- Welcome to our Trinidad & Tobago Shipping Advisory!
Caribbean Cargo DC (CCDC) is here to provide you with all the information you need to make your shipping experience to this beautiful Caribbean island nation as smooth as possible. Specifically, this advisory relates to a news update from March 2023 on Trinidad & Tobago Newsday, which shared that Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) is troubled by port delays which are hurting trade. And that the TTMA has identified lengthy customs delays at airports, ocean bonds and transit sheds.
Based on the continued congestion, CCDC highly recommends that all T&T cargo that might have originally gone to Freeport be instead shipped directly to Port of Spain, Trinidad (POS).
TTMA president, Roger Roach, was quoted as stating some have experienced abnormally long customs delays, with a two-three-week customs appointment time at some bonds and transit sheds to examine cargo. “This in turn has a significant negative impact on trade and manufacturing. The continued closure of ocean cargo at Swissport and complete closure of Medway for the last six months continues to have a negative impact on the country’s ease of doing business.”
Ahead of the Christmas holiday season and heavy export shipments expected, CCDC will be having conversations with our valued customers asking for feedback on this year’s rerouting of Freeport shipments by the government on Trinidad. It is our understanding that this has caused growing congestion at new final destination for Freeport: the Port of Spain (POS) destination. And POS is now congested due to these changes, which are not likely to change between now to the end of the year.
CCDC’s goal is to ensure cargo gets to the right port. For customers who normally ship to Freeport, we will be providing the option to ship directly to POS at that destination’s normally lower rate. Since cargo to Freeport will be forced to POS, and customers are now required to travel to that location for pickup, CCDC aims to help alleviate additional delays or confusion.
Trinidad & Tobago is a popular destination for tourists and businesses alike, and we understand that shipping can be a crucial part of your plans. We advise that you plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your shipment to arrive. It is important to factor in this potential delays or unexpected issues that may arise due to the T&T mandated port reroute and recent Freeport shed closure.
Overall, shipping to Trinidad & Tobago can be an stress-free experience with the right planning and preparation. We hope that our advisory has been helpful and that you are well on your way to a successful shipping experience. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.
Thank you for choosing Caribbean Cargo DC!