DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• VALID PASSPORT
• WORK PERMIT (NON-RESIDENT)
• INVENTORY
• ORIGINAL BILL OF LADING OR EXPRESS RELEASE
• IMPORT LICENCE FOR REFRIGERATOR, FREEZER, AIR CONDITION UNIT AND MOTOR VEHICLE PRIOR TO IMPORTATION.
• SWORN AFFIDAVIT BEFORE A LOCAL COMMISSIONER AND TWO PASSPORT PICTURES (RESIDENT)
• COMPLETE LIST OF NEW ITEMS WITH VALUES

CUSTOMS PROCEDURES

THE PACKING LIST, BILL OF LADING AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENT RELEVANT TO THE SHIPMENT MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE SHIPMENT IN ORDER TO REGISTER THE SHIPMENT WITH CUSTOMS & EXCISE.

A CUSTOMS INTERVIEW IS REQUIRED FOLLOWED BY CUSTOMS EXAMINATION AT THE CONTAINER EXAMINATION STATION (CES) SITUATED AT THE PORT OF IMPORTATION. THE IMPORTER’S PRESENCE IS REQUIRED AT THE CUSTOMS INTERVIEW AND EXAMINATION.

USED PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS CAN BE IMPORTED DUTY-FREE, PROVIDING THE ITEMS ARE IN THE USE AND POSSESSION OF THE SHIPPER FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR.

CUSTOMS PROCEDURES FOR DIPLOMATS

BILL OF LADING AND INVENTORY IS REQUIRED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL OF THE SHIPMENT SO DIPLOMATIC AGENCY CAN APPLY FOR THE EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE REQUIRED FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• FIRE - ARMS & AMMUNITION.POLICE AND GOVERNMENT PERMIT REQUIRED BEFOR IMPORTATION AND MUST BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.
• NARCOTICS.

IMPORTS TO TOBAGO

FOR SHIPMENT TO TOBAGO IT IS RECOMMENED THAT PORT OF SPAIN SHOULD BE THE PORT OF ENTRY. THE BILL OF LADING MUST INCLUDE FINAL DESTINATION TOBAGO.

MOTOR VEHICLES

THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN FOUR YEARS OLD.

RETURNING NATIONALS IMPORTING VEHICLES SHOULD RESIDE ABROAD FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS OR MORE AND MUST OWN THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST SIX (6) MONTHS PRIOR TO SHIPPING. IN THE CASE OF RIGHT HAND DRIVE, RETURNING NATIONALS IMPORTING VEHICLES SHOULD RESIDE ABROAD FOR A CONTIN

LEFT HAND DRIVE VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ENTRY BY QUALIFIED RETURNING NATIONALS AND DIPLOMATS ONLY.

RETURNING NATIONALS WHO RESIDED ABROAD FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF AT LEAST FIVE YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO HIS RETURN, AND INTENDS TO RESIDE IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO PERMANENTLY, WOULD QUALIFY FOR A RELIEF FROM CUSTOMS DUTY AS FOLLOWS:

A. WHERE HE IS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAT SIX MONTHS BUT NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR, 25% OF THE DUTY PAYABLE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE IMPORTER PAYS 75% OF THE DUTY.

B. WHERE HE IS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO YEARS, 50% RELIEF OF THE DUTY PAYABLE.

C. WHERE HE IS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAT TWO YEARS, 90% RELIEF OF THE DUTY PAYABLE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE IMPORTER PAYS 10% OF THE DUTY PAYABLE.

D. WITH REGARDS TO HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS, NEW HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS OR THOSE WHICH HAVE BEEN IN HIS POSSESSION FOR A PERIOD OF NOT MORE THAN ONE YEAR, PRIOR TO HIS RETURN, NOT EXCEEDING A C.I.F. VALUE OF TT$100,000.00 ATTRACT A RATE OF 10%. THESE SHOULD BE IMPORTED BY HIM WITHIN SIX MONTHS BEFORE OR AFTER THE DATE OF HIS RETURN TO TRINIDAD & TOBAGO AND WHICH ARE FOR HIS PERSONAL USE AND NOT FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE.

DOCUMENTATION

IN ORDER TO BENEFIT FROM THE TAX CONCESSIONS, THE RETURNING NATIONAL MUST –

• PROVIDE PROOF TO RESIDENCE ABROAD, E.G., PASSPORT, and EMPLOYMENT RECORDS.
• PROVIDE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE, E.G. REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, INSURANCE CERTIFICATE OF VEHICLE IN COUNTRY ABROAD, PURCHASE BILL OF SALE AND/OR OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF TITLE.
• PROVIDE AN AFFIDAVIT SWORN BEFORE A LOCAL COMMISSIONER.
• PRESENT TWO PASSPORT-SIZE PICTURES.

RATE EXCLUDES

DUTY, TAX, STORAGE RENT, DEMURRAGE, PORT CHARGES, THC/AHC approx. US$207.00, ADDITIONAL HAULAGE, EXTRA HANDYMAN SERVICES OR CUSTOMS FEES FOR SHIPMENTS IN TRINIDAD OR TOBAGO.

RATE INCLUDES

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE, DELIVERY TO RESIDENCE, UNPACKING, PLACING, ASSEMBLING ITEMS DIS-ASSEMBLED FOR PACKING, REMOVAL OF DEBRIS (ONE-TIME BASIS) AND CONTAINER RETURN.

RATE VALIDITY

ALL RATES ARE VALID FOR SIXTY DAYS.