Finance Minister: INCREASE In Duties On Alcohol, Tobacco, Luxury Electric Vehicles

By —

The Honourable Davendranath Tancoo, M.P., Minister of Finance, announced substantial increases in Customs Duties on alcohol and tobacco products, which he said will account for 80% of projected revenue growth in the coming fiscal year. The announcement was made in Parliament a short while ago this afternoon (Monday 13th October, 2025) during his highly-anticipated National Budget 2026 presentation.

According to Minister Tancoo, under the new rates, duties on rum and spirits will rise from $79.25 to $158.50 (per % of alcohol); beer from $5.14 to $10.28 (by gravity); and cigarettes from $5.26 to $10.52 (per pack of 20). These increases take immediate effect.

Additional fee adjustments, including the doubling of Container Processing Fees from $525 to $1,050 and Customs Declaration Fees from $40 to $80, will come into effect on 1st January, 2026. Together, these measures are expected to generate an extra $1 billion in revenue.

The Minister also moved to curb abuse of concessions for electric vehicles, revealing that high-end models have been imported tax-free. Effective from 1st January, 2026, luxury EVs valued over $400,000 will attract 10% duty, 12.5% VAT, and a tiered Motor Vehicle Tax based on motor size. The measure should yield $40 million annually.

Also, to support environmental protection, a new 5% tax will be applied on single-use plastics at the point of importation. Proceeds will fund national recycling and waste management programmes from January 2026.

If you missed the National Budget 2026 presentation, you can watch it in its entirety here.

More on this as it becomes available. 

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

[Source: CNC3]

Follow our WhatsApp Channel or Facebook Messenger Channel to receive alerts as soon as we publish our articles, including breaking news.

We are a small operation. If you’ve found our articles to be informative, please consider supporting us via PayPal or buying us a coffee. Your contribution is incredibly appreciated and goes a long way. Simply sharing our articles also helps us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Right Now On Youthere1 News

Man Stabbed To Death During Violent Altercation In Enterprise, Chaguanas

By —
Image
UPDATE: The deceased has been identified as 26-year-old Joseph Narcise, who lived in the Enterprise community. According to Narcise’s 18-year-old sister, Davina Buchoon, both men had been involved in a longstanding feud which began after Narcise moved to Enterprise from Arima, along with his common-law wife and her five (5) children. Buchoon said tensions between Narcise and the 40-year-old man had persisted for months, with frequent exchanges of words. She alleged the dispute stemmed from a disagreement while Narcise was working for the older man, whom she identified. Buchoon said following the stabbing, Narcise was still alive and gasping for breath while lying in her yard. Police subsequently took him to a health centre, where he was pronounced dead. Reports state that the 40-year-old man was arrested as investigations continue into the incident. A man is dead following a stabbing incident during a violent altercation in Enterprise, Chaguanas, this morning (Thursday 8th October, 2...
Read more

Woman And Teenage Daughter Killed In Alleged Arson Attack In Malick

By —
Image
UPDATE (28/10/26):  20-year-old Nicholas Ramlal has been remanded into custody after making his first Court appearance since being charged with the heinous murders of his mother and teenage sister. Ramlal appeared before High Court Master Valene Guerra Abraham on Tuesday afternoon (27th October, 2026). The case was adjourned to 22nd February, 2027. He was detained by Police at the scene of the crime after claiming that his relatives were killed in a home invasion, from which he managed to escape relatively unscathed. Ramlal was charged by Corporal Timothy of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI) after receiving advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) this week. UPDATE (27/10/26):  The male relative in Police custody has been identified as 20-year-old Nicholas Ramlal — the son of murdered victim Rosanna Ramlal and brother of murdered victim Alina Ramlal. He was charged with both murders on Monday (26th October, 2026) and is expected to appear ...
Read more

Missing: 13-Year-Old Cunupia Girl — Last Seen On Monday

By —
Image
Pictured Above: Britney Maharaj, 13. EDITOR’S NOTE:  A pair of videos shared by HSRT Commander Shamsudeen Ayube, which showed the 13-year-old girl shortly after she was found in the forest with a 49-year-old man, were removed from Facebook. This comes following public backlash against the HSRT for posting the videos, which many said violated the privacy of the minor, as well as calls from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) for the footage to be removed. Commander Ayube has defended his actions and indicated that he intends to take legal action against media organizations. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has questioned the criticism surrounding the footage and raised concerns about resources used to search for people who leave home voluntarily. UPDATE (10/10/26):  The man found with Britney Maharaj has been identified as 49-year-old Antonio Mahabir of Enterprise, Chaguanas, and is said to be the girl’s “stepfather.” In a strange and concerning twist of events...
Read more

NO Electricity On Thursday In Parts of Pt. Cumana/Goodwood Park, Arima, Chaguanas, San Fernando, Mon Repos, Manahambre, Tableland

By —
Image
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Pt. Cumana/Goodwood Park, Arima, Chaguanas, San Fernando, Mon Repos, Manahambre and Tableland on Thursday (8th October, 2026). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works.  According to T&TEC, the affected areas are as follows:  PT. CUMUNA/GOODWOOD PARK (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) Western Main Road, Pt. Cumana between LP #190 and LP #84, corner of Western Main Road and La Horquette Valley Road, La Horquette Valley Road between LP #1 and LP #4, inclusive of Kilbracken Road and NewBury Hill, Lazzar Lands, Windsor Road, Goodwood Avenue, Ascot Road, Terrace Vale, Windy Ridge, Sandown Road, Morne Coco Road West and all associated side streets. ARIMA (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) All customers located beyond the Arima Public Library along Pro Queen Street, including Ephraim Joseph Street and Wallen Street, continuing along Subero Stre...
Read more

47-Year-Old Woman Shot Dead Outside Arima Home — Police On The Scene

By —
Image
A woman is dead following a shooting incident in Arima early this morning (Saturday 24th October, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Yvette Baptiste of Pinto Road, Arima. According to reports, Baptiste was shot and killed outside her home, around 4:00 AM. No further details are available at this time. Police are currently at the scene. Crime scene investigators recovered several spent shells. Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding this murder. More on this as it becomes available.  This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.   [Source: CNC3 ]
Read more

35-Year-Old Man Arrested Following Fatal Stabbing At Busy Corner, Chaguanas

By —
Image
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), a 35-year-old man is in Police custody following the fatal stabbing of a man at Busy Corner, Southern Main Road, Chaguanas , on Saturday morning (10th October, 2026). The deceased has not yet been identified. The TTPS said around 7:30 AM, Officers on mobile patrol along Old Endeavour Road received a report from a pedestrian about a man lying motionless on the roadway at Busy Corner. The Officers responded and, upon arrival in the vicinity of Busy Corner Drugs, observed the body of a male lying face down on the roadway with apparent injuries. A District Medical Officer (DMO) subsequently visited the scene, examined the body and pronounced the man dead. While at the scene, Officers received information from pedestrians, identifying a man who was reportedly seen running away from the area. The Officers pursued and apprehended the suspect a short distance away. The suspect, identified as a 35-year-old labourer of Edinburgh 500, Ch...
Read more

NO Electricity On Tuesday In Parts of Chaguaramas, Maracas, Curepe, Mt. Hope, D'Abadie, Arima, Longdenville

By —
Image
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Chaguaramas, Maracas, Curepe, Mt. Hope, D'Abadie, Arima and Longdenville on Tuesday (20th October, 2026). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works.  According to T&TEC, the affected areas are as follows:  CHAGUARAMAS (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM) Between Alcan Fishing Village and Teteron Baracks, including Monos Island, Gasparee Island and all associated side streets. MARACAS (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) North Coast Road, Maracas between LP #T42 to LP #T86/1, inclusive of Fishing Bay Road, Old Bay Road, Maracas Beach Facility, Grand Fond Road, Tyrico Beach, Damien Bay and all associated side streets. CUREPE (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) Evans Street, including Lyndon Street, LP #17 to LP #21 Bellesmythe Street, Rapsey Street, Joyeau Street, Mc Donald Street, LP #1 to LP #32 Southern Main Road, Mc Inroy Street, Bushe Street, Phillip Str...
Read more

35-Year-Old Man Stabbed To Death In Valencia — Police Investigating

By —
Image
EDITOR’S NOTE: The body of this article has been updated with new details. A man is dead following a stabbing incident in Valencia early this morning (Sunday 1st November, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old Fenwick Gibson of Mc David Street, Lopinot. According to reports, Gibson and his cousin, Este Huggins, visited a gas station in Valencia to refuel their vehicle, when Gibson reportedly became involved in an argument with a group of men, around 5:48 AM. During the confrontation, Gibson was allegedly beaten and stabbed in the neck. He was subsequently placed in a white open-tray van and transported to the Arima Hospital for emergency medical treatment. However, he later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His body was identified by his cousin. Police were alerted and Officers from the Valencia Police Post, including Acting Corporal Ramkhalawan and PC Francis, responded to the scene. CCTV footage from the area were requested and are being reviewed. ...
Read more

NO Electricity On Wednesday In Parts of Santa Cruz, Las Lomas, Sangre Grande, Princes Town

By —
Image
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Santa Cruz, Las Lomas, Sangre Grande and Princes Town on Wednesday (14th October, 2026). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works. According to T&TEC, the affected areas in Santa Cruz, Las Lomas, Sangre Grande and Princes Town are as follows:  SANTA CRUZ (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM) Along the La Canoa Road, inclusive of Vicky Trace, Munroe Road, Sun Valley Road Extension, Saut D'eau Road, Beverly Heights, Kingston Road, Dookhan Hill, Liverpool Trace, Murray Hill, Peace Hill, Smith Lane, Hillcrest View, Cakes Land and all associated side streets. LAS LOMAS (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) Along Caroni Arena Road and the Caroni South Bank Road, East of the Las Lomas Community Centre, from LP #63 through to LP #153, extending up to the T&TEC San Raphael Substation. SANGRE GRANDE (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) From LP #1 on Vega De Oropouche Ro...
Read more

Man Stabbed To Death At Busy Corner, Chaguanas — Another Critically Injured

By —
Image
UPDATE:  Police apprehended the suspect , identified as a 35-year-old labourer of Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas, following a brief chase. Officers of the Central Police Division were on mobile patrol along Old Endeavour Road, around 7:30 AM, when they were alerted by a pedestrian that a man was lying motionless in a pool of blood on the roadway. Upon arrival at the scene, near Busy Corner Drugs, they found the body of a man lying face down on the road, wearing a blue T-shirt and blue jeans with a red backpack on his back. He was described as a man of African descent with a slim build and brown in complexion. Pedestrians then pointed out the suspect running in a Southerly direction along Busy Corner. Officers pursued the man, who was clad in a shirt and long pants that were drenched in blood. He was detained and taken into custody before being conveyed to the Chaguanas District Health Facility for emergency medical attention, and then later transferred to a medical facility for further t...
Read more