Container Shipping from Vietnam to Trinidad and Tobago by Sea 2026
Container shipping costs from Vietnam to Trinidad and Tobago by sea consist of ocean freight, carrier surcharges and local charges at both ends. Cargo from Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong to the two main ports, Port of Spain and Point Lisas, transships via international hubs and takes about 39–76 days with ZIM, MSC, Evergreen, ONE, COSCO, Maersk and CMA CGM, based on schedules checked on 14/10/2026. The H-Cargo team quotes based on actual weekly sailings.
Table of contents:
I. What does container shipping to Trinidad and Tobago cost include?
The cost of exporting a container to Trinidad and Tobago has three core components: international ocean freight, seasonal and fuel-related carrier surcharges, and local charges at the Vietnamese port of loading and the port of discharge in Trinidad.
Cost component | Nature & basis | Details |
1. Ocean freight (O/F) | The main sea leg cost from the Vietnamese port of loading to Port of Spain or Point Lisas. | Priced per container (20'DC, 40'GP/HC); varies with supply and demand on Southern Caribbean routes and the booking date. |
2. Carrier surcharges | Covers fuel price changes, peak season surcharges and Caribbean transshipment risk surcharges. | Bunker Surcharge (BAF/LSS), Peak Season Surcharge (PSS), Caribbean feeder transshipment surcharge. |
3. Local charges in Vietnam (POL) | Fixed charges collected by the carrier for handling and documentation services at the port of loading. | THC, seal, e-DOC, telex release, VGM, etc., according to the carrier's tariff in Vietnam. |
4. Local charges in Trinidad (POD) | Yard handling and wharfage charges collected by the PATT or PLIPDECO port authority and the agent at the destination port. | Terminal handling charge at Port of Spain / Point Lisas, port dues, delivery order (D/O) fee. |
Common export local charges at Vietnamese ports:
When exporting FCL cargo to Trinidad and Tobago, in addition to the main ocean freight, budget for the following local charges at the port of loading (POL) set by international carriers (such as CMA CGM, ZIM, MSC, Evergreen, ONE):
Terminal Handling Charge (THC): Applies to each standard container type, 20'DC or 40'DC/HC.
Documentation fee (DOC): Charged per bill of lading, with different rates for electronic and manual SI submission.
Seal fee: Supply and fixing of a customs/carrier seal on each container before it enters the export yard.
Telex release / surrendered B/L fee: Charged when the shipper requests cargo release by telex at the destination port.
VGM administrative fee & amendment fee: Charged when data is changed after the cut-off deadline.
II. How is container freight from Vietnam to Trinidad and Tobago calculated?
Vietnam – Trinidad and Tobago is a long route with several transshipment ports in Asia and the Caribbean. Ocean freight changes weekly, depending on the bunker surcharge (BAF), peak season surcharge (PSS) and space on feeder vessels, so H-Cargo does not publish a fixed rate table and instead quotes each shipment based on actual sailings.
To receive a quote based on actual sailings, simply send the following basic information:
Port of loading (POL): Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai/Cai Mep) or Hai Phong.
Expected port of discharge (POD): Port of Spain (TTPOS) or Point Lisas (TTPTS).
Container type and quantity: 20'DC, 40'GP or 40'HC containers.
Commodity & estimated weight: to check the carrier's weight limits on Caribbean feeder services.
Cargo ready date: helps the coordination team secure space and lock in rates for each sailing.
Related articles:
- Container shipping to Panama by sea (HCM/HPH → Balboa/Manzanillo)III. Which port should cargo to Trinidad use: Port of Spain or Point Lisas?
Trinidad and Tobago has two international container ports with distinct roles:
Port of Spain (TTPOS): Located in the capital Port of Spain and managed by the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (PATT). It is the main import gateway for general cargo, textiles, consumer foods and production materials.
Point Lisas (TTPTS): Located in the Gulf of Paria industrial estate and operated by PLIPDECO. It mainly handles chemicals, steel, heavy industrial equipment and project materials.
Carrier | Service / mother vessel | Port of loading (POL) | Port of discharge (POD) | Transit time |
ZIM
| ZXB / QVI (ZIM MOUNT OLYMPUS / CAI MEP 06) | Hai Phong / Ho Chi Minh City | Point Lisas & POS | 39 - 52 days |
MSC
| Dolphin (MSC VAIGA III → Amazone Feeder) | Hai Phong (TIL) | Port of Spain & Lisas | 45 - 51 days |
Evergreen
| AUE (EVER MAGNA) | Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) | Point Lisas (TTPTS) | 49 days |
ONE
| EC2 (YM WINNER / YM WAYFINDER) | Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) | Port of Spain (TTPOS) | 50 - 53 days |
Maersk
| 711 / SH3 (MAERSK TAURUS / MCC YANGON) | Hai Phong / Ho Chi Minh City | Point Lisas & POS | 65 - 70 days |
COSCO
| CV2 / CAX1 (ERASMUS RAINBOW) | Ho Chi Minh City (Cat Lai) | Port of Spain (TTPOS) | 59 - 68 days |
CMA CGM
| CV8CNC / BBX2CNC (SHIMANAMI BAY) | Ho Chi Minh City / Hai Phong | Port of Spain & Lisas | 66 - 76 days |
IV. What directly affects transit time to Trinidad and Tobago?
Located in the Southern Caribbean near the South American coast, shipments to Trinidad face three technical bottlenecks:
Double transshipment: services from Vietnam usually pass through Asian hubs such as Ningbo (China) or Busan (Korea), cross the Panama Canal to a Caribbean hub (such as Colón - Panama or Caucedo - Dominican Republic), and then a feeder vessel carries the cargo to Port of Spain/Point Lisas. Delays at any connecting port can cause the cargo to miss its connection and wait for the next vessel.
Caribbean feeder frequency: as a mid-sized island market, feeders from Caribbean hubs to Trinidad sail less often than main routes; packing plans should follow the CY cut-off closely to avoid missing the connecting sailing.
Yard clearance capacity at Port of Spain (PATT): in peak periods, high berth utilization can increase vessel waiting time. Allow extra time when planning deliveries.
V. What should exporters watch when shipping containers to Trinidad and Tobago?
From our experience on Caribbean routes, the H-Cargo team recommends the following to avoid extra costs:
Agree DEM/DET free time at the destination port at booking: a voyage of over 50 days plus clearance time at destination means standard free time is often not enough. Secure free storage and container time that matches the expected clearance schedule; the exact allowance depends on the carrier and commodity.
High-standard packing and moisture protection: cargo crosses several tropical sea areas and two transshipments. Use industrial desiccant bags, ISPM 15 fumigated wooden pallets and solid composite strapping and dunnage.
Prefer a Seaway Bill or telex release: avoid sending original master B/Ls by international post, given the risk of documents going missing on such a long route.
Experience from the H-Cargo team: for cargo to Trinidad and Tobago, we always confirm the destination port (Port of Spain or Point Lisas) and the consignee's BIR tax number at the booking stage, before comparing carriers. On the same route, transit times can differ by several weeks, so H-Cargo quotes always state the carrier, transshipment port and validity date.
VI. What documents and procedures apply to imports into Trinidad and Tobago?
Customs clearance in Trinidad and Tobago is managed by the Customs and Excise Division. Trinidad and Tobago applies the CARICOM Common External Tariff (CET). Since Vietnam does not have an FTA with Trinidad and Tobago, goods are subject to import duty under the CET (MFN rate) and 12.5% VAT.
Required document | Receiving / managing authority | Key operational note |
Electronic customs declaration (ASYCUDA World) | Customs and Excise Division | Filed electronically via ASYCUDA World, with a C75 value declaration where applicable. |
Commercial invoice | Trinidad Customs / bank | States the Incoterms, 6-digit HS code, detailed description and CIF value converted to USD/TTD. |
Packing list | Port of discharge customs | Shows the exact net weight, gross weight, container numbers and seal numbers. |
Bill of lading | Carrier / agent in Trinidad | States the importer's correct BIR (Board of Inland Revenue) tax number. |
Certificate of origin (C/O Form B) | VCCI / Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam | Provided when the consignee or customs requests proof of origin; MFN duty applies regardless of the C/O. |
Specialized permits & quarantine | Ministry of Agriculture / Ministry of Health of Trinidad | Mandatory for agricultural products, food, chemicals or plants subject to CARICOM quarantine. |
Import tax policy: import duty under the CET is 0% to 20% for most tariff lines depending on the HS code; value added tax (VAT) is 12.5% on the CIF value plus import duty. Check official HS codes on the customs.gov.tt portal.
VII. Frequently asked questions about shipping to Trinidad and Tobago (FAQ)
1. How many days does container shipping from Vietnam to Trinidad and Tobago take?
Based on schedules checked on 14/10/2026, transit time from Vietnamese ports to Port of Spain or Point Lisas is about 39 to 76 days depending on the carrier. ZIM is fastest at about 39–52 days, MSC about 45–51 days, and other carriers about 49–76 days.
2. Which ports in Trinidad receive commercial container vessels?
The two main ports are Port of Spain (TTPOS), the hub for general and consumer cargo, and Point Lisas (TTPTS), which mainly serves industrial cargo, chemicals and general containers.
3. Do Vietnamese exports to Trinidad receive preferential tariffs?
Vietnam and Trinidad and Tobago do not currently have a free trade agreement (FTA). Goods are subject to import duty under the CARICOM CET (MFN rate) and 12.5% VAT.
4. How can I get the fastest freight quote to Trinidad and Tobago?
Send H-Cargo the port of loading, port of discharge, container type, commodity and cargo ready date via the online quote form; the Pricing team quotes based on actual sailings, stating the carrier, transshipment port and validity date.
VIII. Conclusion
Container freight to Trinidad and Tobago cannot be compared on a single number: the discharge port (Port of Spain or Point Lisas), the carrier and the number of transshipments determine the total cost and arrival date. Before deciding, ask for a quote that separates ocean freight, surcharges, local charges, routing and validity, agree DEM/DET free time at the destination port, and prepare complete documents for the ASYCUDA declaration. The H-Cargo team advises on routing and quotes shipment by shipment for Caribbean routes.
Author: Navy Ngo - Marketing Specialist
Contact us for a free consultation:
H-Cargo International Logistics
· 113-115 Ung Van Khiem St., Ward Thanh My Tay, Ho Chi Minh City
· Tel: +84 888 909 186
· Email: jack.tran@hcargovn.com
· Web: www.hcargovn.com
Sources: BigSchedules, shippingschedule.com.vn & MSC vessel schedules (checked 14/10/2026); Customs and Excise Division of Trinidad and Tobago (customs.gov.tt); Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (patnt.com) & PLIPDECO. Information is for reference only and is not a quotation or legal advice; check schedules, surcharges and regulations at the time of shipment.
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