Exporting Requirements for Vehicles and Heavy Machinery to the USVI

Effective July 1, 2024, U.S. Customs Border Patrol has refined their requirements for exporting vehicles to the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and the American Samoa Islands. All self-propelled vehicles and heavy machinery must file the Electronic Export Information (EEI filing) per ruling 15 CFR 30.2 (a)(1) and must meet the 19 CFR 192 requirements. Ruling 19 CFR 192 stipulates that cargo must arrive at the associated terminal with documentation completed 72-hours prior to sailing for customs validation. Therefore, we have had to change our documentation requirements, as well as cut offs.

Below, the new cargo and documentation cut-offs, effective immediately:

• Wednesday sailing: 12 p.m. on the prior Thursdays
• Saturday sailing: 12 p.m. on Mondays

Below, the updated documentation requirements, effective immediately:

• Copy of title: This must be signed by the seller and the buyer. If the vehicle has a lien, we will also need a notarized letter from the financial institution authorizing the shipment of the vehicle.
• Bill of Sale: This document is required.
• Copy of photo I.D.: Provide a legible copy of the owner’s U.S. driver’s license or valid passport. If the owner is not a U.S. citizen, a passport is required with a U.S. entry stamp.
• Master bill of lading: This is a standard shipping form stating shipping party, receiving party with both parties’ phone numbers, and description of cargo being shipped.
• Electric Export Information (EEI) letter of authorization: This letter is required if the vehicle has a value of $2,500.00 or more. To complete this form, contact the IRS to obtain a tax ID number (EIN). The IRS can be contacted at 1-800-829-4933, option 1; or via the web @ http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/How-to-Apply-for-an-EIN.
• Original, notarized Power of Attorney: This document must be notarized by a U.S. notary or the U.S. Embassy if you are abroad. This notarized document is required for Crowley to complete the customs clearance process on behalf of the vehicle’s owner.

Thanks for your attention to these significant changes in processes. Contact your customer service representative or call 1-800-CROWLEY if you have any questions.