Trade Licence Unit
The Trade Licence Unit is responsible for administering the Importation of goods into Trinidad and Tobago. Objectives The overall objectives of the Unit is to facilitate investment and promote trade through the administration of Government policies as they relate to the Import and Export Control Regulations of 1941 and the Third Schedule of the Customs Act Chapter 78:01. This Unit consists of three sections: Import and Export, Duty Relief and Examination Section. Import and Export Section This section operates under the authority of the Import/Export Regulations of 1941 as continued in force by Section 10 of the Trade Ordinance of 1958. This section is responsible for conducting investigations, submitting reports and issuing Import and Export Licences in respect of goods, which are still subject to Import/Export Control. It is a breach of the Import and Export Control Regulations of 1941 to Import or Export Negative listed items without the approval of a specific Licence. The Import Negative List consists of the following: Livestock Fish, Crustaceans, Molluscs Oils and Fats Motor Vehicles Paper Cigarettes and Tobacco paper Ships and Boats Pesticide Ozone Depleting Substances and equipment using Ozone Depleting Substances
The Export Negative List consists of: Coral, Turtle, Turtle eggs, aquarium fish etc. All animal species, wild flora and fauna covered under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species. Works of Art, Artifacts and Archaeological findings Clays, crushed limestone, sand, gravel etc. All plant species tissue culture and propagation material listed in the CITES. Subsidized items of Agricultural machinery, duty free capital goods, electro-medical equipment, rice, gasoline, kerosene, liquid petroleum gas. Explosives, firearms, ammunition and ordnance. Human organs Non-Ferrous metal scrap and Ores. Duty Relief Section This section is responsible for investigations of concessionaire's needs and issuing Duty Relief Licences to approved Concessionaires and other applicants falling under the ambit of the Third Schedule: Operators engaged in approved agriculture, livestock, Forestry and fisheries operations. Operators engaged in Mining and the Tourism Industry. Operators engaged in Offshore Petroleum Exploration and PSC Contractors. This Section now also has the responsibility for processing applications to the Caricom Secretariat for Suspension of the Common External Tariff under Article VII of Protocol IV and requests for Certificates under the Safeguard Mechanism of the Rules of Origin paragraphs 4-7 of Article VIII of Protocol IV for goods on the list of items ineligible for conditional duty exemptions. Under this Section also falls the Copra Control Officer with the general function of monitoring of the Copra Industry. The Officer has the responsibility for the issuing of Copra Dealers Licences and verifying subsidy claims supported by random visits to estate owners, dealers and consumers. Examination Section - This Section comprises three (3) Out-Stations: Port of Spain Pt. Lisas San Fernando
The responsibility of the Officers at these locations is the examination of all Customs Documents for Negative Lists requirements. This entails examination of C82, Invoices, Bills of Lading, Airway Bills, packing Lists and certifying appropriately. HOW TO APPLY FOR AN IMPORT OR EXPORT LICENCE To Top | 
