Do i have to pay customs on computers.

[nako]

Hi,
i am a student here and this christmas i want to bring down a new desktop computer,it would be great if anyone can tell me if i have to pay any customs charges or any other taxes at the airport.
thanks.

 

[Loren]

No

No, they eliminated the Computer tariffs. There is some small tax of around one percent that remains but if it is in your personal luggage and you are coming down with it for Christmas the chances are they won't bother you. Tell them it's a gift.

 

[Eddy]

Re: YES

If you have the knowledge, take it a part and leave the case at home. Put the rest in you bags. You can get a new case here cheap. As for the monitor, a flat one should fit in you bags or there again buy one here. They will charge you mucho for your computer if you bring it in a box.

 

[azb]

Re: YES

Not true. My friend has brought in 2 PC in case and paid only a few hundred pesos pocket change as compared to what they were charging a few months ago.
I believe, now they won't even charge you that.
However, you are right, I did bring in my PC in pieces and paid "zero".

 

[Gerd]

Re: YES *DC*

 

[Gerd]

Re: Complete answer

I had a laptop send over by FedEx and was charged 5% of the value of the included bill by dominican customs.
Quite cheap I think.

 

[US Expat]

Re: Complete answer

My company just FedExed me a new laptop to replace the one I have. We get new laptops every 3 years. It cost me RD$10,600. Value of new laptop was $4,200.

 

[azb]

Re: wow, you got ripped off my friend! *DC*

 

[Jim Hinsch]

Re: Complete answer

I believe that was the Central Bank Exchange fee of 5% of US$4200 x 3 laptops = US$620 = about RD$10,600. I paid 5% in July 2000. I think the exchange fee has now been lowered to 1.5% and will eventually be eliminated.

There is also an additional and separate tax called ITBIS (Tax on the Transfer of Industrialized Goods and Services, aka, value added tax), calculated on the cost of the item plus insurance, shipping, and other import taxes, aka, CIF (cost-insurance-freight) + import taxes.

ITBIS, being calculated on an amount that includes import taxes, is sort of like a tax on a tax. ITBIS used to be 8% of the combined CIF and other import taxes.

These are above and beyond any import taxes. I have been unable to locate the current ITBIS, exchange commission, and other import tax rates. They seem to change so frequently that even the customs employees don't always have it correct or charge the official rates.

At this point, I can't be sure whether the exchange fee, ITBIS fee, and/or import duites apply to computers, let alone the current rates.

 

[Andy B]

Re: YES

According to a news item from DR1 some months ago and VERIFIED by my Dominican friend who is the top research analyst at the DR's top financial lobbyist and advisor to the government regarding many financial tarriffs, taxes, etc., there is NO import duty on computers. It had been 2 %.

As a matter of fact, we returned to the DR several days ago with DECLARED electronics in our luggage and carrying my new laptop, and were waved right through. We did get the form and paid the doc stamps when we went out with the electronics (they were taken back to the states for repair) in case we were questioned when we came back. No problem whatsoever.

 

[Duarte]

Take a laptop instead if you can. That way you can take it as a carry-on and should be able to get through w/o much hassle. I've taken mine a couple of times, and never even been asked about it.

 

[Jan]

i brought my computer with me and they didnt even open the box to look in it. i just packed it in an extra large tote and when i got to the line they said american and let me through.but if you have a dog you have to get a visitors visa for it!!!LOL!!!

 

[Eddy]

Best suggestion yet. With a laptop (Really fast ones available) you don't have to worry about electrical problems etc.

 

[DR1]

Re: Complete answer

Exchange fee was lowered to 4.75%. Not much optimism it will be lowered more because the government is grappling for cash to pay for foreign financing it is taking on.

Computers no longer pay the ITBIS tax.

 

[Jim Hinsch]

Re: Bottom line on computer import?

Does that mean the bottom line is computer imports are charged 4.75% of the value - no ITBIS, no Import Taxes, just the exchange fee?