Individuals and businesses (wholesale importers) wishing to import live animals and animal products are required to apply for an import permit from the Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs prior to the import's entry into Trinidad and Tobago.
How do I apply for an import permit?
The application process for an import permit varies according to the type of animal you wish to import.
Aquarium Fish
Apply in writing to:
Fisheries Division
35 Cipriani Boulevard
Newtown
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 623-8525/6028
E-mail: mfau2fd@tstt.net.tt
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Companion Animals (cats and dogs) where quarantine is not required
Dogs and cats from the following countries are allowed direct entry into Trinidad and Tobago without having to go into quarantine or to have rabies vaccination or serum antibody testing: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Dominica, Great Britain, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Sweden.
An application form should be completed by the owner of the animal or an authorised representative and submitted by phone or in person to:
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 625-5997/1473
Fax. (868) 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.com
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
The application is processed within one working day and an import permit will be issued. This permit must be collected from the office above prior to landing.
Application forms can be obtained online at the Ministry website, or from the Animal Production and Health Division.
Companion Animals (cats and dogs) where quarantine is required
Dogs and cats originating from countries not listed in the section above require either a 30 day or six month quarantine.
The following countries now have an option for the reduced quarantine of 30 days: Austria, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Falkland Islands, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Macau, Peninsular Malaysia, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Portugal, Reunion, Saba, Sarawak, Seychelles, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Untied Arab Emirates, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Uruguay.
If you wish to take advantage of the reduced quarantine regulations you must:
- Apply for quarantine space at least three months before planned travel. One form of valid identification (passport, ID card, driver's permit) should be provided upon application.
- Ensure that you have an import permit and health certificate before entering Trinidad and Tobago.
- Have your animal micro-chipped with a universal microchip prior to entry.
- Have the animal vaccinated against rabies at least six months but not more than 1 year before planned travel.
- Have a rabies blood test done at least one month after vaccination (i.e., five months before travel). Acceptable tests include:
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation (FAVN).
- Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test (RFFIT).
- Ensure that you have all the necessary documents, as indicated on the import permit, before travelling.
- Notify the Veterinary Officer of the scheduled time of arrival at least 24 hours prior to landing. You can contact the Veterinary Officer at telephone number (868) 662-5986.
Dogs and cats from all other countries (not listed above) must be quarantined for six months in the government's dog and cat quarantine station at Havelock Street, Curepe.
For both the six month and reduced quarantine, an application form must be completed and submitted at least three months in advance to:
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs.
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 625-5997/1473
Fax. (868) 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.com
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Application forms can be obtained from the Animal Production and Health Division. The application form should be completed by the owner of the animal or an authorised representative. One form of valid identification is to be presented (passport, ID card or driver's permit) upon application along with the letter of authorisation (if applicable).
Horses
All horses require quarantine upon entry into Trinidad and Tobago. An application form should be completed by the owner of the animal or an authorised representative and sent to:
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production Land and Marine Affairs
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 625-5997/1473
Fax. (868) 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.com
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
or
Senior Veterinary Officer
Caroni North Bank Road
Centeno
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 642-0063/4
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Application forms can be obtained online, using the link at the end of this section, or from locations noted above.
Food Producing Animals
Import permits for food producing animals such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and rabbits can be obtained by applying in writing, by phone, in person or via email to:
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production Land and Marine Affairs
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 625-5997/1473
Fax. (868) 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.com
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Live Day-Old Poultry
You must obtain approval to import prior to applying for an import permit for live day-old poultry, such as chicks, poults, ducklings and goslings. This can be done by applying in writing to:
The Agricultural Planning Division
Ministry of Food Production Land and Marine Affairs
St. Clair Circle, St. Clair
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 622-1221-5 ext. 2059/2061
Fax. (868) 628-1289
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
No fee is charged for approval. If duty-free concessions are required, the application should be sent to the Chief Technical Officer for approval.
Once approval is obtained, it should be attached to a written request for the import permit and sent to:
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production, Land and Marine Affairs.
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 625-5997/1473
Fax. (868) 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.com
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
Flight information should be provided in person or by telephone 48 hours in advance to:
The Poultry Surveillance Unit (PSU) or National Animal Disease Centre (NADC)
Caroni North Bank Road
Centeno
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 642-0063-5
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
A landing permit, costing TT$10.00 is issued by customs at the port of entry after inspection of the birds. Inspection fees cost TT$10.00 per shipment of birds and are paid to the veterinary officer.
Wild Animals and Non-Domesticated Birds
A Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) certificate should be obtained in order to import wild animals and non-domesticated birds. This can be done by submitting a request in writing to:
The Wild Life Section
Forestry Division
29 Farm Road
St. Joseph
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 662-5114
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
The certificate is usually issued within one to two days of receiving a request. After the Cites Certificate is obtained, an import permit should be applied for from the Chief Veterinary Officer, Animal Production and Health. A fee of TT$10.00 is charged for the permit.
Poultry Carcasses
The following steps should be followed for the import of commercial quantities of poultry such as comminuted chicken, chicken parts, whole turkey, duck, etc..
Present the original export certificate of wholesomeness from the exporting country for approval to the office below. This certificate, issued by the authorised certifying agency of the Ministry of Agriculture from the exporting country, will be approved by the Agricultural Planning Division and will be returned to the applicant. There is no fee for approval.
The Agricultural Planning Division
Ministry of Food Production Land and Marine Affairs
St. Clair Circle, St. Clair
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 622-1221-5 ext. 2059/2061
Fax. (868) 628-1289
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays
To obtain the import permit, submit the original export certificate of wholesomeness, with the approval from the Agricultural Planning Division to the office below. First time applicants are required to submit a company letter requesting an import permit for poultry carcasses.
The Chief Veterinary Officer
Animal Production and Health Division
Ministry of Food Production Land and Marine Affairs
80 Abercromby Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel. (868) 625-5997/1473
Fax. (868) 625-5993
E-mail: aphmalmr@gmail.com
Opening hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.
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Import Permits for Animals and Poultry