Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on traveling to and from the United States Virgin Islands. Here, you'll find answers to common questions to help make your journey smoother. If you don’t see your question addressed, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for further assistance. Safe travels!
Traveling by Air to the U.S. Virgin Islands
Disclaimer: The Virgin Islands Port Authority does not oversee travel requirements to enter and depart the United States Virgin Islands. This duty is handled by federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We strongly encourage you to verify entry requirements by visiting TSA's website for the most accurate information regarding entry to the U.S. Virgin Islands: www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification. Verify your travel ID requirements with TSA before you travel. If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.
Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint to travel. The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. TSA strongly encourages you to check this list again before traveling, so you do not arrive at the airport without acceptable ID.
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REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent). If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state Department of Motor Vehicles. A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
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State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
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DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
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U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
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Permanent resident card
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Border crossing card
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An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
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HSPD-12 PIV card
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Foreign government-issued passport
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Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
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Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
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U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
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Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
REAL ID
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As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports.
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Passengers should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
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Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID compliant at TSA checkpoints and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance, may be directed to a separate area, and may receive additional screening. This includes TSA PreCheck passengers.
Don’t Have Your Acceptable ID?
The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening.
You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if you choose not to provide acceptable identification, you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed.
Expired ID
TSA currently accepts expired ID up to two years after expiration, for the above-listed forms of identification.
Children
TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. However, unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. Contact the airline for questions regarding their specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.
Names With Suffixes
TSA accepts variations on suffixes on boarding passes and ID. Suffixes are not required on boarding passes. If there is a suffix on the boarding pass, and there is not one on the ID or vice versa, that is considered an acceptable variation.
Non-U.S. Citizens
Non-U.S. citizens flying domestically within the U.S. need to present a valid, unexpired foreign passport or other approved identification to the TSA at security checkpoints. Citizens of countries other than the United States of America should follow U.S. travel regulations. Visit this site for more information.
Traveling with Pets
Each airline has its own policy for traveling with pets. Contact your airline directly for more information.
Requesting Special Services
To request assistance with boarding or disembarking an aircraft, contact your airline (i.e., for wheelchair assistance).
Helpful Travel Websites
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U.S. Department of State: https://travel.state.gov/
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U.S. Customs: https://www.cbp.gov/about/contact
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Bringing alcohol from the U. S. Virgin Islands into the United States
Airport Parking & Ground Transportation
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Click here for airport parking hours of operation and rates, and information about ground transportation (taxi and rental cars) available at our airports.
Items Lost During Travel - Where did you Lose Your Item?
Items Lost at Airport or Seaport Terminals
To locate items left in any of our airport or seaport terminals, please contact the Lost and Found Department or the Security Office. If your item is found in our Lost and Found Department, you will need to cover the shipping costs to have the item mailed to you.
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St. Thomas Airport Cyril E. King Airport (340) 774-5100
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St. Croix Airport Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (340) 778-1012
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All Other Facilities: info@viport.com
Lost Checked Luggage or I Left My Item on an Airplane
Please get in touch with your airline directly if your luggage is lost or if you left an item on an aircraft. The Virgin Islands Port Authority does not handle luggage or hold any items left on an aircraft.
Lost at a TSA Check Point
Lost In a Taxi, Hotel, or Venue
The Virgin Islands Port Authority will not hold items left in taxi cabs, hotels, or venues on the island. Please contact the respective company directly to try to locate your lost item.
Emergency, Health, and Other Travel Advisories
COVID-19
All domestic travelers and international travelers are no longer required to complete the USVI Travel Screening Portal or present an approved green QR code to travel to the USVI. Please refer to the CDC requirements for domestic travel and the CDC requirements for international travel to stay up to date on the current travel requirements for the United States. For questions, please call the VI Department of Tourism at (340) 774-8784 or send an email to info@usviupdate.com.
Emergency Notices and Travel Advisories
Emergency notices are posted on our Facebook and X (Twitter) social media accounts.
Duty Free and Alcohol
The following are the current duty-free exemptions in the USVI:
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$1,600 Per Person Tax Exemption U.S. citizens, including children, can go shopping and return up to $1,600.00 worth of duty-free merchandise every 30 days from the USVI.
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If you return directly or indirectly from a U.S. insular possession (U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or Guam), you are allowed a $1,600 duty-free exemption. As long as the amount does not exceed what that state considers a personal quantity*, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will allow you to enter the U.S. with up to five liters of alcohol duty-free as part of your $1,600 exemption - as long as at least four liters were purchased in the insular possession, and at least one of them is a product of that insular possession. Additional bottles will be subject to a flat duty rate of 1.5% and subject to Internal Revenue Service taxes.
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Alcoholic Beverages U.S. residents 21 years of age and older can return to the mainland with four liters of liquor, duty-free. Add a 5th liter duty-free if it is a product made in the U.S. Virgin Islands (Captain Morgan and Cruzan Rum)! Compare this to the one-liter-per-person duty-free limit outside the U.S. territory. Please note: Some airlines will allow you to check a box of liquor without an additional baggage fee. Please check directly with your airline for up-to-date information.
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Tobacco Products U.S. citizens age 21 or older are allowed up to 100 cigars (not of Cuban origin) and up to 5 cartons, or 1,000 cigarettes, duty-free, per person, if purchased in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Click here for more information from the U.S Customs and Border Protection website.
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Merchandise Shipped to the United States: A U.S. resident may ship goods purchased in the U.S Virgin Islands (“unaccompanied purchases”) to the United States. Unaccompanied purchases are goods you bought on a trip that are being shipped to you in the United States. In this instance, you may declare up to $1,600 worth of duty-free goods per person under your exemption if the merchandise is purchased in the USVI. An additional $1,000 worth of goods may be mailed dutiable at a flat rate of 1.5% percent.
Cruising, Ferries, and Yachts
I am cruising to the US Virgin Islands. What will be my port of entry?
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St. Thomas: Austin Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay (ABMMT) or the West Indian Company Dock in Havensight (WICO). Please check your itinerary to verify your port.
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St. John: anchor at sea and tender into port
Ferry and Cruise Ship Schedules
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Passenger Ferries - St. John/St. Thomas
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Car Ferries (Barges) - St. John/St. Thomas
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Passenger Ferries - St. Croix
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Cruise Ship Schedules - St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix, USVI
Parking at VIPA's Seaports
A list of our seaport parking facilities and the cost to park at each lot is provided on our website.
Cargo Shipments & Clearance
The Virgin Islands Port Authority does not ship any cargo, nor do we perform clearance for cargo shipments.
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Contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection for cargo clearance inquiries. Phone: (340) 774-2510
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Click here for a list of cargo companies that ship to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Yachts & Pleasure Craft Pre-Arrival Clearance
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection oversees the security and clearance requirements for all vessels entering the United States Virgin Islands. All nationalities, other than citizens of the US, Canada, or Bermuda, arriving by private yacht need a valid US visa (obtained in advance of arrival) or they must already have a visa waiver entry in their passport.
Foreign vessels entering the US Virgin Islands need to proceed directly to a port of entry for clearance:
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Edward Wilmoth Blyden Marine Terminal, St. Thomas
(877) 305-8774 | 8 am-5 pm Seven Days a Week -
Cruz Bay, St. John U.S. Customs Terminal
(877) 305-8775 | 7 am-6 pm Seven Days a Week -
Gallows Bay, St. Croix
(340) 773-1011 | 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday | After Hours: (340) 773-1490