Shipping Computers and Other Electronics When Moving to USVI

As long as they are packed carefully there's no reason why you shouldn't ship them.

In planning my move from Michigan, am wondering about computers, flatscreen TVs, other electronics, etc.

I currently use two relatively newer desktop computers (a PC and an iMac, both with nice large display screens) in addition to my iPad and have five Apple TVs throughout my home. Is it even realistic to think about moving these to USVI, and how available are these for purchasing upon arrival?

Thanks for any input.

Electronics are very limited in selection and higher priced down here. Apple products are very hard to find.....

I ordered a couple of large flat screen TVs shipped from the mainland. One came in with broken screen on first attempt, OK on second try. Seemed like they had it laid flat and piled stuff on top. But they were shipped on the OEM boxes so not much extra protection. With proper packing as Afriend said there shouldn't be a problem. USPS shipping is your best bet if you can stay under the size and weight limits. STX is considered international for UPS and FEDEX. There are also freight forwarders but then you'd be paying to ship twice.

I shipped my desktop, my laptop, printer and shredder as well as my files, and other office equipment, etc., when I moved from VI to FL.
Didn't bother with TV's as they're really inexpensive here.
Think they're more expensive in VI, tho.
Everything arrived intact and in operating condition.

Thanks Alana33...by what means did you ship your items?

Thx for your input Afriend, do you have a recommended shipper?

Is Amazon Prime available there?

Amazon Prime Is not available in VI.
I shipped ocean freight with Viking.
I had them pack the items I planned on insuring.
I packed the rest.
You'll want a good ups for your computer and electric devices.
WAPA power outages.

Which island are you moving to? Sorry, I don't remember...
I would ship what you have and a freight forwarder is going to be a lot cheaper than USPS (but that is an option too). If you don't really want to deal with the logistics, there are people who can do that for you, for a fee. Meme St. John at International Logistics is someone quite a few of us have used in the past. I've had her deal with the shipping and road ready for two vehicles purchased stateside and shipped here. She runs an add on this site, so you may have seen that. You could also use Tropical Shipping, Crowley (this is who Meme works with) CaribTrans, etc. I've worked with all of these in some capacity, but usually use Tropical because they ship right to St. John, which is where I am so it's more convenient for me. Packing things securely will be your best bet to make sure they get here safe an sound.

And if you don't want to deal with all of that... I've ordered several items from Best Buy, they ship here, for free. This is generally where I buy my Apple computers, printers, etc. Just ordered a 27" HP all in one and it arrived within a week. Ordered about 15 printers (for donation to the public school on STJ), and those took 3 weeks, almost exactly, for every single one even though they were ordered at different times, by different people in the states and in the VI.

Thanks much StJohnJulie, you've been a tremendous help, appreciate the recommendations. My plan is to rent for a year before committing to a purchase, open to St. John or St. Thomas at this point although I believe St. John will be more for me.

When you ask about Amazon Prime: No, shipping is specifically excluded for US territories (except Puerto Rico for some reason), but you can still get Prime Music, Video,Kindle,etc.

Because people come and go a lot, you can pick up almost new flat screen TVs at moving sales inexpensively.

Unless it's too cumbersome, you might plan to bring your computers and other data devices in checked luggage though it sounds like you'll need to ship your monitors.

Good points, thanks Gator's Mom.

When you ask about Amazon Prime: No, shipping is specifically excluded for US territories (except Puerto Rico for some reason), but you can still get Prime Music, Video,Kindle,etc.

That is not true...... Prime is available here but there is a goof in their system. If you call Amazon they will drop shipping charges , wife does it all the time

From the Prime website:

"Ineligible:

* Items fulfilled by Amazon Marketplace sellers that are not marked as Prime-eligible.
* Magazine subscriptions.
* Personalized gift cards.
* Any item that doesn't have a message indicating that it's eligible for Prime on its product page.
* Addresses in the U.S. territories, possessions, protectorates (other than Puerto Rico)
International destinations"

For electronics: something that I've been told to take into account when I move is that electricity on St. Croix is...shall I use the word "intermittent"...and you will need two items for them: a Universal Backup System (UBS) and a line conditioner.

For UBS, you need to know the wattage used by your computer device, generally the power supply rating, and purchase a UBS that has a VA rating which is higher than the wattage drawn by the machine. The higher the VA, the longer your computer can stay powered before being required to shut down. I would further suggest that any UBS have an integrated alert software that can shut your computer off for you in case you lose power while at work, or the like.

The line conditioner will be a slightly tougher sell, especially if you are renting or "roommating" at someone's home. A line conditioner removes "electric static", which is common in locations that has inconsistent power delivery. Inconsistent power delivery is the bane of computer devices and machines, even moreso than power loss, and can damage and even destroy, your computer hardware without you having ever lost power. Inconsistency issues in your power will not only affect your TV or computers, but can affect anything with a computerized control in it; washer/dryers, coffee makers...anything with a computer can and will be damaged because of inconsistent power delivery.

Some line conditioners can be purchased and then attached to an outlet. Others are placed in line with an outlet. More powerful line conditioners are available that allow you to attach to the circuit breaker, right before power comes into the home. Attaching a line conditioner, however, generally requires shutting off power to the area you're trying to protect which may be a tougher sell if you aren't living on your own.

These are the things I'm keeping in mind as I am also preparing to relocate to STX.

But MAN, am I looking forward to this!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=468640

It's not free.

Is Amazon Prime available there?

For electronics: something that I've been told to take into account when I move is that electricity on St. Croix is...shall I use the word "intermittent"...and you will need two items for them: a Universal Backup System (UBS) and a line conditioner.

UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply and line conditioner AKA Surge Protector. Any UPS will include line conditioner/surge protector. If your computer is a laptop it has it's own battery so a UPS isn't so much needed. You'll want a whole house surge protector if possible and possibly individual or outlet strip surge protectors on TVs, radios, printers, routers, appliances with sensitive electronics, etc. The higher the joule rating the better which is a measurement of how much energy surge it can absorb.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=468640

It's not free.

Is Amazon Prime available there?

Sometimes you can call and plea for free shipping. We've had lengthy discussions in previous posts on this topic.

There have been lengthy discussions, but the point is that Amazon has specifically excluded us from free shipping.

Thanks to everyone for the helpful input above, much appreciated!

When you ask about Amazon Prime: No, shipping is specifically excluded for US territories (except Puerto Rico for some reason), but you can still get Prime Music, Video,Kindle,etc.

That is not true...... Prime is available here but there is a goof in their system. If you call Amazon they will drop shipping charges , wife does it all the time

Doesn't work all the time. Just got told no on three separate orders. Bummed as usually they do reverse the shipping for me. We are NOT technically included in prime but you can get lucky and they'll reverse the charges but they don't have to. It totally depends on the person you get at customer service and if they realize VI isn't part of the US. Prime for movies does work here.

You do get free shipping with Amazon Subscribe and Save.