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The United States Virgin Islands, officially the Virgin Islands of the United States, are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.

The geographical position of the island is beneficiary for its international trade relationships with Belgium and Germany by land and the Netherlands,  Anguilla,  the British Virgin Islands and Venezuela by sea. 

The manufacturing sector consists of mainly rum distilling. The country exports rum in different corners of the world, making the rum production the main industry of the island. 

The country is surrounded by water, having a large access to the maritime trade connections. The government concentrate all the sources on the development of fishing and maritime navigation. In addition to this, the ocean is the biggest source of fresh seafood. The country exports fresh fish, frozen fish, lobsters, caviar, squid as well as coral calcium for international drugstores.

To draw more technology-focused companies and expand this segment of the economy, the government founded and launched University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park in conjunction with private businesses and the University of the Virgin Islands.  Due to international funds and fast development the local manufacturers are able to export different technologies and electronics and sell them to the international partners. 

The main export partners of the United States Virgin Islands are Netherlands and Germany.   

Customs requirements of US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands Government

Email: petra.phipps@lgo.vi.gov  (Petra Phipps, Executive Assistant to the Lt. Governor) 

Website: http://ltg.gov.vi/  

Address:  #5049 Kongens Gade, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802.

Phone: + 1(340) 774-2991 

Fax: + 1(340) 774-6953 

United States Virgin Islands, also called the U.S. Virgin Islands, organized unincorporated island territory of the United States, situated at the eastern end of the Greater Antilles, about 40 miles (64 km) east of Puerto Rico, in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The territory is geographically part of the Virgin Islands group, which also contains its near neighbor, the British Virgin Islands.

The Customs Regulations of the country are monitored by the US Virgin Islands Government, under the governance of the General Customs Authorities of the United States of America and have to be respected by every importer or exporter. 

Tariffs

- $5.00 procession fee for all shipments of cargo entering the Territory;

- 4% gross receipt tax on all merchandise sold in US Virgin Islands;

- 4% use tax on all items imported for personal or business use.

Documentation

The US Virgin Islands Government is very precise about import documentation being provided completely and accurately. Any error can cause major problems, risking delays or seizure of goods. The services of a competent customs broker is therefore strongly recommended. 

Basic import documentation required by the US Virgin Islands Government includes:

- Import Declaration (prepared and signed by a customs broker);

- Commercial Invoice (original plus four copies to be presented in English);

- Airway Bill;

- Bill of Lading (to be presented in triplicate);

- Commercial license number;

- Phytosanitary Certificate and previous authorization from the US Food Safety Authority;

- Certificate of Free Sale (if required);

- Certificate of Origin (in the case of application for duty free treatment).

Labelling

Labels on most foods must show:

- product name (generic and trade);

- type of product;

- dates of manufacture;

- expiry dates;

- methods of preservation;

- ingredients in descending order of composition;

- weights or quantities;

- manufacturer's name;

- importer's name, address and phone number;

- places where the product can be returned or exchanged.

Prohibited

- Narcotics;

- Pornography;

- Counterfeit items;

- Cultural artifacts and other objects of cultural importance;

- Henna;

- Palm tree and any products thereof;

- Explosive materials.

Sources

www.cbp.gov   

https://www.iamovers.org/files/newimages/member/shippers/virgin_islands-us.pdf