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9. Trade and customs: Dominican Republic

Trade and customs in the Dominican Republic: the 2021 customs law and its regulation, importer registration and brokers, classification, value and binding rulings, Aduanas fees, exports, temporary admission and drawback, free zones, the 2024 logistics law, courier imports, the five trade agreements, the 2026 US duty on Dominican goods, farm tariff quotas, import bans, trade remedies, the OEA program, penalties, audits, appeals and border trade with Haiti, each tied to the official text. Where Argentina is involved, the Argentine side is covered in The Argentine Thread guide.

Investor view. A modern customs law, duty free export platforms and treaties reaching 49 markets make the Dominican Republic a strong base for regional manufacturing and logistics, and the 2024 hub law gives investors a clear new framework even as US tariffs test its export model.

• Importing and exporting in the Dominican Republic: declare in 5 working days, pay before releaseLey 168-21 and Decreto 755-22 run the customs process: goods arrive, the declaration goes in electronically within 5 working days, and duties are paid before release. Most imports then face duty, ITBI
• Importer registration and customs brokers in the Dominican Republic: no broker needed, but a RD$10 million bond for those who areAnyone can import, but commercial importers must register with Aduanas, and an owner can clear its own goods, so a broker is optional. Licensed brokers need a bond of RD$5 million for individuals or R
• Tariff classification, customs value and advance rulings in the Dominican RepublicDuty is charged on customs value under the WTO valuation rules, and the invoice is the starting point. Imports above US$2,000 FOB need a value declaration, and customs can challenge prices under reaso
• Customs service fees in the Dominican Republic: flat charges per container, not a percentage of valueAduanas fees must be specific, not ad valorem, and limited to the cost of the service. The published schedule took effect on 2 January 2024, with US$110.31 for a 20 foot container and US$147.07 for a
• Exporting from the Dominican Republic: no export duty on the way out, 20 days to shipExporters declare electronically at least 48 hours before a ship sails or 4 hours before a flight, and the declaration lasts 20 calendar days. MICM says no taxes are paid at export. Exports are shippe
• Temporary admission, drawback and other duty relief regimes in the Dominican RepublicExporters can bring in inputs duty suspended for 18 months under Ley 84-99, with a guarantee, or pay and later recover duty. Ley 168-21 adds equipment admission, outward processing, tariff replacement
• Free zones in the Dominican Republic: customs side of the regimeGoods entering a free zone count as outside the customs territory for duties and taxes, so sales to the local market are imports. Ley 8-90 limits local sales to 20% of output under one route, with ful
• Logistics centers and bonded warehouses in the Dominican Republic: Ley 30-24 and the hub planLey 30-24 lets logistics operators hold foreign goods without paying duty for 12 months, plus up to 6 more, then re-export or nationalize them. Foreign owners can use a non resident consignee status.
• Courier and low value imports in the Dominican Republic: US$200 and the splitting ruleCourier parcels up to US$200 CIF for personal use are free of duties and taxes, parcels to US$2,000 pay them, and higher values clear normally. Commercial goods, restricted goods and split shipments c
• Trade agreements of the Dominican Republic: five treaties, 49 markets, and origin proof for eachMICM lists five trade agreements reaching 49 markets: DR-CAFTA, the EPA with the EU, Central America, CARICOM and a partial deal with Panama. Each has its own origin rule and paperwork. No preference
• DR-CAFTA: tariff preferences with the United States and Central AmericaDR-CAFTA has applied to the Dominican Republic since March 2007, with tariffs phased out on schedules of up to 10 years for industry and 20 for farm goods. Origin rests on tariff shift or regional con
• EPA with the EU and the UK: duty free access for Dominican exportersThe CARIFORUM EPA took effect with the EU in January 2009, per MICM, giving 98.5% of the region's exports free entry, with Dominican tariff cuts over up to 25 years. A separate CARIFORUM UK EPA replic
• Central America, CARICOM and Panama: the smaller Dominican trade dealsThree older treaties still matter for regional trade. The Central America FTA and CARICOM FTA waive certificates for shipments up to US$1,000, while CARICOM certificates expire after 180 days. Panama
• US tariffs on Dominican goods: the 12.5% Section 301 duty from 24 July 2026Since 24 July 2026 the US adds 12.5% on Dominican goods under a Section 301 action on forced labor import bans. The duty applies on top of the normal rate, even to goods entering free under DR-CAFTA.
• Tariff quotas and farm imports in the Dominican RepublicEight sensitive farm products sit under a WTO tariff rate quota system set in 1999: garlic, rice, sugar, chicken, onions, beans, powdered milk and corn. Quota is awarded through a commission, with rul
• Import bans and restricted goods in the Dominican Republic: used vehicles, permits and the single windowCars more than 5 years old, salvage and right hand drive vehicles and most used appliances cannot be imported. Restricted goods need a permit from the responsible agency before release, and VUCE is th
• Trade remedies in the Dominican Republic: antidumping, countervailing duties and safeguardsLey 1-02 lets the Comisión de Defensa Comercial impose antidumping, countervailing and safeguard measures, following WTO rules. Applicants must hold more than 50% of the output of producers voicing a
• Authorized Economic Operator in the Dominican Republic: free, voluntary and valid for 3 yearsThe OEA program gives trusted companies fewer inspections, faster release and deferred payment. It is voluntary and free of charge, and lasts 3 years. Companies need 3 years of operations and 3 years
• Customs penalties and smuggling in the Dominican Republic: double tax fines, 5 times for fraud, jail above RD$2 millionWrong classification, value or origin costs twice the tax unpaid. Customs fraud costs 5 times the tax, with 3 to 6 years in prison above RD$2 million per declaration, and contraband 3 to 5 years plus
• Customs audits and appeals in the Dominican Republic: 3 years to review, 30 days to sueAduanas can audit during clearance and for 3 years after, by desk, electronic or on site review. A post clearance procedure may last up to 2 years. Taxpayers can ask for reconsideration, a hierarchica
• Trade with Haiti from the Dominican Republic: border rules and transitHaiti is a major neighbor market reached through land crossings under normal customs law. Land exports need a declaration 48 hours ahead, with a simplified path for border market sales, and each truck

Related: Dominican Republic country profile · live dashboard · central bank and release calendar · our posts on X · where Argentina is involved, see The Argentine Thread guide