New system took effect January 1

The government of the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago has introduced a quota system for the importation of cement.

The new system, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, will bring into force an Import Licensing Regime and Registration System regime for cement (building cement – grey and other hydraulic cements).The new import quota system will be in effect for an initial period of three years.

An annual quota ceiling will apply to the importation of building cement (grey) – HS 2523.29.10 and other hydraulic cements – HS 2523.90.00. The initial maximum quota ceiling allowed for the importation of both types of cement is 75,000 tonnes (inclusive) for 2021.

Quota applicable to all cement importers and distributors

This quota will be applicable to all importers and distributors of cement into T&T. Importers and distributors building and hydraulic cements are required to be first registered with the T&T’s Trade License Unit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

To be registered, importers and distributors must satisfy the requirements of being registered under the Companies Act for at least five years, have a permanent address and location and being registered with the Board of Inland Revenue, VAT Office and the National Insurance Board. In addition, importers and distributors must have adequate and appropriate warehousing facilities for the safe and reliable storage of imported cement and have an established distribution network.

Prior to being approved, a distributor or importer would be subjected to an onsite investigation of the warehousing facilities available for the safe and reliable storage of imported cement which will be conducted by the Trade License Unit. The deadline for submission of all applications was Monday December 21, 2020.

All imported cement (building cement – grey and other hydraulic cements) must meet the relevant CARICOM Regional Product Standards.