Getting through Customs

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Sora57

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Aug 21, 2012
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Hi,

I'm going to be setting up a computer center in Haiti, but I'm flying through the DR. I've traveled in both countries before, but never with laptops and don't want them to be seized at customs.

I'm more nervous about the DR than Haiti. I checked what the duty tax would be on them and it's over 1000 dollars - which is much more than I'm willing to pay (this is for a charity. We don't have that kind of money).

I guess it might be less if I showed them that the items are in transit (intended for Haiti, not the DR...just passing through) but I don't know how easy it would be to prove that / if the price would go down by very much.

So basically, I'm wondering what the risk of passing through DR customs would be.

Extra Info: I'll be flying through Santo Domingo. I'm a young teenage girl who speaks pretty good Spanish. I'll have a backpack on my back full of the laptops and a bag full of clothes (no more luggage than the average tourist). I'm an American citizen.
 
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SKY

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Apr 11, 2004
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Whatever you do DO NOT volunteer that you have a bunch of laptops. Just keep your mouth shut and go through. If they question you tell them they are all used and belong to you. You fix laptops for a living.
 
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windeguy

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Jul 10, 2004
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Tonto said:
Don't loose your mind! ;-)
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I don't think she will "loose" her mind.:hurt:

Chances are they will not even check your backpack. Don't "lose" your mind over it.

If you see a baggage Porter stepping up to help you, then go along with him and he will get you out of the airport quickly and you can tip him a few hundred pesos. I know that works at some other airports, but not certain about Santo Domingo.
 
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william webster

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Jan 16, 2009
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Good advice Windy..... porters are 'line jumpers' - express lane types , if you will.

All for just 100/200 pesos.

you will loose (sic) less time

Webster's Dictionary
 
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PJT

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Jan 8, 2002
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Documentation

Your concerns will be:

Providing correct and proper documentation that indicate the laptops are meant for charitable use, not for resale, in Haiti. This would include make model and serial number of each laptop, the donor and receiver.

Getting through the TSA screening at origin airport with many laptops as each one will have to be scanned individually.

It may be suggested you contact the closest Haitian and Dominican embassy or consulate near your home location and inquire how to travel to Haiti and have in transit clearance of your goods through the Dom. Rep.

A ?carnet? may be needed for the goods to travel through the DR.


Regards,

PJT
 
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southwardbound2

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Jun 5, 2008
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PJT said:
Your concerns will be:

Providing correct and proper documentation that indicate the laptops are meant for charitable use, not for resale, in Haiti. This would include make model and serial number of each laptop, the donor and receiver.

Getting through the TSA screening at origin airport with many laptops as each one will have to be scanned individually.

It may be suggested you contact the closest Haitian and Dominican embassy or consulate near your home location and inquire how to travel to Haiti and have in transit clearance of your goods through the Dom. Rep.

A ?carnet? may be needed for the goods to travel through the DR.


Regards,

PJT
Click to expand...
i am surprised by this post. The two of us travel regularly to and from DR with 4 laptops, 2 ipads, 2 kindles, 4 cellphones, external hard drives, 2 Bose headsets, camera. Never been asked about any of them.

It may be that crossing into Haiti is another matter, never been.
 
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Casino127

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Jan 13, 2012
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ricky11 said:
you do not say where you are coming from, but there are non stop flights from both ny and mia to pap. might be better to take one of those and by-pass sdq
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The best you should use a PORTER, fast way out without custom, unless a bad trip.....:cool:
 
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Sora57

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Aug 21, 2012
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Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I definitely will have a letter and / or a good excuse in mind, but I'd rather not have things come to that. The tip about the porter is really useful.

Ideally I would fly through Port-Au-Prince, as you said, ricky11, but there is no one to meet me there and I'd rather not be alone with a bag of expensive equipment in that city.
 
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PJT

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southwardbound2 said:
i am surprised by this post. The two of us travel regularly to and from DR with 4 laptops, 2 ipads, 2 kindles, 4 cellphones, external hard drives, 2 Bose headsets, camera. Never been asked about any of them.

It may be that crossing into Haiti is another matter, never been.
Click to expand...

What's is surprising about this post ? The OP noted that the duty tax for the laptop she is bringing is over $1000. So, one can surmise she is bringing very expensive equipment at least. It is better to be prepared with some form of documentation to at least show good intent even if it is not the proper documentation. Also note, the OP is a young woman and would be considered to be taken advantage off by Customs officials. The rule is to be prepared to be surprised by Customs. Just because one has traveled regularly to and from the DR with electronics and never asked by Customs does not mean the goods are exempt from regulation, it suggests more that Customs is nonchalant in its duties. However, the OP has to consider the risk of transporting her electronics and having them seized if someone in Customs decides to be selective with enforcement.

Regards,

PJT
 
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william webster

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Jan 16, 2009
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jabejuventus said:
Who's a looser (sic)?
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Just funnin' w/ the prior spelling error and Windy's gentle push on it.

To the OP

Contacting the Haitian consulate/Embassy is a really good idea... might pave the way for your whole trip.

Its hard to do, mind you - we are trying to do so on another matter and find the labyrinth difficult to navigate.
 
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SKY

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mountainannie said:
I have actually never seen the DR customs people search bags on incoming passengers. Has anyone?
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They have X Ray Machines that they use sometimes, and they have looked in my suitcase once or twice. They don't look too hard though. I personally do not see any problem with bringing in a bunch of laptops. Most likely they will not ever see them. And if they do they are used and belong to him.

Contacting Embassy's and such to me is opening up a can or worms.
 
AlterEgo

AlterEgo

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Jan 9, 2009
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Oh I have. They spread the contents all over a long board - [reminds me of a checkout at a big supermarket in US]. In March they had several suitcases open in different places. They do always seem to be Dominicans though, not regular tourists.

I had it happen to me regularly back in the 70s and 80s, but since then we just walk through. I do the greetings and hand the paperwork, and if they speak Spanish to me I look confused. Then they usually try to speak English. Mr. AE never speaks, he looks down at the bags on the cart and doesn't make eye contact, haha. They wave us through every time.
 
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william webster

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Jan 16, 2009
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Yes, it has happened to me more than once.

In one instance they called the supervisor over to determine if I should be 'dutiable'.
I think it was a telescope in my luggage.

Another time the x-ray machine got me at el Catey.....
it was unusual because I had not one clothing article in the bag - all kitchen stuff.
Actually, that wasn't customs - just that final exit x-ray.

I arrive 4-5 times a year so it doesn't really ahppen a lot.

IMO, POP is the worst - I avoid it when I can
 
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southwardbound2

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Jun 5, 2008
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I wasn't surprised by the OP's post, but by the post I quoted.

PJT said:
What's is surprising about this post ? The OP noted that the duty tax for the laptop she is bringing is over $1000. So, one can surmise she is bringing very expensive equipment at least. It is better to be prepared with some form of documentation to at least show good intent even if it is not the proper documentation. Also note, the OP is a young woman and would be considered to be taken advantage off by Customs officials. The rule is to be prepared to be surprised by Customs. Just because one has traveled regularly to and from the DR with electronics and never asked by Customs does not mean the goods are exempt from regulation, it suggests more that Customs is nonchalant in its duties. However, the OP has to consider the risk of transporting her electronics and having them seized if someone in Customs decides to be selective with enforcement.

Regards,

PJT
Click to expand...
TSA has never required any paperwork.....
 
Luperon

Luperon

Who empowered China's crime against humanity?
Jun 28, 2004
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POP cant be worse than STI where they x ray everything even if you have a porter.


william webster said:
Yes, it has happened to me more than once.

In one instance they called the supervisor over to determine if I should be 'dutiable'.
I think it was a telescope in my luggage.

Another time the x-ray machine got me at el Catey.....
it was unusual because I had not one clothing article in the bag - all kitchen stuff.
Actually, that wasn't customs - just that final exit x-ray.

I arrive 4-5 times a year so it doesn't really ahppen a lot.

IMO, POP is the worst - I avoid it when I can
Click to expand...
 
keepcoming

keepcoming

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May 25, 2011
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I always have used a porter and have not had a problem. They just waive me right through. I did notice on my last trip they were stopping returning Dominican citizens and having them place their bags through the x-ray machine prior to leaving. I didn't have much and could not really find a porter so I grabbed my bags and proceeded on. I guess the "oh he*l no" look on my face helped. I was waived right through, actually told "just go".
 
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zoomzx11

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Jan 21, 2006
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Its a toss up on being searched. In POP they used to ask for a tip to not search the baggage .Right under the sign that said no tipping may be requested. Guess the customs searchers did not read so great. Look like a gringa tourist, use a porter you have an excellent probability of making it through.
 
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