Importing Personal Effects into Trinidad and Tobago: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Trinidad and Tobago Import Guide (PDF)

Household goods

• Valid passport.
• Work permit (non-resident).
• Inventory.
• Tax ID.
• Original B/L or express release.
• Import Licence for refrigerator, freezer, air condition unit and motor vehicle to importation (to be obtained from Ministry of Trade & Industry).
• Importer Registration Number.
• Two passport pictures.
• Travel pattern from Immigration Dept Trinidad & Tobago (resident).
• Affidavit from local Commissioner of Affidavit (resident).
• Proof of address: Lease Agreement with ID copies of all signatories to the lease (nonresident) / Utility bill (resident).

• A customer interview is required, followed by customs examination at the container examination station situated at the ports.
• Shipper’s presence is needed at the customs interview and examination.
• Used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty-free, provided the items are used and in possession for at least one year.
• Returning nationals must provide supporting evidence for the time lived overseas, such as: Payslips, Rental/Lease agreements, work visas, employment letters, Tax return, Letter from Landlord, etc.

• Shipper needs to be present for Customs interview and examination.
• For shipments to Tobago it is recommended that the port of Spain should be the port of entry.
• The bill of Lading must include final destination Tobago.
• Shipper must contact agent to apply for Importer Registration Number before the shipment arrives.

Diplomatic removals

• Bill of Lading.
• Inventory.

• Documents are required prior to arrival of the shipment so diplomatic agencies can apply for the exemption certificate required for customs clearance.

Used motor vehicles and motorcycles

• To benefit from the tax concessions, the returning national must provide:
• Proof of residence aboard, e.g. passport, employment records.
• Proof of ownership of vehicle, e.g. registration certificate, insurance certification of vehicle in country aboard, purchase bill of sale and/or official certificate of title.
• Affidavit sworn before a local
• Commissioner.
• Two (2) passport size photos.

• Returning nationals importing left hand drive vehicles should reside abroad for a period of five years or more and must own the vehicle for at least six (6) months prior to shipping. Vehicles are allowed entry by qualified returning national and diplomats only.
• Right hand drive, returning nationals importing vehicles should reside abroad for a period of one year or more and must own the vehicle for at least three (3) months prior to shipping. The vehicle should not be more than four (4) years old.
• Returning Nationals who resided aboard for a continuous period of at least five (5) years immediately prior to his return, and intends to reside in Trinidad & Tobago permanently, would qualify for a 100% relief from Customs Duty and Motor Vehicle Tax only. Full VAT is applicable. Failing that full duty and taxes are applicable.
• With regards to household effects a full relief of duty and tax on household items to the amount of TT$250,000.00.

• Persons importing vehicles should reside abroad for a period of five years or more and must own the vehicle for the last six months prior to shipping.
• The vehicle should not be more than four (4) years old. Left hand drive vehicles are allowed entry by qualified returning nationals and diplomats only.

Prohibited Articles

• Firearms and Ammunition.
• Narcotics

Fumigation of Imported and Exported Wooden Crates

• The government has been established the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures - NIMF Nº 15, with the purpose of almost eliminating in its totality the risk of
• entrance of most of pests that are in quarantine and considerably reducing the risk of other pests.
• The phytosanitary measure approved for the treatment of wood packing should be treated as follows: a) Heat Treatment (HT) to a minimum wood core temperature of 56ºC for a minimum of 30 minutes, or b) Fumigation with Methyl Bromide (MT). The minimum temperature should not be less than 10ºC and the minimum exposure time should be 16 hours.
• The wood packing material must be marked in a visible location on each article, on at least two opposite sides of the article, with a legible and permanent mark.
• The mark can be painted with permanent black painting.
• The colours red and orange do not have to be used as colour of the mark.
• Labels or adhesive are not allowed.
• The approved format for the mark is as follows, where XX would be replaced by the country code, 000 by the producer number, YY by the treatment type (HT or MB) and AAA by the inspection agency logo.
• The treatments established in the present regulation that have the intention to reduce the introduction and/or dissemination of
• quarantine plagues associated to the wood packing.

• This regulation DOES NOT apply to the wood packing materials manufactured of:
• Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less.
• Processed wood produced by glue, heat
• and pressure, or a combination thereof.

Exporting Personal Effects from Trinidad and Tobago: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Trinidad and Tobago Export Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods – HHG/PE

• Passport Copy

• No Export Regulations

Trinidad and Tobago Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Trinidad and Tobago Country Guide (PDF)

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

• 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

• 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

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.