Ship Car To The Virgin Islands
Car Shipping Virgin Islands
Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- Car shipping to the Virgin Islands from the mainland U.S. generally costs $1,500 to $3,600 for transport.
- Since the region is a U.S. territory, customs and duties are not as high for importing a car as in other international destinations.
The U.S. Virgin Islands, or USVI, is a territory of the United States, making shipping a car a little easier than shipping the U.S. Virgin Islands to a foreign territory such as the British ones. The USVI has three main islands: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. The British require more extensive paperwork and higher taxation for imported US autos. An experienced auto transport company will be able to walk you through the process and assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.
Getting around in the Virgin Islands is difficult without a car, and taxis can be expensive. Many of the roads have potholes, steep mountains, and sharp curves, which can make for tricky driving conditions compared to the continental United States. With the Caribbean Sea on one side of the area and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, high temperatures and salty air are typical, impacting your vehicle's performance.
- Shipping a car to the U.S. Virgin Islands typically costs $1,500–$3,800, with rates varying by vehicle size, route, and shipping method.
- Ocean transport uses RoRo or container shipping, with most deliveries completed in 1–2 weeks after port departure and scheduling.
- Vehicles shipped to USVI follow customs, port, and documentation requirements, with inspections completed before final island delivery.
Click here to learn more about the vehicle registration process in The Virgin Islands.
Hauling A Vehicle To The Area
If you’re a resident of the United States, you’re entitled to export $1,600 in goods to the U.S. Virgin Islands with no duty, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. As for vehicles specifically, if your car was manufactured in the United States, there is no duty. (If you’re unsure, cars made in the U.S. have a VIN# that starts with a 1, 4, or 5.)
Vehicles not manufactured inside the U.S. are subject to a duty of 6% of the total value, typically based on the auto's Blue Book value. There is also a road tax of 16 cents per pound for all vehicles imported to the Virgin Islands.
Required Documents For Shipping A Vehicle To The Virgin Islands.
- Certificate of title or notarized letter from a lender.
- Bill of sale.
- Bill of lading.
- Local license plate.
- VIN.
- EPA form (if necessary)
- DOT form.
- Certificate of conformity.
- Title & Registration.
- Passport.
Methods Of Auto Moving To Local Area.
Roll On/Roll Off - Most automobiles bound for the British and American Virgin Islands are transported by loading them safely into the hold of a vast ship. The car is driven aboard the boat, where it is secured for the journey, and then driven off at the destination port, earning this form of carrier the acronym "RORO," which stands for "roll on, roll off."
*It should be pointed out that customs authorities will not accept vehicles with other items stored inside.
Shipping Container—If you need to ship more than a vehicle, containerized shipping to the Virgin Islands is your best option. With a shipping container, you can often transport a car and other household goods or cargo you’ll need during your time on the islands.
Popular Islands We Import To.
Virgin Islands Auto Transport Resources.
Bureau of Motor Vehicles— The Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles website has information about parking, licensing, driving, permits, registration, and everything else you’ll need to know about operating a vehicle.
Customs Clearance - Information on what you’ll need to do to clear customs through the U.S. before traveling or moving to the Virgin Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to the Virgin Islands?
As of September 30, 2026, current market evidence puts standard mainland-U.S.-to-USVI car shipping at about $1,500-$3,800for transport. A1's international car shipping rate calculatorcan help price the move from your actual pickup point. Current rate listings place RoRo toward the lower end, while dedicated container pricing for a sedan or SUV can reach about $3,700. Vehicle size, mainland distance to the departure port, and shipping method account for most of the spread; destination taxes and handling may be separate.
How long does it take to ship a car to St. Thomas or St. Croix?
From a Florida port handoff, car shipping to St. Thomas or St. Croix commonly needs about 1-2 weeks, while some scheduled ocean services take roughly 4 days at sea once the vessel departs. Terminal cutoffs matter because missing a weekly sailing can add waiting time before loading. If the shipment starts with pickup elsewhere on the mainland, the complete move can take about 3-5 weeks door to door, depending mainly on the inland leg, sailing schedule, and release timing.
Is RoRo or container shipping cheaper for a car to the Virgin Islands?
RoRo is usually the cheaper choice for a standard running vehicle headed to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Current USVI rate examples place standard RoRo at roughly $1,550-$2,200, while dedicated container quotes for a sedan or SUV can run around $3,700. Standard RoRo pricing assumes the vehicle can be driven aboard under the carrier's loading rules; container service costs more but provides enclosed stowage. A1's RoRo shipping cost guide explains how this method is priced.
What documents are required to ship and register a car in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
For first-time USVI registration, prepare the original title, valid identification, shipping documents, local insurance, and proof that the Highway User Tax was paid. A financed vehicle also requires written authorization from the lienholder, and the USVI Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires imported vehicles to complete its first-registration process. The territory's published Highway User Tax is $0.16 per pound of unladen vehicle weight, with a $25 minimum. A1's international car shipping document guide covers common shipment paperwork.
Can I ship a non-running or oversized vehicle to the USVI?
Yes, non-running and oversized vehicles can be shipped to the USVI, but they require special handling and route confirmation before the booking is finalized. Standard RoRo works most simply when a vehicle can roll, steer, and brake as required for vessel loading; inoperable cars may need different loading equipment or container handling. Oversized trucks and modified vehicles also need their dimensions checked against available vessel space. Provide the exact length, width, height, weight, and operating condition before delivering the vehicle to the port.
Which Florida ports ship cars to St. Thomas and St. Croix?
Current USVI vehicle services use Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach-area terminals as Florida gateways, with the exact departure point depending on the carrier's sailing schedule. Scheduled services currently connect those Florida locations with both St. Thomas and St. Croix. At destination, the Virgin Islands Port Authority identifies Crown Bay Cargo Port on St. Thomas as a cargo facility served by RoRo operators, while the Wilfred "Bomba" Allick Containerport on St. Croix handles containerized roll-on/roll-off cargo.
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