The Customs Department (DGA) has decided to apply Decree No. 402-05 which establishes strict controls on the import ant export operations of companies grouped in the Dominican Association of Courier-Electronic Mail Companies (Asodec). According to a report in Diario Libre, Customs director Miguel Cocco said that these companies do not only transport commodities but also undervalue and sell them. Yesterday, Asodec published a communique in which it apologized to its clients for the late delivery of merchandise caused by the retentions made by the Customs Department. Customs decided that as of next Friday these companies would only be allowed to operate at Las Americas International Airport once the new control system designed by the department at a cost of US$35 million is in operation. The new system establishes a random verification of merchandise, a ban on contact between Customs employees with the companies, the mandatory photographing of imported and exported merchandise for immediate entry into their computer system. Also, the importer must make a sworn statement that the declared value is real. Cocco said Asodec was informed of the new system six months ago but their members never responded even though they had until 15 September to make suggestions.
El Caribe reports that it froze the import and export operations of courier companies that had been evading taxes and incurring in irregularities in the management of merchandise that enters the country. Cocco said that none of these companies would be able to import or export merchandise through the different terminals until next Friday when operations would be concentrated at the Las Americas International Airport. This will later be extended to other airports. He informed that the 16 largest courier companies in the country are being audited by a team of 64 customs auditors. He declared that these companies had become disloyal competitors with importers who pay all their taxes. Yesterday, the different companies published a letter informing their clients that international express transport services were paralyzed due to work being done by the Customs Department. The letter was signed by Aeromensajeria, Aeropap, Business Mail, CPS, DHL, EPS, FEDEX, IBC, Jet Pack, P.O. Box Internacional, Quisqueyana Express, RD Multiservices, Rell Express, Taino Express, Translogic, UPS and Vimenpaq.
According to Listin Diario, Cocco explained that only companies that make their customs declarations transparent would be allowed to operate and that is why he has concentrated all operations at Las Americas International Airport as from next Friday. He said that the situation was so serious that there were 300 private couriers operating illegally in the different ports and airports in the country.