they can see the car itself. 

Hope this helps.