Scheduled Report - Public distribution

**Date:** 9/28/2007

**GAIN Report Number:** TD7002

TD7002

**Trinidad and Tobago**

**FAIRS Export Certificate Report**

**Annual**

**2007**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Sarah Hanson, Director

Caribbean Basin ATO

**Prepared by:**

Kay Logan

**Report Highlights:**

This report, updated 9/28/07, outlines Trinidad and Tobago\'s import
requirements for agricultural products in terms of export certification.
The only significant update to this year\'s report can be found in the
expanded Export Certificate Matrix (Section I).

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Miami ATO \[C11\]

\[TD\]

##### Table of Contents 

Section I. List of All Export Certificates Required by Government
(Matrix)

Section II. Purpose of Specific Export Certificate(s)

Section III. Specific Attestations Required on Export Certificate(s)

Section IV. Government Certificates' Legal Entry Requirements

Section V. Other Certification/Accreditation Requirements

Appendix I. Electronic Copy or Outline of Each Export Certificate

**SECTION I. LIST OF ALL EXPORT CERTIFICATES REQUIRED BY THE TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO GOVERNMENT**

+---------+----------+----------------------+-----------+------------+
| **Produ | **Title  | **Attestation        | **        | #          |
| ct(s)** | of       | Required on          | Purpose** |  Requestin |
|         | Certi    | Certificate**        |           | g Ministry |
|         | ficate** |                      |           |            |
+---------+----------+----------------------+-----------+------------+
| ## Al   | Cer      | The products         | Food      | Ministry   |
| l Foods | tificate | exported are         | Safety    | of Health: |
|         | of Free  | produced and         |           | Chemistry/ |
|         | Sale     | marketed in the      |           |            |
|         |          | United States in     |           | Food and   |
|         |          | general conformity   |           | Drugs      |
|         |          | with U.S.            |           | Division   |
|         |          | requirements.        |           |            |
+---------+----------+----------------------+-----------+------------+
| Animal  | Health   | The animal/marine    | Food      | Ministry   |
| Produc  | Cert     | products destined    | Sa        | of Health: |
| ts/Fish | ificate/ | for food consumption | fety/Food | Chemistry/ |
| P       |          | are free from        | Quality   |            |
| roducts | Sanitary | disease and conform  |           | Food and   |
|         | Cer      | to negotiated        | Animal    | Drugs      |
|         | tificate | standards concerning | Health    | Division   |
|         |          | animal/marine        | P         |            |
|         |          | health.              | rotection | Ministry   |
|         |          |                      |           | of Food    |
|         |          | \*See Section III    |           | Production |
|         |          | for specific         |           | & Marine   |
|         |          | language required.   |           | Resources: |
|         |          |                      |           |            |
|         |          |                      |           | Veterinary |
|         |          |                      |           | Service    |
+---------+----------+----------------------+-----------+------------+
| ## M    | Meat     | The meat/poultry     | Food      | Ministry   |
| eat Pro | /Poultry | products have been   | Sa        | of Health: |
| ducts/P | In       | inspected by a       | fety/Food | Chemistry/ |
| oultry  | spection | certified            | Quality   |            |
|         | Cer      | veterinarian, both   |           | Food and   |
| ##      | tificate | antemortem and       | Animal    | Drugs      |
| (Includ | (Cer     | postmortem, and are  | Health    | Division   |
| ing pet | tificate | wholesome and fit    | P         |            |
|  foods) | of       | for consumption.     | rotection | Ministry   |
|         | Wholes   |                      |           | of Food    |
|         | omeness) | Additional           |           | Production |
|         |          | statements must be   |           | & Marine   |
|         |          | made for canned      |           | Resources: |
|         |          | and75                |           |            |
|         |          |                      |           | Veterinary |
|         |          | packaged meat        |           | Service    |
|         |          | products.            |           |            |
|         |          |                      |           |            |
|         |          | \*See Section III    |           |            |
|         |          | for specific         |           |            |
|         |          | language required.   |           |            |
+---------+----------+----------------------+-----------+------------+
| ## Cann | Co       | The canned           | Food      | Ministry   |
| ed and  | oking/Pr | meat/poultry         | Safety    | of Health: |
| Package | ocessing | products were        |           | Chemistry/ |
| d Meats | Cer      | manufactured in      |           |            |
|         | tificate | accordance with USDA |           | Food and   |
|         |          | meat/poultry         |           | Drugs      |
|         |          | processing           |           | Division   |
|         |          | regulations.         |           |            |
|         |          |                      |           |            |
|         |          | Must specify the     |           |            |
|         |          | temperature/minutes  |           |            |
|         |          | of the sterilizing   |           |            |
|         |          | process and the      |           |            |
|         |          | sterilizing value.   |           |            |
+---------+----------+----------------------+-----------+------------+

+-------+----------+-----------------------+-----------+-------------+
| **Pr  | **Title  | **Attestation         | **        | # Requesti  |
| oduct | of       | Required on           | Purpose** | ng Ministry |
| (s)** | Certi    | Certificate**         |           |             |
|       | ficate** |                       |           |             |
+-------+----------+-----------------------+-----------+-------------+
| ## U  | Phyto    | The plant products    | Food      | Ministry of |
| nproc | sanitary | have been inspected   | Safety    | Health:     |
| essed | Cer      | and are free of       |           | Chemistry/  |
|  Plan | tificate | harmful pests and     | Plant     |             |
| t Pro |          | plant diseases, and   | P         | Food and    |
| ducts |          | comply with Trinidad  | rotection | Drugs       |
|       |          | and Tobago's          |           | Division    |
| (     |          | phytosanitary         |           |             |
| Fresh |          | regulations. Must     |           | Ministry of |
| fr    |          | declare from which    |           | Food        |
| uits, |          | U.S. State the plant  |           | Production  |
| fresh |          | products originated.  |           | & Marine    |
| v     |          |                       |           | Resources:  |
| egeta |          | \*See Section III for |           |             |
| bles, |          | sample language.      |           | Plant       |
| rice, |          |                       |           | Quarantine  |
| f     |          |                       |           | Service     |
| lour, |          |                       |           |             |
| peas, |          |                       |           |             |
| b     |          |                       |           |             |
| eans, |          |                       |           |             |
| pl    |          |                       |           |             |
| ants, |          |                       |           |             |
| and   |          |                       |           |             |
| lu    |          |                       |           |             |
| mber) |          |                       |           |             |
+-------+----------+-----------------------+-----------+-------------+
| ##    | Cer      | Must give a complete  | Food      | Ministry of |
|  All  | tificate | chemical analysis and | Safety/   | Health:     |
| Foods | of       | microbiological       |           | Chemistry/  |
|       | Analysis | analysis of the       | Food      |             |
|       |          | product.              | Qual      | Food and    |
|       |          |                       | ity/Heavy | Drugs       |
|       |          | Must identify the     | Metals/I  | Division    |
|       |          | preservatives, food   | norganic, |             |
|       |          | additives, and color  | Organic   |             |
|       |          | additives of the      | Standards |             |
|       |          | product.              |           |             |
+-------+----------+-----------------------+-----------+-------------+
| ## Pe | A        | An accredited         | Food      | Ministry of |
| anuts | flatoxin | laboratory has tested | Safety    | Health:     |
| /Corn | Cer      | the peanuts/corn      |           | Chemistry/  |
|       | tificate | products and the      |           |             |
|       |          | products do not       |           | Food and    |
|       |          | exceed proscribed     |           | Drugs       |
|       |          | aflatoxin             |           | Division    |
|       |          | regulations.          |           |             |
+-------+----------+-----------------------+-----------+-------------+
| ##    | Mercu    | The fish product      | Food      | Ministry of |
|  Fish | ry/Heavy | meets or exceeds all  | Safety    | Health:     |
|       | Metals   | purity standards      |           | Chemistry/  |
|       | Cer      | specified by the      |           |             |
|       | tificate | Trinidad and Tobago   |           | Food and    |
|       |          | government.           |           | Drugs       |
|       | (Cer     |                       |           | Division    |
|       | tificate |                       |           |             |
|       | of       |                       |           |             |
|       | A        |                       |           |             |
|       | nalysis) |                       |           |             |
+-------+----------+-----------------------+-----------+-------------+
| ## H  | Hala     | The meat product was  | Religious | Ministry of |
| alal/ | l/Kosher | slaughtered under     | Beliefs   | Health:     |
| Koshe | Cer      | religious ritual      |           | Chemistry/  |
| r Mea | tificate | slaughter practices   |           |             |
| t Pro |          | (Halal or Kosher).    |           | Food and    |
| ducts |          |                       |           | Drugs       |
|       |          | \*See Section III for |           | Division    |
|       |          | sample language.      |           |             |
+-------+----------+-----------------------+-----------+-------------+
| ##    | Other    |                       | Food      | Ministry of |
|  Othe | Certi    |                       | Safety    | Health:     |
| r Pro | ficates: |                       |           | Chemistry/  |
| ducts |          |                       |           |             |
|       | Org      |                       |           | Food and    |
|       | anically |                       |           | Drugs       |
|       | Grown    |                       |           | Division    |
|       | Foods,   |                       |           |             |
|       | Gen      |                       |           |             |
|       | etically |                       |           |             |
|       | Modified |                       |           |             |
|       | Foods,   |                       |           |             |
|       |          |                       |           |             |
|       | Ir       |                       |           |             |
|       | radiated |                       |           |             |
|       | Foods    |                       |           |             |
+-------+----------+-----------------------+-----------+-------------+

**SECTION II. PURPOSE OF SPECIFIC EXPORT CERTIFICATE(S)**

•**Certificate of Free Sale:** The Ministry of Health, for the purpose
of food safety, requires this certificate for all food products exported
to Trinidad and Tobago.

Note: While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/Department of
Health and Human Services (DHSS) often issues Certificates of Free Sale,
it is important to note that the 1997 FDA Export Reform and Enhancement
Act does not require FDA to issue export certificates for food products.
However, since many foreign governments require Certificates of Free
Sale, FDA intends to continue to provide this certification service as
resources permit.

### •Health Certificate/Sanitary Certificate: The Ministry of Health requires this certificate for food safety, food quality, and food processing conditions. Additionally, the Ministry of Food Production and Marine Resources/Veterinary Service requires this certificate for animal health protection purposes. 

### 

### Note: USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the principal federal agency responsible for issuing health certificates for animal products. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is the primary federal agency responsible for issuing health certificates for harvested/produced seafood products. 

•**Meat/Poultry Inspection Certificate (Certificate of Wholesomeness):**
The Ministry of Health requires that this certificate be issued by a
U.S. Federal Agency for food quality purposes.

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issues Certificates of
Wholesomeness guaranteeing that the meat/poultry products have been
inspected by an FSIS Veterinarian, both antemortem and postmortem, and
are wholesome and fit for consumption.

•**Cooking and Processing Certificate:** The Ministry of Health, for the
purpose of food safety, requires this certificate for all canned and
packaged meat products exported to Trinidad and Tobago.

•**Phytosanitary Certificate:** This certificate is required by the
Ministry of Health for the purpose of food safety, as well by the
Ministry of Food Production & Marine Resources/Plant Quarantine Unit for
domestic plant protection purposes.

Note: USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the
principal federal agency responsible for conducting inspections and
issuing Phytosanitary Certificates.

*•***Certificate of Analysis:** The Ministry of Health requires this
certificate for the purposes of food safety, food quality, heavy metals,
and inorganic/organic standards.

Note: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS*)* issues Certificates
of Analysis (for nuts and a few other exported products only) on a
user-fee basis.

*•***Aflatoxin Certificate:** The Ministry of Health, for food safety
reasons, requires this certificate.

Note: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), or other USDA
accredited labs, issue Aflatoxin Certificates on a user-fee basis.

*•***Mercury/Heavy Metals Certificate:** The Ministry of Health, for
food safety reasons, requires this official certificate for all U.S.
fish products exported to Trinidad and Tobago.

*•***Halal/Kosher Certificate:** The Ministry of Health requires this
certificate for religious belief purposes.

**SECTION III. SPECIFIC ATTESTATIONS REQUIRED ON EXPORT CERTIFICATE(S)**

*•***Certificate of Free Sale:** This certificate should attest that the
particular products exported to Trinidad and Tobago are produced and
marketed in the United States in general conformity with U.S.
requirements.

*•***Health Certificate/Sanitary Certificate:** This certificate should
declare that the animal/marine products destined for food consumption
are free from disease and conform to negotiated standards concerning
animal/marine health. This certificate should include the following
attestation for animal products:

> *This is to certify that rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease, hog
> cholera, swine vesicular disease, African Swine fever, bovine fever,
> and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia do not exist in the United
> States of America.*

While the Trinidad and Tobago Government has not specified specific
declaration required on the Health Certificate for Pet Food, the
following sample attestation can be used as a guideline:

> *a. The producing plant has been approved by the U.S. Department of
> Agriculture under APHIS Veterinary Services as a producer of pet food
> for export and is supervised by an official or accredited
> veterinarian.*

*b. The pet food meets the requirements of the United States for local
use.*

> *c. The animals used in the production of the food were presented for
> examination at slaughter and evaluated under standards existing for
> pet food in the Untied States or the State of origin of the product.*
>
> *d. The raw materials have been manufactured and packaged in
> compliance with approved manufacturing practices in the country of
> export, designed to produce a product free from pathogenic
> microorganisms.*

*•***Meat/Poultry Inspection Certificate (Certificate of
Wholesomeness):** This certificate should attest that the meat/poultry
products have been inspected by a certified veterinarian, both
antemortem and postmortem, and are wholesome and fit for consumption.
This certificate should include the following attestation for
fresh/frozen beef and beef products:

a.  *The meat and meat products are derived from cattle that were
    subject to ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection according to USDA
    regulations and were slaughtered after Jan 12, 2004.*

b.  *All cattle are humanely stunned by a method that does not inject
    air into the cranial cavity.*

c.  *The beef and beef products were not derived from and do not contain
    any of the following specified risk materials: brain, skull, eyes,
    trigeminal ganglia, spinal cord, vertebral column (excluding the
    vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and
    lumbar vertebrae and the wings of the sacrum) and dorsal root
    ganglia, from animals over 30 months of age at the time of slaughter
    and the tonsils and intestine from pylorus to anus, of all animals
    regardless of age.*

d.  *The beef and beef products do not contain any mechanically
    separated meat or advanced recovery meat.*

This certificate should include the following attestation for poultry
and poultry products:

The products do not originate from states that are under quarantine
restrictions for any OIE list A diseases affecting poultry.

*•***Cooking and Processing Certificate:** This certificate should
declare that the canned meat/poultry products were manufactured in
accordance with USDA meat/poultry processing regulations. The
certificate should specify the temperature/minutes of the sterilizing
process and the sterilizing value.

*•***Phytosanitary Certificate:** This certificate should certify that
the shipment of plant products has been inspected and is free of harmful
pests and plant diseases, and complies with Trinidad and Tobago's
phytosanitary regulations. Furthermore, the Phytosanitary Certificate
must declare from which U.S. State the plant products originated.

While the Trinidad and Tobago Government has not specified specific
declaration required on the Phytosanitary Certificate, the following
sample attestation can be used as a guideline:

The products have been inspected and/or tested according to appropriate
official procedures and are considered to be free from pests and
diseases and conform to the current phytosanitary requirements of
Trinidad and Tobago.

Note: The importation of soft, fleshy fruits and vegetables are
prohibited from all areas where dangerous fruit files (i.e. Mexican and
Mediterranean) are known to occur unless approved treatments can be
effectively performed. Additionally, the importation of planting
material, namely plants and rooted cuttings, should be limited to
soil-free plants and plant parts.

*•***Certificate of Analysis:** This certificate should give a complete
chemical analysis and microbiological analysis of the product. This
certificate should also identify the preservatives, food additives, and
color additives of the product.

*•***Aflatoxin Certificate:** This certificate should attest that an
accredited laboratory has tested the peanuts/corn products and the
products do not exceed proscribed aflatoxin regulations.

*•***Mercury/Heavy Metals Certificate:** This certificate should declare
that the fish product meets or exceeds all purity standards specified by
the Trinidad and Tobago government.

*•***Halal/Kosher Certificate:** This certificate should ensure that the
meat product was slaughtered under religious ritual slaughter practices
(Halal or Kosher). While the Trinidad and Tobago Government has not
specified specific declaration required on Halal/Kosher Certificates,
the following sample attestation can be used as a guideline for poultry
products:

The poultry products covered by this certificate are derived from birds
that received (Kosher/Halal) slaughter as based upon documentation
provided by religious authorities or by (Kosher/Halal) label
declaration.

The following sample attestation can be used as a guideline for beef
products:

The beef products covered by this certificate are derived from cattle
that received (Kosher/Halal) slaughter as based upon documentation
provided by religious authorities or by (Kosher/Halal) label
declaration.

**SECTION IV. GOVERNMENT CERTIFICATES' LEGAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS**

•**Certificate of Free Sale:** The Trinidad and Tobago government
requests that a Federal Health Authority issue this certificate.
Trinidad and Tobago does not accept a Supplier's or Manufacturer's
Export Declaration as proof of compliance. The Certificate of Free Sale
is valid for one year and can be applied to multiple shipments of the
same product. Exporters are required to update this certificate with the
Trinidad and Tobago Chemistry/Food and Drug Division on an annual basis.

*•***Health Certificate/Sanitary Certificate:** The Trinidad and Tobago
Government requests that this certificate be issued by a U.S. Federal
Agency. The Trinidad and Tobago Government does not accept U.S. State
issued Health Certificates. The Health Certificate is valid for the
length of time indicated on the certificate, otherwise valid for the
indicated shipment, and it must accompany the products at time of entry.

*•***Meat/Poultry Inspection Certificate (Certificate of
Wholesomeness):** The Trinidad and Tobago Government requires that this
certificate be issued by a U.S. Federal Agency. The Government will not
accept U.S. State issued Meat/Poultry Inspection Certificates. Customs
Officials will accept the Certificate of Meat/Poultry for the indicated
shipment only, and an original certificate must accompany the products
at time of entry.

*•***Cooking and Processing Certificate:** The Trinidad and Tobago
Government requests that this certificate be issued by a U.S. Federal
Agency. The Government does not accept a Manufacturer/Supplier's Export
Declaration as proof of compliance. The certificate is only valid for
the indicated shipment, and the original certificate must accompany the
products at time of entry.

*•***Phytosanitary Certificate:** The Trinidad and Tobago Government
requires that this certificate be issued by a U.S. Federal Agency. The
Trinidad and Tobago Government will not accept a U.S. State issued
Phytosanitary Certificate or a Manufacturer/Supplier's Export
Declaration as proof of compliance. Customs Officials will accept the
certificate for the indicated shipment only, and the original
certificate must accompany the plant products at time of entry.

*•***Certificate of Analysis:** The Trinidad and Tobago Government
requests that a U.S. Federal or Provincial Agency issue this certificate
for all U.S. food products entering the country. The Trinidad and Tobago
Government does not accept a Manufacturer/Supplier's Export Declaration
as proof of compliance. The certificate is valid for the indicated
shipment only, and the original certificate must accompany the products
at time of entry.

*•***Aflatoxin Certificate:** A U.S. Federal or Provincial Agency should
issue this certificate. Trinidad and Tobago does not accept a
Manufacturer/Supplier's Export Declaration as proof of compliance.
Customs Officials will accept the Aflatoxin Certificate for the
indicated shipment only, and an original certificate must accompany the
peanut/corn products at time of entry.

*•***Mercury/Heavy Metals Certificate:** The Trinidad and Tobago
Government requests that a U.S. Federal or Provincial Agency issue this
certificate. Trinidad and Tobago does not accept a
Manufacturer/Supplier's Export Declaration as proof of compliance. The
certificate is valid for the indicated shipment only, and the original
certificate must accompany the fish products at time of entry.

*•***Halal/Kosher Certificate:** This certificate may be issued within
the private sector. An original certificate must accompany the product
at time of entry.

**SECTION V. OTHER CERTIFICATION/ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS**

The Food and Drug Act of 1960, the Pesticide & Toxic Chemical Act of
1979, the Animal Disease Importation Act of 1954, and the Plant
Protection Act of 1975, are the most comprehensive set of laws that
govern the importation of food and agricultural products into Trinidad
and Tobago. In general, Trinidad and Tobago follows internationally
accepted food standards and guidelines (i.e. those developed by the
Codex Alimentarius Commission and the International Organization for
Standardization), and may refer to U.S., Canadian, and European
standards as well.

It is important to note that import permits are required by Trinidad and
Tobago for a large number of fresh and semi-processed food products
entering the country. An import permit is only issued to residents of
Trinidad and Tobago. If an import permit is issued, it will detail the
conditions under which the product will be allowed to enter into
Trinidad and Tobago (e.g. certification or any treatment that may be
required). Therefore, U.S. exporters should work very closely with their
Trinidad and Tobago importers to make sure that they fully comply with
the specified conditions of entry. For more information on Trinidad and
Tobago's food and agricultural import regulations and standards, please
refer to [GAIN Report
TD7001](../../../../../../../../shared/GAIN/reports/TD/TD7001.doc).

**GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS**

**A. U.S. Government Contacts**

Caribbean Basin Agricultural Trade Office Sarah Hanson, Director

Foreign Agricultural Service E-mail: sarah@cbato.net

U.S. Department of Agriculture

909 SE 1st. Ave Suite 720 Omar González, Deputy Director

Miami, FL 33131 E-mail: omar@cbato.net

Tel: (305) 536-5300 Graciela Juelle, Marketing Assistant

Fax: (305) 536-7577 E-mail: grace@cbato.net

E-mail: cbato@cbato.net

Website: www.cbato.fas.usda.gov Kay Logan, Marketing
Specialist-Assistant

E-mail: kay@cbato.net

**B. Trinidad and Tobago Government Contacts**

Chemistry/Food & Drugs Division

Ministry of Health

92 Frederick Street

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.

Tel: (868) 624-5968/ 623-5242/ 623-2834

Fax: (868) 623-2477

E-mail: cfdd@carib-link.net

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources

Animal Production and Health Division

80 Abercromby St.

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.

Tel: (868) 625 5997, 625 1473

Fax: (868) 625 5993

E-mail: aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt

Plant Quarantine Service

Ministry of Agriculture Land and Marine Resources

Central Experiment Station

Caroni North Bank Rd.

Centeno, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.

Tel/Fax: (868) 642-0718

Customs & Excise Division

Ministry of Finance

Nicholas Court, Independence Square

Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.

Tel: (809) 625-3311

Fax: (809) 625-6003

**APPENDIX I. ELECTRONIC COPY OF EXPORT CERTIFICATES**

![](media/image2.png){width="5.993055555555555in"
height="7.776388888888889in"}

![](media/image3.png){width="5.9944444444444445in"
height="6.527777777777778in"}

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height="7.827083333333333in"}