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Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
• Detailed inventory in English or Spanish
• Marriage / divorce certificate, if applicable
• Resident visa (if the owner of the goods is requesting a tax exemption)
• Proof of residence abroad for at least 2 years (returning citizens)
• Commercial invoice (if new furniture and household goods are included in the shipment)
• Diplomatic franchise (diplomats)

Specific Information

• New and used appliances are subject to taxes and duties.
• The owner of the goods’ presence is only required at Customs clearance upon the owner of the goods’ request or if the owner of the goods has a Dominican residence and is requesting an exemption from taxes and duties on used electrical appliances and furniture.
• All shipments are subject to demurrage charges
  • Contact the destination agent for additional information and rates.
• Customs clearance takes approximately 5 days.
• Diplomats may import household goods and personal effects shipments duty free by request from the embassy or consulate at origin through the Dominican Foreign Relations Office.
• Returning citizens having lived abroad for at least 2 years with no more than 180 days stay in the Dominican Republic during that time may qualify for a tax exemption.
• Wood packaging materials must comply with ISPM-15 regulations.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original title / registration
• Original bill of lading
• Purchase invoice

Specific Information

• Diplomats may import motor vehicles duty free.
• Returning residents living abroad for more than 2 years with less than 180 days in the Dominican Republic stay during that time may apply for a partial exemption.
• Vehicles must be less than 5 years old from the date of manufacture.
• Non-motorized bicycles may be imported free of duties if part of the household effects shipment.
• Motorized boats must pay approximately 20% of the purchased price.
• Motorcycles are subject to duties.

Pets

Documents Required

• Rabies vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate

Specific Information

• Birds will be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days.
• Pets may be imported duty free.
• The veterinary health certificate must be issued at origin within 15 days prior to import and indicate that the animal(s) has been free of disease for the 3 months preceding arrival.
• Authorization from the Department of Agriculture and the National Zoo is required for importation.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Live plants (phytosanitary certificate from origin prior to arrival and a permit from the Dominican Agriculture after arrival are required; plants should not be sent as part of the household goods shipment or risk confiscation/destruction upon arrival)
• Alcohol and wine (only small quantities for personal consumption are permitted)
• Food items (only small quantities for personal consumption are permitted)
• Medicines, narcotics, and drugs (a doctor’s prescription is required and are duty free; otherwise, the owner of the goods may face criminal prosecution and penalties or deportation)
• Household goods and new furniture (commercial invoice is required and the items are subject to payment of duties)
• New electrical appliances (subject to duties)
• Firearms (military permit for personal firearms must be obtained in-person after the arrival of the owner of the goods but prior to shipment arrival; the owner of the goods may face criminal prosecution and penalties if unauthorized items are found in the shipment) 
• Appliances, spare parts, and machines (are subject to duties)

Prohibited Items

• Dangerous objects / weapons
• Explosives
• Pornographic and subversive materials
• Illegal drugs

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Cultural and Other Information

Wikipedia Entry for Dominican Republic