Ports
Port of Port of Spain, Trinidad
Transit
time
Usually 4–6 weeks door to door
delivery to
All of Trinidad, plus Tobago by inter-island ferry
Ships from
Southampton, Felixstowe, London Gateway and other UK ports
Shipping your household goods, a car or business stock to Trinidad and Tobago is simpler with a container. Choose a full 20ft or 40ft container for your goods only (FCL), or share a container and pay just for your space (LCL). We collect anywhere in the UK, prepare the export documents, ship to Port of Spain and help with clearance through the Customs and Excise Division, then deliver across Trinidad and on to Tobago.
Full container or shared container
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Full container (FCL). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft container for your goods only. It's loaded at your address or our warehouse, sealed, and only opened at customs. Best for house moves, vehicles and business stock.
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Shared container (LCL). Your goods share a container with other customers' cargo, and you pay only for the space you use. Best for a few pieces of furniture, appliances or a room's worth of belongings.
Internal size (approx.)
5.9 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m
Capacity (approx.)
33 m³
Typically fits
a 1–2 bedroom home, or a car
Full and shared containers to Trinidad
A full container (FCL) is loaded and sealed for you alone, making it the right choice for a house move, a vehicle plus furniture, or commercial cargo. A shared container (LCL) lets you send a smaller load, such as a few pieces of furniture or appliances, and pay only for the space it uses.
A 20ft container typically holds a one- to two-bedroom home. A 40ft container holds a three- to four-bedroom home, or a car with household goods.
How it works
- Get a quote. Send your item list, UK postcode and delivery address through our contact form or call 020 3086 7592.
- Loading or collection. We deliver an empty container to you for FCL, or collect your items for a shared container. You can also drop off at our Barking warehouse.
- Export and sailing. We handle the export paperwork and the container sails from a UK port such as Southampton, Felixstowe or London Gateway.
- Arrival. The container arrives at the Port of Port of Spain and is cleared by Customs and Excise.
- Delivery. We deliver anywhere in Trinidad, and to Tobago by inter-island ferry.
Shipping times to Port of Spain
Door to door, a container to Trinidad usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the sailing, the time of year and customs. Allow a few extra days for delivery to Tobago. We confirm the sailing date when you book.
Where we deliver
We deliver to Port of Spain, Diego Martin, Arima, Chaguanas, Couva, San Fernando, Point Fortin, Sangre Grande and everywhere in between, and to Scarborough and the rest of Tobago.
Customs and returning nationals
Containers are cleared by the Customs and Excise Division. You will need a detailed packing list with values, a copy of your passport and, for most shipments, your Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) number. Duty and VAT may be charged depending on the goods.
Returning nationals may qualify for exemptions on household and personal effects, and in some cases a vehicle. Check your eligibility and apply before you ship, and tell us when you book so the documents match.
Good to know for Tobago
Containers for Tobago are cleared in Trinidad and moved across on the inter-island ferry, or unpacked in Trinidad and the goods sent across. Tell us early if your delivery is in Tobago so we can plan the best option.
What you can and can't pack
Furniture, appliances, clothing, tools, building materials and non-perishable food are all fine. Do not pack firearms or ammunition, illegal drugs, flammable items, counterfeit goods or perishable food. Medicines, plants, seeds, meat and dairy need permits.
Container, barrels or a vehicle?
For smaller amounts, barrel shipping to Trinidad is usually cheaper. Cars can travel in a container with your goods; see vehicle shipping. For all our services, visit our Trinidad shipping page.
Why ship with Zan Shipping?
- Over 10 years shipping from the UK to the Caribbean
- Full and shared containers with UK-wide collection
- Help with export paperwork and customs clearance
- Based at 42 River Rd, Barking, IG11 0DW
- Open 7 days, 09:00 to 19:00, on 020 3086 7592
How much does it cost to ship a container to Trinidad?
It depends on full or shared container, size, your UK collection address and the delivery address. Use our contact form or call 020 3086 7592 for a free quote.
How long does a container take to reach Trinidad?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks door to door. Allow a few extra days for Tobago.
Can you deliver to Tobago?
Yes. Containers are cleared in Trinidad, then moved to Tobago on the inter-island ferry or unpacked and sent across.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL is a whole 20ft or 40ft container for your goods only. LCL is a shared container where you pay only for your space.
Do returning nationals pay duty in Trinidad and Tobago?
Returning nationals may qualify for exemptions on household and personal effects, and sometimes a vehicle. Apply before you ship.
Can I ship a car to Trinidad in a container?
Yes, on its own or with your household goods. Import rules apply to vehicles, so check with us first.
Is it cheaper to ship barrels to Trinidad?
For a few barrels or boxes, yes. A container is better value for furniture or a full house move.
