PPOS | FAQs - Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

PPOS | FAQs

Learn how to clear your personal effects here.
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  1. The Consignee can use the online application form by printing, filling out and submitting to the Marketing Department on the 2nd Floor, Port Administration Building, Dock Road, Port of Spain. Forms are also available at the Marketing Department for customers who are unable to access a computer. The completed form must be submitted to the Secretary of the Store Rent Waiver Committee. The Contact details are 623-2901-4 Ext 168.

  2. The application for refund, remission or waiver of store rent must be made within seven (7) working days of the date of application for delivery of cargo.

  3. The consignee must submit one copy of all relevant documents with the application, the originals of which must be presented for inspection by the Port at the time of submission of the application.

  4. The Store Rent Waiver Committee Secretary shall inform the consignee, in writing, of the decision reached, within seven working days from the date on which the decision in respect of the application was made

List of relevant documents:

  • Bill of Lading (front and back) copy.

  • Rent Advice from Port Authority i.e CFS (Shed #10) or Cargo Accounts

  • Letter giving reason/s for application (typed not written)

  • Any other documents to support reason/s for store rent waiver

DOWNLOAD FORMS

  1. All Claims should be directed in the first instance to the Claims Officer.

  2. The Claim will be recorded in a database, acknowledged and a Reference Number issued.

  3. If a Claim is greater than the amount delegated to be handled by PPOS (currently US$ 35,000.00), the Claim will be referred to POSINCO for their continuation and the Claimant advised.

  4. Claims involving Port Infrastructure and Tugs (POSINCO assets) will be forwarded to POSINCO for action.

CLAIM CHECKLIST

When submitting a Claim for Cargo or Container damage the following must be presented;

  1. formal letter outlining the Claim

  2. Copy of Bill of Lading clearly showing the Consignee’s (the Claimant’s) name

  3. Copy of Survey Report of Damage Packages (for LCL cargo)

  4. Copy of the Delivery Note issued when delivery was taken (for LCL cargo)

  5. An Invoice from the supplier in order to ascertain the value of goods claimed (for LCL cargo)

  6. An Invoice for the repair estimate or depreciated value of the container.

  7. If a third party is making the claim a Letter of Authorization to act on behalf of the consignee

When submitting a claim for damage to Vessels the following procedures must be followed:

  1. The damage must be reported immediately upon occurrence to the Vessel Superintendents so that the Health and Safety Department can conduct an investigation or request an independent surveyor if needed.

  2. Damage Report must be submitted, signed and stamped by the Superintendents clearly indicating the cause of the damage.

TIME LIMIT FOR MAKING A CLAIM

  1. It is in the interest of all parties that Claims are submitted as soon as possible so that remedial action if required is applied in a timely manner.

  2. The Port shall in no case be liable in respect of any claim concerning goods or packages unless written notice of intention to make the claim, specifying all proper particulars is given within sixty (60) daysafter the latest date on which the loss, damage or injury which is the subject or the claim could have occurred.

If an Agent wishes to become a Customer at the Port of Port of Spain they must do the following:

  1. Contact the Marketing Manager at 1-868-623-2901-4 ext 271 to set up a meeting with the Management.

  2. Once an agreement is made between the agent and the Port regarding Vessel Calls, Berthing Schedule, Volumes etc, an account (user name and password) will be assigned to the agent to have access to the Terminal Operating System via the web for transmittal of electronic load/discharge lists.

THE AGENT IS REQUIRED TO CHANGE THE PASSWORD ON THE FIRST LOGIN FOR SECURITY REASONS.

  1. An account will be set up for the Agent with the Finance Department

  2. The agent will have access to the Tariff via the Port’s website.

  3. The agent can begin doing Business with the Port

The EXPORTER/ SHIPPER must contact an Agent to:

  1. Book a space on the vessel to ship the container.

  2. Hire a Broker to file all documents and get releases from Customs and Excise

  3. Assign a Trucking Company to bring the container to the Port.

Click the following link to access the pdf on this topic
How to Access NAVIS – General Public

The IMPORTER or CONSIGNEE must hire a Broker to:

  1. Lodge the clearance documents with the Customs and Excise Division for the container to be released for delivery from the Port.

  2. Process the Customs documents and pay Customs and Excise duties on the importer / consignee’s behalf.

  3. Ensure the container is freight released by the Agent responsible for the SSL of the container.

  4. Provide the Port with the original Bill of Lading and pay the Store Rent and any other charges due to the Port.

  5. Assign the Trucking Company taking delivery using the Port’s Terminal Operating System via the web

  6. Have the Trucking Company make an appointment for next day delivery using the same system via the web.

The EXPORTER/ SHIPPER must contact an Agent to:

  1. Book a space on the vessel to ship the container.

  2. Hire a Broker to file all documents and get releases from Customs and Excise

  3. Assign a Trucking Company to bring the container to the Port.

The customer must:

  1. Contact his/her local Shipping Agent if the agent fails to contacted him/her

  2. Have in his/her possession a valid form of ID when proceeding to the agent’s office to pay for and collect his/her documents and Bill of Lading.

  3. Ensure before leaving the Agent’s office that his/her name is spelt correctly, and all other information on the Bill of Lading is correct. If a manifest error is discovered, the agent is expected to provide 3 to 4 copies of the document change to read amendment to correct the error/s

  4. Ensure the quantity of items, description (e.g barrel, box, and suitcase) and address is also correct. If any of the above is incorrect the customer should ensure that the agent issues the change to readamendment document.

  5. The Agent will inform the customer when the container is unstuffed and the day to proceed to the Barrel Shop (Shed 10) to clear the cargo. View location of Shed 10 

  6. Customers should only proceed to the Port only after they are informed by the agent that the Container has been unstuffed.

  7. On arrival at the main entrance, the customer must check with the security before proceeding to the information booth where he/she will be given a number and directed to the waiting area, until his/her number is called.

  8. When his/her number is called the customer is directed to the Customer Service Representative (CSR).window

  9. On arrival at the CSR’s window the customer presents his/her Bill of Lading and a valid ID (passport or any local Trinidad and Tobago ID eg. Identification Card, Passport or Drivers Permit. Please be advised that the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago do not accept foreign Drivers Permit or Identification Cards only Passports.

  10. If there are changes to the documents, it is compulsory that the change to read amendment document accompany the other documents on submission to the CSR for processing. Customers will not be allowed to clear the cargo, if this requirement is not adhered to.

After the documents are processed by the CSR the customer will be advised to proceed to the cashier to pay the Port Charges. See PPOS charges below:

  1. After payments are made to the Cashier the customer returns to the waiting room until his/her name is called to proceed to the cargo examination area.

  1. A Port personnel (clerk) will call the customer’s name via the P.A. system and ask him/her to proceed to the cargo examination area.

  1. The customer will then indicate to the Port personnel the package / items belonging to him/her to be opened. A Customs Officer will then examine the goods and inform the customer of the charges to be paid.

  1. The customer will then proceed to the Customs Cashier waiting area and listen for his/her name to be called to pay the necessary charges.

  1. After paying customs charges, the customer must proceed to the delivery area, where Delivery Clerks will be assigned to process his/her Delivery Note Form / Gate Exit Pass.

  1. The customer must present his/her Customs Cashier Receipt to the clerk and then to the Security at the Entry/Exit Gate so that his / her vehicle can enter the Warehouse to collect the cargo.

  1. If the vehicle belongs to the customer, he/she must also present a Valid ID and valid Drivers Permit (DP).

  1. If the customer has hired transport the driver must present his/her valid DP to the Security on entry and also to the clerk to be recorded prior to taking the Cargo.

  1. Any cargo found without marks will not be allowed to leave the Barrel Shop (Shed 10) compound unless the document states “no marks” or the agent can confirm this.

PPOS CHARGES

  • Barrel Handling Charge (personal effects only) – $50.00 per barrel

  • Rent Charge (personal effects & general cargo) – $18.40 per ton per day

  • Handling Charges (general cargo only) – $30.00 US or equivalent in TT dollars

Hours of Business at Barrel Shop

  • Monday – Friday: 7.00 am – 4.00pm

  • Monday – Friday: PPOS Cashier closes 11.00 – 12.00 and 3.00 pm

  • Monday – Friday: Customs Cashier closes 11.00 am – 12.00 and 3.00 p.m

Note: Customs and Excise and the Port Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (PATT) are two (2) separate entities. PATT has no jurisdiction over Customs and their procedures and charges.

  1. The haulier must have a HSE orientation after which he /she will be given a document to take to the Port Security Office

  2. The haulier must have in his / her possession a Certificate of Good Character, a Letter of Authorization from his/her Trucking Company and a valid Drivers License in order to apply for a Terminal Pass.

  3. Once successful and registered on the system by the Port Security a laminated pass which is valid for one (1) year from the date of issue will be issued to him / her.

  4. The Port will then provide the Trucking Company, if they do not already have one, with a USERNAME and PASSWORD to be able to do business with the Port. The Haulier will be notified in person or via email. HE / SHE MUST CHANGE THE PASSWORD ON THE FIRST LOGIN FOR SECURITY REASONS.

  5. In order to deliver and receive containers the haulier must make an appointment in the Port’s Terminal Operating System via the web. All appointments are given for the next day.

A Customs Broker or Brokerage Company who wish to conduct business with the Port must come to the Cargo Accounts Office, situated on the Ground Floor, Administration Building, Dock Road, with the following in their possession:

  1. A valid Terminal Pass

  2. A valid Broker’s License

  3. A Letter of Authorization from the Importer/Consignee on whose behalf the broker / brokerage company is clearing the containers

If the applicant is an Apprentice Clerk, in addition to (i) and (ii) above he / she must provide the following:

  1. A Letter of Authorization from the Brokerage Company he / she is employed with stating the person under whom he / she is being trained. A letter of authorization directly from the Importer/Consignee will not be accepted.

  2. When the applicant is registered in the Port’s system his / her information will then be passed to the Information Technology Department and he / she will be issued a USERNAME AND PASSWORD and will be notified in person or via email. THE APPLICANT MUST CHANGE HIS/HER PASSWORD ON THE FIRST LOGIN FOR SECURITY REASONS.

  1. Hire a Broker to process all documents with Customs and Excise and the Port

  2. The Broker/Customs Clerk has to provide Cargo Accounts at the Port with a Letter of Authorization from the Consignee to clear the car

  3. The Broker will then proceed to the Vehicle Compound where the documents will be processed by the Port Manifest Clerk and Customs and Excise staff

  4. The Vehicle is then examined and delivered to the Customer

Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago