Trinidad Car Import Policy 2026: Age Limits, Taxes, Licence
Published October 26, 2026 · Rules as of October 26, 2026
Since January 2026, Trinidad and Tobago has accepted foreign-used gasoline, diesel and CNG cars of up to eight years old, counting the year of manufacture, instead of three. Hybrids are still limited to three years. You need an import licence from the Trade Licence Unit, applied for on TTBizLink, before the car ships. At the port you pay customs duty of 20% to 67.5% by engine size, a motor vehicle tax per cc and 12.5% VAT, unless hybrid or electric car relief applies. The 2027 budget of October 12, 2026 left these rules unchanged for ordinary cars.
Key takeaways
- Age: gasoline, diesel and CNG cars may be no more than eight years old, inclusive of the year of manufacture, when imported: built in 2019 or later for 2026 and 2020 or later for 2027 (our reading). Hybrids: three years.
- Licence first: individuals apply personally on TTBizLink, may import one car every four years, and the licence expires at the end of the calendar year of issue.
- Engine size drives the tax: duty is 20% up to 1,599 cc and 43.75% from 1,600 cc, and the motor vehicle tax rate doubles at the same point. In our illustration, taxes add 45% to the CIF value of a 1.5-litre car and 87% to a 1.8-litre one.
- Hybrids and EVs: a private hybrid of up to 1,599 cc with an electric motor of up to 105 kW pays no duty, motor vehicle tax or VAT. Since January 1, 2026, electric cars keep their relief only up to a CIF value of TT$400,000.
Age limits: what changed and when
The three-year limit had applied since January 2021. The 2026 budget of October 13, 2025 proposed six years; on November 20, 2025, Cabinet went further and approved eight years for foreign-used, right-hand-drive private cars, SUVs, sedans and station wagons running on gasoline, diesel or CNG, and raised dealer quotas by 30%. The Trade Licence Unit's declaration form issued in January 2026 applies the eight-year limit.
| Vehicle | Maximum age at importation |
|---|---|
| Gasoline, diesel or CNG car | 8 years, inclusive of the year of manufacture |
| Hybrid | 3 years from the year of manufacture |
| Electric car | 8 years (form amended August 2026; the May 2026 brochure says 2) |
| Pickup or panel van | 10 years, up from 7 (reported) |
"Inclusive of the year of manufacture" counts the build year as year one, so a 2019 car is in its eighth year in 2026. The ministry's brochure words the gasoline rule slightly differently, so check a borderline car with the Trade Licence Unit. Age is judged at importation: a car leaving Japan in late December may land in a year in which it is too old, with your licence expired.
Dealers warn that banks and insurers may balk at older cars. The 2027 budget proposes higher motor vehicle tax for classic, antique and vintage vehicles from January 1, 2027.
The import licence on TTBizLink
Used right-hand-drive vehicles are on the Import Negative List, so each needs an import licence; new vehicles do not. For an individual:
- Open a TTBizLink account (selfie with photo ID, two national IDs, signed disclaimer); activation takes up to three business hours.
- Apply online with your photo ID and the signed Declaration for Licence to Import Used RHD Motor Vehicle, which sets out the conditions.
- Order and land the car yourself. The licence is personal and not transferable. You may import one vehicle every four years and need the ministry's approval to transfer its ownership.
- Land it within the licence year: the licence is valid until the end of the calendar year of issue. Breaching its conditions is an offence.
The car must arrive with a Certificate of Cancellation of Registration stamped by the transport authority of the country of origin and showing the engine and chassis numbers (for a car from Japan, its deregistration certificate), plus proof of the year of manufacture. It must be structurally sound, meet environmental requirements and use an ozone-friendly air-conditioning refrigerant.
The ministry strongly advises individuals to apply themselves, not through third parties, because of fraud; TTBizLink lists registered used car dealers.
How duty, motor vehicle tax and VAT are calculated
Three taxes are paid at clearance:
- Customs duty on the customs value, essentially the CIF value (price plus freight and insurance to Trinidad).
- Motor vehicle tax (MVT), a fixed amount per cc. Foreign-used cars pay 75% of the listed rate.
- VAT of 12.5% on the customs value plus the duty and the other taxes payable on entry, including the MVT.
| Gasoline engine | Customs duty | MVT per cc, full rate | MVT per cc, foreign-used (75%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,599 cc | 20% | TT$5.00 | TT$3.75 |
| 1,600–1,799 cc | 43.75% | TT$10.00 | TT$7.50 |
| 1,800–1,999 cc | 43.75% | TT$18.75 | TT$14.06 |
| 2,000–2,499 cc | 60% | TT$37.50* | TT$28.13* |
| 2,500–2,999 cc | 60% | TT$45.00* | TT$33.75* |
| 3,000–3,499 cc | 67.5% (60% at 3,000 cc) | TT$52.50* | TT$39.38* |
| Over 3,499 cc | 67.5% | TT$75.00* | TT$56.25* |
Duty: TTBizLink tariff finder, checked October 26, 2026. MVT: Fourth Schedule to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act; 1,600–1,999 cc rates from January 1, 2018 (some unofficial calculators still use TT$8 and TT$15). *Two 2016 orders conflict: the one confirmed by Parliament sets these rates, a later one TT$25–50. Ask your broker.
Diesel cars pay 35% duty up to 1,500 cc, rising to 67.5% above 2,500 cc. A hybrid that misses the relief criteria, for example one above 1,599 cc, falls under tariff lines listed at 67.5%, making a 1.8- or 2.0-litre hybrid one of the most heavily taxed choices. Electric cars: 20%.
Relief for hybrids and electric cars
Hybrids. Since May 25, 2022, private hybrids with an engine of up to 1,599 cc and an electric motor of up to 105 kW have been free of duty, MVT and VAT; used ones must be no more than three years old. The customs relief is now in Legal Notice 247 of 2024, in force since January 1, 2025. See also our hybrid and EV guide.
Check mild hybrids. On July 22, 2026, Customs ruled that some Suzuki and Toyota "smart hybrid" models, including the Swift, Fronx and Grand Vitara, have an electric motor that does not propel the car; dealers put the extra tax at TT$40,000–50,000 a car. The Finance Minister upheld the ruling on July 30 but said vehicles meeting the 2024 criteria keep the relief, and in early August dealers said qualifying mild hybrids again clear tax-free. Ask how your exact model will be classified.
Electric cars. From January 1, 2026, a private electric car is free of duty, MVT and VAT only if its CIF value is no more than TT$400,000. Above that, just 10% of the duty is remitted and the MVT and VAT relief falls away. The duty and MVT relief for used electric cars is written for cars up to two years old; we found no change to that after the import limit was raised, so confirm with Customs before importing an older one.
Worked example (illustration)
Assumptions: a foreign-used car bought in Japan for US$7,500, plus US$1,500 for Ro-Ro freight and insurance to Port of Spain: a CIF value of US$9,000, or TT$61,091 at the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago's selling rate of TT$6.7879 per US dollar on October 26, 2026. The CIF value is the same for each engine, to isolate the bands.
| 1,496 cc gasoline | 1,797 cc gasoline | 1,986 cc gasoline | Qualifying hybrid, 1,496 cc | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | TT$12,218 | TT$26,727 | TT$26,727 | 0 |
| MVT (75% rate) | TT$5,610 | TT$13,478 | TT$27,928 | 0 |
| VAT (12.5%) | TT$9,865 | TT$12,662 | TT$14,468 | 0 |
| Taxes in total | TT$27,693 | TT$52,867 | TT$69,123 | 0 |
| Share of CIF | 45% | 87% | 113% | 0% |
Our calculation, excluding broker, port, insurance, inspection and registration costs. The value Customs accepts and the exchange rate on the day of entry may differ. An illustration, not a quote.
Inspection, clearance and registration
The licence conditions do not require a pre-shipment inspection in Japan; the checks happen after arrival.
- Customs: a declaration (form C82) is lodged with the invoice, bill of lading, import licence and certificate of origin; after you pay the assessment, the car is released at the wharf.
- Roadworthiness: before registration, the Transport Commissioner (Licensing Division, Ministry of Works and Transport) inspects and certifies the car.
- Registration: in person at the Licensing Division with the registration form, ownership, inspection and insurance certificates, import documents, ID and proof of address; typically three to five working days.
Shipping and timeline
One Japanese exporter lists monthly Ro-Ro sailings to Port of Spain taking 24–34 days, so missing one can add weeks. Get your licence before you buy, ship early in the year if the car is near the age limit, and allow two to three months from purchase to registration (our estimate). Freight costs are covered in shipping a car from Japan in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How old can a used car be to import into Trinidad and Tobago in 2026?
Up to eight years inclusive of the build year for gasoline, diesel and CNG cars (2019 or newer, on our reading); three years for hybrids, so choose 2024 or newer to be safe.
Do I need an import licence?
Yes, for any used right-hand-drive car: apply on TTBizLink to the Trade Licence Unit before shipping.
What taxes apply, and how are they calculated?
Duty of 20–67.5% on the CIF value, MVT per cc (75% for foreign-used cars) and 12.5% VAT on the CIF value plus both.
Are there concessions for hybrids and EVs?
Yes: none of the three taxes for private hybrids up to 1,599 cc and 105 kW, or for private electric cars up to TT$400,000 CIF (check the two-year rule for used EVs).
What inspections are needed?
No pre-shipment inspection; the Transport Commissioner checks roadworthiness in Trinidad before registration.
How long does it take from Japan to Port of Spain?
About 24–34 days at sea on monthly sailings, according to one exporter; two to three months in total (our estimate).
Importing a car to Trinidad and Tobago? Tell us the model, year and budget: we search Japanese dealers and auctions for cars within the age limit, itemize the Japan-side costs before you decide, buy only the car you approve and arrange export to Port of Spain, while you apply for the licence yourself. Asking is free and without obligation. Find my car · Trinidad and Tobago import guide
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and rates change; confirm them with the Trade Licence Unit, the Customs and Excise Division, the Licensing Division or a licensed customs broker before you import.
Sources
- Age limits and licence conditions: Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, guidelines for individuals (May 2026), declaration form (January 2026), declaration form amended August 2026
- Cabinet decision, quotas and pickups: Trinidad Guardian; Trinidad Express; dealers' reaction: Trinidad Guardian
- Three-year limit from January 2021: Ministry of Finance
- Budgets: KPMG, 2026 budget; KPMG, 2027 budget; EY, 2027 budget review
- Customs duty: TTBizLink HS Code & Tariff Finder; customs value: US International Trade Administration
- Motor vehicle tax: Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, consolidated to 2016; Legal Notices 117 and 138 of 2017, 63 and 61 of 2016, 477 of 2025, 613 of 2026
- VAT base: Value Added Tax Act, section 12; rate: EY, above
- Hybrids and electric cars: Ministry of Finance, May 2022; Legal Notices 247 of 2024, 479 and 488 of 2025; Finance (No. 2) Act, 2021
- Mild hybrids: Trinidad Guardian, July 25, 2026; Ministry of Finance, July 30, 2026; Trinidad Guardian, August 3, 2026
- Clearance: Ministry of Finance; registration: TTConnect
- Exchange rate: Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
- Ro-Ro transit time: Logi-Net (exporter guide, undated)