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Anyone else have any details on a law that would limit the import of used clothing from the US? That doesn't sound like it would fit with a free trade agreement.
It's a "fudgy" situation, that of "re-selling" used clothes. There was a law passed recently banning the re-sell of used clothes. This was done in part for a few reasons.
A) Because most of the re-sold used clothes (pacas) in the DR have been actual donations from NGO's and international organizations. Government would like to stop this practice.
B) In order to protect the local textile market. (Debatable)
C) A way to limit the "life" of local markets and basically close them down by default (Pulgas). These local markets are illegal and sprout up in odd places, including under highway overpasses (
La Pulga)
So how do you get around this? Well, one option would be to purchase your clothes, provide proof you purchased them and import them to the DR.
But how do
you fall under the DR-CAFTA? It's going to be hard to do/prove. Why? Partly because the agreement calls for all clothing, that qualifies for exemption, to have of a certain % of its components made in either the DR or US (or CAFTA countries). This has been partly affected by the rise/fall of the Asian textile markets, which forced the US Congress to re-evaluate its policy on DR made clothing in relation to trade.
Figure that this situation is also affected by the participation of the other Cafta countries and Mexico. Also note, that similar trade restrictions have been stipulated under the EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement) signed in 2008 between Caricom (of which the DR is a partial member) and the European Union.
Below is a link to a "semi" final version of the agreement: (
DR-CAFTA)
DR-CAFTA
So unless you can prove your clothes and their origins it's tough imagine your project being exempt.
Some of my info could be correct, or incorrect. It's been a while since I've dealt with this info. If you are serious about this take the links provided and do your due diligence.
Good luck,
Mr. Lu
