Countries › Dominican Republic › Guide › 9. Trade and customs › US tariffs on Dominican goods: the 12.5% Section 301 duty from 24 July 2026

US tariffs on Dominican goods: the 12.5% Section 301 duty from 24 July 2026

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Last verified: 2026-10-30 · Status: Changing

Since 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. Textiles and apparel entering free under the agreement, and listed products, are exempt.

USD figures use the Banco Central de la República Dominicana reference selling rate of RD$60.8594 per US dollar for 28 October 2026, the latest row in its published rate file on the verification date and the rate Aduanas lists for 29 October 2026, rounded to the cent.

Key facts

US Section 301 duty on Dominican goods	12.5 % additionalHTSUS heading 9903.05.34, as of 2026-07-24 · in force
Effective date	2026-07-24 dateUSTR notice of action, as of 2026-07-24 · in force
Textile and apparel under DR-CAFTA	Exempt if entered free under the agreement textHTSUS heading 9903.05.95, as of 2026-07-24 · in force

The rule

1. USTR decided on 12.5% tariffs on products of the Dominican Republic, except as provided in Annex I and Annex II Part A of the notice.USTR notice of action, Section 301 forced labor import prohibition investigations, Section 15, Dominican Republic determination, 2026-07-24 official text · verified 2026-10-30 · changed: New US duty from 24 July 2026.

2. The duty took effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on 24 July 2026. Goods already on a vessel in final transit before that time and entered before 28 July 2026 are excluded.USTR notice of action, Effective date, 2026-07-24 official text · verified 2026-10-30

3. Under heading 9903.05.34, products of the Dominican Republic pay the duty of the applicable subheading plus 12.5%, except headings 9903.05.85 to 9903.05.92 and 9903.05.95.CBP guidance CSMS 69326983; USTR notice, heading 9903.05.34, 2026-07-24 official text · verified 2026-10-30

4. Heading 9903.05.95 frees textile or apparel goods of the Dominican Republic and other listed CAFTA countries that are entered free of duty under the agreement.CBP guidance CSMS 69326983, heading 9903.05.95, 2026-07-24 official text · verified 2026-10-30

5. Other exclusions in the action include civil aircraft articles, certain pharmaceutical products, goods under Section 232 tariffs, donations and informational materials.USTR notice of action, headings 9903.05.85 to 9903.05.92, 2026-07-24 official text · verified 2026-10-30

Case	US duty rate	US duty
Qualifying apparel entered free under DR-CAFTA	0%	US$0
Other originating goods, no exemption	12.5%	US$12,500
Non originating goods with a 5% normal rate, no exemption	17.5%	US$17,500
Goods under a listed exemption	Normal rate	Depends on the line

Effect of the Section 301 duty on a US$100,000 shipment, assuming a 0% rate under DR-CAFTA

Worked example

A US$12,500 duty equals RD$760,742.50. If the seller absorbs it all, a 20% gross margin on US$100,000 falls to 7.5%.

Step by step

Check your HTS line against the notice's Annex I and Annex II.
Confirm with the US importer of record which heading it will use.
For textiles, verify that the good qualifies as originating and enters free under DR-CAFTA.
Review contracts on who bears the duty.

Common traps

This is a US measure. The importer of record in the US pays, but the price pressure lands on the Dominican seller.
For the Dominican Republic the notice adds 12.5% on top of the normal rate. Do not assume the combined rate cap some other partners have.
Medical devices and other key free zone goods need a line by line check, since the exemption lists work by tariff code.
Rates can change: USTR actions can be modified. Dominican talks with the US were reported only in the press, so they are not relied on here.

Sources

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

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