The temporary relocation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-departure operations in the Cyril E. King Airport Terminal and operations at the Edward W. Blyden Marine Terminal on St. Thomas will continue this week while the Virgin Islands Port Authority conducts emergency repairs at both terminals. VIPA’s contractors are working post-haste to complete the work necessary and normal operations should resume by this weekend.
CBP has relocated its operations to ensure that travel and commerce will not be interrupted while VIPA completes the repairs. At the CEK Airport, passengers will clear at Checkpoint A near Gate 1. Longer wait times are anticipated. VIPA advises travelers to arrive at the airport three to four hours before their scheduled departure to allow enough time for the screening process.
The CBP operations at the Blyden Marine Terminal have been temporarily relocated to the Urman V. Fredericks Marine Terminal in Red Hook. All foreign passenger vessels, including the ferries from the British Virgin Islands, will clear Customs at Red Hook until the Blyden Terminal checkpoint is reopened. CBP cargo operations will operate as follows:
1. Formal entries will be processed at the Ron De Lugo Federal Building from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The office can be reached at 340-774-2510.
2. Informal entries and personal shipments will be processed at the Air Cargo Facility located behind the CEK Airport next to FedEx from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office can be reached at 340-779-7208.
3. Entrance and clearance of cargo vessels will continue to be cleared at the CEK Airport Entrance and Clearance window located in the hallway adjacent to the LIAT Airline counter. The office telephone is 340-774-4554.
4. Foreign cargo vessel arrivals will be processed at the West Indian Company, Ltd. (WICO) office. The office can be reached at 340-774-4420.
VIPA apologizes for any inconvenience and assures the public that the agency is working as fast as possible to return to normal operations.