Area Code 340 – Charlotte Amalie & Territory Area

Overview of Area Code 340

Area code 340 is the sole North American Numbering Plan (NANP) area code assigned to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), a U.S. territory located in the Caribbean. It serves the entire territory, including the islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. The area code was introduced on July 1, 1997, replacing the previous international format that used country code 1-809. As part of the NANP, calls to the USVI are dialed as domestic calls within the United States and its territories, but international charges may apply depending on the carrier.

Geographic Coverage and Major Cities

The 340 area code covers all populated areas of the USVI. Key municipalities and districts include:

• Saint Thomas: The capital, Charlotte Amalie, is the largest town and a major cruise ship port. Other areas include Red Hook, Frenchman's Reef, and Magens Bay.
• Saint John: Known for its pristine beaches and Virgin Islands National Park, with the main settlement of Cruz Bay.
• Saint Croix: The largest island, with towns such as Christiansted and Frederiksted.

Because the entire territory is served by a single area code, there are no overlay codes or local exchange boundaries. The area code is a geographic code, but it is not subdivided into smaller rate centers; instead, it functions as a single rate center for the whole territory.

Dialing Formats and Procedures

For local calls within the USVI, callers must dial the full 10-digit number (area code + 7-digit local number). For example, to call a landline in Charlotte Amalie, you would dial 340-555-0123. This applies to both local and long-distance calls within the territory.

For international callers, the dialing format is +1 340 XXX XXXX (or 1-340-XXX-XXXX when dialing from the United States). For instance, a caller from the United Kingdom would dial 00 1 340 555 0123.

When dialing from the USVI to other NANP countries (e.g., the U.S. mainland, Canada, or Caribbean islands), callers use 1 + area code + number. For calls to international destinations outside the NANP, the international prefix 011 is used.

Regulatory and Technical Considerations

The 340 area code is administered by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA) under the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The numbering plan is overseen by the Public Services Commission of the USVI. All local numbers are 7 digits, and the area code is mandatory for all calls, including local ones. There are no plans for an overlay or split in the near future, as the numbering resources are sufficient.

Mobile numbers in the USVI also use the 340 area code, and mobile number portability is available, allowing users to retain their numbers when switching carriers. The territory is served by major U.S. carriers, and roaming agreements are common.

For businesses, having a 340 number establishes a local presence in the USVI, which can be beneficial for customer trust and local SEO. However, it is important to note that the area code is not toll-free; standard domestic or international rates apply.