# Trinidad and Tobago (TT) **Capital:** Port of Spain **Currency:** Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD) (TTD) **Population:** 1,368,333 — Older stored figure; source year not documented. **Area:** 5,130 km² > Trinidad and Tobago is the energy and petrochemical hub of the southern Caribbean. The main seaports are Port of Spain (containers) and Point Lisas (PLIPDECO, heavy industry); air cargo runs through Piarco. Customs uses ASYCUDA World, with 12.5 percent VAT plus a 7 percent Online Purchase Tax. It is a member of CARICOM/CSME and the CARIFORUM-EU EPA. Trinidad and Tobago (ISO code: TT) lies in the southern Caribbean, north-east of Venezuela, and comprises the two main islands of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and of CARICOM. The climate is tropical with high humidity and a rainy season from June to December. The economy rests mainly on oil and natural gas production, petrochemicals (ammonia, methanol), services and tourism, with the energy sector accounting for the bulk of exports. The country mainly exports natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals and asphalt, while relying heavily on imports of consumer goods, machinery and vehicles. Logistically it has modern seaports such as Port of Spain and Point Lisas and the Piarco international airport; there is no railway (the former network closed in 1968) and inland transport runs over a well-developed road network. This gives it an important transit and transhipment role in the southern Caribbean. The national currency is the Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD). **Top Import Partners:** US, CN, BR, DE, MX **Top Export Partners:** US, ES, NL, BR, IN **Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Vehicles, Foodstuffs, Chemicals, Consumer goods **Top Export Goods:** Natural gas, Petroleum products, Petrochemicals, Asphalt **Key Airports:** - [A.N.R. Robinson International Airport (TAB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/anr-robinson-international-airport-tab) - [Piarco International Airport (POS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/piarco-international-airport-pos) - [Camden Airfield](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/camden-airport-7691) ## Customs & Import **Import VAT:** Standard VAT rate of 12,5 percent on CIF plus import duty **Customs complexity:** medium **Customs system:** ASYCUDA World (since Dec. 2010), electronic declaration via the Single Window ttbizlink; for goods with a value above TTD 20'000, a licensed customs agent is mandatory. **Customs authority:** [Customs and Excise Division (Ministry of Finance)](https://www.customs.gov.tt) ## Logistics & Risk **Logistics role:** Energy and petrochemical hub of the southern Caribbean **Economic area:** CARICOM / CSME **Logistics risk:** medium **Dangerous goods relevance:** high **Pharma/cold chain:** medium ## FAQ ### What is the import VAT rate in Trinidad and Tobago? The standard VAT rate is 12,5 percent on CIF plus import duty. For online purchases, an additional Online Purchase Tax of 7 percent applies. A zero rate applies to certain basic foodstuffs and medicines. ### Which customs system is used? The Customs and Excise Division handles customs clearance through ASYCUDA World. Electronic declaration is made via the Single Window ttbizlink, introduced in December 2010. ### Do I need a customs agent? For goods with a value above TTD 20'000, appointing a licensed customs agent (customs broker) for the declaration is mandatory. ### Which seaports are the most important? The most important ports are Port of Spain for container traffic and Point Lisas (PLIPDECO) for heavy industry and petrochemicals. For Tobago, the port of Scarborough serves this purpose. ### Is there a rail network? No. Trinidad and Tobago does not operate a railway; the former network was closed in 1968. Overland freight transport is handled entirely by road. ### Is there a free trade agreement with the EU or Switzerland? The CARIFORUM-EU EPA has been in place with the EU since 2008. There is no free trade agreement with Switzerland or EFTA. ### How does air freight work? Air freight is handled through Piarco International Airport (POS) near Port of Spain; ground handling and cargo warehouses are operated, among others, by Swissport. ### What risks exist for supply chains? Points to note are the energy-dependent economy, the tropical rainy season from June to December, and selective security risks in parts of Port of Spain. ## Sources & Last Verified - [https://www.customs.gov.tt](https://www.customs.gov.tt) - [https://www.ird.gov.tt/VAT](https://www.ird.gov.tt/VAT) - [http://www.customs.gov.tt/importing/duties-and-payment](http://www.customs.gov.tt/importing/duties-and-payment) - [http://www.customs.gov.tt/asycuda/](http://www.customs.gov.tt/asycuda/) - [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/trinidad-and-tobago-import-tariff](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/trinidad-and-tobago-import-tariff) - [https://www.finance.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Press-Release-Calculation-of-Duties-and-Taxes-on-Online-Purchases-Final.pdf](https://www.finance.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Press-Release-Calculation-of-Duties-and-Taxes-on-Online-Purchases-Final.pdf) - [https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/caribbean_en](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/caribbean_en) - [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=TT](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=TT) *Last verified: 2026-06-30* --- *Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/tt](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/tt)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/tt](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/tt)*