Importing into the DR, FAQ

[ERICKXSON]

WHEN IS THE 10% SURCHARGE IS GOING TO GO AWAY PLEASE SOMEONE LET ME KNOW. I HAVE A LOAD OF MERCHANDISE STUCK IN A WAREHOUSE DONT WANT TO SEND IT BECAUSE MY PROFIT MARGIN WILL SHRINK.

[Chris]

A short update to Pib's original post. We followed her advice just about to the letter and our first container arrived in the Pisano free zone safely, locked and secured.

We initially interviewed a few custom's brokers and eventually decided to go with the brokers that Pisano's management recommended to us. Their quote was $25.00 higher than the next quote, but we felt comfortable with them. When payday came around, they stuck to their fixed price even though they had some problems clearing the container. Our tax number did not get into the right computer at the right time, and it took three weeks to sort out this snafu. Pisano's management was very helpful and eventually got their Attorney involved, speaking to the head of customs. Then, magically the number appeared where it was supposed to appear. It may have been that someone along the line wanted some money but we simply out-waited them and kept calling in bigger 'guns'. The brokers were very helpful, communicative and gave us daily updates.

Once the container reached Pisano, a fairly friendly fellow from Aduana came around, cut the security locks, and waited around while the pallets were unloaded. He checked out a few boxes between the commercial invoice and the actual goods, grabbed a jar of Blue Lagoon body mousse, opened it, stuck his finger in there and just stood around for a little while enjoying the nice fragrances of our products. I promptly handed him the jar as a little gift (well, what could I do? I could not sell it after this), and he has been helpful in preparing the paperwork for getting the local DR orders out of the zone and also the export orders. We've been warned that he will come around in a week's time with an invoice for payment for his services. No idea what this will be but it seems to be an expectation that we should pay it. I am not against this payment as it seems to me that I'm tipping for a good service. If anyone wants to advise me differently, now is the time...!

We've been assured by the Customs Brokers that the next containers will come through the port like greased lightening now that everything is in place. I'm still waiting to see what happens when the products leave Pisano today and tomorrow.

After this nailbiting episode, I echo Pib's statement - deal with reputable people only! This is the only thing that kept me sane while a very costly container of products sat around in customs for three weeks. I could at least pick up the phone and talk to someone knowledgable on the other side - someone who knew what was going on. Also, we started off with a smaller container thinking that we'll first prove out the process before we bring products in in bulk.

So far, so good - not too painful, just a lengthy process.

[Cap'n Jon]

I've had some trouble posting - hopefully my computer has healed itself...Is it the same situation importing personal and household items, or does this information relate strictly to commercial? Do you need a broker, are there duties, fees to pay? Thanks

[norman]

Would anyone have a contact where we could send items for export to Canada. They would consolidate small shipments produce the documents box the items and deliver to air freignt companies thanks normbates@on.aibn.com

[kevin23]

Hello

[Chris]

heheh! Hello!

[Peter & Alex]

Just follow the rules - Surprise, surprise - they work!!
We moved here over a year ago from the Middle East. Shipped a 20 foot container full to bursting with our household goods, tools, CD's & computer disks, personal effects and a few electronic items. Did it all through a shipping agent in SD who was recommended by Allied Pickfords at point of origin.
Applied for customs exemption due to first setting up of a home in DR and providing the paperwork was filled out correctly, and no-one ever checked the values of items we declared, only 2 visits to Customs were required. One to the port in SD to identify the container which was opened and emptied, each box opened by customs and basically looked into but not searched! One guy got a baseball cap, 2 others RD$500 each and then boxes were resealed and put back into the container which was then resealed with a new seal.
The container then arrived in Cabarete and was unpacked in less than 2 hours with no problem, except for the very sick and tired looking gecko which fell out of the door having travelled from the Arabian Gulf!!
All this was done based only on a letter from immigration stating that we had applied for residency. Believe it, at the time we got the box we did not have a cedula or residency, just a very official looking letter full of stamps.
Total cost in the DR, over and above the shipping costs paid in Arabia, RD$1000 in handouts, cost of 2 trips to SD, and RD$8560.00 in port landing fees and demurrage because the boxes were stuck in the port for a couple of extra days as the shippers/clearers lorry was broke! The whole process took 10 weeks!
Advice: Get a good shipper. Get a good rep at this end for clearance. Get a good lawyer who knows what papers you need to apply for the exemption and just follow the rules. The place works - sometimes.
Were we lucky? Who cares? We have a house full of our own stuff and we're very happy here in paradise with bugs!

[Amicus]

Originally posted by Pib
Well, then the advice still stands (except for the 10% duties and bringing it in your luggage).

What sort of duty can be expected to import a car into the DR. Can one drive a car on foreign plates as a visitor for a period of time? (Is it unwise to do so?)

Since bringing a car in one's luggage is out of the question, Is there a ferry service to the DR, or must one import by a ship or air transport?

[Sanson]

I don`t really know which is the percentage of taxes that a car pays, but you can bet it`s high. Regarding if there`s a ferry, there is one from San Juan, which I think it`s weekly (You`ll have to confirm this).

[corecto]

Originally posted by onionhed
Yes...a 2000 Indian Chief, about 1600 cc's and weighs about 650# ~ definately not "carry on luggage".

If you are in a state or county heavily populater by Dominicans, you could probably find brokers that will take your bike from here and delivery to at your door steps in the DR. For example, if you are in Miami or NY, I have heard of Embarque Colnial. Let me know if you need their phone number