CBP launches Pay.gov for U.S. Virgin Islands imports.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that Pay.gov will be used for payments of duties, taxes, and fees on imports to the U.S. Virgin Islands, and CBP will require electronic cargo manifests via the ACE and EDI systems with a grace period before enforcement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that Pay.gov will be used for payments of duties, taxes, and fees on imported merchandise to the U.S. Virgin Islands. In upcoming months importers will be able to submit payments electronically for cargo arriving from the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and foreign locations. The move is part of CBP’s effort to fully automate the USVI commercial process and speed cargo processing. CBP also said it will require electronic cargo manifests via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems. Key details: - Pay.gov will be used for payments on formal and informal entries; formal-entry payments by ACH debit from a U.S. bank account and informal-entry payments by credit or debit card are supported. - Payment data will be synchronized with ACE entry records in real time to reduce errors and help expedite cargo release. - Acceptance of paper-based payments at USVI ports of entry will be drastically reduced as CBP prioritizes electronic payments. - Carriers must transmit electronic manifests via ACE and EDI, use the specified USVI port codes, and test their systems with CBP to ensure proper data transmission. - CBP will provide a grace period for carriers and importers to adapt; after the grace period penalties for non-compliance may be assessed and cargo release may be delayed. Summary: The change is intended to speed and secure payments and advance automation of commercial trade in the U.S. Virgin Islands. CBP plans additional digital steps such as Electronic Manifest and will require carriers and importers to transition to electronic submissions, with a grace period before enforcement. Importers and filers must continue to request cargo release via the USVICEI mailbox and complete required system testing. Further implementation timelines were not included in the announcement.