I am visiting the DR for the first time from Aug 4-8 via SDQ and would like to know what items are allowed through customs in general. I want to bring perfume, bath care products, a palm sized S-E translator, CD player, etc. as gifts for a friend, but can not find any reliable info as to what the gift limit is and I would like to know how best to get these past customs without being hassled for a propina or other nonsense.
- Thread starter warrent2
- Start date
Airport Customs Info (Help)
Take all of it out of the box and pretend it's all for personal use.
If they question you, slip them an Abe Lincoln, nothing more is necessary.
If you have 5 boxes of D & G, they may suspect you have alterior motives.
If they question you, slip them an Abe Lincoln, nothing more is necessary.
If you have 5 boxes of D & G, they may suspect you have alterior motives.
Tamborista said:
As would we here as it would be a game to sell for a profit. Load up the suitcase with stuff that looks like it is for you and nobody is the wiser if they even look at all.
All the products you listed should be no problem. I assume you are coming from the states? if so, SDQ shouldn't be any different than anyehere else. I have never had luggage checked upon arrival. DO expect them to check on your departure. If you have something expensive(like a nice camara) make sure you fill out a "declaration form" otherwise they could try and charge a duty upon entering the states.
ggn420 said:
Who looks at departure? There are no customs at all when you leave and only security /agricultural inspections - meaningless X-ray machine and the half-blind security agents who only want to steal gum and batteries.
And their checking when you leave the DR (which they don't apart from the above) isn't anything to do with US Customs. Who are not likely to suspect you bought anything of real value (like a camera) in the DR for less than the USA.
I know when I flew into SDQ a couple of months back, they asked specifically about electrical items on the customs declaration, and their relevant value. I was in possession of a DVD player and a personal use CD player and made it through OK, but I tend to agree with the poster who said to remove itmes from their packaging to reduce suspicion in the event you are stopped. I got searched in PUJ airport last year...I think they are getting suspicious with all the DR stamps in my passport!!! 
Immigration checks you extensivly upon departure. All bags are looked at carefully at PC airport. Customs in the States when you return, are what you need to be concerned with, not Customs on arrival in the DR.ricktoronto said:
Maybe that's a little clearer.
ggn420 said:
Passport control really doesn't look at you terribly exclusively at departure (except for any opportunity to graft for some dough for tourist card overstays) and they certainly do nothing with luggage since the airline already has it and security already x-rayed the carry-on (watch your gum and batteries with thos pirates).
And US Customs of course can and do look but as I said, the likelyhood you were able to find anything both decent and cheaper in the DR vs. Miami or NYC (such as cameras) is so remote, I doubt the US Customs would think of items in your return luggage to be worth a look. Coming back from Hong Kong or Singapore, they'd be a lot more suspicious. Since there is a lot of stuff there to buy at below-US prices.
Since the OP was worried about arriving with some booty the degree of scrutiny by US Customs when you return is not really that relevant to the original question anyway.
My wife(Dominicana) just flew into Santiago airport from Toronto via JFK. She declared the electronics she was bringing (Computer external Hardrive, CD PLAYER, MINI-DISC, mp3,,,etc) She was charged nothing and her bags were not opened. She brought four seventy lb bags filled with gifts of all description and she paid nothing. Now is it because the PLD is now in charge and they have cleaned up the customs or was Yris just lucky;who knows. I've never had a bag opened by Dominican Customs in 8 years of going to the DR. The advice above about saying all the electronics is your personal equipment is sound. Good Luck.
never had a problem
however....twice my friends who are of darker complexion than myself DID have problems on exiting the country (nor entering either).
Tho i have a latino sur name....i am very gringo looking...and get waved thru quickly.
I think the only thing to worry about upon exiting is agricultural products (and perhaps too many bottles of brugal extra vejo). I have never declaired my camera (a nice one) cd player, or Mini Disc...or the like...and have never been questioned.
I think taking things out of their packaging is sound advise tho.
I have a question tho....how many cartons of cigarettes are you allowed to bring back?
however....twice my friends who are of darker complexion than myself DID have problems on exiting the country (nor entering either).
Tho i have a latino sur name....i am very gringo looking...and get waved thru quickly.
I think the only thing to worry about upon exiting is agricultural products (and perhaps too many bottles of brugal extra vejo). I have never declaired my camera (a nice one) cd player, or Mini Disc...or the like...and have never been questioned.
I think taking things out of their packaging is sound advise tho.
I have a question tho....how many cartons of cigarettes are you allowed to bring back?
For the US as a rule, one carton of cigarettes and one quart of liquor are permitted duty free ...
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1171.html
http://travel.state.gov/cgi-bin/swi...=Search!&metaname=swishdefault&sort=swishrank
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1171.html
http://travel.state.gov/cgi-bin/swi...=Search!&metaname=swishdefault&sort=swishrank
Anna, great links.Anna Coniglio said:
The way I read it is that you can bring back up to $400 of anything without paying duty (I don't know what internal revenue tax is). If you are bringing back more than $400 of merchandise, the first 200 cigararettes woud be duty free.
Just to be sure I will ask a customs agent on my next trip and post my findings.
What kind of problems?jrzyguy said:
When exiting the DR, they are only looking for items that are not allowed on airplanes, not for violations of US customs. [As Ricktoronto pointed out, they like confiscating batteries, which are not on the contraband list, but they take nonetheless].
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here is what I have done
over the past three years, I have brought back numerous cartons of cigs, numerous bottles of rum have never had a problem. I decalre my contraband and they let me go. now on to the good stuff, my girlfriend tried to bring a coconut back and got nabbed, And then there is my crazy sister who brought back marijaunia back and I told her I am not bailing her out if she got caught. But she made it. Now she says she will not try that again, good girl.
over the past three years, I have brought back numerous cartons of cigs, numerous bottles of rum have never had a problem. I decalre my contraband and they let me go. now on to the good stuff, my girlfriend tried to bring a coconut back and got nabbed, And then there is my crazy sister who brought back marijaunia back and I told her I am not bailing her out if she got caught. But she made it. Now she says she will not try that again, good girl.
Didn't the OP ask about bringing items (gifts) into the DR?
My experience is that:
My experience is that:
- Usually my bags are never opened
- If it is just a few gifts, they don't bother you
- If the items look like they're for personal use, they don't bother you