Shippers in Canada and the USA are seeking parcel delivery solutions to the Caribbean for online orders and distribution. Trinidad and Tobago is the Caribbean's largest economy.
In this blog, we review,
- Common carrier shipping options between Trinidad and Tobago from Canada and USA
- Import clearance to Trinidad and Tobago including online levy tax
- Caribbean distributions services
- Information required for shipping quote Request Form
Expand your cross border transportation and logistics options to Trinidad and across the Caribbean. Grow your understanding of the how, why from a company providing logistics solutions for over 40 years! Strengthening your transportation team - even if you are a team of one!
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Common carrier shipping options to Trinidad and Tobago
Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago via USPS and Canada Post
Canada Post and USPS offer low-cost shipping for small parcels to the Trinidad and Tobago. Jet Worldwide offers shipping solutions for e-commerce online sellers to the Caribbean as the postal services have been disrupted.
Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago via FedEx and UPS
FedEx and UPS are the largest carriers in North American and, along with DHL, offer reliable shipping options to Trinidad and Tobago. The "Caribbean pricing" zone of these carriers are typically among their more costly regions.
FedEx and UPS shipping Options to Trinidad and Tobago Include:
- International priority express to the Caribbean
- Economy air shipping to Trinidad
- See below: information required for a shipping quote to Trinidad and Tobago
Delivery between Trinidad and Tobago and Canada via Jet Worldwide
Jet Worldwide: A trusted brand offering international shipping for over 40 years!- Jet Worldwide offers options for shipping between the Caribbean , USA and Canada for parcels, pallets, and online orders
- Jet Worldwide offers transparency and logistics support to the Caribbean.
Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago via Purolator
Purolator, a division of Canada Post, offers international shipping options to Trinidad and Tobago via partners, including UPS, and as a third party logistics provider. Purolator is a division of Canada Post.
Import clearance to Trinidad and Tobago
7% levy on goods imported to Trinidad and Tobago:
The Government of Trinidad imposes an additional 7% levy on online purchases of goods and services. Please note when reading the information below that your duty costs may include an additional 7%.
The online tax does not apply if:
- Importing to a business
- Purchase is from a store with original receipt
- Import via ocean
Jet Worldwide and our partners work closely with local customs to ensure proper classification and correct assessment of fees. Our industry leading-blog on shipping to Trinidad is designed to further our mission of connecting people, parcels and businesses around the world.
Estimating import fees when shipping to Trinidad and Tobago
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 CIF Value (Cost plus Insurance plus 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 to Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad 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 "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%).
Note: As mentioned above, many shipments are being subjected to a 7% levy in addition to the published duty rate.
Example of duty assessment
Item: New clothing
Landed Cost: CAD 200
Amount in TTD (using 5.37787): TTD 1,075.57
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%)
Duty Calculation (without import tax)
Calculation for duty (landed cost x duty rate)
Duty rate for new clothing = 20%
Duty cost: $215.11 (1075.57 * 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:
Landed rate + duty (1075.57 + 215.57) = TTD 1291.14
Vat rate = 12.5%
Duty cost ($1291.14 * 1.125) = TTD 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 (DDP) 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 infringement
Getting a quote for shipping between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago.
Jet Worldwide gives access to all companies seeking shipping quotes between Canada, USA and Trinidad and Tobago (and the Caribbean) for parcels pallets, and online orders.
