DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Eduardo “Yayo” Sanz Lovatón / El Día

The Dominican Republic’s Customs Agency (Aduanas) has announced that the annual Christmas gift exemption, a much-anticipated benefit for the Dominican diaspora, will be increased this year, surpassing the previous limit of $5,000.

Eduardo “Yayo” Sanz Lovatón, the head of the General Customs Agency (DGA), confirmed the news on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. He also informed that the exemption period will officially begin on 1 December 1 and conclude on 15 January 2026.

Thousands of Dominicans residing abroad rely on this “gracia navideña” (Christmas grace) to bring gifts for their families in the country when they travel home for the December holidays. This facility grants them exemptions from paying customs duties (taxes) on certain personal articles brought as gifts.

While the DGA’s Communications Department confirmed the news to...