ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations announced recently the implementation of a local pilot program concerning the use of the Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) before embarkation for departures from USVI airports traveling to domestic US destinations and Puerto Rico.
CBP officer inspects travelers declaration form, which is required upon entry into the United States.
“CBP is committed to transform and simplify the agency’s requirements to ensure agile and efficient inspection process and to improve customer satisfaction,” indicated St. Thomas Area Port Director Louis Harrigan.
From Sunday September 6, the pilot program allows CBP Officers and CBP Agriculture Specialists to obtain a binding oral declaration from passengers which, among others, must include the following series of questions;
- Where did your trip originate and what other countries did you visit?
- Do you have any commercial merchandise?
- What is the total value of goods you are bringing?
- Have you been on a farm, ranch or pasture?
- Have you been in close proximity of livestock?
- Are you bringing any of the following: Fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects? Meats, animals, animal/wildlife products? Disease agents, cell cultures, snails? Soil?
However, travelers that are not pre-inspected in the USVI will be required to fill the CBP Form 6059B upon arrival into the United States and/or Puerto Rico. This pilot does not cover air travelers arriving into the USVI from foreign countries.
The implementation of this pilot does not prevent CBP Officers from requiring completion of CBP Form 6059B at any point of the inspection process or ask additional questions, if so deemed necessary.
Although not statutorily required, it is recommended that US Citizens poses one of the forms of identification such as a US Passport or Passport Card, Driver’s license, Birth certificate, Military ID or a State issued identification card.
All non-US citizens need to have valid travel documentation to prove their legal presence in the US.
Our dual mission is to facilitate travel in the United States while we secure our borders, our people and our visitors from those that would do us harm like terrorists and terrorist weapons, criminals and contraband.
For more information on international traveling into the United States visit CBP’s Travel section.