importation of scooter

[mcgoo]

I plan to spend three months in Tobago starting in October. I want to rent a scooter. The price I have been quoted by Sheeppys (the only supplier) is TT$2600 per month plus insurance.
I can buy a scooter and have it delivered to Tobago for that price.
What is involved in importing a scooter?

[Glyn Kirpalani]

Hi there

Our UK car has been 3 months in the importation process - and only 11 days in an actual ship! We are reliably informed that what is left of it's salt ravaged body will be released to us tomorrow. Basically the importation of any motor powered vehicle requires an importation license - generally involving a face to face in Port of Spain, plus paying lots of duty. However, I suspect your situation would be different if you just plan to bring a scooter in temporarily, provided that you satisfy customs that it is set to return again with you after your holiday - an combined air ticket for you and the scooter would be persuasive I guess. But this is a minefield area so contact one of only two Tobago customs brokers for free initial advice - call or fax George Washington (an elder statesman here) 868 6395225 (no email). Assuming noone else answers more fully than I, please tell us how you get on with this interesting plan. By the way - two wheeled motor transport is rare here, maybe as gas is so cheap, or the rains so heavy? Good luck, Glyn

[mcgoo]

Thanks for the reply. I know of another elder statesman name George Washington that unlikely was familar with email. He invaded my country in 1812. I did not know that once defeated, he fled to Tobago to enter a new career.

If you should be in touch with Mr. Washington could you make enquiries for me? I am not prepared to telephone him yet until I am sure he is not the same man my ancestors fought!

[Glyn Kirpalani]

Hi again. Our Mr Washington is too nice to invade anything (other than my bank account!) but I am seeing him and customs this morning and will try to remember to ask about your scooter - amidst the excitement of driving my UK car again after so long. I am also visiting the vehicle registration HQ so they will tell me some rules too - eg about safety inspections etc (these new here). But, how much is your scooter flight/shipping going to cost from Canada? No doubt you have factored that in already, but if you have factored in local resale here at the end of your trip then you may be disappointed due to red tape/duties. Later, Glyn