Dominican Republic

Specific Information

Shipper presence: The shipper's presence is not required during shipment inspection unless the shipper requests it, or the shipper has Dominican residency and is applying for an exemption from taxes and duties on used electrical appliances and furniture.

Demurrage charges: All shipments without exception must pay demurrage charges for use of the container, including storage at the port/airport/warehouse, fumigation fee, and marine line charges.

Works of art and antiques: Require a commercial invoice and packing list with pictures if shipped separately. No additional documents required if included as part of the household goods shipment.

ISPM 15: Wood packaging materials must comply with ISPM 15. Heat treatment (HT) to a minimum core temperature of 56°C for 30 minutes, or fumigation with methyl bromide (MB) at a minimum temperature of 10°C for a minimum 16-hour exposure. The mark must be visible, legible, permanent, in black ink (not red or orange), on at least two opposite sides. Labels and adhesives are not allowed.

Currency: Dominican peso (DOP). Approximately 1 USD = 60 DOP.

Duties & Taxes

Partial tax exemption (Law 146-00): Both foreigners and returning Dominican residents who have been outside the country for more than 2 years with less than 180 days visited to the Dominican Republic during that time may apply for Law 146-00 to obtain a partial reduction of taxes and duties on used household goods. The Dominican Republic resident permit is not necessary for the basic importation of household goods, but is required to apply for the Law 146-00 tax reduction. The exoneration is partial, not full.

Taxes on appliances: New and used electric appliances are subject to taxes and duties. Electrical appliances must have serial number and brand declared on the inventory.

New furniture and household goods: Require a commercial invoice and are subject to full payment of duties.

Inheritances: Subject to payment of duties (same documents as removal goods plus inheritance documentation).

Wedding trousseaux: Duty-free entry, same documents as removal goods plus marriage certificate.

Carpets: Subject to payment of duties even if part of household goods.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original bill of lading
• Original title of ownership
• Vehicle registration
• Commercial invoice

Specific Information

Vehicle age limit (5 years): The year of manufacture of the vehicle cannot be older than 5 years; otherwise, customs will forbid its importation. This is strictly enforced.

Taxes and duties: Non-diplomatic vehicles are subject to taxes and duties. These can be substantial.

Partial exemption (Law 168): Returning residents who have been outside the country for more than 2 years with less than 180 days in the Dominican Republic at the time of the vehicle's arrival can apply for Law 168 to obtain a partial exoneration. The owner must have owned the vehicle for more than 1 year. Foreigners with Dominican citizen status who meet the same residency-abroad criteria may also apply.

Diplomats: May import motor vehicles duty-free.

Non-motorized bicycles: May be imported free of duties if included as part of the household effects shipment.

Motorboats: Subject to taxes even if used. Per the IAM guide, motorized boats must pay approximately 20% of the purchased price.

Motorcycles: Subject to duties.

Contact the destination agent before shipping any vehicle. The FIDI guide explicitly states: "Please always telex your destination agent before shipping motor vehicles for shipping instructions."

Driving: Driving is on the RIGHT-hand side of the road.

Pets

• ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip (no other form of identification is acceptable per PetRelocation) Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• Rabies vaccination certificate: vaccination must be administered between 30 days and 12 months prior to arrival; the certificate must state the microchip number, date of inoculation, product name, serial number, and validity period Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• Veterinary health certificate issued within 15 days of travel by a licensed veterinarian Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• For U.S. origin: the health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• The health certificate must include: owner's name and address, complete identification of the animal (name, breed, sex, color, age, microchip/tattoo number), vaccines applied, vermifuge treatments, and external parasite control Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• The health certificate must certify the animal was examined within 72 hours of departure and found free of infectious or contagious diseases, and treated against external and internal parasites Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• The health certificate must confirm the animal comes from an area free of severe illness for the preceding 3 months Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• Per BringFido, the health certificate must be certified by the Agriculture Department of the originating state and apostilled by the state government (for U.S. origin) Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• For birds: import permit required from the Director of Livestock (Dirección General de Ganadería) Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:
• For other animals (not dogs/cats): authorization from the Department of Agriculture and National Zoo required; the kind of animal must be advised in advance Per PetTravel.com (February 2026), USDA APHIS, BringFido, PetRelocation, and the Puerto Plata government portal:

Ports of entry for pets: Pets entering by air should arrive via international airports in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Samaná El Catey, or Punta Cana.

48-hour advance notification: Importers should notify veterinary officials of their pet's arrival 48 hours ahead of time to allow for inspection.

No quarantine for dogs and cats: Pets are not quarantined if they meet all requirements. Birds are quarantined for a minimum of 10 days.

Pets may be imported duty-free.

Inspection fee: Animal Control at the arrival airport must release the pet and check documents upon arrival for an additional fee.

CDC high-risk rabies country: The Dominican Republic IS on the U.S. CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. This is critically important for anyone planning to return to the United States with a dog after living in the Dominican Republic. Per PetTravel.com, U.S.-vaccinated dogs returning from the DR must have: (1) a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Form completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before departing the U.S. (this form cannot be issued retroactively), and (2) a completed CDC Dog Import Form. Some airlines have stopped flying dogs to the U.S. from high-risk rabies countries including the DR. Source: CDC High-Risk Countries List — verified 200.

Common mistakes: Not obtaining the health certificate apostille (for U.S. origin). Not notifying veterinary officials 48 hours before arrival. Not having the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form completed before leaving the U.S. (required for return). Assuming the health certificate from origin is valid for 30 days when the Dominican Republic requires it within 15 days.