The export ban on scrap metal has been lifted. Take a look at the details below from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

“The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) advises the public that with the partial proclamation of the Scrap Metal Act, 2022 on Friday, 24th February 2023 the Scrap Metal Industry is now opened. Further, the export ban on scrap metal has been lifted by Legal Notice No. 66 which means Dealers can resume the exportation of scrap metal with the exception of Copper, upon application for and receipt of an export licence.

At a recently convened Press Conference on Friday 10th February 2023 and via the MTI newspaper advertorial on the Partial Proclamation of the Scrap Metal Act, 2022 posted on February 12th, 2023 and February 15th 2023, details were provided on the operational requirements for Dealers under each of the partially proclaimed sections of the Act.

An interim quasi-unit has been established under the Trade Licence Unit (TLU) and is ready to facilitate the now re-opened Scrap Metal Industry. Dealers who hold valid licences are reminded that they must submit to the TLU, a declaration of Consent to Entry Form (as outlined in the Scrap Metal Act, 2022) consenting to the entry of Authorised Officers on any scrap metal site specified in the licence during working hours. As at February 24, 2023, the TLU has received twenty-one (21) Consent to Entry Forms. Six (6) applications for export licences have also been received and are now being processed.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is responsible for the enforcement of the Scrap Metal Act, 2022 and is also able to perform its functions under this Act.

Application for an Export Licence:

An exporter of Scrap Metal must obtain an Export Licence from the Minister of Trade and Industry under the Trade Ordinance 1958. The process is as follows:

(a) Complete an online export application for Scrap Metal on TTBizlink at https://www. ttbizlink.gov.tt/tntcmn/

(b) The online application must be accompanied by the following documents:

· Valid Scrap Metal Dealer’s Licence (i.e. Scrap Metal Dealer’s Licences issued under the Old Metal and Marine Stores Act, for the year ended 31 December,2022)

· Business Documents (where applicable) – Company’s Board of Inland Revenue (BIR) Number, Company’s Business Registration Documents;

· An Invoice (with a date no later than 30 days of intended shipment) which details the specific description of the items being exported;

· A copy of the Scrap Metal Dealers’ Transactions Record Ledger and Statement of Ownership. This Ledger may be downloaded at https://www. ttbizlink.gov.tt/tntcmn/

· In cases where an exporter wishes to ship or alter scrap metal under the fifteen (15) day mandatory period for holding scrap, the exporter is required to apply to the Minister of Trade and Industry for permission to ship or alter scrap metal using the Application form for Permit for Shipment or Alteration of Scrap Metal at https://www. ttbizlink.gov.tt/tntcmn/. This form is to be submitted to the TLU either via hard copy or email to tlu@gov.tt

· A utilization record of the last export licence issued (Bills of Lading, CARICOM Invoices) – for Repeat Applicants only

Loading of Scrap:

· An exporter who has obtained an Export Licence is required to give at least seven (7) days written notice to the Minister of Trade and Industry at tlu@gov.tt and the Commissioner of Police at COP@ttps@gov.tt and copied to ScrapMetalUnit@ttps.gov.tt of their intention to load scrap metal for export, including the location and time of the loading.

· This Notice is to be done on the Notice of Intention to Load Scrap Metal for Export form. This may be downloaded from https://www. ttbizlink.gov.tt/tntcmn/

· Where written notice is given, the Minister of Trade and Industry and the Commissioner of Police shall ensure the relevant officer, which at this time would be a Police Officer, is present at the scrap metal site to conduct inspections while the scrap metal is being loaded.

· The Exporter is required to complete the Scrap Metal Export Transactions Record Ledger Form obtainable at https://www. ttbizlink.gov.tt/tntcmn/

· This Scrap Metal Export Transactions Record Ledger Form is to be signed off by the Authorised Officer at the time of loading

· An exporter must only load a freight container at the scrap metal site specified in the licence of a licensed Scrap Metal Dealer.”