Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Markets

Exporting from the UK to Trinidad And Tobago: A market guide

Overview

One of the wealthiest countries in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Trinidad and Tobago has the most active manufacturing sector in the Caribbean and a successful petrochemical industry.

Trade statistics

£267.0 million total UK exports to Trinidad and Tobago for the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: October 2024)

97th largest UK export market

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: October 2024)

less than 0.1% of total UK exports for the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024

(Source: ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: October 2024)

CARIFORUM-UK economic partnership agreement

The UK has signed an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with the CARIFORUM trade bloc which includes Trinidad and Tobago. Read our latest updates for more information on the status of this agreement and how it may benefit your business.

Digitisation

Digitisation is a key theme for the government. This will affect all sectors and provide opportunities and demand for UK expertise associated with cyber security, business processes, digital marketplaces, among others.

Top five UK goods exported to Trinidad and Tobago , in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2024

Goods Value (£ million )
Refined oil 14.0
Cars 12.8
General industrial machinery (intermediate) 6.9
Cereals 5.5
Miscellaneous metal manufactures 5.4

Source: ONS Trade in goods: country-by-commodity exports
Last updated: September 2024
Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago: at a glance

Economic growth

1.5%

Actual figure (IMF, 2022)
The UK is 4.1% (IMF, 2022, actual figure)

GDP per capita

$17,005

Actual figure (IMF, 2021)
The UK is $46,422 (IMF, 2021, projected figure)

Currency

Trinidad and Tobago dollar

Business language

English

Time zone

GMT -4

Want to see more on Trinidad and Tobago? Sign up for additional market data, content specific to your product or sector and to compare Trinidad and Tobago side by side with other markets.

Opportunities for exporters

Around 400 multinational companies have physical offices in Trinidad and Tobago, including over 50 British companies such as GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, BP, Association of Business Executives, RioMed, Unilever and G4S Secure Solutions.

Check for trade barriers

Trade barriers, such as tariffs or taxes, can raise costs, cause delays, or even stop you from exporting. Check for any issues that may impact your business when exporting.

See current trade barriers

See resolved trade barriers

Check duties and customs

Find information on how to export goods from the UK. View the duties, rules, restrictions, and the documents you need for your products.

See current duties and customs procedures

Doing business in Trinidad and Tobago

Preparing to export

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, meaning the same income is not taxed twice.

VAT

If you are registered for VAT, it may be possible to zero-rate the goods you export to Trinidad and Tobago, provided certain conditions are met.

VAT is applied to both goods and services in Trinidad and Tobago and is included in the final price of the product. VAT is applied at a rate of 12.5%.

Individuals or businesses that sell goods or services worth $500,000 Trinidad and Tobago dollars or more in a 12 month period must register for VAT.

Regulations

There are several governmental regulation agencies in Trinidad and Tobago including:

Labelling and packaging

Imported goods should show the country of origin and name of the importer. Information should be in English.

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards and Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division of the Ministry of Health can provide specific labelling requirements.

Trade barriers

Check for any reported barriers to trading with Trinidad and Tobago.

Report any trade barriers that are affecting your business so we can help fix them.

Operating in Trinidad and Tobago

Intellectual property

Intellectual property (IP) rights are territorial and rights granted in the UK do not provide protection elsewhere. You should consider getting IP protection abroad if you want to trade overseas or sell to overseas customers via the internet.

The Intellectual Property Office provides practical information to help you protect, manage and enforce your IP abroad. Further support for British businesses can be found through a network of IP attachés, based in key UK export markets.

Payment terms

30 to 90 day payment terms will be expected. The most common means of payment in Trinidad and Tobago are cash, cheques, credit and debit cards, and electronic transfers.

Investment promotion and protection agreement (IPPA)

The UK has a strong foreign direct investment (FDI) position in Trinidad and Tobago. Both governments have signed an agreement to help protect UK companies' FDI and the interests of associated nationals in Trinidad and Tobago, and vice versa.

Entry requirements

UK visitors can enter Trinidad and Tobago and stay for up to 3 months without a visa.

For work-related activities, you can enter the country for up to 30 days without a work permit, once during any consecutive 12 month period. A work permit is required beyond this.

You can apply for work permits and work permit extensions through TTBizLink. Online applications will be processed within 14 working days.

Next steps

Contact us

Get ready to do business abroad

Step-by-step lessons to accelerate your exporting ability.

Read more
Contact us

Find the answers to your exporting questions

Get instant help from our online services and how-to articles or contact our Export Support Service to access our wider network of support.

Find answers

Something went wrong. Please try again.

Was this page useful?

Thanks for letting us know

Can you tell us why this page was useful?

Do not share any personal or commercially sensitive information.

Cancel

Thanks for letting us know

Can you tell us more about your feedback?

Do not share any personal or commercially sensitive information.

Cancel

Thanks for your feedback