Car Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago — RoRo & Container Services
- Fast Information
- Cost starts from: £1452
- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
- Frequency of sailing: Monthly
Ship Cars ships vehicles from the UK to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, by RoRo from £1,452 (29-day transit from Southampton) or by container via weekly services from Tilbury. Trinidad and Tobago drives on the left — RHD UK vehicles are fully eligible. From January 2026, vehicles up to 8 years old may be imported. An import licence via TTBizLink is required before shipping.
Car Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago from UK | Safe RoRo and Container Shipping Services
When looking to ship your car to Trinidad, Ship Cars Ltd offers professional shipping from the UK to the Port of Spain. With weekly shipments by container and monthly services by RORO, our Caribbean department will ensure that your vehicle is shipped safely every time. We not only ship cars to the Port of Spain in Trinidad & Tobago, we regularly ship vans and trucks to. Ship Cars Ltd offers an unrivalled shipping service from the UK to Trinidad. We have over 10 years’ experience and are well versed in all areas of export and import regulations. Our expertise means that we can assist you with all matters relating to the safe export of your vehicle right through to its safe arrival in Trinidad.
RORO Car Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago
Our monthly RORO vehicle shipping services to the Port of Spain Sail from Southampton . Transit time on these incredible vessels takes approx. 29 days from Southampton . Shipping any vehicle to Port of Spain by Roll on/roll off allows us to offer some truly amazing prices right across the Caribbean. RORO vessels are purpose built to load and stow thousands of varying sized vehicles at anyone time across multiple decks. Each vehicle is driven inside the ship and is secured by straps to keep it from moving freely whilst in transit. Safety onboard these wonderful ships is taken very seriously by the Captain and the crew. You can be rest assured that your vehicle is in safe hands from the moment it is loaded onboard, right up to when it is safely driven off in the Port of Spain.
Container Shipping to Port of Spain
Container shipping to Trinidad offers a fast, secure way of shipping either a vehicle or general household goods to the Port of Spain. We load and secure vehicles at our depot in Tilbury, ensuring that each wheel has straps on them to keep the vehicle safe whilst in transit. Our weekly 20ft, 40ft, 40HQ and Flat rack services offers our customer plenty of choice. We offer a full vehicle condition report including photographs before, during and after loading the vehicle in to the container. We guarantee to look after your vehicle from the moment we come in to possession of it, right up to when it arrives overseas.
UK Daily Vehicle Collections
As part of our vehicle shipping services to Trinidad, we can collect your vehicle from anywhere in the UK and have it safely delivered to the port. We have fully insured trade plate drivers and car transporters at our disposal. Our daily UK car collection service means that you don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting your vehicle to the port. Our aim is to make your shipping experience as stress free as possible.
If you require further information about our car shipping to Trinidad & Tobago, please call Tel: 01495 320540 or WhatsApp: +44(0)7513 898320
What Documents Do I Need to Ship a Car from the UK?
Shipping a vehicle from the UK to Trinidad and Tobago requires the following documentation:
UK export (origin):
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Original V5C Vehicle Registration Document (Logbook)
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Commercial Invoice stating the vehicle’s CIF value
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Certificate of Marine Insurance covering the sea transit
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UK Export Declaration (C88 Form) — completed by ShipCars as a registered UK customs broker
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Import Licence issued by the Trade Licence Unit (TLU), Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, via TTBizLink — must be obtained before the vehicle is shipped
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Signed Declaration for Licence to Import Used RHD Motor Vehicle (for individual RHD importers)
Port of Spain customs (destination): 7. Original Bill of Lading — issued by the carrier 8. V5C or original registration document for the vehicle 9. Commercial Invoice 10. Certificate of Marine Insurance 11. Copy of importer’s passport/ID 12. Approved TLU Import Licence
Your Port of Spain clearing agent (customs broker) will manage T&T customs clearance, duty payment, and port release. ShipCars can advise on appointing a suitable agent.
Import Duty and Tax in Trinidad and Tobago
T&T levies three charges on imported vehicles, all calculated on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value and engine capacity:
| Tax | Rate (2026) |
|---|---|
| Customs Duty | 20%–45% of CIF, depending on engine size |
| Motor Vehicle Tax (MVT) | TTD $3.75–$45.00 per cc, depending on engine size |
| VAT | 12.5% of (CIF + Duty + MVT) |
Vehicles with larger engines (over 1,999cc) attract significantly higher combined rates due to the 50% surcharge applied to both Customs Duty and MVT. Electric vehicles with a CIF value at or below TTD $400,000 are fully exempt from all three taxes; higher-value EVs attract 10% Customs Duty, 12.5% VAT, and tiered MVT from January 2026.
A licensed T&T customs broker can provide a precise landed-cost calculation for your specific vehicle. Source: T&T Customs and Excise Division (customs.gov.tt); trinituner.com (2026 MVT schedule). Always verify current rates before shipping.
What Are the Vehicle Import Rules for Trinidad and Tobago?
Important regulatory update (effective 1 January 2026):
Trinidad and Tobago raised the maximum age for importing used private vehicles from 3 years to 8 years from the date of manufacture, under Legal Notice No. 477 (Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Fourth Schedule). This applies to sedans, SUVs, station wagons, and light vehicles powered by petrol, diesel, or CNG. For 2026 imports, vehicles manufactured from 2018 onward are eligible.
Source: Trinidad Guardian, 28 December 2025; T&T Newsday, 20 November 2025; Legal Notice No. 477 of 2025. Verify current eligibility with the Trade Licence Unit (tradeind.gov.tt/tlu) before shipping.
Import Licence Required Before Shipping
All used vehicles imported into Trinidad and Tobago require an import licence from the Trade Licence Unit (TLU), Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, submitted online via TTBizLink (ttbizlink.gov.tt) before the vehicle leaves the UK. For individual importers of RHD vehicles, a signed Declaration for Licence to Import Used RHD Motor Vehicle must be attached to the application. Licences are valid until the end of the calendar year in which they are issued.
Do not book your shipment until your TLU import licence has been approved. Contact ShipCars or a licensed T&T customs broker to confirm the current requirements for your specific vehicle type and import category.
Source: Trade Licence Unit, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (tradeind.gov.tt/tlu). Last verified July 2026.
Returning National Concession (Abolished January 2026)
Prior to 1 January 2026, returning T&T nationals could benefit from exemptions on Customs Duty, Motor Vehicle Tax, and VAT when importing a personal vehicle. These concessions were abolished in the 2025/2026 national budget (effective 1 January 2026) — returning nationals now pay the same import taxes as all other individual importers. If you are a T&T citizen returning from the UK, budget for the full duty and tax structure below; previous exemption levels no longer apply.
Source: T&T Ministry of Finance, 2025/2026 National Budget; T&T Newsday, October 2025.
Caribbean or Americas-adjacent Destinations:
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All Car Shipping Destinations
Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping to Trinidad and Tobago
How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Trinidad and Tobago?
RoRo shipping from the UK to Port of Spain starts from £1,452, departing monthly from Southampton with an approximately 29-day transit. Container services via weekly sailings from Tilbury are also available — contact ShipCars for container pricing to Port of Spain. These are UK-port-to-Port-of-Spain costs only. T&T import taxes (Customs Duty, Motor Vehicle Tax, and 12.5% VAT) are payable separately on arrival and vary significantly by engine size and vehicle value. Get a free quote →
How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to Trinidad and Tobago?
RoRo transit from Southampton to Port of Spain takes approximately 29 days. Container services from Tilbury depart weekly — contact ShipCars for current container transit times. Allow additional time for TLU import licence processing before your vehicle departs the UK, and for T&T customs clearance and duty payment after arrival at Port of Spain.
Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes — Trinidad and Tobago drives on the left, making standard UK right-hand drive vehicles fully eligible for import. The Ministry of Trade’s Trade Licence Unit even provides a dedicated Declaration for Licence to Import Used RHD Motor Vehicle for individual importers. This makes T&T one of the Caribbean’s most UK-compatible vehicle import markets. An import licence via TTBizLink must be obtained before the vehicle is shipped.
What is the vehicle age limit for importing a car into Trinidad and Tobago?
As of 1 January 2026, the maximum permissible age for importing used private vehicles (sedans, SUVs, station wagons powered by petrol, diesel, or CNG) was raised from 3 years to 8 years from the date of manufacture, under Legal Notice No. 477. For 2026 imports, vehicles manufactured from 2018 onward are now eligible — a significant liberalisation that widens the pool of exportable UK used vehicles considerably. Source: Trinidad Guardian, December 2025; T&T Newsday, November 2025. Verify current limits with the Trade Licence Unit (tradeind.gov.tt/tlu) before shipping.
What import taxes do I pay when shipping a car to Trinidad and Tobago?
T&T levies three charges on imported vehicles, all based on the vehicle’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value and engine capacity:
- Customs Duty: 20%–45% of CIF, depending on engine size (engines over 1,999cc attract a 50% surcharge)
- Motor Vehicle Tax (MVT): A per-cc rate tiered by engine size — from TTD $3.75/cc (≤1,599cc) up to TTD $45.00/cc (≥3,500cc), with a 50% surcharge on engines over 1,999cc
- VAT: 12.5% on the combined total of CIF + Customs Duty + MVT
Electric vehicles with a CIF value at or below TTD $400,000 are fully exempt from all three taxes from January 2026. Higher-value EVs attract 10% Customs Duty, 12.5% VAT, and tiered MVT. A licensed T&T customs broker can calculate your precise landed cost. Source: T&T Customs and Excise Division (customs.gov.tt).
Do I need an import licence before shipping my car to Trinidad and Tobago?
Yes — an import licence from the Trade Licence Unit (TLU), Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, must be approved via TTBizLink (ttbizlink.gov.tt) before the vehicle leaves the UK. Individual importers of RHD vehicles must attach a signed Declaration for Licence to Import Used RHD Motor Vehicle to their application. Licences are valid until the end of the calendar year in which they are issued. Do not book your shipment before the TLU licence is approved.
Has the returning nationals duty concession been abolished?
Yes. From 1 January 2026, the exemptions from Customs Duty, Motor Vehicle Tax, and VAT previously available to returning T&T nationals were abolished under the 2025/2026 national budget. Returning nationals now pay the same full duty and tax rates as all other individual importers. If you are a T&T citizen returning from the UK, budget for the complete three-component tax structure — the previous concession levels no longer apply. Source: T&T Ministry of Finance, October 2025.
What documents do I need to ship a car from the UK to Trinidad and Tobago?
UK side: original V5C logbook, commercial invoice (CIF value), certificate of marine insurance, UK export declaration (C88) completed by ShipCars, approved TLU import licence, and signed Declaration for Licence to Import Used RHD Motor Vehicle (for individual RHD importers). At Port of Spain: original Bill of Lading, V5C, commercial invoice, marine insurance certificate, copy of importer’s passport, and approved TLU licence. A licensed T&T customs broker is essential for port clearance.
