WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/TTO/7 
3 October 2008 
 
 (08-4720) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 
 
 
 The following notification, dated 25 Septem ber 2008, has been received from the Permanent 
Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.  
_______________ 
 
Outline of system
 
 
1. The Import Licensing System is regulated by the Import and Export control Regulations 
1941, which is scheduled as part of the Trade Ordinance No. 19 of 1958.1 
 Purpose and coverage of licensing
  
2. With the liberalization of the economy, only the goods mentioned below require a licence to 
be imported into the country.  
Product Description Type of  
Licence Rationale 
Live poultry, rearing or breeding Automatic 
Licensing Statistical 
purpose 
Live poultry, other than rearing or breeding " " " " 
   
Fish, fresh (live or dead) chilled or frozen 
 " " " " 
(a) Shrimp (prawn) fresh  (live or dead) chilled or frozen " " " " 
(b) Lobster, fresh (live or de ad) chilled or frozen " " " " 
(c) Crabmeat, fresh, chilled or frozen " " " " 
The following Oils and Fa ts of CARICOM origin:   
- Coconuts in all forms including coconut seedlings, copra, 
desiccated coconut, coconut milk and coconut cream, but excluding coconut oil Automatic 
Licensing Statistical 
purpose 
- Oilseed cake, meal and other vegetable oil residues " " " " 
- Copra " " " " 
- Oilseed, beans, nuts, etc. " " " " 
- Animal oils, fats and greases, unrefined " " " " 
- Fatty acids and solid residues from the treatment of oils and 
fats " " " " 
- Vegetable fats " " " " 
                                                      
1 See document G/LIC/3, Annex for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/TTO/7 
Page 2  
 
  Product Description Type of  
Licence Rationale 
The following Oils and Fa ts of Non-CARICOM origin:   
- Coconuts in all forms including coconut seedlings, copra, 
desiccated coconut, coconut milk and coconut cream, but excluding coconut oil Non-automatic 
Licensing Regional Trade 
Agreements 
- Oilseed cake, meal and other vegetable oil residues " " " " 
- Copra " " " " 
- Oilseed, beans, nuts, etc. " " " " 
- Animal oils, fats and greases, unrefined " " " " 
- Fatty acids and solid residues from the treatment of oils and 
fats " " " " 
- Vegetable fats " " " " 
Road motor vehicle corresponding to the following descriptions:   
(a) Left hand drive vehicles imported under section 45(4) of the 
Customs Act Chapter 78:01 as amended Non-automatic 
Licensing Public Safety 
(b) Used right hand drive vehicles " " " " 
(c) Used right hand drive garbage compactors exceeding 
15 tonnes (15 000 kg) MGW " " " " 
(d) LHD Vehicles other than those allowed to be imported 
pursuant to section 45(2)(a )-(g) of the Customs Act " " " " 
Ships and Boats (under 250 tonnes) Non-automatic 
Licensing National 
Security 
Paper and Paper Products:   
• Paper for wrapping tobacco or cigarettes Non-automatic 
Licensing National 
Security 
Pesticides :   
• Parathlon, ethyl 2,4,5 Non-automatic 
Licensing Health & 
Environment 
• Trichlorophenyl (2,4,5-T) " " " " 
• Dichlorodiphenyl tr icholorethane (DDT) " " " " 
• Chlorodimeform " " " " 
• Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) " " " " 
• Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) " " " " 
• Pentachlorophenol (PCP) " " " " 
• Lead Arsenate " " " " 
• Thalium and its salts " " " " 
• Aldrin, Dieldrin an Endrin " " " " 
-  Legal Notice #40 – Notice to importers #1 of 2004 dated 10/3/04   
  G/LIC/N/3/TTO/7 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Product Description Type of  
Licence Rationale 
OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES (ODS )   
Under the Montreal Protocol   
(a) Ozone depleting substances (ODS) Automatic 
Licensing Montreal 
Protocol 
(b) Mixtures containing Ozone de pleting substances (ODS) " " " " 
Ex-tariff heading Nos:   
2903.20      2903.199 Automatic 
Licensing Montreal 
Protocol 
2903.21 " " " " 
2903.40      2903.23 " " " " 
2903.451    2903.45 " " " " 
2903.453    2903.452 " " " " 
2903.455    2903.454 " " " " 
2903.457    2903.456 " " " " 
2903.459    2903.458 " " " " 
2903.4592  2903.4591 " " " " 
2903.4593  2903.4599 " " " " 
2903.4594  2903.47 " " " " 
2903.4595  2903.491 " " " " 
2903.49      2903.499 " " " " 
2903.492     " " " " 
Equipment requiring the use of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) 
except those using R11, R12, R113, R114, R115  
Halon 1211, 1321, 2402    
• Compressors and their parts  
Used refrigerating equipment Automatic 
Licensing Montreal 
Protocol 
• Dehumidifiers " " " " 
• Air conditioning machines and their parts for domestic and 
commercial use, as well as  
- auto air conditioning unit and their parts for new or 
used vehicles–whether mounted or not. " " " " 
• Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing 
equipment or freezing equipment, heat pumps and their parts 
for domestic and commercial use. " " " " 
• Portable fire extingui sher and their parts. Non automatic 
Licensing Montreal 
Protocol 
(a) Ozone depleting substances (ODS) " " " " 
(b) Mixtures containing Ozone Depleting Substances 
(ODS) " " " " 
Tariff heading Nos:   
2903.41; 2903.42; 2903.43; 2903.44 " " " " 
Group 1 chlorofluorocarbon – Annexed "A" " " " " 
   
2903.191; 2903.30 Annex "E" Methylbromide " " " " 
Halons – 1211; 1301; 2402 Annex A – Group 11 " " " " 
 
 3. The system applies to goods originating in  and coming from all countries with the exception 
of oils and fats. G/LIC/N/3/TTO/7 
Page 4  
 
  4. Automatic import licensing is for statistical purposes. 
  Non-automatic import licensing is for the purpose of administering import restrictions maintained pursuant to: 
 
• Bilateral/Regional Trade Agreements 
• Environmental Concerns 
• National Security 
• Health Concerns 
• Under the Montreal Protocol 
 5. The licensing system is a statutory requirement, published as Legal Notice No. 69 of 1999
2.  
This existing requirement is an amendment to Lega l Notice 103, Notice to Importer No. 1 of 1997 and 
Legal Notice No. 180, Notice to Importers No. 1 of  1998.  In 1989 Trinidad and Tobago acceded to 
the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the ozon e layer and the Montreal Protocol on substances 
that deplete the ozone layer.  A country progra mme for the phase out of ozone depleting substances 
was prepared in 1996 and has been implemented.  Th is country met the 1 July 1999 deadline for the 
freeze on the consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC 's) at levels of average imports for 1995 and 
1997. Authority exists to suspend the system whenever it is determined that such  action is appropriate.  
Notice to such action is published in the Trinid ad and Tobago Gazette. Legal Notice #40 – Notice to 
importers #1 of 2004 dated 2004 included LHD vehi cles other than those allowed to be imported 
pursuant to Section 45(2) (a)-(g).  Procedures
 
 
6. Quantitative restrictions apply solely in  respect of ozone depleting substances as 
outlined below: 
 
(a) In accordance with the Montreal Protocol the government of Trinidad and Tobago agreed to 
implement the phase out on the consumption of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's).  Annex A:2   
CFC's 11, 12, 113, 114, 115 at the level of average imports for 1995-1997, effective 1 July 
1999. 
(b) A quota system was implemented that accommodated only those importers whose history 
records showed that they imported CFC's during the period 1995-1997. 
(c) Quotas are issued to only eight (8) importers. 
(d) Phase out of Halons – Halon 1 211, Halon 1301, Hal on 2402 – Annex A – group 11 effective 
1 January 2002.  No quotas consid ered.  Alternative products used. 
(e) Phase out of Methyl Bromide.  Annex E effec tive 1 January 2002. Quota set at level of 
average imports for 1995 – 1998.  Quota issued to only one (1) importer. 
7. For all goods requiring an import licence: 
 
(a) Application for a licence must be made at l east one (1) week in advance of importation. 
Licences may be obtained within a shorter time li mit or for goods arriving at the port without 
a licence, however the law stipulates, and appli cants are encouraged, to obtain licences before 
goods arrival into the country. 
                                                      
2 Copy is available for consultation in the Se cretariat (Market Access Division) (English only).  G/LIC/N/3/TTO/7 
 Page 5 
 
 
  (b) A licence may be granted immediately on request in instances where goods arrive without 
prior knowledge of the applicant. 
(c) There are no limitations as to the period of th e year during which application for a licence 
and/or importation may be made. 
(d) An importer has to approach only one administ rative body with an application.  However 
consideration of all licence applications is not always effective by a single administrative 
body.  The following applications must be  passed on to the administrative bodies for 
recommendations. 
Live poultry (rearing and breeding and other) Ministry of Agriculture 
Land and Marine resources 
Fish, Crustaceans, Molluscs "    " 
Left hand drive road Motor Vehicles Ministry of Works and Transport 
Ships and boats Ministry of National Security 
Ozone depleting substances Informed by Environmental  
Management Authority 
  8. If the Ministry's policy does not allow the im portation, the reasons for refusal are written on 
the application form; the applicant has the right to appeal to a higher authority i.e. Permanent 
Secretary or Minister.  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for licences. 
 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
 
10. An importer is required to submit the following documents with the application: 
 
• Sample form 
• Cover letter explaining need for the imported item – non automatic licences 
• Personal identification 
• Board of inland revenue certificate 
• Registration of business 
• Proforma invoice of goods if available 
 11. Upon actual importation, an importer is require d to submit the Customs copy of the approved 
Import Licence to the Customs and Excise Division.  12. Prior to 17 July 2000 an import licence fee of $11.00 was applicable. Since 17 July 2000 this 
fee is no longer applicable. 
 13. There is no deposit of advance payment requi rement associated with the issue of licences. 
 G/LIC/N/3/TTO/7 
Page 6  
 
  Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. A licence is valid to the end of the year in which it was issued unless otherwise stated.  The 
validity can be extended if the applicant so requests, however extension is not automatic. 
 
15. There is no penalty for the non–utilization of a licence or a portion of it. 
 16. Licences are not transferable between importers.  17. Conditions are attached to licen ces issued for used motor vehicles. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. Apart from import licensing prior to importation other administrative procedures may entail:  
 Certification from Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources for live poultry, fish, 
shrimp, lobster and crabmeat.  19. Foreign exchange is automatically provid ed by the banking authorities for goods to be 
imported.  
 No licence is required as a condition for obt aining foreign exchange. Import documents must 
be provided to the banking authorities.  
__________