Universal X-Press: Statia's One-Stop Shipping & Stationery Hub
FedEx agent, customs broker, and the island's go-to for office supplies
Why Go
Tucked into a townhouse on Fort Oranjestraat, this quietly essential storefront is how Statia stays connected to the outside world — clearing cargo, forwarding parcels, and stocking the pens, paper, and printer ink that keep the island's offices (and homeowners' desks) running.
The Experience
Universal X-Press wears several hats under one roof at 27 Fort Oranjestraat, right in the historic core of Oranjestad. On one side it's a customs brokerage and shipping agency — the local Federal Express representative that residents, expats, and small businesses lean on for anything moving on or off the island. On the other side it operates the Paper Corner, Statia's most reliable stationery and office-supply outlet. The vibe is small-island practical: a compact space, familiar faces behind the counter, and staff who know every customer's shipping history by name. Travelers wander in mostly for two reasons — to solve a real logistics problem (a package that has to reach the U.S. or Europe fast) or to pick up a notebook, greeting card, or last-minute pen for the boat manifest.
What to Try
Ship a postcard or small parcel home via the FedEx counter — it's one of the few reliable outbound couriers on the island, and the tracking gives peace of mind that regular mail won't. Then browse the Paper Corner side for a Statia-appropriate souvenir: locally useful stationery, a spiral notebook to journal the trip, or school-supply staples you forgot to pack.
Insider Tip
If you're waiting on a package to arrive on-island, drop the tracking number here in person rather than emailing — clearance and pickup move noticeably faster when the staff can put a face to the shipment. Bring cash or a Maestro card; card processing on Statia can be temperamental, and small brokerage fees are easier to settle in USD.
The Practical Stuff
Location: 27 Fort Oranjestraat, Oranjestad — an easy walk from the Fort Oranje bastion and the government offices. Hours generally follow Statia business rhythm (weekday mornings and afternoons, closed midday on some days and on Sundays); call ahead before making a special trip. Payment: USD cash is safest; cards accepted intermittently. Parking is street-side and usually easy to find.
Pair It With
- Fort Oranje Guide — The 17th-century Dutch fortress is a two-minute walk away and the obvious next stop after handling errands in the Upper Town.
- Gem Giftshop — If you're already in shopping mode on Fort Oranjestraat, this nearby souvenir stop rounds out the practical-plus-pretty errand loop.
- Bacchanalia Guide — A short stroll from the shop — a good lunch or coffee reward once the paperwork or parcel is squared away.
- Alvin V. Courtar Park — A quiet green pause nearby, perfect for opening that new notebook and jotting a few travel notes before moving on.
