U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the rollout of Pay.gov for electronic payment of duties, taxes, and fees on imported goods in the U.S. Virgin Islands, marking a shift toward a more automated commercial process.
In the coming months, importers will be able to submit payments online through Pay.gov, reducing reliance on paper-based transactions at ports of entry across the territory, according to the press release from Customs and Border Protection.
The system will apply to cargo arriving from the continental United States, Puerto Rico and foreign locations. CBP said it will prioritize cargo transactions completed through electronic payment systems as part of the transition.
The platform allows users to create accounts to store payment information, track transactions and manage recurring payments. Payments for formal entries may be made by ACH debit from a U.S. bank account, with data syncing in real time with Automated Commercial Environment records. Informal entries may be paid by credit or debit card, the release stated.
“Pay.gov is a game changer for the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Area Port Director Todd Bellew. “This new platform will make it faster and easier for importers to meet their obligations, while giving CBP the tools to process cargo more efficiently and securely. It’s a win for trade and for the territory.”
CBP said the change is part of a broader effort to modernize trade operations in the territory. The agency plans to introduce additional digital systems, including electronic manifest requirements.
Carriers will be required to submit cargo manifests electronically through the Automated Commercial Environment and Electronic Data Interchange systems, providing advance cargo information. Specific port codes must be used for shipments to St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, depending on origin, the release stated.
Carriers must test their systems with CBP to ensure proper data transmission. Importers and filers must continue to request cargo release through the USVICEI mailbox for authorization, the release stated.
CBP said a grace period will be provided to allow carriers and importers to adjust. After that period, penalties may be assessed for noncompliance, and cargo release could be delayed.
The changes are authorized under the Trade Act of 2002 and federal regulations governing customs operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, CBP said.
