File photo: Aerial view of the USS Gravely warship docked at the Port of Port of Spain on October 26, 2025. The US warship will visit Trinidad and Tobago for joint exercises near the coast of Venezuela amid Washington’s campaign against alleged drug traffickers in the region. AFP/Martin Bernetti

By Alicia Chamely

INCREASED Customs and Excise fees must come with increased efficiency says the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TT Chamber).

In a press release on Wednesday the TT Chamber stated the increased fees, which go into effect on Thursday, should be matched with “demonstrable improvements in customs and port efficiency, including reduced cargo dwell times, streamlined inspection protocols, and digitized processing.”

As of January 1, standard customs declaration processing fee increases from TT$40 to TT$80, container examination fees double to TT$750 for 20-foot containers and TT$1,050 for 40-foot containers.

“Fee adjustments must translate into value for the business community,” the TT Chamber stated, “Without service-level improvements, these changes risk becoming an added cost burden without corresponding gains in efficiency.”

The TT Chamber noted that while they understood the need to generate revenue given the historical stagnation of these fees, services also needed to be upgraded, stating they were looking forward to the implementation of long-promised modernization measures. These included the full implementation of digital customs systems and debit card payment infrastructure.

The Chamber further expressed concern as to how these increased fees would affect micro, small, and medium enterprises, and whether the increased costs to import and clear goods would be passed on to the consumers.

The TT Chamber announced they had begun engaging with members to develop a “comprehensive impact assessment of all recent and proposed cost increases affecting the ease of doing business”.

“This assessment will inform ongoing dialogue with public-sector stakeholders and ensure that policy decisions support national productivity and competitiveness,” they explained.

The TT Chamber reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for a competitive and resilient trade environment, and a productive partnership with the government and the Customs and Excise Division.