U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on Mar. 25 a new electronic payment system, Pay.gov, for all duties, taxes, and fees on imported goods entering the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The change is expected to modernize trade operations in the territory by allowing importers to make payments electronically instead of relying on paper-based transactions at ports of entry.
According to CBP, the new system will apply to cargo arriving from the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and foreign locations. Importers will be able to use Pay.gov accounts to save payment information, track transactions, and manage recurring payments. For formal entries, payments can be made by ACH debit from a U.S. bank account with data synchronized in real time with Automated Commercial Environment records; informal entries can be paid by credit or debit card.
"Pay.gov is a game changer for the U.S. Virgin Islands," said Area Port Director for the US Virgin Islands 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 also plans further automation measures including mandatory electronic submission of cargo manifests via ACE and Electronic Data Interchange systems. Carriers are required to test their systems with CBP before full implementation; after an initial grace period penalties may apply if requirements are not met.
These changes follow federal regulations under the Trade Act of 2002 that mandate advance electronic submission of cargo information in the territory.
