Best location to import goods

jrf · #1 01-24-2008, 05:42 PM

What has been your experience with importing in the RD?
Either with air freight or by ship.

Have heard that it is best to have good sent into Santiago or Santo Domingo rather than Puerto Plata.
This had been said because the feeling is that the Aduanas in PoP are 'worse thiefs' than the other two locations.
And others have said that PoP is the best.

Whether it be household goods or product that you are bringing what have you found to be the best location to clear your goods?

jrf · #2 01-25-2008, 05:55 PM

....anyone?

mountainannie · #3 02-01-2008, 05:19 PM

Geez -- I know nothing but I would certainly go for Pepe Salcido, Manzanillo, which has a dock and a customs and absolutely nothing going on there... of course, I guess that ships don't go there that often. But if it is on the list, definitely check that box.

Ladybird · #4 02-02-2008, 02:49 PM

If its products for a business you are bringing in, be sure to remember the free import tax agreement the DR has with some countries. If you want to bring into Puerto Plata ask at the security gate on the dock to see the Marine Captain, he is a great help.

Chris · #5 02-02-2008, 03:36 PM

The best location is the one that your clearing agent recommends. We've brought products in in POP and in Santo Domingo and really, it is the luck of the draw. Sometimes POP is better, sometimes the capital is better. Get a good clearing agent and let the agent make the call.

Manzanillo is a banana port mainly and you'll not get anything delivered there. Another option that I heard of but never used, is Punta Cana.

jrf · #6 02-02-2008, 11:33 PM

Thanks Chris. If of any help I can post how I make out with the different brokers here once I get more information.

Chris · #7 02-03-2008, 09:31 AM

Budget for being badly ripped off every 4th shipment or so

dms3611 · #8 02-03-2008, 05:10 PM

Freight by containers comes into POP, Haina, Caucedo, and I believe San Pedro de Marcoris. Other posters are correct...pick your poison. We have always preferred Haina since it has a main office there (unlike POP).

Chris is also right...you cannot ever count on anything running correctly with respect to your duties etc. You could bring in the same containerized items...and I mean EXACTLY the same...even to the point of having the same values aned items in the container....and you will always end up with a different value. No, don't think logically that it should be the same ...it will not be the same. Now, if you are in a free zone business, you can fair a lot better than when you are running businesses outside the free zone.

Good luck!

Chris · #9 02-03-2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dms3611

Now, if you are in a free zone business, you can fair a lot better than when you are running businesses outside the free zone.

Good luck!

Not really. Every now and again even in a Free Zone the rules simply change on you.

fightfish · #10 02-03-2008, 06:10 PM

Speaking of thing changing from place to place, the one common denominator that an importer can have is the person they are working with. It is all about relationships with the forces that be, and the expectations and rewards that apply to your particular case.
That is the nature of the island, and moreso, the rule of business in general in this country and other latin countries. An effort in this realm will reflect on success in future tansactions, period.