Plants

Best thing to do is check with agriculture dept.

Very hard to do legally. You will need to have the plants inspected and certified. What would you want to take off island worth going through the hassle. Please don't try to sneak it through, the plant industry doesn't need anymore pests.

Even years and years ago, friends had to take plants to the Ag Station and had to pay to have them properly cleaned and treated before they were allowed to take them stateside with official certification. I recall it was some sort of rare hibiscus they'd not come across before.

we had friends put some orchids in a plastic container, it came on the airplane with their luggage. not sure if they informed the airport or not

Just came across this:

Customs

Every visitor to the U.S.V.I. 21 years of age or older may bring in, free of duty, the following: (1) 1 liter of wine or hard liquor; (2) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars (but not from Cuba), or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco; and (3) $100 worth of gifts. These exemptions are offered to travelers who spend at least 72 hours in the United States and who have not claimed them within the preceding 6 months. It is altogether forbidden to bring into the country foodstuffs (particularly fruit, cooked meats, and canned goods) and plants (vegetables, seeds, tropical plants, and the like). Foreign tourists may carry in or out up to $10,000 in U.S. or foreign currency with no formalities; larger sums must be declared to U.S. Customs on entering or leaving, which includes filing form CM 4790. For details regarding U.S. Customs and Border Protection, consult your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or U.S. Customs (tel. 800/232-5378;

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/virgin-islands/726157#ixzz2wiEIZwpz

So maybe check with US Customs and the Ag. Dept.

I remember when I flew into New Zealand, I had 1/2 of a sandwich left and they made me dispose of it going thru Customs.

Alana, I think the information you're giving is for entry into the USVI.

Here's the USDA link which I think will provide the information the OP needs:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/footer/topicsofinterest/applyingforpermit

No Alana is correct. That is for returning to the US.

There are no customs coming INTO the USVI as it is not a point of entry FROM the mainland. Only returning.

I have hand carried plants, food, alcohol, etc no problem from the states into the USVI. It is only returning from the USVI through customs that a traveler and his/her luggage goes through inspection.

OldTart that USDA link you posted is for importation of plants into the US, not travelers carrying plants back through Customs.

DicieChick, I can say that I traveled a lot back and forth from STX and never saw anyone allowed to board the plane in STX headed to MIA with any plant or produce items - and they do find them in luggage and send people to the ag counter where the plant items are removed. I've seen a lot of people have their mangoes taken away, sadly.

The quote which Alana used was for visitors coming into the US Virgin Islands from foreign (not US) soil. Further down in the article are the specifics about US citizens leaving the US to return stateside.

The regulation of importation of plants and soil into the US is applicable to visitors carrying them. There are obviously no separate rules for "travelers carrying plants back" ... which is clear from your personally having seen plants being taken from travelers at ag inspection.

Sorry, OT, you are wrong.

What Alana quotes is EVERY visitor returning to the US from the USVI, both foreign national and citizen. That would be the part that says, "Every visitor to the U.S.V.I. 21 years of age or older..."

The only difference for US Citizens returning from the USVI is they can carry more alcohol, and goods produced in the USVI are duty-free.

DixieChick, here are the official APHIS requirements for inspectors - which also say no plants or growing medium can be taken from the USVI into the States. 🙁 Sorry. There is a chart of some fresh fruits and herbs and vegetables you can take though (mangoes not one, sadly).

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/puerto_rico.pdf

"Plants, as well as growing media, are restricted from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to prevent the spread of soil organisms, pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), sugarcane diseases (Xanthomonas albilinenans and X. vasculorum), cactus borer (Cactoblastis cactorum), the sweet potato scarabee (Euscepes postfaciatus). Movement is restricted to the United States and its other territories, but is not restricted in either direction between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands."

"Every visitor to the U.S.V.I. 21 years of age or older may bring in, ..."

Since you were kind enough to point out that there are no customs and immigration incoming, may I point out (as you may not be familiar with international travel) that visitors arriving into the USVI from foreign countries go through US customs and immigration at their departure point. That section of the Frommers article is clearly directed towards them. If you read the article you will clearly see the directives for US citizens.

I'm not getting in a fight with you. DixieChick has what she needs.

Yes, that is may bring in to the US - as in; their return FROM the USVI. Hence why it lists the amount of alcohol you may bring back with you.

I have read that section MANY times. The horse is dead, but please feel free to keep kicking it. You're wrong.

It clearly says, "USVI" not US. The horse is not at all dead so please hold the unnecessary barbs.

Which if confused by the information, I supplied, the best and only thing to do is to contact Customs and the Ag. Dept., directly.
No sense getting into a word war about it.

I know when my sisters go back to FL, off and on thru the summer, they can't take any of the fresh mango's, soursop, avaocados and cashew fruit I have bearing from my trees. They can do so only if they have been made into preserves and they do take my excellent homemade spaghetti sauce (frozen) and my hot sauces. So far, it hasn't been an issue.

Here is the complete information:

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/VI-Virgin-Islands-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

It's long, including cigarettes, alcohol, goods, etc., so I'll only post some snippets.

"Residents :
1. Returning residents of the USA........."

"Prohibited to import:
For both residents and non-residents importing prohibited items can result in significant fines, penalties and/or imprisionment.
1. narcotics, marijuana, dangerous drugs, absinthe (and any other liquor/liquers containing artemisia absinthium).
2. Fresh, dried or canned meat or meat products, poultry meat, plants , seeds (including rice, soybeans and chickpeas), , vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects, snails and other living plant or animal pests.
3...."

Yes, that is may bring in to the US - as in; their return FROM the USVI. Hence why it lists the amount of alcohol you may bring back with you.

I have read that section MANY times. The horse is dead, but please feel free to keep kicking it. You're wrong.

It clearly says, "USVI" not US. The horse is not at all dead so please hold the unnecessary barbs.

I deleted out this comment because I typed without thinking and was harsher than I should have been.

I can see how the Frommers article is confusing in the way that it is written. Please refer to the more complete rules I posted above.

Yes, that is may bring in to the US - as in; their return FROM the USVI. Hence why it lists the amount of alcohol you may bring back with you.

I have read that section MANY times. The horse is dead, but please feel free to keep kicking it. You're wrong.

It clearly says, "USVI" not US. The horse is not at all dead so please hold the unnecessary barbs.

I deleted out this comment because I typed without thinking and was harsher than I should have been.

I can see how the Frommers article is confusing in the way that it is written. Please refer to the more complete rules I posted above.

I wasn't confused, simply pointed out that Alana mistakenly quoted the wrong section of the Frommer's article. The listing of the duty-free articles was another giveaway, viz: "Every visitor to the U.S.V.I. 21 years of age or older may bring in, free of duty, the following: (1) 1 liter of wine or hard liquor; (2) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars (but not from Cuba), or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco; and (3) $100 worth of gifts."

These are not the amounts of duty-free purchases which US citizens can take back from the USVI to the US mainland.

Here is the complete information:

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/VI-Virgin-Islands-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

It's long, including cigarettes, alcohol, goods, etc., so I'll only post some snippets.

"Residents :
1. Returning residents of the USA........."

"Prohibited to import:
For both residents and non-residents importing prohibited items can result in significant fines, penalties and/or imprisionment.
1. narcotics, marijuana, dangerous drugs, absinthe (and any other liquor/liquers containing artemisia absinthium).
2. Fresh, dried or canned meat or meat products, poultry meat, plants , seeds (including rice, soybeans and chickpeas), , vegetables, fruits, soil, live insects, snails and other living plant or animal pests.
3...."[/quote

Actually there is a long list of allowed fruits and vegetables. Two columns, small type. There are specific items, such as mangos, that are forbidden, but can bring citrus including limes, banana, tomato, lots and lots of others as well. We've also brought raw mahi, wahoo, etc. We declare everything, but keep the list handy at home so we only bring what is allowed.
We've brought cactus, all sorts of seeds, other plants too but roots must be clean. Quantity of plants can be an issue, and I guess specific varieties are not allowed, but there is no handy list, so you have to speak to a fed to find out.
The fruit/veg list is on the APHIS website

 

Here is the complete information:

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/VI-Virgin-Islands-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

It's long, including cigarettes, alcohol, goods, etc., so I'll only post some snippets.

Actually there is a long list of allowed fruits and vegetables. Two columns, small type. There are specific items, such as mangos, that are forbidden, but can bring citrus including limes, banana, tomato, lots and lots of others as well. We've also brought raw mahi, wahoo, etc. We declare everything, but keep the list handy at home so we only bring what is allowed.
We've brought cactus, all sorts of seeds, other plants too but roots must be clean. Quantity of plants can be an issue, and I guess specific varieties are not allowed, but there is no handy list, so you have to speak to a fed to find out.
The fruit/veg list is on the APHIS website

Correct; chart is in the first link I posted (the inspector's guide) - hence why I posted both links.

Here it is again, since it got lost: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/puerto_rico.pdf

I know in 1998 I brought a peace lily (from my
Dads funeral) back to stx minus the dirt.
Since we are now moving to the states I
Wanted to take the same plant back.

Once I took a plant minus dirt to the states.

Thanks all... I will call for sure

Dixie, if you have any plants that you want to get rid of, let me know. Will send you a PM.

I personally have taken plants - minus any soil - to the Ag Station in Dorothea and have had the Inspectors bag them and attach a seal which I showed to the Agriculture Agent at the airport and taken the plants to the states -- more than once - the last time was 4 years ago.