Importing into the DR, FAQ - Page 6

Kay · #51 07-20-2003, 02:41 AM

Great thread.

As I am coming in for the Pan Am games, we are shipping some odd things. Used horse equipment including brushes, buckets, all manner of stuff. Are we going to have difficulty with the pallet of horse food? He has a touchy stomach. It is not directly my responsibility but... Would a broker be able to smooth the way? Are you near SDQ?

Thanks, K

Kay · #52 07-20-2003, 02:50 AM

All I've read is booz and ciggs one each. Unless someone asks for some I have no use for either. I'm looking forward to Presidente.

But I usually carry an XS of the usual travler's stuff JIC. Including, aroma therapy oils and children's books and toys and stuff to give away.

Are they a problem? -k

Pib · #53 07-20-2003, 12:29 PM

Are you an athlete or part of any delegation? In that case you will not pay any taxes nor will have any problems to bring your equipment, BUT it has to be imported by your delegation, in their name.

Our company has done some work related to the games, however, I am sure that you will not need a broker for this. Let your delegation take care of it.

I am not an expert on luggage, other than what I've learnt traveling (and I am a very light traveller), but I think you will not be bothered if you are part of any delegation. You will not be bothered even if you are coming by yourself and your luggage doesn't look suspicious.

D & D · #54 08-17-2003, 12:45 AM

I read the account posted by Peter and Alex. Glad to hear they had few problems. Ours was quite a different story.

First, Danny is Dominican, has a passport, cedula even a driver's license. We had all our paperwork and a broker. But from the first of seven total visits to Santo Domingo from Villa Gonzalez, all he did was pay everyone and his brother. T's weren't crossed, i's weren't dotted and never would have been without paying every slimey slob sob with their hand out.

When we finally did get our container, after paying an approximate total of US$10,000 for bribes, travel and "legitimate" duties, taxes, etc (even some of those were questionable as far as I was concerned) we finally got our goods. Every box had been plundered and many items were stolen, destroyed, or damaged. The trucking company is a whole 'nother horror story.

Our advice, do not bring anything unless it fits in a suitcase!!! Made me sick. I was ready to say screw it and head back home.

Danny & Dianne

wtf2001 · #55 08-23-2003, 10:54 AM

Did you use the same brokerage?

I am in the same boat to some degree. I have a typical American house full of belongings. Televisions, Furniture, Appliances, all the trimmings for a complete 4 bedroom western home.

What are the average (if there is such a thing) costs to get property safely from a US home to one in North shore area???? What about the cost of import taxes and the like. I thought I would be exempt with residency? Is $10,000 exempt? Should I sell everything I have accumulated over my adult life just to move there and start accumulating it back???

I really need help here. I am not importing business tools, I am moving my family.

In November we are applying for our residency and our estimate is a move in February/march of the coming year. Jacksonville (my home city) Florida is a major port city, so I envision packing everything into a ship container or sharing one with someone of the same destination. I don't know that we actually have enough to fill a container, but will to be safer if that makes sense. (Who needs someone going through our stuff??)

Please help advise me as to the foolishness of moving stuff you already own to live in Cabarete or Sousa.

Thanks,
Gary

Peter & Alex · #56 08-23-2003, 11:54 AM

We're lucky in that we live here in the DR but in general we never seem to be lucky like some folks, so maybe our importation of household goods was a simple matter of following the rules? A good lawyer who sorted out all the necessary papers and immigration letter. A fairly decent, if a little slow, shipping agent locally and perhaps a decent approach to dealing with the red tape and personnel in customs and the ports authorities, etc. Yes, we paid the odd bribe in the port in SD but this was only minimal RD$ and nowhere near other peoples horrific costs.
Our agent followed the rules for the importation of first setting up of home, with used second hand household effects and obviously lied about the actual value of the full 20 foot container!!! We were amazed at how easy it was as we've lived and worked in many countries around the worlds and here was one of the easiest!
Let's hope that you're one of the lucky ones? (However, our local lawyer was pleasantly surprised when we had managed so well)!!!
As to bringing those things from home - if you can live without them, sell them off and get something new here. We have new friends in Cabarete from the UK who are currently doing just that and they are happy with what they can actually buy here for the house. We were a little better off coming from the Middle East as we'd seen our house before buying and had already decided what furnitire we would bring and where it would go. we also worked for an Arab Government Department which replaced all our household goods free of charge every 5 years and on retiring they give it all to you!! Some we sold off, the rest we brought for our comfort and that little bit of home.
Anyway - good luck
Peter & Alex

D & D · #57 08-24-2003, 12:34 AM

Peter & Alex:

What part of the middle east? I was in Saudi for 3 years. Most of that time was spent at Dhahran AFB.

As to the move, we did not have an attorney, but we followed every rule that was presented to us and still had nothing but trouble. Would never do it again.

Dianne

goatfarmnga · #58 08-24-2003, 12:58 AM

Most seem to think it is better to just come with suitcases..I am liquidating now myself! Just bring large suitcases but would like to know...I am buying alot of clothes for the kids in the area where I will be (My husband also has 3 grandkids under 5 yrs old we have never seen) So I am packing a few cases with new items for the family and our help's family etc..Will I have a problem in customs with that stuff in those Space saver vacuum baggie things? I need to know since I have purchased over 100 items so far!

Pam

Peter & Alex · #59 08-24-2003, 11:56 AM

D&D,
We were in Dubai for the last 15 years! Great place but expensive and suffering from the Arab/tourist conflicts regards different cultures. Previous to that we were all over the world, including North Yemen!
Now we're here and enjoying all the things about the DR which make it such a great place too!
We seem to be the only ones who did not have a problem importing stuff?

kerveros · #60 09-11-2003, 04:06 AM

sorry, I clicked the wrong button & sent this msg as a new thread but anyway, here it goes again:

Importing inflatables
Thanks for all the previous info PIB. I search for distributors to importy our products into the DR & everybody wants to join in untill they learn how much taxation they have to pay. Do you think that inflatables have to pay luxury taxes?
One of my distributors in Nicaragua, I guess that around there it can be the same, suggested to send them first to the USA &/or another Latinamerican country & then into Nicaragua, the DR or whatever, so that the taxes would be less. Is that true/possible?
We want to export from Europe & they've told me that from here to there the taxes raise more than from the USA. What do you think?

Thanks a lot,

kvs