How to Ship a Car to the US Virgin Islands
Costs, hidden fees, best companies, brokers, tips, and tricks to help you ship a car to the US Virgin Islands.
This past August, we did what every ocean lover dreams of doing: we moved to the Caribbean! Specifically, Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands. It was quite the move with countless considerations made along the way. But hey! We’re here and we’re finally getting settled.
However, one of the biggest challenges of getting settled was getting our car here. We had just purchased a Toyota Tacoma in Florida and couldn’t leave it behind – it was perfect for the mountainous, island setting.
So, we decided to ship it!
And honestly, the process wasn’t half bad. We had a few setbacks when we decided to change shipping and business brokers along the way, but those lessons are only learned through experience.
The good news for you? We made the mistakes so you don’t have to!
The rest of this article details our experiences as we shipped our truck to the US Virgin Islands. Below, we’ll detail how much it costs to ship a car to the Virgin Islands, the companies we recommend using both on and off the island, plus any other bits of important info we can think of!
Do you need a car in the Virgin Islands?
Based on our experience thus far, absolutely yes! Aside from the occasional Safari Truck (open-air taxi) passing by, public transit and taxi services are hard found. And to top it off, essentially nothing is within walking distance.
Basic necessities like grocery stores, the post office, doctor offices, restaurants, and laundry are scattered throughout the island. Sure, there are a few centralized locations, but even then, I’d be hard-pressed to carry my groceries for miles up a mountain in the sweltering heat after running errands.
Best get a vehicle.
What are the best companies to ship a car to the US Virgin Islands?
I will admit, we were living in Fort Lauderdale so narrowing which company we used to ship our truck to Saint Thomas was an easier selection: we just weighed our local options!
However, if you’re shipping from elsewhere in the country, your quotes may be vastly different based on which port your car will be leaving from. Here’s a comprehensive list of which companies you can contact to ship your vehicle:
- Crowley
- Tropical Shipping
- Blue Ocean Transport
- Caribbean Car Transport
- Trailer Bridge
- AutoStar Transport
- TOTE Maritime
I recommend receiving quotes from all of them to find the best deal for you.
OUR EXPERIENCE:
Originally, Caribbean Car Transport gave us the cheapest quote but suddenly increased it by nearly $1500 just two weeks before departure. To top it off, customer service had inconsistent communication prompting us to cancel our reservation and book with Blue Ocean Transport instead.
Customer service was excellent and the quote was similar in price. All in all, we were extremely satisfied shipping our truck with Blue Ocean Transport and would recommend them to anyone looking to ship their car to the Virgin Islands.
How much does it cost to ship a car to the US Virgin Islands?
Depending on your origin, upfront costs will vary between $1,600 and $3,500.
Luckily, we lived and shipped from Fort Lauderdale. All we had to do was drop off the vehicle at the port, which saved us hundreds. Our final cost for the shipment itself was $1,800.
On the other hand, if you live in the middle of the country, logistics companies will arrange the pickup and transport of your vehicle to the port, but your costs are going to significantly increase.
From here on out, we will be tallying our total costs for shipping a car to the Virgin Islands. Follow along to get an idea of how much it might cost you:
VEHICLE SHIPMENT CALCULATOR:
SHIPMENT COST ($1800)
Additional costs when shipping your car to the US Virgin Islands
Mainly, made payable to the government of the USVI where I’m sure they’ll put it to wise use:
Road Tax
Every vehicle entering the USVI port is subject to a $.16 per pound road tax. Strangely, this is calculated by the manufacturer-stated weight and NOT the actual weight of the vehicle. Our final total for this tax was $740 (the bigger the vehicle, the more expensive this tax will be).
VEHICLE SHIPMENT CALCULATOR:
SHIPMENT COST ($1800)
+ ROAD TAX ($740)
Foreign Manufacture Tax
If your car was manufactured outside of the US, it will be subject to a 3% tax on its total value. Thankfully, our Japanese-based Toyota was manufactured in the US (who would have thought) and we didn’t have to pay this tax.
VEHICLE SHIPMENT CALCULATOR:
SHIPMENT COST ($1800)
+ ROAD TAX ($740)
+ MANUFACTURE TAX ($0)
Courier/Broker Fee
We were informed by multiple parties that the only wise way to import your vehicle is to process the documents through a local courier. Allegedly, the DMV is wildly incompetent (shocker), and walking in yourself is STRONGLY discouraged (it could take months). This process cost us $250 but probably saved us weeks of our time when all was said and done.
We used Rick Nesbitt from Nesbitt Trucking Services. He was extremely friendly and got the job done in a timely manner. He operates primarily by phone at 340-513-0922.
Another broker recommended to us was Beep Business Services.
VEHICLE SHIPMENT CALCULATOR:
SHIPMENT COST ($1800)
+ ROAD TAX ($740)
+ MANUFACTURE TAX ($0)
+ BROKER/COURIER FEE ($250)
Registration
Our business broker submitted the paperwork to the DMV and we paid $130 for the annual registration + license plate. These seem to be the standard costs associated with registering a vehicle in the USVI.
VEHICLE SHIPMENT CALCULATOR:
SHIPMENT COST ($1800)
+ ROAD TAX ($740)
+ MANUFACTURE TAX ($0)
+ BROKER/COURIER FEE ($250)
+ VEHICLE REGISTRATION ($130)
Car Insurance
As far as we could tell, car insurance is required by law to register your vehicle with the DMV. Given the recency of our Tacoma purchase, we decided to purchase full coverage with Guardian Insurance. The final cost was $1900 for the entire year. We made a one-time payment to avoid further monthly costs.
However, your car may not need full coverage so your insurance quote may be different. So I’d say, this amount could be all over the board depending on your situation. The main insurance companies you should get quotes from are:
I’m sure there’s more so feel free to leave in a comment below if you find another!
VEHICLE SHIPMENT CALCULATOR:
SHIPMENT COST ($1800)
+ ROAD TAX ($740)
+ MANUFACTURE TAX ($0)
+ BROKER/COURIER FEE ($250)
+ VEHICLE REGISTRATION ($130)
+ CAR INSURANCE ($1900)
Maritime Transit Insurance
What if the ship sinks while transporting your car? It’s happened before and it can happen again. Because of this, you might want to purchase maritime transit insurance. Besides, if you owe on your vehicle, your bank will likely require it.
You can purchase this insurance through the logistics company shipping your vehicle at a given percentage of the total value of your vehicle. Obviously, this cost will vary significantly from car to car.
But before you purchase, check with your existing insurance company. Ours actually had a policy covering our truck from port to port between US territories. My guess is yours does too.
VEHICLE SHIPMENT CALCULATOR:
SHIPMENT COST ($1800)
+ ROAD TAX ($740)
+ MANUFACTURE TAX ($0)
+ BROKER/COURIER FEE ($250)
+ VEHICLE REGISTRATION ($130)
+ CAR INSURANCE ($1900)
+ MARITIME TRANSIT INSURANCE ($0)
= $4,820
How much does it cost to ship a car to Saint Thomas, USVI?
Considering all associated costs, including an annual car insurance payment when arriving on the island, we paid around $4,820.
Had we chosen to disperse that into a monthly payment instead, our upfront costs would have been closer to $3,000.
So what’s a safe bet? A budget of $5,000 SHOULD get the job done. I’d be amazed if it didn’t, but all in all, it’s going to be a highly personalized amount. So take the time, consider all the factors we listed above, and calculate your estimated costs to see how it fits within your moving budget.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Saint Croix, USVI?
Budget around $5,000 to ship your car to Saint Croix. Although we shipped our truck to Saint Thomas, the costs associated with shipping a vehicle to Saint Croix should be extremely similar. The only difference I can think of would be the initial shipping cost to the logistics company as it’s a farther location.
FAQs on how to ship your car to the USVI
From drop-off to pick-up, we waited about 10 days. Once the car departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, the transit time was four days at sea. If you’re in the middle of the US, allot about two + weeks to ship your vehicle to USVI.
Yes, by law you must register your car with the USVI. This isn’t interstate travel, you’re essentially in a different country, so your stateside plates are deemed invalid.
Two companies bring cars from Saint Thomas to Saint John: Love City Car Ferries and the Big Red Barge.
If you spend at least 90 consecutive days on the island, you’re required to obtain a USVI driving license.
For a small fee, hand the documents to Rick Nesbitt or Beep Business to bypass the line at the DMV. Within the documents, you must provide proof of residency on the island.
Lease agreement, pay stub, mortgage, bank account, voter registration. The list is extensive so it might be best to start collecting them all once you move here.
It’s helpful for sure! And certain residences will require it as it get into the mountains more.
Read More About the Virgin Islands!
We hope you enjoyed our post on how to ship a car to the USVI. Hopefully, you’ll find it useful on your next adventure! Here are a few more island life articles we think you should read next:
- 13 Unforgettable Adventures to Experience in Puerto Rico
- 11 Best Snorkeling Spots on St. Thomas, USVI
- VIDEO: Cleaning the Mangroves of Coral Bay, St. John
- How to Ship a Car to the US Virgin Islands
- 11 Considerations When Moving to the Virgin Islands
What have your experiences been when shipping a car to Saint Thomas? Saint Croix? Let us know in a comment below!
Great informative and well written article. Good job. Should prove to be very helpful for someone moving to an island. But most likely not for me as I’m a Michigan lover for life!
It’s a crazy process and one that you might never find yourself doing!
Andrew
I could not find better information almost 2 years later. Been stressing over shipping my vehicle for weeks. In a matter of hours you did more than Facebook groups, shopping company websites, and word of mouth. Thank you for what you have done. Give Thanks!
Excellent! I’m glad I could help and please let us know if you have any more questions. Shipping your car to the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands is stressful so good luck the rest of the way!
Andrew
Thanks for the tips
Because we are just contractor on the health department and we have six months so it’s not worth it for me take my car to the island and bring my car back it will cost me around 10,000 I better off taking taxi over there
Louie,
Honestly, if you’re here for such a limited time as a contractor, using work trucks or even purchasing a beater vehicle here for a few months may be worth it. But you’re right, I would not recommend shipping a car if you’re going to be in the USVI for just a few months. Good luck!
Andrew
Hello and greetings to everyone that post and comment on this page ,I’ve been reading all of them just to get a sense of guidance as I’m about to move to St Thomas USVI and I will like to get an honest feedback to ship my car to the island in a few weeks.I would appreciate any kind and good response to help me calm my nerves and anxiety ,its already so expensive and most of all not to many honest people around anymore thanks in advance