AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING – US Passports are NOT required for US Citizens visiting the USVI. State driver’s licenses that conform to the REAL ID program are acceptable forms of identification, but I would CHECK FIRST before traveling. The way you can tell if your diver’s license is REAL ID compliant is the star in the upper right hand corner of the license.
One website states, “Starting October 1, 2020, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID–compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification (like a passport or passport card) for accessing federal facilities — including boarding commercial aircraft.”
I would make SRUE your non-passport ID is compliant before spending a lot of money to come here, only to learn you can’t board the plane at the airport as your diver’s license isn’t compliant.
Strange as it may sound, you WILL be required to clear US Customs & immigration when you are returning to the US mainland (or Puerto Rico) from the USVI. The good thing is that you will clear customs here in the USVI. I know, I know, it shouldn’t be this way, but that’s the way it is.
At least you no longer have to fill out the blue customs declaration form! If you are on a 737 or larger, get to the airport 1.5 to 2.0 hours BEFORE your flight.
Duty Free Exemption – US$1,600.00 Per Person:
U.S. citizens, including children, can return with up to $1,600.00 worth of duty-free merchandise every 30 days from the U.S. Virgin Islands. The duty free allowance is $800 from elsewhere in the Caribbean.
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! Compare this to the one-liter-per-person duty free limit outside the U.S. territory, including stores on board cruise ships.
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.
DISCLAIMER: This information was downloaded from the internet in April 2013. It’s always best to check current regulations. Here’s a good place to do that:
http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/VI-Virgin-Islands-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm
Safe Travels!