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STT carryon question
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:16 pm
by RT
If carrying on only and you print boarding pass ahead of time off the internet(AA), do you go straight to customs?
If so, where do you get your customs form? Last trip we had to get them from the AA counter.
Thanks
RT
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:18 pm
by Ms.Montana
We get the custom forms when we arrive in SST. That way they are filled out and ready to go as soon as you hit the airport door!
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:19 pm
by dtenel
We always grab a customs form right when we land. While hubby is waiting for luggage, I go over to ticket counter and grab one. That way we can fill it out before we leave our hotel and not have to mess with it at the airport.
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:20 pm
by IslandElle
Do you have to go through customs when flying into STT? I thought since it was a US territory you didn't but I have never been.
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:42 pm
by jimg20
Customs is a Function of leaving for the US or returning from other places like BVI. The trip from the US to STT has no customs stop.
JIM
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:47 pm
by zrock
Great info here. I am flying into STT and I understand I dont need to show any kind of proof of citizenship since it is a US territory, etc.. However I thought I read that once I leave STT back to the mainland that I WILL have to show proof of citizenship (eg. copy of birth cert) even though all my time will be on STT and STJ. Is that true?
Thanks in advance,
jz
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:23 pm
by Pia
Yes that is correct - you DO clear US Customs and Immigration upon departure at the STT airport but do not upon arrival.
Islandelle and zrock - as this is your first time to STJ/STT you might not know you need to be at the airport 1.5 to 2 hours before your departure to clear Customs and Immigration - so bring ID 
Pia
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:25 pm
by jimg20
zrock wrote:Great info here. I am flying into STT and I understand I dont need to show any kind of proof of citizenship since it is a US territory, etc.. However I thought I read that once I leave STT back to the mainland that I WILL have to show proof of citizenship (eg. copy of birth cert) even though all my time will be on STT and STJ. Is that true?
Thanks in advance,
jz
you are correct. A US passport works best and fastest.
JIM
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:39 pm
by jaytee
So only a birth certificate is required?
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:45 pm
by Exit Zero
would a 'voters registration card' with a photo ID-work to establish citizenship??
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:01 pm
by JohnM
Provided that it has a photo, a driver's license is fine to depart STT. But a passport is still preferable.
And when we left Newark for STT last month, our boarding gate agent insisted that we display our passports. Weird, but we wern't about to start an argument over it.
Info on ID required for STT
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:34 pm
by Jo&Wally
Entry Requirements:
US Citizens Alternatives
No passports are required for US Virgin Islands travel.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requiring passports will not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin islands will continue to be able to use established forms of identification, such as birth certificates and government-issued photo ID, to board flights and for entry. Vaccinations are not required.
The following are usually accepted as Proofs of U.S. Citizenship:
a valid U.S. passport -or-
Certified copy of birth certificate plus government issued photo ID -or-
Official U.S. government document verifying citizenship
Certificate of citizenship
Certificate of naturalization
Consular report of birth abroad of a U.S. Citizen
Valid photo I.D. (Photo I.D.'s are not applicable for minors up to 16 years of age.)
NOTE: A Voter's registration card is NOT valid proof of U.S. Citizenship.
ID required
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:41 pm
by Jo&Wally
If you have a passport take it and you will never have a problem. If you don't have a pasporst and do not plan to get one make sure you have a birth certificate that is "certified" and not just a copy of your birth certificate.
On our last trip down several weeks ago a young couple had a heck of a time at the airport in Atlanta because they had just a photocopy and they were at the STT airport on our return but we never saw them get on the flight.
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:11 pm
by toes in the sand
jimg20 wrote:Customs is a Function of leaving for the US or returning from other places like BVI. The trip from the US to STT has no customs stop.
JIM
We visited two weeks ago. We did not leave the USVI but we were still required to pass through customs and declare any purchases.
We had a surprise at customs this trip. Our Customs agent was pleasant and amiable. Never had that before at any airport.
As far as ID. I always bring my passport with me when flying even if it is within the continental US. It just makes things easier with the TSA.
Re: STT carryon question
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:17 pm
by toes in the sand
RT wrote:where do you get your customs form? Last trip we had to get them from the AA counter.
Thanks
RT
The customs "greeter" will give you a declaration form and check that you have it completed before you enter the doors to the line to customs. We also pick a form up when we arrive in STT so that we can fill it out at a convenient time instead of trying to write on top of a suitcase.