Can I send food to Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes, with conditions.
Fresh produce, seeds, and dried peas and beans need a plant import permit and phytosanitary certificate. Meat, dairy, egg products, and pet food need an Animal Health permit. Send only sealed, shelf-stable items and declare them.
For every Onvoyo box: Only sealed, shop-bought, shelf-stable food. Express couriers don't carry perishable food: nothing fresh, frozen, meat, dairy or produce.
More rules for Trinidad and Tobago
Allowed with conditions
- Antibiotics, narcotics, and controlled drugs
- Need Ministry of Health clearance before import. Ask the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division about controlled drugs and the Drug Inspectorate about antibiotics and narcotics. Other medicines registered in Trinidad and Tobago can be imported for personal use.
- Plants, seeds, fruit, vegetables, dried peas and beans, cut flowers, soil, and lumber
- Need a plant import permit from the Plant Quarantine Service (applied for on TTBizLink) and a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country, including when sent by mail or courier. Items without them are confiscated and destroyed, and a first offense can bring a TT$5,000 fine, up to 2 years in prison, or both.
- Meat, poultry, dairy and egg products, and pet food
- Need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture's Animal Health Subdivision, applied for on TTBizLink before the box ships. The Subdivision also issues permits for items such as feathers and leather, so ask if you're unsure.
Before you ship to Trinidad and Tobago
- Tax-free limit
- There is no published duty-free threshold for courier or postal shipments. The Customs Act sets no value below which parcels go free, and Customs' own worked examples charge duty and VAT on the full value. Customs may release very low-value parcels without charge at its discretion, but don't count on it. Under the Customs Act, small non-commercial parcels worth up to TT$425 (about US$63) that mix goods from at least three tariff headings pay a flat 30% duty instead of the item rates, except for alcohol, tobacco, and jewelry.
- Receiver ID
- Customs publishes no tax-number requirement for personal courier shipments: the courier declares each box on its own Customs worksheet. The courier may still ask for the receiver's photo ID (national ID card, driver's permit, or passport) and phone number. No official rule requires a BIR number (Board of Inland Revenue file number) for a personal box. If a courier asks for one, individuals can register online through the Inland Revenue Division's e-Tax service with valid ID.
- Transit
- 2-5 business days from North America; 4-7 from Europe; 5-8 from Asia
Questions
Can I send food to Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes, with conditions. Fresh produce, seeds, and dried peas and beans need a plant import permit and phytosanitary certificate. Meat, dairy, egg products, and pet food need an Animal Health permit. Send only sealed, shelf-stable items and declare them.
Can I send food or medicine to Trinidad and Tobago?
Fresh produce, seeds, and plants need a plant import permit and phytosanitary certificate, and meat, dairy, egg products, and pet food need an Animal Health permit. Medicines registered in Trinidad and Tobago can be imported for personal use, but antibiotics, narcotics, and controlled drugs need Ministry of Health clearance first.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago
Description of applicable duties and accepted means of payment (opens in a new tab) - 2.
- 3.
Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago
Knowledge Base: Importing (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago
Notice to Importers No. 09 of 2025: Importation of Unauthorized Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)/Drones (attaching Notice No. 12 of 2021) (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago
Regulated Medicines and Substances Portal (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (Plant Quarantine Service)
What You Need to Know about a Plant Import Permit (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
Animal Health Subdivision Services (opens in a new tab) - 8.
Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs (laws.gov.tt)
Customs Act, Chapter 78:01 (updated to 31st December 2016) (opens in a new tab) - 9.
Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago
Information for Nationals returning to live in Trinidad and Tobago after living abroad (opens in a new tab) - 10.
Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago
Notice to Importers No. 17 of 2025: Rescission of Notice - Registration and Operation of "Authorised Couriers" (attaching Notice to Importers No. 17 of 2020) (opens in a new tab) - 11.
Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago
Current and Historical Rates of Exchange (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Trinidad and Tobago makes the final decision on every box.