TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands US C&I on return from STT to states?

I thought when returning to the US we had to go back thru C&I even though we've already done it in STT. My wife insists we don't. Trying to pick flights and some of the layovers depend on knowing this.

C&I is at STT. No other C&I required if you are proceeding to the continental US and that's your final destination.

Cheers, RickG

Thanks Rick!

The confusion may come because you do clear into the USVI at the ferry dock and then again into the US proper at STT airport. There are two reasons. First is that arriving in the USVI from ther BVI is moving from one soverign teratory to another which requires a passport and possibly a visa. Travel between the USVI and the US does not require a passport. Then the USVI has different duty and agricultural regulations from the US proper.

Ok Glenn I am with you up until the last sentence (and yes I think I was getting confused with having to check in at the ferry dock and then again at the airport) but now it makes sense! Since the USVI and the US have different duty and agricultural regulations are these being taken care of at the STT airport so that no further declarations or inspections are required when we hit the mainland?

Thanks,
The other Rick!

You clear customs at the ferry dock and then again at the airport. Clearing at the airport is clearing into mainland usa.

STT is a pre clearance facility so when you land in the US you are treated like a domestic flight. Makes connections much easier with zero customs obligations at that point.
G

Thank you all! My wife thanks you too - she never seems to tire of being right!

So even if you never left the USVI, when you leave the US Virgin Islands for a US Airport, everyone goes through customs and immigration at the airport? That's what was confusing me.
It just makes things little more difficult leaving but easier when arriving home.

"Each U.S. citizen is allowed to bring $1,600 worth of items back from the USVI without having to pay duty."

So Airport Customs is used to determine if any additional duty is due.

You also don't need a passport, but we've seen a CBP agent giving crap to a couple trying to use Drivers Licenses, despite the sign on the wall that said otherwise.

It also means you can buy duty free booze at STT after clearing US immigration and customs and TSA security. This means your carry on including change of planes if you are connecting at your first point of entry from STT.

Two liter bottles for $20.00 Beats $7.00 miniatures onboard the flight!

Works same way from SJU also.