Air Freight from China to San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago — Transit, Duty and Clearance
China → San Fernando · via POS air / Point Lisas sea · clearance by Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago
Freight from China into San Fernando clears through POS air / Point Lisas sea. San Fernando is southern industrial city, and the inland leg is same-day, so the clearance date is effectively the delivery date.
The clearing authority is Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago. Historical dwell on this gateway is around 4–10 days, and it lengthens in Sep–Nov.
What the routing looks like in practice
Trinidad is the industrial anchor of the southern Caribbean and a distribution point for the eastern islands. Asian cargo generally transships at Kingston, Caucedo or Cartagena. Foreign-exchange availability has been a recurring constraint for importers, which affects how quickly duty and supplier payments settle.
| Air gateways used | POS (Port of Spain) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 5–8 business days |
| Gateway serving San Fernando | POS air / Point Lisas sea |
| Inland leg to San Fernando | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 4–10 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Duty, tax and clearance into San Fernando
Imports into Trinidad and Tobago are cleared by Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago. The headline position is: VAT 12.5%; CARICOM common external tariff 0–20%. The de-minimis threshold is No practical de-minimis for commercial cargo.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: TTBS conformity for regulated goods; import licence for controlled categories. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Trinidad and Tobago: Foreign-exchange access can delay settlement. CARICOM tariff treatment differs from the rates applied in Latin American neighbours. Import licences apply to controlled goods.
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Check the de-minimis position (No practical de-minimis for commercial cargo) against your invoice value before you decide how to split the shipment.
- Photograph carton markings and seal numbers before departure — it makes any claim far easier to settle.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Budget for the inland leg: same-day delivery beyond gateway clearance to reach San Fernando.
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders up front — retro-declaring after booking usually means re-planning the whole shipment.
- Get the conformity paperwork moving early: TTBS conformity for regulated goods; import licence for controlled categories.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to San Fernando take?
China to the Trinidad and Tobago gateway is 5–8 business days. On top of that, allow 4–10 days of clearance with Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago and a same-day inland leg to San Fernando.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into San Fernando?
Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago applies: VAT 12.5%; CARICOM common external tariff 0–20%. The de-minimis position is No practical de-minimis for commercial cargo. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in San Fernando.
What certification do I need for Trinidad and Tobago?
For regulated goods, plan for: TTBS conformity for regulated goods; import licence for controlled categories. Missing conformity paperwork is the single most common cause of a hold, and in most cases it cannot be remedied once the cargo has arrived.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to San Fernando?
Yes. Battery cargo by air follows IATA PI 965–970 depending on how the cells are packed, and moves on certified channels via POS (Port of Spain). Surcharges apply and the declaration has to be made before booking.
Can you deliver door-to-door in San Fernando?
Yes. Delivery to a San Fernando address is quoted as one figure covering freight, duty and tax owed to Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago, and the same-day inland leg. Confirm whether your consignee wants the goods at a warehouse, a marketplace fulfilment centre or a shop front, because the last-mile requirement differs.
What documents does Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago require?
A commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin where it lowers duty, and any product certification (TTBS conformity for regulated goods; import licence for controlled categories). We prepare and file these as part of the service.
Other delivery cities in Trinidad and Tobago
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Trinidad and Tobago change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Customs and Excise Division, Trinidad and Tobago or your broker before you ship.
- Customs and Excise Division
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IMO — IMDG Code for dangerous goods by sea
- IATA — Lithium battery shipping guidance (PI 965–970)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
Page data last reviewed: July 2026.
Get a rate for San Fernando
This lane is quoted per shipment rather than from a published rate card, because the landed cost depends on the commodity, its density, the conformity requirements above and the delivery point. Send the cargo details and we will come back with a full DDP figure.