Bring Duty Free Liqour In Trid/Tobago

[J Parkins]

Hello, I have a couple questions. We will be arriving in Trinidad to late to catch the last flight on Friday, 3rd October to Tobago which means the next morning we fly Carribbean Air to Tobago. Will we have to go through customs on Saturday, 4th Oct before departure to Tobago again? Will there be a problem if we purchse duty free liquor in the U.S. bringing into Trinidad and then Tobago?

Are we allowed to bring food into Trinidad/Tobago? We usually take a canned spiral ham and chips and weren't sure if this is allowable?

Can we use U.S. dollars or do we have to convert to TTD?

Thank you..we are so excited about this trip.

Jane&Randall Parkins

[Ronald]

Hi

You don´t pass customs for a flight between Trinidad and Tobago, so if the customs at arrival don´t take your canned food, you don´t have problems when leaving for Tobago, put it into the suitecase when leaving for Tobago.

I don´t think canned food will be a problem, fresh food/fruits that´s different. Some years ago I had smoked salmon from Sweden with me without problems, but as it is now, with harder rules at customs, I really don´t know anymore.

You can use USD into some bigger shops and resturants, but you will most likely loose money as you don´t get correct change back as they will give you TTD back. Better to use TTD, the ATM´s in Tobago are OK. There are two ATM´s by the airport in Tobago, one nearby the carpark and one by the Republic Bank.
//Ronald

[J Parkins]

Thanks for the response. I have gotten some TTD and am thinking of bringing rest in traveler's checks. Hope they take AMEX travelers checks. Guess I am concerned with travelers checks because I am reading long lines at bank for converting.

Good to know we won't be going back through customs when we arrive in Trinidad.

[David Watkins]

Hi,you have it wrong.If you are arriving in Trinidad you clear customs there,however you do not clear customs for your airbridge flight to Tobago.
David

[J Parkins]

Thank you. I just wanted to make sure that when I got up the next morning in Trinidad that we did not get our liquior confiscated before boarding to Tobago. I know we will have to put it in a suitcase since I am sure they won't let us take it as a carry on.

[Clyde Alleyne]

Jane, with credit cards and debit cards, many people don't travel with travellers checks any more. There are lots of ATMs around, where you can withdraw TT funds as you need it. The larger supermarkets and the restaurants also take Visa or MC credit cards. Amex and Discover cards would be more troublesome.

Clyde

[Hugh S]

Please be aware that there will be international surcharges on your credit cards from your bank.

What I usually do is change traveler's checks at a local bank. (I use Republic) A small fee is charged for the exchange.

PS. I used to live in Huntsville. Long time ago.

Hugh

[J Parkins]

Thanks so much for the info. I have gotten $500 exchanged to take and will just take travelers checks. I had read somewhere that someone said there would be long lines at the bank but we will be staying at Sandy Point Beach Club which I believe is close to the bank. At least I know if my travelers checks are stolen I can get my money whereas if someone steals a credit card that could be bad.

We have been in Huntsville for 8 years now. Jobs of course are the reason for the move after my husband retired from the Army.

Thanks again.

[Hugh S]

I find that I can usually beat the long lines by arriving just after the bank opens in the morning. Because I am a regular visitor I have opened an account at Republic and use their ATM card at the grocery store, hardware store, etc. or for cash at the bank machines. One reason I bank with Republic is that they have three branches: two in Scarborough and one at the airport opposite the arrival gate.

We left Huntsville in 1969 after the Space Race began to wind down and GE transferred my dad again. Wernher von Braun, rockets to the moon, legal to drive a motorcycle at 14 years old!

Hugh

[Ronald]

Hi

There´s no bank around Sandy Point Beach, you have Republic Bank the Airport and Royal Bank on the main road, after Coco Reef Hotel, beside the laundry shop.

I also have and account at Republic as Hugh, that make it possible for me to get cash from different places, the ATM using my Swedish bank card, my VISA-card, the Republic Bank card or cash over the desk at Republic Bank. I´m never out of cash, even if the connection for the ATM is down or if the ATM is out of money, which happen sometimes.

Ronald