Premium Canadian scallops and the Trinidad table are a natural match: an affluent, seafood-loving market, strong diaspora ties, and a product that travels well when the cold chain is done right. This guide walks the direct route from Canada to Trinidad, frozen on dry ice by air, and the customs and compliance steps on both ends.
Why Canadian scallops sell in Trinidad
Canada is one of the world's major scallop producers, and the flagship product is the Atlantic sea scallop, harvested off the Bay of Fundy, Georges Bank, and the Scotia Shelf and landed largely through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. These are the large, meaty scallops prized in fine dining, and much of the fishery is certified sustainable.
Jet Worldwide desk view On a premium-perishable lane like this, the destination agent matters more than the origin rate. eZone works with importers to ensure import-permit and last-mile step is managed.
Product form: IQF sea scallops and grading
Sea scallops usually ship shucked, individually quick frozen (IQF), and graded by count per pound, for example U-10 (under 10 per pound) or 10/20. Buyers care about two things beyond size: whether the scallops are dry-packed (no added phosphates or water) or wet-packed, and the count consistency. Dry-pack commands a premium and plates better, and it is worth stating clearly on the invoice and label because it affects both value and buyer expectations. Keep the product frozen solid end to end, since maintaining the frozen state is the safety control.
Dry ice and dangerous-goods rules for air
Dry ice is UN1845, "Carbon dioxide, solid," a Class 9 dangerous good for air transport under IATA Packing Instruction 954. Two reliefs and one firm requirement apply when it is only refrigerating the scallops:
- Because the dry ice cools non-hazardous food. Jet manages the regulations for shipping goods on dry ice from Canada.
- The shipment is compliant with dangerous-goods regulations.
- Each package includes a Class 9 label, the marking "UN1845," the proper shipping name, and the net weight of dry ice in kilograms, with the dry-ice weight also recorded on the air waybill.
Dry ice is regulated as a dangerous good when shipped by air. For frozen scallops best ship via Jeetship air options.
The Canadian export side: CFIA and licensing
Fish and seafood are federally regulated in Canada. The exporter or processor needs a Safe Food for Canadians licence, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) publishes destination-specific requirements. For this lane, the CFIA sets out what Trinidad and Tobago expects, including establishment marking, labeling, and maximum contaminant levels. In practice that means:
- Each carton is marked with the identity of the establishment where the fish is packed and the day, month, and year of packing, legibly, on one end of the case.
- Each container clearly shows the country of origin.
- Containers carry the consignee mark and port mark, the net weight and volume, an ingredients list, and a declaration of any preservatives, food colours, or imitation flavourings.
Work from the CFIA's own page for the exact, current conditions: CFIA export requirements for Trinidad and Tobago fish and seafood.
Trinidad import requirements
The single most important fact for planning: Trinidad and Tobago requires import permits for a large number of food products, and import licences for fish and seafood, and a permit is only issued to a resident of Trinidad and Tobago. That means you as the buyer must have the necessary permits.
Trinidad import essentials:
- Resident importer and permit or licence. The Trinidad importer secures the import permit or fish import licence. Import licences apply to finfish and crustaceans; for scallops (a mollusc), confirm compliance with the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
- Food safety and labeling authority. Food is regulated by the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division of the Ministry of Health, which must inspect and approve imported food and enforces labeling. Labels must be in English.
- Certification. The CFIA export or health certificate accompanies the shipment, and the permit may set additional conditions of entry.
- Duty and tax. As an extra-regional import, the shipment faces the CARICOM Common External Tariff duty plus Trinidad and Tobago VAT.
Routing, cold chain, and packaging
Speed and temperature are the whole game. Route from Canada via Air to Piarco (Port of Spain).
- Before shippingThe Trinidad importer must secure the import permit or licence
- At origin (Canada)Product is sourced frozen form and commercial invoice prepared.
- Tender to carrierFastest air service for transit time within 3 days with the dry-ice entry completed on the air waybill.
- In transitMove via direct air freight or all cargo courier.
- At Port of SpainCustoms and CFDD clearance, permit presented, duty and VAT paid.
- Last mileCold delivery to the hotel, restaurant, retailer, or distributor via eZone.
Packaging build: use a rigid EPS foam cooler with about 2 inch (50 mm) walls inside a sturdy double-wall corrugated box, load enough dry ice for the transit time plus a hold buffer (a well-insulated box loses roughly 4 kg of dry ice per 24 hours, so provision generously).
Read More: Shipping To Trinidad and Tobago from Canada
Documents and landed cost
Documents to have in order:
- Commercial invoice with a real declared value, HS classification, country of origin, and a clear product description (including dry-pack or wet-pack).
- Trinidad import permits held by the resident importer.
- Air waybill with the dry-ice entry (UN1845 and net kilograms).
- Packing list showing the establishment identity and packing date.
A rough landed-cost picture, to confirm with your broker before quoting:
| Cost element | Basis | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Air freight | Chargeable weight (higher of actual and dimensional) | Fastest frozen service |
| Dry-ice surcharge | Per package or shipment | Class 9 handling fee |
| Import duty (CARICOM CET) | Percentage of CIF value, by HS code | Confirm market rate for scallops |
| VAT | Trinidad and Tobago standard rate on duty-inclusive value | |
| Clearance and disbursement | Per shipment | Destination agent and permit handling |
The takeaway: Jetship's dry-ice mechanics bring temperature sensitive goods to Trinidad from Canada.
Planning a Canada-to-Caribbean frozen lane?
Talk to our cold-chain and customs desk about scallops, seafood, and other frozen product.
Get a courtesy rateFrequently asked questions
Can you ship frozen scallops from Canada to Trinidad on dry ice?
Yes. Individually quick frozen Canadian sea scallops can move by air, packed in insulated boxes with dry ice.
Does the Trinidad importer need an import permit or licence?
Yes. Trinidad and Tobago requires import permits for many food products and import licences for fish and seafood, and a permit is only issued to a resident importer. Confirm the exact requirement with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division.
Do Canadian scallops need CFIA certification to export?
Fish and seafood exporters need a Safe Food for Canadians licence
Is dry ice a dangerous good when shipped by air?
Yes. Dry ice is UN1845, a Class 9 dangerous good, shipped under IATA Packing Instruction 954.
What import charges apply in Trinidad?
Extra-regional imports face the CARICOM Common External Tariff duty, at a rate that depends on the product's HS classification, plus Trinidad and Tobago value added tax, and carrier clearance and disbursement fees. Confirm the current duty rate and VAT with your customs broker before quoting.
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