This thread could have been started in several different sections, however, I chose this one because this seems to be the one where most questions are asked about importing major items from the US or elsewhere.
The following is taken from the June, 2002, issue of the publication of the Seven Seas Crusing Association (SSCA), an organization of about 5000 members, many of whom are or will be cruising the Caribbean.
"Do any SSCA members have words of wisdom concerning dealing with Dominican Republic Customs? FedEx is trying to retrieve my $2,000 inflatable dinghy from Customs to ship it back to West Marine for me. They stated that they could do this, but it has now been a month with Customs refusing to release it. It is being shipped back to West Marine in Florida because I refused to pay the $1,250 Custom fee they wanted to charge me when I tried to pick it up in Santiago, DR."
For the benefit of those who might not fully understand, the author of this item in the SSCA Bulletin and his wife are visiting the Caribbean on their sailboat. Since there are very few marinas in the Dominican Republic or elsewhere in the Caribbean, cruising sailors live on their boat at anchor and travel back and forth between shore and the boat by dinghy. The inflatable type is prefered because it is easier to manage and store on the boat.
Apparently the writer needed to replace his dinghy so chose to order one from West Marine. Having pesonally lived on a sailboat in the Caribbean I know how essential it is to have a dinghy.
People thinking about importing furniture, cars, horses or what have you should consider this sailor's experience.
The following is taken from the June, 2002, issue of the publication of the Seven Seas Crusing Association (SSCA), an organization of about 5000 members, many of whom are or will be cruising the Caribbean.
"Do any SSCA members have words of wisdom concerning dealing with Dominican Republic Customs? FedEx is trying to retrieve my $2,000 inflatable dinghy from Customs to ship it back to West Marine for me. They stated that they could do this, but it has now been a month with Customs refusing to release it. It is being shipped back to West Marine in Florida because I refused to pay the $1,250 Custom fee they wanted to charge me when I tried to pick it up in Santiago, DR."
For the benefit of those who might not fully understand, the author of this item in the SSCA Bulletin and his wife are visiting the Caribbean on their sailboat. Since there are very few marinas in the Dominican Republic or elsewhere in the Caribbean, cruising sailors live on their boat at anchor and travel back and forth between shore and the boat by dinghy. The inflatable type is prefered because it is easier to manage and store on the boat.
Apparently the writer needed to replace his dinghy so chose to order one from West Marine. Having pesonally lived on a sailboat in the Caribbean I know how essential it is to have a dinghy.
People thinking about importing furniture, cars, horses or what have you should consider this sailor's experience.