There is a wealth of information regarding moving in the DR1 forums. If you use the search option using the keywords: move, moving, customs you will encounter loads of information.
If you are opting to relocate with a reasonable amount of household goods, enough to fill a truck trailer, then it is advisable to ship in an ocean container, a 20' or 40' size, no matter what agent or steamship line is involved. The container can be brought to the loading location, your house or apartment; loaded, secured with a padlock and unique numbered seal or cabled seal lock. There is greater security, less handling, and less opportunity for loss or damage using this method.
When the container arrives at the port of unloading in the D.R. there will be a customs inspection. Check the seal number is the same as at the loading location. It is very advisable you be there when the inspection is performed, bring at least two extra sets of eyes (people) to make sure the inspectors and/or the stevedores-longshoremen inspecting and handling your goods do not make any five fingered investigations of your goods. You should have one person at the container, one person watching the goods being moved from the container to the inspection site, and one person (yourself?) at the inspection site. Note: you have a legal right to be at the inspection location as you are the shippper and receiver (legal owner) of the household goods.
The physical inspection involves the opening of the container, (check the seal number), removing the goods, inspection of the goods, reloading of the container, resealing the container. Make sure all that was removed from the container is returned to the container.
At the end of the inspection and when the goods are reloaded, lock the container, and seal the container with a new and unique number seal. When the entry process is complete you can arrange to have the sealed container delivered to your destination. When at destination check to confirm seal number is same as at inspection.
Note: Keep this in mind, shipping lines allow limited use of their ocean containers, meaning you have a set time in which to receive to container, load it, and have it brought to the origin port. When the container is off-loaded at the destination port there is a set time (free time) allowed to clear the container from the port to go to its destination, unload it, and then to be returned empty to the port. If you go beyond the free time you are responsible to pay a penalty to the steamship line.
Regards,
PJT
