Understanding the duty rates and calculation before sending your parcels to Trinidad and Tobago from Canada and the USA. Jet helps you understand - and minimize - customs clearance costs. We also offer delivery duty paid service to Trinidad and Tobago from Canada and the USA.
Customs Clearance and Duty Rates for Shipping to Trinidad & Tobago from Canada
With the multiple ports of entry and multitude of items sent to Trinidad and Tobago, there is often confusion regarding the cost of clearance. Clearing costs via Trinidad and Tobago Customs is essential information for those wishing to send parcels to Trinidad and Tobago. Pricing and shipping times are largely dependent on customs laws.
Perhaps the most common question from our customers is how duty and Vat are charged by Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Excise. Businesses shipping to the Caribbean from Canada can contact our team to calculate their estimated clearance costs.
Disclaimer: The information in Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only.
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Contact Jet's logistics team for full logistics support for shipping to the Caribbean including warehousing, pickup points, distribution and e-commerce.
Jet Worldwide provides Canadian, Caribbean and global logistics. Our support refers to the various systems and services regarding international and Canadian movement of goods. This can include things like transportation, storage facilities, and supply chain management.
Valuation and "landed cost"
Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Excise calculate the Duty on the "Landed Cost." Most shippers mistakenly assume that duty is calculated on their declared value.
To calculate duty, customs uses the “C.I.F.” value (Cost, Insurance Freight). This is also referred to as the “landed cost.”
Calculation of Landed Cost
Cost of the item
+ transport cost
+ insurance
= Landed Cost
Online Purchase Tax
Provisional Collection of Taxes Order
The Trinidadian Government imposes an additional 7% on goods purchased online and imported to Trinidad and Tobago.
Criteria for the implementation of the import tax include:
- Goods purchased online
- Parcels imported into Trinidad and Tobago by air transportation and "transit shed"
- Parcels consigned to a consumer
Calculation of Duty for parcels to Trinidad and Tobago:
Duty rates average between 20% and 30% and calculated on the landed cost (as explained above)
Although duty rates vary by commodity and subject to change, most consumer commodities (including electronics and clothing) are subject to a 20% duty plus Vat (12.5%).
Duty Assessment
Item: New clothing
Landed Cost: $200 CAD
Amount in TTD$ (using 5.37787): TTD$ 1,075.57
Duty Calculation
Calculation for duty (landed cost x duty rate)
Duty rate for new clothing = 20%
Duty cost: $215.11 (1075.57 * 20%)
Duty Calculation with online import tax
Landed cost + 7%: 1057.57 + $75.29 =$1132.86
Duty rate for new clothing = 20%
Duty cost: $226.58 (1132.86 + 20%)
Calculation of Vat for parcels to Trinidad and Tobago
The Value added Tax (Vat) in Trinidad and Tobago is 12.5%. The Vat is calculated on the total of the landed cost + duty. Trinidadian businesses can often claim back the Vat they have paid.
So, to continue with the example from above:
Vat Sample Calculation
Landed rate + duty (1075.57 + 215.57) = TT$1291.14
Vat rate = 12.5%
Duty cost ($1291.14 * 1.125) = TT$161.39
Often, our Canadian clients wish to pay customs fees to ensure cost free delivery to their consignee (who is often a family member or client). Our Delivery Duty Paid service to Trinidad provides the option for the shipper to pay the Trinidad and Tobago Customs Duty and Vat.
Common Duty Rates for Parcels from Canada to Trinidad
Although duty rates vary, the fees generally can be broken down into the following categories:
- Consumer commodities (such as clothing): 20%
- Automotive parts: 30%
- Educational Books for school: 0% (with no Vat)
- Computer laptops and tablets: 0%
Restricted Items To Trinidad and Tobago:
The list of items that cannot be sent to Trinidad and Tobago are common to other destinations and include:
- Pornography
- Arms and ammunition
- Certain Coins and currency
- Any items that contain Camouflage patterns
- Toy guns which closely resemble a real firearm
- Goods with trademark infringements
Canadian Export Declaration for Shipments to Trinidad
For shipments from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago valued at CAD 2,000 and above (or otherwise regulated) require a Canadian export declaration.
Read more about Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS).
Customs entry fee
Importing goods with a value over TT$20,000 require a customs entry. The cost averages around TT$300-350.
Best Options for shipping freight between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago
- Canada Post options are generally best for individuals shipping small packages and personal items
- FedEX , DHL, UPS: Well known carriers with information readily available via their websites.
- Air freight: This is the fastest option with economy air options
- Ocean: Best for larger commercial orders
Jet Worldwide provides Canadian, Caribbean and global logistics support. Our services regard the international and Canadian movement of goods: Include things like transportation, delivery, storage facilities, and supply chain management.
Get a quote for shipping between Trinidad and Tobago, The Caribbean, Canada, USA
Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes between Canada, the USA to Trinidad and Tobago (and all the Caribbean) for parcels pallets, and online orders.
We are happy to help with your shipping from Canada. Please provide some more information about the type of goods that will be shipped, and whether they are being sent via air or sea freight? Additionally, it would be helpful to know the volume of goods and items being shipped. What restrictions or regulations are you aware of that should be taken into account? Contact Jet.
Buying an iPhone with a physical SIM card from Canada
If your mobile carrier does not support, you have to buy a physical nano-SIM. Nano-SIM Apple phones can still be purchased from Canada (most iPhone’s purchased in the USA are not available with a nano-SIM).
Arrange for the purchase of an iPhone and international shipping from Canada with Jet's partner, eZone.
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