Walmart.com, buying local, global economies, and the VI Govt

The recent Walmart.com shipping issue has raised alot of questions. Without getting into the theories on why they stopped shipping, lets talk about the issue of commerce here in the islands.

Should our govt be able to control what we buy from online retailers?

What do the local businesses do if they cant compete?

Will WAPA be the doom of local businesses?

1. Of course not and the latest thread on the subject seems to indicate that the shipping difficulties recently experienced haven't been confined to the USVI (see post from Alaska resident). It also seems from recent posts that maybe the problem has been resolved although obviously knowing the reason would certainly be nice.

2. Same as they've been doing for years now since online shopping has increased - try against all odds to keep their prices down and rely on the fact that many residents for many reasons aren't able to shop online.

3. It's been one of the prime reasons for the closure of the majority of businesses which have gone under over the years. It's the biggest overhead of any business operation here.

There is a letter to the editor in the Avis today stating that someone in our govt put the stop on Wal-Mart......

There is a letter to the editor in the Avis today stating that someone in our govt put the stop on Wal-Mart......

... a theory which has already been raised on the Walmart thread on this forum but thus far has remained only a theory and one which I personally find rather outlandish. I hardly think the VI government has the power to make any demands on Walmart as to whom and to where they can ship their products.

I agree it sounds far fetched.....the only thing I can think is possibly using a customs angle?

I agree it sounds far fetched.....the only thing I can think is possibly using a customs angle?

As they have no control over Walmart's policies I doubt they have much influence over federal regulations either ... 😀

Oldtart how are customs regulated on ups, fedex, etc? Is it because they are private?

I should have the right to shop and ship anywhere I want! The government should have no restrictions on that, with the exception of illegal items.

WAPA is going to put more people out of business than any other factor. By bill, same average usage per day jumped from $170 to $220....I can only imagine what a business WAPA bill runs. Come January, when the do another increase, online shopping may be our only choice for some items.

Oldtart how are customs regulated on ups, fedex, etc? Is it because they are private?

If you ship outside the contiguous US either coming or going you're required to fill out a Customs declaration whether shipping by USPS, UPS or FEDEX or through a shipping company.

You dont need to fill out a customs form if you ship usps from the states to vi

Ship your Walmart and on line stuff to VI Cargo...never an issue.

I'm ordering a new MacBook as a Xmas present from Amazon today among other things.

You dont need to fill out a customs form if you ship usps from the states to vi

My bad. USPS not. I understand (and have received shipments from) FedEx which treats the USVI as an international destination and delivery invoices have clearly contained customs declarations forms. I've had several deliveries from UPS but I don't recall that any of them have had customs forms attached. Again, my bad for lumping them all in together. Attribute it to a senior moment!!

vicanuck, it does seem from recent posts that this dilemma might have been resolved and maybe we should all take a step back and see if it's been resolved before advising people to go to VI Cargo.

OldTart.....I received one order last week. When I attempted to place another one, all items were carrier restricted. 🙁

OldTart.....I received one order last week. When I attempted to place another one, all items were carrier restricted. 🙁

There does seem to be no rhyme or reason and even the Delegate to Congress is having a hard time getting a straight answer from Walmart on what's restricted and why. Hopefully shell keep the pressure on until someone comes up with a definitive answer.

it seems to be affecting non continental states and territories as well.

OldTart.....I received one order last week. When I attempted to place another one, all items were carrier restricted. 🙁

There does seem to be no rhyme or reason and even the Delegate to Congress is having a hard time getting a straight answer from Walmart on what's restricted and why. Hopefully shell keep the pressure on until someone comes up with a definitive answer.

As per NAFTA, the US Virgin Islands is designated as Latin America...we are outside of the US Customs zone.
Thank you very much, Bill Clinton et al.

This is one of the things that the Delegate needs to address.

.we are outside of the US Customs zone.
Thank you very much, Bill Clinton et al.

This is one of the things that the Delegate needs to address.

Confused about the reference to President Clinton. I thought the Jones Act of 1920 placed the USVI outside the US customs zone. :S