The BEST news is that there are NO FEES for immigration and customs when entering or leaving T&T during normal working hours for stays of up to three months! However there is a small fee called Navigation Dues of TT$50 (about US$8) per month that is charged only while the boat is in the water.

Protocol dictates that when vessels enter a foreign port for pratique, a quarantine flag (yellow "Q" flag) must be displayed from the starboard spreader until cleared by immigration. To show proper courtesy, the host country’s national flag must be flown replacing the "Q" flag, at the starboard spreaders after clearing-in for the duration of your stay. Please show respect for Trinidad and Tobago by displaying the courtesy flag properly and ensure that it is in good condition. (If you do not have a flag, one may be purchased locally at a very reasonable price.)

Regulations state that once a vessel enters the territorial waters of T&T, the vessel must come alongside the immigration/customs jetty and may not proceed to any marina or anchorage without permission. Anchoring or discharge of crew or passengers prior to check-in is a fineable offence and is prohibited. The master and all the crew (and passengers) must proceed immediately first to immigration and then on to customs. “Immediately” means “No Delays” and applies everyday (including official holidays) at any hour of the day or night. There are NO FEES for immigration or customs if one clears-in during normal working hours. There are, however, the first month's Navigation Dues, which will be collected upon entry. To avoid Overtime Fees, it is best to schedule your arrival within normal working hours.

Normal immigration and customs business hours are from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (closed 12noon-1pm) except weekends and public holidays, however booth offices are open 24 hours a day, everyday. Overtime fees apply outside of normal business hours. The following is a table of overtime and other fees:

Normally, checking-in or checking-out entails showing proof of ownership of the vessel, completing forms, stamping passports, etc., however all boats are subject to inspections (a local expression is -”rummaging”) at the discretion of customs or Coast Guard officials.

Immigration usually grants a ninety-day stay in the country upon entry. If it is anticipated that you will have extensive maintenance on the boat, or you are expecting visitors, or just wish to include an important event (such as Carnival) during your stay in Trinidad & Tobago, you may request an extension of up to 180 days. If granted, you will have to pay for a Visa Waiver ($50.00 which is valid until you clear-out) (see Fee Schedule above).

BE FOREWARNED… Firearms and ammunition are restricted and must be declared upon entry into the country. On occasion boats have been seized, crew arrested and fines have been administered for improper declarations. Goods such as liquor, tobacco, pets and drugs must also be declared and may be placed in bond. When departing T&T, advise the customs officer at least five (5) working days prior to departure for the return of the arms, ammunition and bonded goods.

Trinidad

Cruising yachts can clear-in and clear-out of Trinidad at the Chaguaramas customs station in Trinidad located at CrewsInn Hotel and Yachting Centre. The immigration/customs dock is located at the head of CrewsInn Dock “A” just north of the Lighthouse Restaurant in Chaguaramas (see map). The Chaguaramas offices are full service facilities; i.e., immigration, customs and harbour master which are open 24-hours per day. Commercial traffic must use Port of Spain as the port of entry. It is normally required that the entire crew appear at immigration and customs to check-in or check-out.

Tobago

Cruising yachts can clear-in and clear-out of Tobago at the Scarborough Station or at the Port of Charlotteville in Tobago. The Scarborough offices likewise are full service facilities, i.e., immigration, customs and harbour master.

Not leaving T&T

If a cruiser wishes to sail his boat from Trinidad to Tobago, the master must obtain clearance in Chaguaramas from both immigration and customs with endorsements allowing the vessel to sail to the designated Port of Scarborough or Charlotteville in Tobago.

Upon reaching Tobago, the vessel may anchor at Store Bay or other convenient anchorage, travelling if necessary by land with the entire crew reporting as soon as possible to Scarborough immigration and customs. If the vessel was cleared for Charlotteville, then the master is obligated to report to the Charlottville offices. On the return journey to Trinidad, the master must again obtain clearance from Scarborough or Charlotteville (depending where the vessel checked-in) requesting immigration and customs endorsements allowing the vessel to sail to Chaguaramas. Important Note: The vessel must clear-out of the same port as the arrival port.

There have been incidences of cruisers dropping anchor along the north coast enroute to Trinidad or Tobago. Permission must first be obtained from the customs before the vessel is moved to any other port other than the designated port.

Leaving T&T

If a cruiser has cleared-in with immigration and customs and in Trinidad (or Tobago) and wishes to clear-out from Tobago (or Trinidad), then the master must advise immigration and customs and of his intentions. Immigration and customs and will issue proper documents to facilitate the clearances out of the proper port in Trinidad or Tobago.

Extensions (on Tuesdays)

Upon entry to the country, immigration normally provides for an approved stay of 3 to 6 months. This may be extended after the initial period expires for another period. One week prior to expiration of the initial entry period, report to the immigration officer to complete the Extension Request Form. You likely will be asked to return on Tuesday of the following week, at which time an extension may be granted upon payment of any applicable fees. (see Fee Schedule above)

Crew leaving and signing back on the vessel (via airport)

Prior to crew departing T&T via the airport, the crew must sign-off the vessel and must sign-on to the vessel upon return to T&T. The procedure is simple and requires a letter prepared at the marina or boatyard office which must be approved by the immigration officer. NOTE: If a boat is at anchor and is not registered at any boat yard or marina, an authorisation letter is still required from a business as accepting responsibility for the crew and boat. This approval letter allows for proper paperwork at the airport (or other point of exit). This same letter will be used as authorisation for re-entry into Trinidad to rejoin the vessel. Please note that many airlines will not accept the passenger for the return flight to T&T unless this authorisation letter or a return airplane ticket is presented. All airline passengers must pay the Airport Departure Tax except in the case where crewmembers depart within 24 hours of their vessel’s arrival in Trinidad & Tobago.

For new crewmembers from abroad wishing to join the vessel, the same letter as described above, is prepared at the marina office for immigration approval to allow the new crewmember entry into the country. With immigration approval, this letter must be in the hands of the new crewmember to enable embarkation on the airplane to Trinidad & Tobago.

Arriving crewmembers (returning or new) must pass through immigration and customs at the Port of Entry (airport). Within 24 hours after arrival, the master and crewmembers (returning or new) must again appear, with passports, at the Chaguaramas Immigration Office to sign-on to the vessel. In Tobago, report to the immigration office in Scarborough or the Charlotteville office to sign-on to the vessel. If the crewmember is bringing in BOAT PARTS FOR YACHT-IN-TRANSIT, he must report IMMEDIATELY with the parts to customs in Chaguaramas (see Importing Yacht-In-Transit Boat Parts [via Baggage at Airport] below).

Transfers from one vessel to another

A crewmember wishing to transfer from one vessel to another may do so following similar procedures as above. The crew must sign-off the vessel he originally arrived on and sign-on to a vessel that will be leaving T&T. Important note: A crewmember may not sign on to a vessel that is staying longer than the one on which he arrived.

Working and Work Permits

When clearing into Trinidad & Tobago, the following statement is stamped on every passport: “Employment Not Permitted”. It is required that boating visitors not consider employment nor solicit for any services while staying as a guest in the country. These conditions for foreigners working in Trinidad & Tobago are not any different from all other countries of the world. Captain and crew are allowed to work on their own boats; however, offering services to other boaters or to local Trinidadians is illegal. This includes the practice of Boat Hopping (signing-on to a new boat for the purpose of employment). Marinas, local contractors, and the boatyards have all been alerted to notify immigration of suspected “Boat Hopping”. Caveat est non canonicus negotium

Harbour Master

Navigation Dues

After completing the immigration and customs formalities at time of entry into the country, the customs officer collects the first 30 days of Navigation Dues for and on behalf of the harbour master. The balance of the navigation dues will be collected upon clearing-out of the country. During the period that a boat is at a boat yard for repair or storage (on-the-hard), the navigation dues are suspended when written notification from the boatyard is presented to customs. (see Fee Schedule above)

Leaving a vessel in long term storage

Trinidad has several out-haul yards where boaters can leave their vessels for long periods of time. The vessel must be left in the approved care of the respective yard or marina. A letter prepared by the boatyard or marina, (Temporary Importation of Foreign Yachts Form) along with an inventory of items on the boat must be taken to the customs for approval. NOTE: If a boat is at anchor and is not registered at any boat yard or marina, an authorisation letter is still required from a business as accepting responsibility of the crew and boat. The crew must also submit letters for immigration approval (see above, Crew leaving and signing back on the vessel).

Importing boat parts for Yacht-In-Transit

Note: To qualify for a VAT exemption the vessel must be 1) foreign registered, 2) non-resident (duration of stay is less than 6 months) and 3) the owner of the vessel must also be a foreign national and must not be a resident or citizen at the time of the repairs.

General…Under a special program, the Government of Trinidad & Tobago has granted visiting cruisers the privilege of importing boat parts duty and VAT free. To qualify for this exemption, the following discussion will assist in understanding procedures related to shipping parts to Trinidad & Tobago.

The visiting cruisers have found that the well-stocked chandleries and speciality supply stores in Trinidad are able to provide the necessary parts and accessories. However there comes a time when special parts need to be imported to fix an engine, or there is a need for an instrument not available in Trinidad. This is where several local businesses can assist in locating the critical part anywhere in the world for the cruiser and expeditiously make shipping arrangements (see yellow pages "yacht-in-Transit). This has an advantage in that the importer will take care of the details including the tracking of the shipment to assure it is properly addressed and meets importation rules for boat parts.

Couriers…Courier services such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, PO Box International are required to deliver all parcels labelled as BOAT PARTS FOR YACHT-IN-TRANSIT directly to the Chaguaramas Customs Boarding Station where they will be held in bond until released to the addressee. The customs office has very limited space to hold parcels in the bonded area, which usually has more packages than space. The customs officer requests that parcels be picked up promptly. If there is no one in Trinidad to properly receive the parcel, it is suggested to please postpone the shipment until arrangements for timely pick-up can be made. The parcel MUST be addressed as follows:

BOAT PARTS FOR YACHT-IN-TRANSIT
s/v Snoopy (located at Utopia Marine)
c/o Chaguaramas Customs Boarding Station
CrewsInn Hotel & Yachting Centre
Chaguaramas, Trinidad, West Indies

Note: Warning…If the parcel is not properly addressed and marked, it is possible the parcel may be misdirected and lost in another office, duties may be levied, or the parcel may be returned to the sender within 28 days.

• Inquire at customs if your package has arrived since there isn't any notification procedure in place.
• On any shipment of spare parts, do not mix with personal goods or dutiable items.
• Boat parts must remain on board the vessel and are not to be brought into T&T as a sale or gift unless duties and VAT are paid.
• Proper identification (Passport) and boat entry documents are required when picking up a package.

Postal Service (TTPost)

All shipments arriving via TTPost will normally go through customs at Piarco. Shipments prominently marked BOAT PARTS FOR YACHT-IN-TRANSIT will be inspected and delivered directly to the addressee. Enquiries about the status of TTPost parcels should be made at: TTPost in Chaguaramas, c/o S.G.I. Distributors at Coral Cove Marina, 1 (868) 634-1034.

BOAT PARTS FOR YACHT-IN-TRANSIT
S/v Snoopy
Charlie Brown
c/o Utopia Marina
Chaguaramas, Trinidad & Tobago
PLEASE HOLD FOR ARRIVAL

Airline Baggage

The shipment of boat parts can be part of an airline passenger baggage however the parts must be separate from personal or other dutiable items. The master of the yacht is the only person who can carry the parcel of BOAT PARTS FOR YACHT-IN-TRANSIT away from the airport. If the master cannot accompany the shipment, nor meet the crew at the airport, a pre-approval authorisation can be provided by customs. This entails preparing a letter (a form letter available at most marinas) listing the boat parts with valuations, and identifying the person that will be bringing in the boat parts. This letter must be approved and stamped by the customs officer and then faxed to the person who will accompany the shipment. Any other procedure used to clear the boat parts will not be allowed and the boat parts may be held in bond at Piarco Airport.

The parcel must be clearly labelled with the exact phrase BOAT PARTS FOR YACHT-IN-TRANSIT and must contain an itemized list of parts with description and costs. The itemized list also must show the addressee, (master’s and boat name) and marked BOAT PARTS FOR YACHT-IN-TRANSIT.

Procedures

1. When arriving in Trinidad & Tobago via the airport, proceed directly to the “Third Desk” in the customs area (not the red nor green lines) and present an itemized list of parts with description and costs along with the boat parts in a separate parcel to the customs officer.
2. The customs officer will fill out form #C&E5 keeping one copy. This allows the master (or approved person) of the yacht to transfer the goods to the Chaguaramas Customs Station.
3. The boat parts and form #C&E5 (in duplicate) must immediately be carried to the Chaguaramas Customs Station (open 24 hours). NOTE: It is required that the transfer of the parts from the airport to Chaguaramas customs office must be done immediately. Do not go to the boat first with the intention of resting and then delivering the boat parts later. The time of receipt of the goods is noted on #C&E5. Please be forewarned; fines have been assessed in the past for not proceeding directly to Customs in Chaguaramas.
4. The boat parts will be examined by customs then released to the master with applicable Overtime Examination Fees if outside normal office hours.