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Promote:Trinidad and Tobago

Export from Trinidad and Tobago

A short guide for companies selling from Trinidad and Tobago: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.

1. What Trinidad and Tobago sells, and who buys it

Top goods exports

2025

  1. 1. Natural gas and petroleum gases (HS 2711)US$1.82 billion
  2. 2. Ammonia (HS 2814)US$1.31 billion
  3. 3. Methanol and other acyclic alcohols (HS 2905)US$1.19 billion
  4. 4. Nitrogen fertilizers, including urea (HS 3102)US$666.2 million
  5. 5. Direct-reduced iron products (HS 7203)US$626.3 million
  6. 6. Crude petroleum (HS 2709)US$528.9 million
  7. 7. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$443.1 million
  8. 8. Soft drinks and flavored waters (HS 2202)US$98.2 million
Show 12 more products
  1. 9. Sauces and seasonings (HS 2103)US$87.9 million
  2. 10. Cereal-based snacks and prepared foods (HS 1904)US$87.9 million
  3. 11. Biscuits and baked goods (HS 1905)US$58.9 million
  4. 12. Toilet paper and tissue products (HS 4818)US$41.3 million
  5. 13. Nitrogen-based organic chemicals (HS 2933)US$36.6 million
  6. 14. Prepared fruit and nuts (HS 2008)US$33.6 million
  7. 15. Plastic packaging (HS 3923)US$32.3 million
  8. 16. Glass bottles and jars (HS 7010)US$27.6 million
  9. 17. Chocolate and cocoa foods (HS 1806)US$25.9 million
  10. 18. Beer (HS 2203)US$25.9 million
  11. 19. Plastic pipes and fittings (HS 3917)US$23 million
  12. 20. Insulated wire and cable (HS 8544)US$22.8 million
  • Gas, crude oil and refined products are 35.5 percent of 2025 exports, and ammonia, methanol, urea and iron products are another 48.3 percent. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)
  • Flow X includes re-exports, which were 7.9 percent of 2025 exports; prior-year values come from the 2012 edition of the Harmonized System and 2025 values from the 2022 edition. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, Trinidad and Tobago exports by product, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

Where the goods go

2025, share of goods exports

  • United States24.9%
  • United Arab Emirates9%
  • Guyana5.2%
  • Netherlands4.3%
  • Brazil3.6%
  • Colombia3.4%
  • France3.1%
  • Jamaica2.9%
  • The United States took 24.9 percent in 2025 against 40.8 percent in 2024, and bunkers, which are left out, are 0.5 percent of exports. Source⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Source: UN Comtrade, Trinidad and Tobago exports by destination, 2025⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025

2. What to look into next

Our reading

Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.

3. Trade agreements

What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.

  • Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

    Lets Trinidad and Tobago companies sell qualifying goods to other CARICOM members at preferential duty rates with a certificate of origin.

    Rules-based preference; the Chamber says certificates for CARICOM exclude Haiti and the Bahamas, so check each market as of October 30, 2026.

    Source: MTTI, CARICOM page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)

    Lets qualifying goods, services and people move among participating CARICOM states under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

    Not every CARICOM member takes part in every arrangement; check the destination state before you commit.

    Source: Global Trinidad and Tobago, trade agreements page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • Economic Partnership Agreement between the CARIFORUM States and the European Community and its Member States

    Opens European Union markets to Trinidad and Tobago goods and services under the agreement rules.

    Applied provisionally since December 2008, the European Commission says; rules of origin apply, so confirm the certificate your buyer needs.

    Source: European Commission, European Union and Caribbean trade page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • CARIFORUM-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement

    Covers trade in goods between Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom under the agreement rules.

    GOV.UK lists the agreement as provisionally applied for Trinidad and Tobago, as of October 30, 2026; confirm the certificate your buyer needs.

    Source: GOV.UK, United Kingdom trade agreements in effect, September 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of September 1, 2026

Show 8 more agreements

  • Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA)

    Lets many Trinidad and Tobago products enter the United States free of duty when they meet the program rules.

    Rules-based preference with no set expiry, USTR says; since July 24, 2026 eligible goods also pay the 10 percent Section 301 duty unless USTR's notice exempts them.

    Source: USTR, Caribbean Basin Initiative page, October 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)

    Adds duty-free treatment for further goods from beneficiary countries, and USTR lists Trinidad and Tobago as a beneficiary.

    Scheduled to expire on September 30, 2030, USTR says; since July 24, 2026 eligible goods also pay the 10 percent Section 301 duty unless USTR's notice exempts them.

    Source: USTR, Caribbean Basin Initiative page, October 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff (CARIBCAN)

    Gives many Trinidad and Tobago products duty-free entry to Canada when they meet the origin and shipping rules.

    One-way Canadian preference with a 60 percent content rule, and Canada lists Trinidad and Tobago as a beneficiary in its 2026 tariff.

    Source: CBSA, Customs Tariff list of countries, January 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of January 1, 2026

  • CARICOM-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement

    Gives qualifying Trinidad and Tobago goods preferential access to the Dominican Republic under rules of origin.

    Global Trinidad and Tobago lists it among existing agreements; check the product schedule and origin rules before you quote.

    Source: Global Trinidad and Tobago, trade agreements page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • CARICOM-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement

    Gives qualifying Trinidad and Tobago goods preferential access to Costa Rica under rules of origin.

    Global Trinidad and Tobago lists it among existing agreements; check the product schedule and origin rules before you quote.

    Source: Global Trinidad and Tobago, trade agreements page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • CARICOM-Cuba Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement

    Gives listed Trinidad and Tobago goods preferential access to Cuba under rules of origin.

    Global Trinidad and Tobago lists it among existing agreements; check which goods the agreement covers before you quote.

    Source: Global Trinidad and Tobago, trade agreements page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • Agreement between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Government of the Republic of Venezuela on Trade and Investment

    Covers trade between CARICOM members, including Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.

    Check which goods the agreement lists, and OFAC's Venezuela sanctions program, before you quote.

    Source: MTTI, trade and investment agreements page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  • Trinidad and Tobago-Chile Partial Scope Trade Agreement

    Offers preferential access to Chile for 213 tariff lines of Trinidad and Tobago products at entry into force, including methanol, ammonia, juices and pasta.

    Signed April 25, 2025; the Act, assented May 20, 2026, starts on a Presidential Proclamation that was not found as of October 30, 2026.

    Source: MTTI, release on the Chile partial scope agreement⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of April 25, 2025

4. Steps to export

The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.

Exporting from Trinidad and Tobago

  1. Register for a TTBizLink ID, because export licenses, permits and certificates are applied for through TTBizLink.TTBizLinkThe Ministry guide says registration takes three business hours.Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: MTTI, guidelines for exporting goods on the negative list, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  2. Check whether your goods are on the export negative list, and if so apply for an export license before shipment.Trade Licence UnitOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: MTTI, guidelines for exporting goods on the negative list, 2024⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  3. Get the certificate of origin your market needs; Customs, Global Trinidad and Tobago or the T&T Chamber issues it, depending on the market.Global Trinidad and TobagoThe Chamber charges TT$125 for members or TT$150 for others per certificate on TTBizLink.Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: T&T Chamber, certificate of origin page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  4. Ask the Bureau of Standards about product certification and technical requirements; its standards mandate excludes foods, devices, drugs and cosmetics.Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of StandardsOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: TTBS, certification division page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

Show 3 more export steps
  1. For plants and plant products, apply for an ePhyto on TTBizLink with the importer's permit; food, drink and fish need an export health certificate.Plant Quarantine Services, Ministry of Agriculture and FisheriesOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: MTTI, TTBizLink ePhyto service release, October 12, 2026⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 12, 2026

  2. File the export declaration through ASYCUDA, the customs system connected to TTBizLink, and book any inspection.Customs and Excise DivisionOfficial page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: TTBizLink, trade procedures page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

  3. Ask about export support: EXIMBANK export financing, and the grant and certification funds on the Ministry's Investment Directorate page.Export-Import Bank of Trinidad and Tobago LimitedThe Grant Fund Facility pays up to TT$250,000 per beneficiary.Official page⁠ (opens in a new tab)

    Source: MTTI, Investment Directorate page⁠ (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026

5. Organizations that help exporters

Start with Global TT, Customs and Excise and CSO. Each card links to the organization’s own site.

Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets

Export development and market information

Show 3 more organizations

Customs and tax

Show 1 more organization

Standards and sector requirements

Show 1 more organization

Chambers and industry associations

Show 1 more organization

6. Worth knowing

Show 4 more

7. How Promote:Global helps

  • Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
  • Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
  • Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
  • Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.

Turn this guide into your Trinidad and Tobago project.

Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.

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Promote:Trinidad and Tobago is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.

Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.