Trinidad and Tobago is a leading economy in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with close ties to Canada. Growth has recovered on the back of energy projects and firmer commodity prices, and the country's generally open investment policy and strong demand for imported goods draw many Canadian companies and online merchants.
Quick answer
How do you ship from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago?
To ship from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago, choose Canada Post for small parcels, air express (FedEx, UPS, or Jet Worldwide) for speed, or ocean freight for barrels and pallets. Trinidad assesses duty on the CIF value, a 12.5 percent VAT, and a 7 percent Online Purchase Tax on air e-commerce parcels. Canadian goods get no tariff preference.
Key takeaways
- Carriers: Canada Post for small parcels, FedEx, UPS, and Jet Worldwide for air, and ocean freight for barrels and pallets.
- Taxes stack: duty on CIF, then a 7 percent Online Purchase Tax on CIF, then 12.5 percent VAT on the combined total.
- No Canadian preference: CARIBCAN benefits only flow one way, so Canadian goods pay the standard CARICOM tariff.
- Barrels: lowest cost by sea, but the Port clearance process is manual (Jet does not handle personal barrels).
Disclaimer: the information in Jet Worldwide online content, including this post, is for general information only.
Best shipping options from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago
This guide covers the main Canadian options for shipping to Trinidad and Tobago, including Canada Post, FedEx, UPS, Purolator, and Jet Worldwide. It also explains the basic parcel clearance process in Port of Spain (the major gateway for international parcels) and reviews the process for shipping barrels from Canada.
What does shipping to Trinidad and Tobago cost?
The cost of shipping to Trinidad and Tobago depends on package size, weight, service level, carrier, and your discount level. It is usually worth comparing quotes across carriers to find the best fit for your timeline and budget.
What is the cheapest way to send to Trinidad and Tobago?
For individuals sending small packages and personal items, Canada Post surface service is the lowest cost. For larger shipments, ocean freight (including barrels) is the least expensive way to send, though surface and ocean options can take several weeks to months for delivery. The main modes between Canada and Trinidad are:
- Air freight: the fastest option, with economy air available for heavier shipments.
- Ocean: best for large commercial orders and individuals sending barrels (note: we do not offer barrel shipping).
- Local post: generally best for individuals shipping small packages and personal items to Trinidad and Tobago.
- FedEx, DHL, and UPS air: well known, with information readily available on their websites.
Shipping frozen seafood and temperature-controlled goods
Jet Worldwide can arrange express shipping of pharmaceuticals, food, lab equipment, and other goods requiring temperature control. Contact our team for details.
Carrier options: Canada Post, FedEx, UPS, Purolator, and Jet
| Carrier | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Post | Small personal parcels under 2 kg | Lowest cost by surface; delivered in Trinidad and Tobago by TT Post; delivery time and tracking can be uncertain. |
| FedEx and UPS | Urgent and commercial parcels | Reliable air express and air economy from Canada, with full tracking and customs clearance. |
| Purolator | Canadian pickup with courier handoff | A Canada Post subsidiary; delivers internationally through partners such as UPS. |
| Jet Worldwide | Cost-conscious shippers of all sizes | Canadian and Caribbean logistics support with discount access to global carriers. |
| Ocean freight | Barrels and large commercial orders | Lowest cost for volume; several weeks to months in transit (Jet handles commercial ocean only). |
Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago via Canada Post
Canada Post is the preferred option for individuals shipping small packages. Parcels are imported into Trinidad and Tobago and delivered by TT Post, the state-owned postal provider. While delivery time and service can be uncertain, Canada Post International Small Packet Surface Service offers the lowest cost for packages under 2 kg. Services include Small Packet (surface and air), Parcel Surface, and Xpresspost.
Shipping via FedEx and UPS
FedEx and UPS are the largest carriers in North America and, along with DHL, offer reliable air shipping to Trinidad from Canada, in both express and economy tiers. Get a shipping quote to Trinidad from Canada.
Shipping via Jet Worldwide
Jet Worldwide has provided international delivery from Canada since 1988. We provide Canadian, Caribbean, and global logistics: rate comparison, transport, receiving facilities, and supply chain management.
Delivery via Purolator Courier
Purolator Courier, a subsidiary of Canada Post, offers international parcel delivery from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago through partners such as UPS.
Import fees: duty, Online Purchase Tax, and VAT
Trinidad and Tobago customs assess duty and taxes on the CIF value (cost of the goods plus insurance and freight). Classification uses Harmonized System (HS) codes, and duty follows the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET). Three charges typically apply:
- Customs duty on the CIF value, by HS code.
- Online Purchase Tax (OPT) of 7 percent on the CIF value, on qualifying air e-commerce parcels.
- Value Added Tax (VAT) of 12.5 percent on the combined total.
How the taxes stack: a worked example
Trinidad uses a stacked assessment. Duty and OPT are each calculated on the CIF value, and VAT is then applied to the CIF value plus duty plus OPT. The example below assumes an illustrative 20 percent duty rate; your actual rate depends on the HS code.
| Step | Basis | Rate | Amount (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goods value | - | - | 150.00 |
| Freight and insurance | - | - | 50.00 |
| CIF value | Goods plus freight plus insurance | - | 200.00 |
| Customs duty (illustrative) | CIF | 20% | 40.00 |
| Online Purchase Tax | CIF | 7% | 14.00 |
| VAT | CIF plus duty plus OPT | 12.5% | 31.75 |
| Total taxes | 85.75 | ||
| Landed cost | 285.75 | ||
The 7 percent Online Purchase Tax explained
The OPT applies at 7 percent of the CIF value, but only when all of these conditions are met: the goods are purchased by electronic transaction, imported by air, consigned to a consumer (not a business), and entered from a transit shed. Ocean and barrel shipments, and business-to-business commercial imports, fall outside the OPT.
See our companion guide on Trinidad and Tobago's Online Purchase Tax and parcel clearance costs.
Duty and the CARICOM Common External Tariff
Duty rates follow the CARICOM CET, generally organized in bands by product type:
| Category | Typical CET duty |
|---|---|
| Raw materials | 0 to 5 percent |
| Capital goods | 5 percent |
| Intermediate goods | 10 to 15 percent |
| Finished consumer goods | 15 to 20 percent |
Some items sit outside these bands, and certain foods are VAT zero-rated. Check the exact rate for your product on the official TTBizLink HS Code and Tariff Finder.
Important for Canadian shippers: no tariff preference going south
CARIBCAN is non-reciprocal. It grants Caribbean goods duty-free access to the Canadian market, but Canadian goods entering Trinidad and Tobago do not get a matching preference; they pay the standard CET rate for their HS code. Budgeting for a preferential rate you are not entitled to is the most common landed-cost error on this lane.
Parcel customs clearance in Port of Spain
Port of Spain is the major gateway for international parcels. When shipping to Trinidad and Tobago, the standard requirements include:
- The supplier's invoice.
- A copy of the Air Waybill (air) or Bill of Lading (sea).
- An import licence for items on the negative list or otherwise restricted.
- A declaration on the C75 or C76 customs value form where the goods are part of an ongoing demand-and-supply relationship between the importer and supplier, signed by the importer.
Shipping barrels via ocean freight
Jet Worldwide does not offer ocean barrel shipping to Trinidad and Tobago, but we provide this information to assist the many requests we receive from the Trinidadian-Canadian community seeking low-cost delivery.
Ocean freight offers the lowest cost and is the best option when you can wait a month or two (delivery sometimes runs beyond three months). Shipping barrels from Canada is a simple process, though the clearance process can be cumbersome. Barrels also provide more security than loose boxes. For commercial ocean freight, contact Jet. Because destination import fees can significantly affect total cost, understand them before you ship.
Useful reading: things to know about ocean shipping to and from Canada.
Sea-port clearance process
Clearance involves the shipping agent (who notifies you of arrival and provides the Bill of Lading and Bill of Sight), the Port authorities, and Customs and Excise. Port of Point Lisas, on the west coast south of Port of Spain, is a common port for barrels. The steps are:
- The Bill of Lading gives ownership of the barrel to the importer of record. The importer often authorizes a third party to clear on their behalf (for a fee).
- The recipient takes the Bill of Lading to the Port's Barrel Shed 10, where the Port Authority assesses the fees due.
- Port staff submit to Customs the Delivery Note, Location Slip, Port Receipt (showing Port fees paid), and the Bill of Sight.
- The Bill of Sight records the owner and package information, the vessel name, and the owner's declaration of contents.
- Port staff move the barrel to the Customs examination area.
- Customs assess duties and taxes, recorded on the Bill of Sight, based on original receipts or applied value.
Note: Jet Worldwide does not provide barrel ocean delivery to Trinidad and Tobago. We are happy to point you to providers, but we do not endorse them.
Frequently asked questions
What import fees apply to shipments to Trinidad and Tobago?
Trinidad and Tobago assesses customs duty on the CIF value (cost of goods plus insurance and freight), a Value Added Tax of 12.5 percent, and, on qualifying air e-commerce parcels, a 7 percent Online Purchase Tax. Duty follows the CARICOM Common External Tariff by HS code and can reach about 20 percent on finished consumer goods.
What is the cheapest way to send to Trinidad and Tobago?
For small personal parcels, Canada Post surface service is usually the lowest cost. For larger shipments, ocean freight, including barrels, is the least expensive option, though surface and ocean can take several weeks to months for delivery.
Does the 7 percent Online Purchase Tax apply to every shipment?
No. The Online Purchase Tax of 7 percent applies only when all conditions are met: the goods are bought by electronic transaction, imported by air, consigned to a consumer, and entered from a transit shed. Ocean and barrel shipments and business-to-business commercial imports fall outside it.
Do Canadian goods get a tariff preference in Trinidad and Tobago?
No. CARIBCAN is non-reciprocal: it grants Caribbean goods duty-free access to Canada, but Canadian goods entering Trinidad and Tobago pay the normal CARICOM Common External Tariff rate for their HS code. Budget for standard duty rather than a preferential rate.
Can I ship an iPhone from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes. You can buy an iPhone with a physical SIM card and ship it to Trinidad and Tobago. Regulations on shipping items with lithium batteries must be respected. Contact our team for details.
Does Jet Worldwide ship barrels by ocean to Trinidad and Tobago?
No. Jet Worldwide does not offer ocean barrel shipping to Trinidad and Tobago. We provide information to help the Trinidadian-Canadian community, and we handle commercial ocean shipments, but we do not manage personal barrel service.
Get a quote for shipping between Canada and Trinidad and Tobago
We are happy to help with your shipping between Canada and Trinidad. Please share the type of goods, how you would like them sent, the volume and number of items, and any restrictions or regulations you are aware of. Reach us at jetworldwide.com/contact.
Get a Trinidad and Tobago shipping quote
Timothy Byrnes - Jet Worldwide
Timothy Byrnes has led Jet Worldwide, a Montreal-based international logistics firm, since 1988, specializing in Canadian cross-border shipping and trade compliance. More about our team.
