CBP made electronic ocean manifest filing mandatory for U.S. Virgin Islands ports

On March 7, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Virgin Islands (U.S.V.I.) St. Thomas Area Port will implement mandatory electronic submission of Ocean cargo manifests through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) at all U.S.V.I. ports of entry: St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. This requirement applies to carriers, importing carriers, vessel agents, brokers, importers, freight forwarders, and other interested trade parties.

CBP has successfully completed testing of automated electronic manifest submissions originating from the continental United States and international locations. As a result, the capability to receive electronic manifests via ACE is fully operational at all U.S.V.I. ports of entry.

Effective March 7, 2026, carriers must submit all Ocean cargo manifests electronically via ACE for shipments destined to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including direct foreign shipments, in-bond shipments, and shipments originating from the continental United States and Puerto Rico. Submission of cargo manifests through non-automated methods will no longer be permitted once mandatory implementation takes effect.

CBP will allow a limited transition period following this notice to accommodate carriers upgrading their systems. During this period, CBP will exercise enforcement discretion to facilitate compliance. After the transition period, failure to submit cargo manifests electronically via ACE may result in enforcement actions consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Trade Act of 2002.

Implementation Procedures:

• Requirements for Carriers:

• Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Carriers must implement EDI frameworks to enable automated cargo manifest transmission to U.S.V.I. CBP ports.

• Port Codes: Carriers must add U.S.V.I. domestic (4-digit) and foreign (5-digit) port codes to their systems:

• Foreign Port Codes: 91155 (St. Thomas), 91195 (St. John), 91149 (St. Croix)

• Domestic Port Codes: 5101 (St. Thomas), 5102 (St. John), 5104 (St. Croix)

• Testing: Carriers must test their systems with CBP to ensure proper programming and data transmission to ACE.

• Submission Guidelines:

• Foreign-Origin Shipments: Use the appropriate 5-digit foreign port code for the port of lading and the corresponding 4-digit domestic port code for the port of unlading.

• * For CONUS-Origin Shipments: Trade should provide the Schedule K foreign port code for the USVI in the foreign port of lading and the Last Foreign Port Before Departing for the U.S. that corresponds with the Schedule D USVI port code to be used as the port of unlading. Additionally, trade can enter the location of departure in the CONUS in the Place of Receipt by Carrier which is a free form text field.

• Manifest Data: Submit via ACE automated systems cargo manifests.

• CBP Compliance and Enforcement:

• Non-compliance with the electronic filing mandate may result in cargo release delays and penalties.

Trade partners who already have a Client Representative assigned to them should contact their assigned Client Representative directly. Your software vendor or technology (IT) department can work with the CBP client representative to implement your EDI framework for ACE cargo manifest submissions. Questions regarding this message may be directed to usvicei@cbp.dhs.gov (mailto:usvicei@cbp.dhs.gov). Questions regarding procedures, requirements, or implementation details should be referred to the CBP Trade Branch at 340-774-2510 Option #7.

Related Message Number(s): TIN # 67154332