U.S. Virgin Islands

Vessel arrival and clearance in the U.S. Virgin Islands are handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other federal agencies. The Port Authority FAQ advises foreign vessels to proceed directly to a designated port of entry. As a U.S. territory, U.S. rules apply to visas, people’s entry and vessel declarations; confirm current requirements with CBP before arrival.

Ports of entry / departure

The U.S. Virgin Islands Port Authority lists these foreign-vessel clearance locations: Edward Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal on St. Thomas; Cruz Bay U.S. Customs Terminal on St. John; and Gallows Bay on St. Croix. At St. John, follow Port Authority directions to anchor and go ashore by dinghy for clearance. The Port Authority says CBP performs the actual federal border clearance; confirm hours and temporary changes directly with CBP.

Official reference: Virgin Islands Port Authority: Travel FAQ

The U.S. Virgin Islands Port Authority yacht FAQ says CBP handles vessel clearance and foreign vessels must proceed directly to a port of entry. It gives no uniform advance-notice period. The FAQ also says that, except for citizens of the United States, Canada and Bermuda, people arriving by private yacht need a valid U.S. visa or eligibility under the Visa Waiver Program. Visa rules vary by nationality and may change; confirm entry eligibility, reporting method and authorized port with CBP before departure.

Immigration

Confirm U.S. visa/entry eligibility for private-yacht arrivals with CBP; do not arrive relying only on ESTA or a clearance record from the British Virgin Islands.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Travel FAQ | VI Port Authority

U.S. federal Customs and border procedures apply in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Small pleasure boats arriving from a foreign port must report to U.S. CBP immediately. Confirm the specific reporting location, hours and local supplementary requirements with CBP at the arrival port.

Food, plants, agricultural goods and wildlife-related items carried by people entering the U.S. Virgin Islands must be declared and inspected as required by CBP; pets and plants may require additional permits. This is based on U.S. federal entry rules and does not confirm a dedicated procedure for onboard stores that are not landed. Check with local CBP/agricultural inspectors before arrival.

CBP manages entry clearance in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Firearms, some fruit and vegetables, animal products and certain animals may be restricted, and food, plants, animals and related products must be declared. These are general federal entry rules, not a yacht-specific stores list. Confirm permits, declarations and sealing arrangements for firearms, medicines, pets and food with local CBP.

The Port Authority FAQ lists CBP clearance locations and contacts: Edward Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal on St. Thomas (877-305-8774, daily 08:00–17:00); Cruz Bay U.S. Customs Terminal on St. John (877-305-8775, daily 07:00–18:00); Gallows Bay on St. Croix (340-773-1011, Monday–Friday 08:00–17:00; after hours 340-773-1490). In its yacht-entry section, the same FAQ also lists Austin Monsanto Marine Terminal at Crown Bay or WICO at Havensight for St. Thomas and advises confirming based on the itinerary. Contact CBP before arrival to confirm the actual processing location and hours; do not choose solely by marina name.

The U.S. CBP eCBP payment portal lists vessel arrival/clearance fees and port parole/immigration fees as payment categories, but this review did not find a uniform departure fee or full tariff for foreign private yachts in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This does not establish that departure is free, and U.S. mainland or commercial-vessel rates should not be assumed to apply. Ask CBP at the processing port which charges apply to the flag, vessel type and requested service.