Import and Export Licences for chilled/ frozen seafood for commercial purposes

A license is required to import/export, chilled/frozen seafood for commercial purposes.

Applicants are required to complete and submit the requisite form available from the Division.

Time-frame:

1-2 weeks

Applicants are required to submit a letter to the Director of Fisheries informing of his/ her intention to import fish and fish products. If the Division recommends that a licence be granted, a letter is submitted to the Ministry of Trade and Industry for issuance of the licence.

Import licences are valid for the calendar year.

The issuance of a Plant Import Permit is critical because it gives legal authorization to bring/import plant material from other countries into Trinidad and Tobago.

Click here to find out what you need to know about a Plant Import Permit

Guidelines and Application form for the importation of dogs and cats into Trinidad and Tobago

Media Release – Pet Travel into Trinidad and Tobago

Obtain application form for import/ export license from Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) – (868-674-3545 or 868-675-8242; TradeLicenceUnit@gov.tt )
Complete form with four (4) species per Include: (a) both common and scientific names; (b) quantity per species; (c) purpose for import (breeding/commercial/personal use). Please feel free to contact the Aquaculture Unit for assistance with filling out the necessary forms for obtaining import or export licence.
Submit completed application form to the Aquaculture Unit for review and approval of species prior to submission to the
The approved form has to be uploaded to MTI/TTBIZLINK (800-4SEW (4739) ttbizlink@gov.tt) for issuance of the Trade License.
Inform Aquaculture Unit at least 48hrs prior to the scheduled import or export date, with flight information, approximate time and port of entry or The Aquaculture Unit is to be informed of any changes thereof.
The Aquaculture Unit conducts an inspection of each import/export Documents required at inspection (originals and 2 copies of each):
- Health certificate for all imports and where necessary for exports
- Supplier’s Invoice for fish
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate where necessary (org ). Should a CITES permit be required: (a) for export, please contact Forestry Division (b) for import, competent authority in exporting country has to issue CITES permit.

– License issued by MTI. Please ensure that the breakdown sheet is completed.

The Aquaculture Unit conducts inspections Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm (excluding public holidays).
There is a requirement by Customs & Excise Division that all shipments have an entry prepared for release of Please contact the Customs & Excise Division office at Piarco (669-1929) for further information and refer to section 214 of the Customs Act, Chapter 78:01, Act 22 of 1938.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Koi (Cyprinus carpio) & Goldfish (Carassius auratus.)

Koi & Goldfish are restricted species that require a Minster’s License for bona fide commercial breeders to import.

Submit a letter of request to the Aquaculture Unit for the importation Koi and/or Goldfish which should include the following information:
- Species (common and scientific names)
- Number of fish of each species being requested for
- Country of origin
- Purpose for importing the fish
- Importer’s Contact information
- A copy of Deed of Ownership or permission letter from the property owner that the property is being used as a breeding facility and the Deed of Ownership for the property cited on the permission
The Aquaculture Unit will contact the applicant to schedule an inspection of the facility to confirm operational Depending on the findings a recommendation will be made to the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries for approval and issuance of a Minster’s License for the import of the fish.
Once a Minister’s Licence is granted, the applicant will be contacted for collection of letter of permission issued by The Aquaculture Unit to import Koi or Goldfish.
Please refer to points 5-8

Scientific Research.

Submit a letter of request to export fish for scientific research purposes to the Aquaculture Unit which should include the following information:
- Species (common and scientific names)
- Number of fish of each species being requested to be exported
- Purpose for export
- Consignee’s detailed information Name of research institution, both local and abroad, mailing address, telephone number and email address.
The Aquaculture Unit would issue a letter of permission for export of the consignment to the exporter, addressed to the Trinidad and Tobago’s Customs & Excise Division.
Once permission is granted please refer to points 5-8

A Minister’s Licence for the importation of raw materials (fish and fish products) duty free for processing.

Applicants are required to submit a letter to the Director of Fisheries informing of his/ her intention to import fish and fish products.

If the Division recommends that a licence be granted, a letter is submitted to the Ministry of Trade and Industry for issuance of the licence.

Import licences are valid for 3 months.

Requirements for Application to Import and Export Fish

Time-frame:
1 week

What You Need to Know about a Plant Import Permit

The issuance of a Plant Import Permit is critical because it gives legal authorization to bring/import plant material from other countries into Trinidad and Tobago. With the importation of plant and plant products into the country, these items can pose a threat to the natural environment, our food security and economy. In this regard, the term “Plant Quarantine”, includes a group of measures taken by countries to prevent the introduction and spread of insect pests, diseases, and weeds.

The Plant Quarantine Service (PQS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) regulates trade through the issuance of plant import permits. Persons requesting this document can therefore submit an electronic application via the e-permits and Licenses module on the TTbizlink – Online Applications (www.ttbizlink.gov.tt) website.

Plant and Plant Products also include a range of goods from live plants, all seeds for propagation, cut flowers and foliage, peas, beans, fruits, vegetables and lumber.

PQS also facilitates exports from Trinidad and Tobago by ensuring that the conditions of the importing country are met and issues phytosanitary certificates to exporters where required. The Plant Quarantine Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries is the Government’s PQS agency authorized to issue Plant Import Permits and Phytosanitary Certificates.

Plant and Plant Products Purchase Online

Persons accessing Amazon, eBay or any other online market facility are advised that you are required to apply for a plant import permit following the same application path. Therefore, the Ministry strongly advises that before committing to any online purchase please engage the “seller” to ensure that a Phytosanitary Certificate can be issued for the intended purchase. If these requirements are not met, the items may be seized and destroyed.

The same guidelines also apply to the travelling public, as passengers transiting the airport must abide by the rules and regulations of meeting the documentary requirements – Import Permit and Phytosanitary Certificate to ensure compliance.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries reminds persons that is important to declare all agriculture items and avoid placing plant or plant products in your luggage without a plant import permit issued by T&T and a Phytosanitary Certificate from the exporting country.

Finally, receiving or sending plant and plant products in any form into Trinidad and Tobago by mail or courier also requires a plant import permit and phytosanitary certificate. Unauthorized items from outside Trinidad and Tobago (online or other) will be confiscated at the border, destroyed and may lead to fines and imprisonment.

Note: Plant Protection Act.

(1) Subject to this Act, no person shall import into Trinidad and Tobago any fruits, planting material, plant pest, pathogens, plant products, soil, vegetables or any other prescribed articles (hereinafter referred to as “restricted articles”) unless he first obtains a permit in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the Regulations.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable—

(a) on a first conviction to a fine of five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for two years or to both and;

(b) on a second or subsequent conviction to a fine of ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for two years or to both.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries is asking for the cooperation of the public on this issue and we wish to thank everyone for your continued support.

For further information please contact: 642-0718; 280-7938 or e-mail: plantquarantine.centeno@gov.tt