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The twenty imports Trinidad and Tobago is best placed to replace.

Trinidad and Tobago imported USD 3.9bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 3.9bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 490mthe twenty, imported in 2024
36products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
66products Trinidad and Tobago already exports well
76product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Trinidad and Tobago already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Trinidad and Tobago would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Trinidad and Tobago does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves...HS 721420

    Comes fromTurkey 92%, 3 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in... (exports USD 667m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 161k
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 1 per cent (3); Turkey supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 32mdown 35% on 2022
  2. 2

    Dog or cat food: (not put up for retail sale), used in animal feedingHS 230990

    Comes fromUnited States 82%, 15 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or...
    Exports of this lineUSD 94k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 13m
    Countries that export it well48

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); United States supplies 82 per cent (2).

    USD 30mdown 33% on 2022
  3. 3

    Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10HS 210690

    Comes fromCosta Rica 40%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed... (exports USD 15m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 29m
    Countries that export it well51

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 48m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Costa Rica supplies 40 per cent (1).

    USD 48mup 6% on 2022
  4. 4

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 69%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper articles: handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towels
    Exports of this lineUSD 410k
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 31m, top 17 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); China supplies 69 per cent (2).

    USD 31mup 91% on 2022
  5. 5

    Boring or sinking machinery: parts for boring or sinking machinery of subheading 8430.41 or 8430.49HS 843143

    Comes fromUnited States 49%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 118k
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 67m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); United States supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 67mup 51% on 2022
  6. 6

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Comes fromGuatemala 39%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3).

    USD 39mup 25% on 2022
  7. 7

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromUnited States 70%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper articles: handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towels
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); United States supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 22mdown 5% on 2022
  8. 8

    Plastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS 392330

    Comes fromUnited States 66%, 28 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of... (exports USD 5m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 26m
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 42 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 13 per cent (2); United States supplies 66 per cent (2).

    USD 16mdown 3% on 2022
  9. 9

    Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses...HS 300490

    Comes fromIndia 44%, 33 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNitrogen
    Exports of this lineUSD 825k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 33 per cent (1); India supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 44mup 16% on 2022
  10. 10

    Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mmHS 740811

    Comes fromGermany 80%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 36 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Germany supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 18mup 11% on 2022
  11. 11

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromUnited States 80%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaints and varnishes: (including enamels, lacquers and distempers)...
    Exports of this lineUSD 235k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 37 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); United States supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 18mup 7% on 2022
  12. 12

    Iron or non-alloy steel: I sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or moreHS 721632

    Comes fromBrazil 63%, 4 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in... (exports USD 667m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 41 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 42 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 17mup 52% on 2022
  13. 13

    Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty...HS 190590

    Comes fromUnited States 86%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals... (exports USD 14m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 15m
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 55 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); United States supplies 86 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 10% on 2022
  14. 14

    Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no. 2202.10, not including fruit, nut or...HS 220299

    Comes fromUnited States 55%, 24 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaters: including mineral and aerated, containing added sugar or... (exports USD 19m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 83 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); United States supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 11mup 69% on 2022
  15. 15

    Cigarettes: containing tobaccoHS 240220

    Comes fromSouth Korea 76%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m
    Countries that export it well41

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 88 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); South Korea supplies 76 per cent (2).

    USD 11mdown 47% on 2022
  16. 16

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853710

    Comes fromUnited States 55%, 40 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators: spent lead-acid... (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 121k
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 39 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); United States supplies 55 per cent (1).

    USD 17mup 87% on 2022
  17. 17

    Plastics: plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of polymers of ethylene, non-cellular and not...HS 392010

    Comes fromDominican Republic 24%, 21 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of... (exports USD 5m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 61k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 14m
    Countries that export it well39

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 43 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2).

    USD 16mup 37% on 2022
  18. 18

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage exceeding 1000 voltsHS 854460

    Comes fromUnited States 65%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators: spent lead-acid... (exports USD 4m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 233k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 15m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 62 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); United States supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 100% on 2022
  19. 19

    Perfumes and toilet watersHS 330300

    Comes fromUnited States 86%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 4k
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 13m, top 70 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); United States supplies 86 per cent (2).

    USD 13mup 10% on 2022
  20. 20

    Hair preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3305HS 330590

    Comes fromUnited States 88%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals...
    Exports of this lineUSD 66k
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 82 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Trinidad and Tobago's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); United States supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 11mdown 9% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Trinidad and Tobago already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

No line where the country already exports well and still imports more than it sells abroad.

How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 76 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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