Residents and businesses in the US Virgin Islands are pushing back against new shipping rules they say are driving up costs and making it harder to send packages to the mainland United States.

Governor Albert Bryan has now taken those concerns directly to the White House, submitting public comments and firsthand accounts as part of an effort to have the policy reviewed.

The feedback came from about a dozen residents, business owners and other stakeholders who responded to a call from the government. Many described paying higher fees, facing delays and dealing with additional paperwork when using the United States Postal Service.

According to the governor’s office, the changes effectively reduced the duty-free threshold for certain shipments from $800 to $0. What was once a straightforward mailing process now requires online declarations, prepayment and additional checks before packages can be accepted.

The impact, officials said, is being felt beyond businesses. Residents reported extra costs ranging from about $80 to $200 per shipment, while seniors and others have struggled with new app-based requirements. Families also spoke about increased costs to send personal items and gifts, and small businesses highlighted growing challenges shipping products to customers.

Bryan said the submissions helped paint a clearer picture of how the policy is affecting daily life.

“When we asked the community to speak up, Virgin Islanders answered,” he said. “Their stories made clear that this is not some distant policy debate. This is a real burden falling on working families, seniors, and small businesses right here at home.”

At the heart of the issue is the territory’s position that mail between the Virgin Islands and the mainland United States should be treated as domestic, not foreign.

Officials also noted that residents of Puerto Rico are not facing the same requirements, arguing that the current policy creates an uneven playing field.

The governor’s office said it will continue to push for changes, maintaining that any solution should remove what it describes as an unintended burden while preserving broader trade and security measures.