Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
You can also skip ahead to the table containing the list of
Commonly Required Documents.
The Dominican Republic allows the following into its territory as
document shipments:
- Advertising literature
- Annual reports
- Bids and proposals
- Blueprints and drawings
- Brochures and pamphlets
- Business cards
- Catalogues and price lists
- Charts and graphs
- Computer print-outs
- Credit cards
- Driver's licence
- Greeting cards and invitations
- Intercompany mail
- Periodicals, magazines, and newspapers
- Photographs
- Seismic data
Certain documents shipped to the Dominican Republic have restrictions
as shown below:
| Document Type | Restriction |
|---|
| Airline tickets | Only if validated |
| Diskettes | Only if they contain data |
| Films | If they are for training and promotional purposes |
| Intercompany data on CD-Roms and discs | Data cannot be software and must not have commercial value or be
for sale |
| Manuals | Only if of a technical nature |
| Newsletters | Only company newsletters allowed |
| Publications | Must be for intercompany use |
Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US
Gift shipments qualify for tax and duty exemptions if they are
unsolicited, i.e. they have been sent without request or payment by
the recipient.
A gift shipment to the Dominican Republic from Canada will be exempt
from duty and taxes if its value is $200 USD or less (about $260 CAD).
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment valued at $200 USD or less (about $260 CAD) from an
individual in Canada to an individual in the Dominican Republic is
exempt from duty and taxes providing it was shipped without being
requested by the recipient.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A gift shipment to a business in the Dominican Republic from a
business in Canada will incur duty and taxes.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
There is no information at this time regarding a business in Canada
shipping a gift to an individual in the Dominican Republic.
Gift Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the
commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
- List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
- Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one
individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
The Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Each | Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
| CA | $79.99 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Gifts
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
Multiple gifts sent in one shipment should be tagged and wrapped
separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Each | Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
| CA | $39.99 |
| 1 Each | Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
| CA | $49.99 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Gifts
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
Sources:
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/faq
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/media/2499/402-05_que_aprueba_reglamento_despacho_expreso.pdf
Shipping of personal effects and household goods to the Dominican
Republic will be exempt from duty and taxes for foreigners and
Dominican citizens who come to live there permanently.
This exemption may be claimed only once.
Moving Temporarily
Students
Students returning to the Dominican Republic after having lived
temporarily in Canada to study may ship home their personal effects
duty and tax free.
To qualify for this exemption, they must present either the
certificate or diploma earned whilst studying in Canada.
Non-Students
There is no information at this time about non-students shipping their
personal effects as a result of a temporary move to the Dominican
Republic.
Moving Permanently
Persons moving permanently to the Dominican Republic - either
Dominican citizens or Canadians - may ship their household goods
(furniture) and personal effects without incurring duty or taxes.
If the individual is moving to the Dominican Republic as a result of a
marriage, the amount of goods in the bride's trousseau (items
collected specifically due to a marriage) must be appropriate for the
size of the home.
Any individual claiming the tax exemption for moving permanently may
do so only once.
Personal Effects Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
- Complete form
F-49
- For individuals shipping a marriage trousseau, provide 3 copies of
the Trousseau declaration form (click
here)
Sources:
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/servicios/importacion/
Sample Commercial Invoice for Personal Effects
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address.
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 5 Pairs | Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
| IN | $40.00 |
| 1 Each | Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
| CA | $478.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Personal Effects
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $678.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
There is limited information available regarding prohibited and
allowable shipments of food to the Dominican Republic.
You May Ship
Do Not Ship
- No information is available at this time regarding foodstuffs that
may not enter Dominican Republic.
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
- Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description
or Remarks section (see sample)
- Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the
country
- You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
- Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Sources:
https://www.macmap.org/
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Box | Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
| CA | $20.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Permanent / Sold
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
Commercial samples are shipped to demonstrate goods and promote
purchases.
Samples valued up to $200 USD (about $260 CAD) may enter the Dominican
Republic from Canada exempt from duty and taxes.
The duty and tax exemption is allowed providing:
- The goods are not sold, rented, or leased while in the Dominican
Republic
- The amount of goods entering is appropriate for the display event
- A bond is supplied in the amount of duty and taxes if the sample
were to be imported
- The samples are identifiable when they leave the Dominican Republic
- The samples are only used or supervised by the individual in charge
of them
Commercial Sample Checklist
- A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
- Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the
General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
- The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has
permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Sources:
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/media/2499/402-05_que_aprueba_reglamento_despacho_expreso.pdf
http://demo.aduanas.gov.do/transparencia/files/servicios/Servicios-de-importacion.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Commercial Sample
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Box | Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
| CA | $20.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Commercial Sample
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
Advertising material that is destined for display or demonstration at
an exhibition, trade fair, or similar event may enter the Dominican
Republic as a temporary admission exempt from duty and taxes.
Duty and tax exemption is contingent on the materials being:
- Supervised by the individual employed by the business or trade
- Not sold or traded or leased out
- Unaltered or changed when returned to Canada
- In an amount reasonable for the size of the event
Advertising Material Checklist
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for
Resale' (see sample)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
Sources:
http://demo.aduanas.gov.do/transparencia/files/servicios/Servicios-de-importacion.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Each | Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
| CA | $163.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Promotional Material
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
Equipment may be sent to the Dominican Republic for repair exempt from
taxes. This is providing that the item is re-exported within a
specified period of time.
Items Under Warranty
Items that have been repaired in Canada under warranty will be exempt
from import taxes when the goods are returned to the Dominican
Republic.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Items repaired in Canada that are no longer covered by a warranty will
incur import taxes when they are readmitted to the Dominican Republic.
Sending Product for Repair to the Dominican Republic
Goods for repair may be sent to the Dominican Republic as a temporary
admission and as a result, the repairs will be exempt from import
taxes.
The intent is that the equipment will return to Canada within a
prescribed time period.
Returning Repaired Product to the Dominican Republic
Equipment that has been repaired in Canada may re-enter the Dominican
Republic exempt from import taxes.
Repair Checklist
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General
Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return(see sample)
- Include repair contract with shipment
- Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under
the Detailed Description of Goods section
- Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the
item was first exported to Dominican Republic or exported to Canada (depending on
which case applies)
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Sources:
https://hahnceara.do/wp-content/uploads/NG-02-2019-Que-Regula-el-Proceso-de-Exportaci%C3%B3n-de-Mercanc%C3%ADas.pdf
https://siga.aduanas.gob.do/Descargas/files/leyes/proyectos-legales/proyecto-de-Ley-de-Aduanas-Final-revisado-03-agosto-2012.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Warranty Repair
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Each | Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
| US | $163.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Warranty Repair
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
Temporary importation of goods into the Dominican Republic will be
exempt from importation taxes for a period of up to 90 days. This may
be extended once for an additional 90 days.
Tax exemption is allowed under the following conditions:
- The items are easily identified at their entry and exit from the
Dominican Republic
- The imports are unchanged except for normal wear-and-tear
- A guarantee is provided that covers the amount of duty and taxes as
if the items were to be imported
- The goods are used only when supervised by the individual who is the
organisation's legitimate representative
Temporary imports typically are displayed at meetings, symposia,
seminars, trade fairs, and other exhibitions.
They may also be shipped to:
- Demonstrate products and explain their features
- Advertise goods for sale
- Perform tests on equipment
ATA Carnets
The Dominican Republic does not accept ATA Carnets for temporary
importations of goods.
Temporary Imports Checklist
- Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written
in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
- The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no
repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
- Stay no longer than the period listed above
- Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
- Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received
within the country (whichever applies)
- Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Sources:
https://siga.aduanas.gob.do/Descargas/files/leyes/proyectos-legales/proyecto-de-Ley-de-Aduanas-Final-revisado-03-agosto-2012.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Temporary Imports
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 box | Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
| CA | $1032.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Temporary Imports
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
Sold goods with a maximum value of $200 USD (about $260 CAD) will be
exempt from duty and taxes.
Dominican citizens who purchase items on-line from Canada will have to
register with the Dominican Republic's RUA (Single Customs Registry).
Occasional Shipper
Even if you only ship sold goods occasionally, be aware that your
customers must be registered with the Dominican Republic's Single
Customs Registry (RUA).
Sold goods will be exempt from duty and taxes if the shipment's value
is no more than $200 USD (about $260 CAD).
Regular Shipper
A regular shipper of sold goods to the Dominican Republic should seek
advice from a licenced customs broker in that country.
Sources:
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/faq
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Juan Pablo Duarte
Calle Isabel La Católica
Santo Domingo 10212
Dominican Republic
Phone: +1 809-687-1436 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 15 Each | Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
| CA | $132.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Permanent/Sold
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
