RESTRICTED ITEMS AND COMMODITIES

Please note that these lists are not limited to what is listed here as it would be impractical to list everything that is associated with restrictions on the list. Feel free to contact us for further information if an item isn’t listed here and you feel there may be restrictions applied to the said items.

There are items that are illegal for us to process and clear through customs. Some items are outright illegal to bring in and some items can be brought in but detained for clearance by the customer with special permissions and licenses issued by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
Here is a list of what is not acceptable/ illegal for transport through our skybox service:

  • Monetary/ Financial items (Cash, Credit Cards, Cheques, Bank Drafts, Precious metals, Gemstones, Loose Diamonds.)
  • Illicit substances (Marijuana, Narcotics, Psychotropic drugs)
  • Unidentified materials/ substances / chemicals of any kind.
  • Counterfeit or pirated items. (Dvds, CDs, Software or Brand named fashion items.)
  • Gambling materials.
  • Live or dead animals/ insects or any parts of the mentioned, including if the parts are incorporated into apparel or items.
  • Perishable items and foodstuff.
  • Human Remains.
  • Military/ Tactical grade equipment, electronics, robotics and weaponry.
  • Camouflage apparel.
  • Pornographic Material.
  • Sex Toys that resemble any part of the human anatomy.
  • Alcohol and Tobacco
  • Medication or Dietary Supplements that does not have FDA approval or is from outside of the US.
  • Airplane equipment.
  • High-end Encryption Technology
  • Dangerous or high powered lasers.
  • High powered sensors.
  • E cigarettes
  • Hover boards

Items that can be brought in with special permissions provided by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, which will be detained until proper paperwork or licenses are provided to Customs and Excise:

  • Personal Firearms and personal firearm equipment eg. gun holster (Ammunition will require additional inspection by US HAZMAT authorities) (FUL required)
  • Medical devices and equipment that require a medical license. Including dental and veterinary equipment.
  • Plant seeds in large quantities or live plants.

 

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL AND DANGEROUS GOODS

There are hazardous materials/ products that require inspection by US HAZMAT authorities before being transported on an airplane. We highly recommend providing MSDs (Material Safety Data Sheets) for your hazardous items or packages as this would reduce transit time and may waiver high inspection fees. Failure to provide MSDs may incur costly inspection fees by the US inspection. The following list is a guide is not limited to what is listed here:

  • Any product or item that contains flammable substances. E.g. Perfumes/ Colognes
  • Any product that is in a pressurized vessel or container. (Some of which may be flammable as well) E.g. Fire Extinguishers, Hair spray.
  • Explosive materials. (Some may also require special permissions) E.g. Ammunition, Fireworks
  • Household Chemicals.
  • Lithium Ion or Metal Batteries
  • Laboratory chemicals
  • Agricultural chemicals
  • Used car parts that have contained or been in contact with any flammable/ dangerous substances.
  • Infectious substances.
  • Compressed gases.

 

METHODS OF SHIPMENT TO OUR MIAMI WAREHOUSE

  • Postal services
  • S. Domestic Courier Services
  • In person drop offs

WEIGHT, PACKAGE AND SHIPPING INFORMATION

First Class Couriers try to charge actual weight for our customers as much economically practicable. There are instances, however where the volumetric weight of the package greatly exceeds the actual weight of the package. In these cases we can either repackage the item for you at a cost or use our blended rates to try to reduce the cost. Blended rates is where we take the actual weight and add it to the volumetric weight, then divided by two, to get the average weight between the two.  Cargo airlines charges all couriers actual weight or volumetric weight, according to which is higher. Imported cargo that is valued over $2900USD will be bonded for special entry, which we will take care of, then you are required to clear the cargo yourself at the bond or authorize one of our agents to do so. N.B Actual weight is checked like this: if a package weighs 1.2lbs, it will be counted as 2lbs. Volumetric weight is dependent one the dimension of the package as well as the actual weight of the package.

 

DUTIES AND TAXES

First Class Couriers requires that both commercial and non-trade packages/ shipments be substantiated with an invoice with accurate value. Even though not providing an invoice will not prevent clearance of the items/ packages, Customs and Excise has the authority to place a value that they see fit, and in some cases, greater than the value of the item. Commercial importers must provide invoices.

FIRST CLASS COURIERS LIABILITY

There are limitations of responsibility that come with using First Class Couriers Service. Although we try to make your experience as convenient as possible there are certain instances/ situations or parts of the shipping process that are totally out of our control. Our responsibility starts when we receive the package at our Miami warehouse and when your package is received it is inspected for damages. With this in mind, First Class Couriers will not be held responsible for delays or damages caused by external factors, such as acts of God, weather conditions, air craft delays/ maintenance, pilot strikes, customs and excise appointment delays, damages that occur to your packages before arrival at our warehouse, lost packages that have not arrived at our warehouse, seizure by U.S. Customs or local customs or airline schedule changes. We will not be held responsible for any loss due to the aforementioned circumstances.

First Class Couriers is not responsible for any delays or increased value placed on an item/ package by Customs and Excise, brought in by our customers. In the event that an invoice is provided and the value of the package is still raised by Customs and Excise, you have the right to appeal to the Officer in Charge at the courier bond.

First Class Couriers maintains the right to issue refunds or compensation to our customers in the event we are responsible for damages solely at our discretion and under no obligation to do so.