Import Duties

I am considering buying a VCR or DVD in the US and having it shipped to the DR. How much (approx.) should I expect to pay in customs duties? What is the best way to do it? Also, would I be charged for having my personal posessions shipped here too? Any help or advise greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Dave,

The import duties are determened by catagory.
Normaly it is between 10% and 35% of the CIF value, that is the value of the goods + freight + Insurance
On top of that you will have to pay the 8% DR sales tax

The excact % will depent on the product catagories.

You will find more info on the US Census web site
I have included the link below.

However if you bring it yourself than it's usualy much easier, just keep some green back's ready for the Custom agent.

Good luck,

Oberon

See <A HREF="http://www.amcham.org.do/laws/customs.html">http://www.amcham.org.do/laws/customs.html</A>.

Finished goods are generally taxed at 30% the cost of the item, shipping, and insurance. Then there is an 8% tax and a 5% Customs Exchange Fee, bringing the total to 43%. There are also a few other small fees involved.

Search the archives message <A HREF="http://www.dr1.com/board/archive/index.cgi?read=22360">http://www.dr1.com/board/archive/index.cgi?read=22360</A> for my experience in January 2000 with shipping/importing to the DR.

Jim Hinsch
JimHinsch@CSI.COM

Hey Dave
My wife and I, are moving to the D.R. soon and we were told that to release a computer (without the residency permit) would cost us USD 650.00 !!! Obviously, I don't know if it's negotiable. Apparently the New-York embassy can give you a clear picture of the costs involved...(If you get their adress can you pass it on please !)
If we would have known we would have bought all our "stuff" down there...

Gentlemen

If you are arriving on a charter flight into Puerto Plata, the customs doors open and everyone walks out with their bags UNLESS it is in a cardboard box which the customs must open by law, HOWEVER, if you arrive on a regular flight then you have a chance of your bags being opened, but a lot of the times there is a charter flight at the same time and if you are a gringo (non-dominican) you can also walk out the 'visitors' charter flight door. Wearing tourist clothes helps and most 'gringos' I know have brought in many items as long as it fits in a suitcase. A rolling hardsided one is best for packing stereos/computers and such. You can enter 5 or 10 times without ever having your bag searched. I am not sure about landing in SAnto Domingo, it is a much more chaotic entry.