Country Guides
Trinidad and Tobago
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Guide Details
Household Goods
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
- Valid passport
- Original Bill of Lading or express release
- Detailed inventory
- Tax ID
- Importer Registration Number (N number) — must be applied for before the shipment arrives; contact the destination agent to initiate this process early
- Two passport-size photographs
- Work permit
- Import Licence (for refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units — from the Ministry of Trade and Industry)
- Proof of address: lease agreement with ID copies of all signatories
- Affidavit sworn before a local Commissioner of Affidavit
- Travel pattern document from the Trinidad and Tobago Immigration Department
- Proof of address: utility bill
- Supporting evidence of time lived overseas — such as payslips, rental/lease agreements, work visas, employment letters, tax returns, or a letter from a landlord
- Bill of Lading and inventory
- Exemption certificate (applied for by the diplomatic agency before the shipment arrives — documents must be submitted prior to arrival)
Specific Information
A Customs interview is required for all household goods shipments. The shipper must be present at the Customs interview and container examination, which takes place at the container examination station at the port.
Used household goods and personal effects may be imported duty-free provided the items are used and have been in the shipper's possession for at least one year.
For shipments destined to Tobago, Port of Spain should be the port of entry. The Bill of Lading must show Tobago as the final destination.
The Importer Registration Number must be obtained before the shipment arrives. The shipper should contact the destination agent as early as possible to initiate this application.
Returning nationals must provide documentary evidence of the time they lived overseas. Customs will review payslips, lease agreements, employment records, visas, and similar documents.
New items less than 1 year old are subject to duties and taxes.
ISPM 15 compliance is required for all wood packaging materials (heat treatment to 56°C for 30 minutes, or methyl bromide fumigation). ISPM 15 requirements do not apply to wood 6mm or less in thickness or to processed wood made with glue, heat, and pressure.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited Items
- Firearms and ammunition (without authorization from the Police Commissioner) `PERMIT REQUIRED`
- Narcotics and illegal drugs
- Communications equipment such as CB radios and walkie-talkies (without authorization)
- Wildlife and wildlife products covered by CITES `CITES`
- Counterfeit goods
Restricted / Dutiable Items
- Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning units: require an Import Licence from the Ministry of Trade and Industry before clearance
- New items (less than 1 year old): subject to duties and taxes — provide a valued listing
- Alcohol: maximum 1 quart duty-free per person
- Cigarettes (persons 17 and older): maximum 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or ½ lb (approximately 227g) loose tobacco duty-free
- Building materials (e.g., tiles): subject to duty
- Firearms and weapons: require permission from the Police Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago `PERMIT REQUIRED`
Importing a Used Personal Vehicle
Required Documents
- Proof of residence abroad (e.g., passport, employment records)
- Proof of ownership: registration certificate, insurance certification in the country abroad, purchase bill of sale, or official certificate of title
- Affidavit sworn before a local Commissioner
- Two passport-size photographs
- Import licence (from Ministry of Trade and Industry)
- Certified copy of title/registration
- Copy of Bill of Lading
Specific Information
Duty-free relief applies only to qualifying returning nationals and diplomats. The conditions differ based on vehicle type and duration of overseas residence.
Right-hand drive vehicles — returning nationals who resided abroad for 1 year or more: Vehicle must not be more than 4 years old and must have been owned for at least 3 months prior to shipping.
Left-hand drive vehicles — returning nationals who resided abroad for 5 years or more: Vehicle must not be more than 4 years old and must have been owned for at least 6 months prior to shipping.
Qualifying returning nationals who resided abroad continuously for at least 5 years and intend to reside permanently in Trinidad and Tobago qualify for 100% relief from Customs Duty and Motor Vehicle Tax only. Full VAT is still applicable. Additionally, these returning nationals qualify for full duty and tax relief on household effects up to TT$250,000.
All other importers are subject to full duties and taxes. The owner of the goods must apply for the import licence before the vehicle is cleared. Contact the destination agent to confirm current duty rates.
Pets
- Import permit — must be obtained before entry; apply to the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries
- Vaccination record including rabies vaccination
- Official veterinary health certificate from a veterinarian at origin, issued within a short period before departure
- Owner's passport copy
- ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip (strongly recommended)
The import permit must be obtained before the animal travels. Contact the destination agent to confirm the current application process and lead time.
No quarantine is imposed if all requirements are met. Pets not meeting requirements will be quarantined, returned, or euthanized at the owner's expense.
Pets may be transported as accompanied baggage or as air cargo. Contact the destination agent prior to arrival for specific handling procedures and to confirm any current import permit conditions from the country of origin.
Consignment Instructions
Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences between air and sea shipments.
The shipper must be physically present for the Customs interview and container examination. This is mandatory for all household goods shipments and cannot be delegated. Plan the shipper's arrival in Trinidad and Tobago accordingly.
The Importer Registration Number must be applied for before the shipment arrives — this process takes time and should be initiated as early as possible through the destination agent.
For Tobago-bound shipments, use Port of Spain as the port of entry and note Tobago as the final destination on the Bill of Lading.
Diplomatic agencies must apply for the exemption certificate before the shipment arrives. Documents must be submitted prior to arrival to allow processing time.
ISPM 15 compliance is required for wood packaging materials.
Cultural & Other Information
Trinidad and Tobago — officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago — is a twin-island nation at the southern end of the Caribbean, just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. It has a population of approximately 1.4 million. The capital is Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad; Scarborough is the main town on Tobago. English is the official language. The currency is the Trinidad and Tobago Dollar (TTD).
Trinidad and Tobago has the most prosperous economy in the Caribbean, driven largely by petroleum and natural gas production. It is a CARICOM member state. Port of Spain is the main entry port for commercial cargo; Crown Point Airport on Tobago and Piarco International Airport on Trinidad serve air freight.
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