Workshop on the International Movement of Wood and Wood Products –
Import/Export into T&T

The Research Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, (MALF) conducted a Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Thursday 14th, 2019 on the International Movement of Wood and Wood Products through the system of Imports/Exports into Trinidad and Tobago.

A key takeaway from the event, was the requirement by persons to obtain a plant import permit (IP); and a Phytosanitary Certificate before they can import wood or wood products into this country. Meanwhile, persons who wish to export from Trinidad and Tobago, must meet the entry conditions of the country they are exporting to, as they will also be required to produce an import permit.

Participants were also informed that in keeping with international best practice, Trinidad and Tobago must apply the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) to determine the phytosanitary import requirements for quarantine pests associated with international movement of wood. Additionally, other phytosanitary measures should be put in place as it relates to, managing the pest risk related to wood, including bark removal, treatment, chipping and inspection.

Deputy Director of the Research Division, Deanne Ramroop said that there are several steps to be followed for the importation of wood and wood products. These include:

• Application forms for Import Permit (IP). This can be obtained at the Plant Quarantine (PQ) Offices at Point Lisa’s, St. Augustine and Centeno
•  Or visit http://www.ttconnect.gov.tt to sign up for a ttconnect ID.
  https://www.ttbizlink.gov.tt/trade/tnt/html/HowToRegister.html to complete the registration process.
  Log in to http://www.ttbizlink.gov.tt to apply for your Plant Import Permit.
  The online service was created by the Ministry of Trade via its Single Electronic Window (SEW) – TTBizLink platform.
•  Once an import permit is issued, it will detail the phytosanitary conditions under which the wood and wood products would be allowed entry into Trinidad and Tobago.
•  The information on the IP will specify the items to be imported, the country of origin, the expiry date and any special conditions that may be required.
•  To import, the IP must be sent to the exporter to confirm that the exporter complies with the conditions of entry into T&T.

The one day interactive workshop was attended by approximately twenty-five (25) persons comprising of importers, exporters and brokers. It also bought clarification to attendees on a number of related issues.

Note: A Phytosanitary Certificate is required for the entry of commodities into Trinidad and Tobago. It’s an official document issued by the plant protection organization of the exporting country to the plant protection organization of the importing country; the certificate indicates that consignments are met as specified by phytosanitary import requirements.

For further Information please contact the MALF– Research Division: Tel: 646-4334/7 Email: fpresearch@nullfp.gov.tt or comms.malf@nullgov.tt

 

Download