Shipping Car / Paperwork

Hi Monica,

I'm in NH (Claremont area) and moving to St. Croix in June 🙂 We are looking into the same issues. I'll let you know what we find out as we move forward with this move.

Susan

I shipped my car with Crowley from Pennsauken, NJ. A Nissan Pathfinder cost me $1280 to ship. It would have been $980 from Ft. Lauderdale.

The real kick in the stones came from the road/excise taxes I had to pay. They added up to $1500.

I paid a "handler" to do all of the customs clearing and paperwork. It was only $100 and he picked it up in STT, cleared the car and delivered it to me on STJ. Best $100 I ever spent.

Rich,
How did you find the "handler?" Was it something that you got takend care of once you got to the island or before you got there? Do you have a phone number for the handler you used? one last question, Would you recommend shipping your car or just selling it and buying one when I get there? Thanks

I wonder if the car dealers on the island have websites. I would love and compaire prices. We would most likely bring one older car and buy another either just before we move or when we get to STX. I have read here that the prices are so overinflated that it still cost less buying and then shipping then just buy on the islands.

Iris

Just found it again. I read this a wile ago. I did not see the posters name.

"I would definitely recommend they bring a car with them. If they don't own a reliable car, buy it before they come down. Recommend they have a US-made AND assembled one, this way cost to bring in is cheaper. You will need to check inside of driver door to see where the car was assembled since VI is not part of NAFTA a car assembled in Canada is subject to higher fees to bring in. But, all in all the cost to ship and license isn't much compared to increased cost of buying here. I would suggest if person could afford it, bring in 1 more vehicle than they need, ideally a decent older model truck. They could sell the truck for enough of a profit to cover their cost of shipping and licensing both vehicles! Also, it is worth paying someone to deal with clearing customs and licensing the vehicle for you. It can be an all day ordeal, especially if you don't know the ropes or your way around. It was the best $150 we spent. Car was delivered, washed/gassed up and fully licensed."

so how do we find out about these handlers, and how to get one, how safe is it to pack yoru car with stuff do they shippers insure your contents if you lets say put your tv and some cloth in the trunk.

I spoke to Scott at Crowley Shipping yesterday and he told me that they do not allow you to pack your car with anything.

Over the summer we will be shopping a newer/previously owned 4 door (extended cab/short bed with cover) truck for our part time home on Water Island. We're waiting until after 2005 Hurricane Season as the house will be locked down and no sense in tempting Mother Nature any more than necessary. Anyway......we are also considering putting household items in the truck for the voyage. We have options for shippers here - Tropical or Crowley. Curious about 'canderson7' response. Do all the shippers have this policy (prohibited from packing stuff in the vehicle)? What's the explanation behind the policy?

He didn't realy have an explanation he just said that was thier policy.

We shipped our vehicle using Lee at Managed Freight last year in August. No problems (other than our lein holder - if you own your vehicle outright than no worries) and they delivered our vehicle to us licensed and customs cleared. I couldn't find them in the phone book, but you can visit their website at www.managedfreight.com

We were able to pack our truck with a few boxes, however I have heard that the rules may have changed. I don't know if customs has disallowed packing or the shipping companies. Definitely something to ask your shipping company beforehand.

Teresa

Teresa,

How long did it take for you to get your vehicle from the time you left it with the carrier? I am planning to ship from the Miami area and am trying to understand time frames.

Thanks,

Ang

Does anyone know how much inflation there really is on the price of cars on ST.Thomas compared to that of the prices stateside?

Cars for private owners are shipped on a space available basis. In theory you could get your car to the VI in less than a week from Miami.

I fact it took three weeks.

Jim

They still have the monroney sticker (sticker with the options and price on them) on them here. They just don't come as far off of it as dealers in the States.

Who are the people that will process your vehichle throgu for $150.00. How do I get in touch with them. I'll will be moving to St. Croix.

Hello Melody,

Lee at http://www.managedfreight.com/ does shipping, frieght management and also does the processing of cars/inspection for cars shipped through their services.

--Islander