Starting Monday, 12 May 2025, Haiti announced it will be enforcing a new regulation that prohibits the entry of foreign goods through its land border with the Dominican Republic, Diario Libre reports.
The measure, announced by Haiti’s Customs Agency (AGD), has sparked concern among importers, transporters, and traders on both sides of the border. It was initially scheduled to take effect on 7 April but was officially communicated through Circular No. DAJ/BM/AGD/03-25/00479 issued by AGD under instructions from Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Henceforth, all foreign goods transiting through Dominican territory must enter Haiti exclusively via maritime routes for customs processing. Land border crossings between the Dominican Republic and Haiti will no longer accept such cargo starting Monday.
The directive also warns that any foreign goods illegally transported across the land border will be seized. Haitian customs authorities will collaborate with the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces (FADH) to strictly enforce this policy.
While announced in April, the regulation’s actual impact will become evident with its enforcement starting 12 May 2025. Dozens of Haitian importers who relied on Dominican ports as a more efficient entry point for goods will now need to restructure their logistics to use only Haitian seaports.
The decision also severely affects informal trade at binational markets. Haitian traders who regularly cross into Dajabón, Jimaní, or Elías Piña to purchase goods — many of foreign origin but legally introduced into the Dominican market — may face disruptions in their supply chains.
Haitian authorities allege that gang activities linked to cross-border trade with the Dominican Republic generate between US$60 and US$100 million annually for Haitian criminal groups.
In an interview with Haitian radio station Magik9 in April 2025, Haiti’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Alfred Métellus, explained that irregular container flow within Haiti through border crossings like Malpasse allows gang leaders to extort up to US$2,000 per container. With an estimated 3,000 containers crossing monthly, this generates substantial criminal revenue.
“More money goes to criminal activities than to the police,” Métellus stated. “If we want to combat insecurity, we must act on this.”
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Diario Libre
Listin Diario
12 May 2025