TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Chartering out of STT, going to BVI’s

Hey fellow boaters. I’m sitting at anchor at Sucia Island, WA., thinking about our Christmas charter to the VI’s. It’s lovely here, scenery is second to none up here in the pacific NW but the water’s cold…. We are flying into STT to charter because it’s easier and cheaper and I know the charter company. We have 2 weeks so will be spending the majority of the time in the BVI’s.
My question - doing some googling it appears it isn’t a problem with personal use provisions on board when checking in from the USVI. For dietary restrictions and mainly quality control we will bring a couple of coolers full to STT, then provision with fresh veg and fruit there before headed to the BVi. Any issues with this?

Thanks!

None based on our experience, but it’s a different story when you re-clear back into the USVI later in your trip. The key is no pork - and be honest with the USVI customs folks. If you have some produce and meat, what has worked for us is to say that it will not come off the boat (which they have accepted with some reluctance to be fair). The challenge you have is that you are ending in the U.S. They seem to accept our “we will keep it on the boat” approach because we are coming from the BVI to visit for a day or two and then heading back to the BVI. Good luck! Others may have more experience with this and better advice.

Don't bring back beef either. We made that mistake once and were fortunate to avoid fines.

For the USVI get a DTOPS user fee decal through U.S. Customs and Border Control, it costs about $25 US. You can then clear into the USVI using the CBP Roam App. If you enter your information correctly initially, it only takes minutes to clear in. We have done it numerous times without issue. We liveaboard and our fridge and freezers are filled with all types of food. We go between the USVI and BVI seamlessly. For the BVI we always clear in at Jost and clear out at either Jost or West End. This has literally never been an issue for us. We’ve used our DTOPS and the Roam App. clearing into St. Croix as well.

Ocean Song - aren’t the decals boat specific not purchased by individuals but boat owners?

I think you’re correct, it probably doesn’t work for a charter. My bad!

No worries! I just remembered the process we went through to get one for our boat Moon Dance, in the TMM fleet.

You can use the Roam app as a charterer - there is a workaround for the user fee decal section (search user fee decal in this forum - I found the workaround here). However, the app asks about produce and meat, which may not be as scrutinized in the app based on what Oceansong is saying. We used the app in 2023, and they just approved us with no questions. However, their system was down this year, so we had to go into the office. They definitely pressed us about the food in the office.

MIDiver,

We were with TMM as well and have continued to have a great relationship with everyone there. Barney, Tim, and Rory have continued to give us help whenever needed. We love TMM!

Keep in mind while not likely regardless of if you use the app or go to customs they can require you to present the boat for inspection. The fines are quite large.

Thanks everyone, good info. We are Canadian Nexus card holders, that makes it very simple in the pacific NW going between the Canadian Gulf and US San Juan islands. Hopefully the ROAM app works as well for us going back to STT from the BVI’s. The charter company also says no one has issues clearing into the BVI after provisioning in STT, but I’m glad I hear the same from you folks as well.