Trade Barriers, Including Tariffs, Non-tariff Barriers and Import Taxes:
Taxes and duties for imported goods (agricultural and non-agricultural) are calculated upon the "ad-valorem price," i.e., CIF price in US dollars multiplied by the unified foreign exchange rate (presently US$1.00=RD$18.00). All duties and taxes are collected in Dominican pesos. There are generally three taxes on imports except for those subject to exemptions provided by law.
The taxes are:
A) Tariff: the basic import tax which can be as low as 0 percent and as high as 20 percent. (Dominican tariffs are bound by the WTO to 40 percent for all commodities with eight agricultural exceptions).
B) Impuesto Selectivo al Consumo: a consumption tax for luxury imports; e.g., wine & beer, cigars and cigarettes pay 30 percent. For non-agricultural goods this tax for "non-essential" goods ranges between 10-60 percent. This tax is calculated on the CIF price.
C) Exchange Surcharge or Recargo Cambiario: a 4.75% tax imposed to all imports into the Dominican Republic.
D) ITBIS: a 12% tax on industrialized goods and services (Impuesto de Transferencia a los Bienes Industrializados y Servicios) for processed agricultural goods and all non-agricultural goods which is calculated on the CIF price plus the amount paid for taxes and duties previously mentioned. Many domestic products are exempt from ITBIS by law or practice.
Source of most data: U.S. Dept of Commerce Country Commercial Guide
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