When my family and I decided to relocate to St. Croix from southern Mississippi, we faced the daunting task of moving ~40 boxes of household goods, a few pieces of furniture—and even our SUV! Now, I want to share with you information and tips that you’ll likely find very helpful. Some of the main areas you’ll need to through are:
- Choosing a carrier
- Packing & paperwork
- Costs, customs & timing
Selecting Your Shipping Company
VI Cargo
VI Cargo specializes in consolidating Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) and Full-Container-Load (FCL) shipments from Florida to Christiansted. They handle:
- Household goods & furniture
- Vehicles (roll-on/roll-off service)
- Heavy equipment & machinery
They also offer cargo insurance underwritten by Seven Seas Insurance for added peace of mind.
Contact:
- Website: www.vicargo.com
- Miami pick-up address: 501 Avenue P, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
- Phone: (561) 881-3900
Paradise Freight
Paradise Freight’s streamlined “1-2-3” process makes it simple:
- Ship to their Florida address
- Email your invoice/inventory
- They clear customs & notify you when your cargo arrives
They move everything from small crates to full containers and offer door-to-door pickup services in select U.S. cities.
Contact
- Website: www.paradisefreight.com
- St. Croix pick-up address: 6040 Castle Coakley, Suite 100, Christiansted, VI 00820
- Phone: (340) 713-0033
Tropical Shipping
A Caribbean freight leader, Tropical Shipping offers:
- Less-Than-Container-Load (LCL)
- Refrigerated cargo & dry goods
- Project cargo & heavy equipment
- “TropBox” pack-and-ship service
They sail regularly between South Florida ports and St. Croix, with real-time tracking and e-services.
Contact
- Website: www.tropical.com
- St. Croix pick-up address: P53X+M9 Frederiksted, St Croix 00851
- U.S. Customer Care: 800-638-TROP (8767)
- West Palm Beach Office: (561) 881-3900
Packing, Documentation & Customs
- Inventory & Label
- Number each box and keep a spreadsheet of contents, weight and dimensions.
- Pack Strategically
- Use sturdy, uniform boxes; pad fragile items with bubble wrap, newsprint, or even clothing.
- Prohibited Items
- No perishables, plants, flammables or firearms without permits.
- Forms
- LCL versus FCL determines which Customs forms you’ll file. Your shipper should provide guidance.
- Customs Allowances
- Personal household goods are generally duty-free if owned and used for 6 months prior to import—check USVI Customs for specifics.
Costs & Timing
- LCL Freight: Typically $4–$6 per cubic foot (rates vary by carrier and season).
- Vehicle Shipping: Roll-on/Roll-off service starts around $1,200–$1,500 plus Customs fees.
- Transit Time:
- Household goods: 10–14 days from Florida to St. Croix.
- Vehicles: 12–16 days door-to-door (it’s often much longer, I’d plan on ~30 days).
- Additional Fees:
- Handling & terminal charges ($150–$250).
- EV (electric vehicles) and Hybrid vehicles incur additional costs as the batteries are considered a hazard.
- Customs processing (flat excise & import tax, if applicable).
Always request a detailed quote—including insurance and inland pickup—for an apples-to-apples comparison.
My Experience: Step-by-Step
- Packing in Florida We boxed 40 packages and then loaded onto palettes ourselves, taped them securely together, and then handed over to the workers at the shipping depot. Bring tape and a tape measure (you’re limited to just 4 feet of height).
- Shipping & Tracking I enrolled in Tropical’s e-service portal and got email updates—from vessel loading, crossing the Gulf Stream, to off-loading in Christiansted.
- Customs Clearance Paradise Freight handled all Customs paperwork on my behalf; I simply signed the release forms and paid local fees.
- Delivery to My Home Once off-loaded, we made arrangements to pickup. The location is near the airport in St. Croix. I paid the remaining balance of the invoice and then provided that to the workers in the warehouse.
Top Tips for a Smooth Move
- Plan Early: Get quotes and book space at least 4–6 weeks before your move.
- Consolidate When Possible: LCL reduces empty space—but FCL may be more cost-effective if you have a full load.
- Insure Your Shipment: Even if it costs a few extra dollars, insurance saves headaches if damage occurs.
- Stay Organized: Keep digital and physical copies of all shipping docs.
- Ask Questions: Reputable carriers will walk you through every step—use them as a resource!
Whether you’re shipping household goods, furniture or a vehicle, relocating to St. Croix can be stress-free when you choose the right freight partner. VI Cargo, Paradise Freight and Tropical Shipping have all made my move seamless—now it’s your turn!
*Note: you can find additional tips in my post Making the Move to St. Croix: A Complete Relocation Guide.
