IT'S THE LAW! All native plants and animals of the USVI are protected under the Indigenous Species Act. It is illegal to take, catch, possess, injure, harass, or kill any native animal, or plant. All fish (unless harvested for food), coral, shells, and other marine life are protected.

It is not technically "illegal" to take a small number of common seashells from the U.S. Virgin Islands back to the mainland for personal use, but it is heavily restricted and often discouraged. It is strictly illegal to take anything, including shells, sand, or coral, from the Virgin Islands National Park (which covers much of St. John). Outside of the park, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at the airport often exercise a "judgment call" and may confiscate shells if they suspect they were taken from protected reefs or if they appear "fresh" (still housing organisms or recently inhabited). Conch shells are particularly scrutinized because they are protected under international CITES treaties; you generally need a permit to export them. In 2026, the local "pro" advice is to avoid taking shells altogether to preserve the fragile ecosystem, as thousands of tourists doing so can decimate local beaches. If you do wish to take a souvenir, it is much safer to purchase shells from a licensed gift shop, as these are typically processed and come with documentation that they were not harvested from protected local waters.