US Virgin Islands Vehicle and Car Shipping Services

How to Ship Your Car From The Mainland to the Virgin Islands

To ship a car from the Mainland to the US Virgin Islands, you need to work with a reliable shipping company. There are several steps to take to have your car safely delivered to the Virgin Islands, which is located out in the Caribbean. 

Here are the steps to take to safely transport your car to the Virgin Islands: 

1. Research Shipping Companies:
   Look for companies with good reviews, proper licensing, and experience in international shipping. It’s also beneficial to check if they offer insurance and tracking options. AutoTransport.com is licensed, bonded, and insured to transport vehicles to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
2. Prepare Your Vehicle:
   Before shipping, prepare your car by cleaning it thoroughly inside and out. Take pictures before and after loading to ensure your vehicle is delivered in the same condition it was picked up in. Also, make sure you have no more than a quarter tank of gas.
3. Complete Necessary Paperwork:
   Ensure you have all required documents, including the vehicle title, registration, and customs paperwork.
4. Work With A Top Rated Company:
   AutoTransport.com has 15+ years of experience hauling vehicles to the Virgin Islands. Our expert team is waiting for your call. Let’s get started! 

AutoTransport.com also ships cars to the U.S. from the Virgin Islands. We handle all the paperwork to ship your vehicle to and from the Virgin Islands. This includes the bill of lading, also known as the bill of sale. Partner with us today for quality shipping to the U.S. or Virgin Islands.

The Cost of Shipping a Car To The Virgin Islands

The cost of shipping a car to the Virgin Islands varies based on several factors. When you contact your car shipping company, they’ll walk you through the process and provide you with a free, no-obligation quote. If a vehicle transport company charges for a quote, that is an automatic red flag, and you should move on to the next option. 

That being said, there are two separate costs to factor into Virgin Islands car shipping. The first is the cost to get your vehicle to port. 

Since US Virgin Islands car shipping is usually done from a Florida port, we’ve put together some basic costs based on those options.

Shipping a Vehicle To Port

The average cost per mile to ship a car to a Florida port depends on the distance and specific circumstances. However, here are some general averages based on the type of transport:

Cost Per Mile (Approximate):

1. Short Distance (0–500 miles):

   • $1.00–$1.50 per mile
   • Example: 300 miles → $300–$450

2. Medium Distance (500–1,500 miles):

   • $0.75–$1.00 per mile
   • Example: 1,000 miles → $750–$1,000

3. Long Distance (1,500+ miles):

   • $0.50–$0.75 per mile
   • Example: 2,000 miles → $1,000–$1,500

Factors Affecting Costs:

1. Type of Transport:

   • Open transport (cheaper, common for most vehicles).
   • Enclosed transport (higher cost, typically for luxury or specialty vehicles).

2. Vehicle Type: Larger vehicles (SUVs, trucks) cost more to ship.

3. Season: Prices may increase during peak seasons (summer or holidays).

4. Pickup Location: Rural areas may have additional fees due to less frequent routes.

Average Cost Example:

• Shipping a car 1,200 miles from Chicago, IL, to Jacksonville, FL:
  • Open transport → ~$900–$1,200
  • Enclosed transport → ~$1,400–$1,800

The Cost of Port-to-Port Shipping to the Virgin Islands

These costs are based on Florida ports and, again, are just an estimate.

Average Cost Example when shipping from a Florida Port:

• $1,500 to $3,600

Additional Shipping Costs to Consider:

The costs involved in shipping vary from transport to transport. AutoTransport.com offers convenient options when shipping your car to the Virgin Islands. However, here are additional things to consider for your Caribbean car transport.

• Transport Type: RO/RO is the most affordable way to ship from port, however many people choose container shipping as an added layer of protection against the elements. Shipping container transport tends to cost more than RO/RO. 

• Road Tax: A fee of $0.16 per pound, based on the vehicle’s manufacturer-stated weight, is charged for all vehicles entering the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Customs Duty: Vehicles manufactured outside the U.S. may incur a duty fee. For instance, cars not made in the U.S. are subject to a 6% duty on their total value.

• Registration and Insurance: Registering the vehicle in the U.S. Virgin Islands typically costs between $125 and $145. Additionally, obtaining local vehicle insurance is mandatory before driving on the islands.

As a reminder, this is just average numbers. Based on the type of transport you need, this may fluctuate. There are several shipping options when car shipping to the Virgin Islands. Depending on your custom car transport needs, AutoTransport.com will provide you with a free, no-obligation Virgin Islands vehicle shipping quote.

Transporting Oversize and Specialty Vehicles to the Virgin Islands

AutoTransport.com also ships oversize and specialty vehicles to the US Virgin Islands. We obtain all permits and customs paperwork to safely deliver your oversize load to the Virgin Islands. 

A few of the specialty vehicles we transport include: 

• RVs
• Fire Trucks
• Commercial Trucks
• Semi Trucks
• Motorcycles
• Campers
• And more!

Work with AutoTransport.com to ship your specialty or oversize vehicle to the Virgin Islands. Call now for a free, no-obligation transport quote! 

Common Ports For Virgin Islands Vehicle Shipping

Several U.S. mainland ports facilitate vehicle shipments to the U.S. Virgin Islands, primarily serving the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. The main ports offering these services are:

• Jacksonville, Florida:

  • One of the most commonly used ports for shipments to St. Thomas and St. Croix.
  • Weekly sailings available.

• West Palm Beach, Florida: 

  • Offers direct services to the U.S. Virgin Islands with fast transit times (around four days).

• Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

  • Offers services to the Virgin Islands, though schedules and transit times may vary.

• Houston, Texas

  • Services vehicles destined for St. Thomas and other islands.
  • Some companies operate from Houston to the Virgin Islands.

• New York, New York

  • Offers vehicle shipping services to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Often serves as a gateway for vehicles coming from northeastern states.

• Baltimore, Maryland

  • Occasionally used for vehicle shipments to the Virgin Islands.

Of all these ports, the most common ones are Jacksonville and West Palm Beach. Usually, vehicles are shipped to these ports to set sail for The US Virgin Islands.

Common Ports That Receive Veciles In The US Virgin Islands

The most common ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands that receive vehicles from the U.S. mainland are:

1. Crown Bay Port, St. Thomas

• Location: Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas
• Role: Major port for vehicle and cargo shipments.
• Key Features: Handles roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipments and containers.
• Accessibility: Well-connected to Florida ports like Jacksonville and West Palm Beach.

2. Havensight Port, St. Thomas

• Location: Adjacent to Charlotte Amalie.
• Role: Primarily used for cruise ships but can handle some vehicle imports.
• Key Features: Limited vehicle handling compared to Crown Bay.

3. Gallows Bay Port, St. Croix

• Location: Christiansted, St. Croix.
• Role: Focuses on smaller shipments, including vehicles.
• Key Features: Often used for personal vehicles shipped from mainland U.S.

4. Wilfred “Bomba” Allick Port, St. Croix

• Location: Frederiksted, St. Croix.
• Role: Main commercial port for St. Croix.
• Key Features: Facilitates larger vehicle and equipment shipments.