How importing to the Dominican Republic works, step by step
Every import follows the same basic path, whether it is one barrel or a full container of inventory. Knowing the steps makes it easier to plan and to spot what could hold your cargo up.
- Quote: tell us the origin, what you are shipping, the approximate weight and dimensions, and the delivery address in the DR. Rates depend on the shipment, so a free quote is the first step.
- Booking: we choose the mode (ocean FCL, LCL, air or RORO) and reserve space with a carrier on a sailing or flight that fits your timeline.
- Pickup or drop-off: the supplier delivers to the departure warehouse or port, or we arrange pickup at origin.
- Documents: the shipper prepares the commercial invoice and packing list; the carrier issues the bill of lading or air waybill.
- Main transport: the cargo travels by ship or plane to a Dominican port or airport.
- Customs clearance: the cargo is declared to the Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA), duties and taxes are assessed, and inspection may be requested.
- Delivery: once released, the cargo is delivered to your home, business or warehouse anywhere in the country.
Shipping modes for imports to the DR
The right mode depends on volume, how fast you need the cargo, and what it is. If you are unsure, our guide on air vs ocean freight explains the trade-offs.
Ocean freight: FCL and LCL
With FCL (full container load) you book a whole 20′, 40′ or 40′ High Cube container. It suits large shipments and lets the container travel sealed from origin to destination. With LCL (less than container load) your cargo shares a container with other shippers, so you pay for the space you use. Read FCL vs LCL shipping or see our ocean freight service.
Air cargo
Air freight is the fastest option for urgent, high-value or lighter cargo such as spare parts, electronics, samples and medical supplies. It is billed by actual or dimensional weight, whichever is greater. See air cargo to the Dominican Republic.
RORO and containerized vehicles
Cars, trucks and machinery can travel roll-on/roll-off (driven on and off the vessel) or inside a container. The DR applies its own rules to imported vehicles, including age limits and duties, so check before you buy. Our guide on how to ship a car to the Dominican Republic and the vehicle shipping service cover the details.
Barrels and boxes
Families sending household goods, clothing and food to relatives often use barrels and boxes. They are consolidated with other shipments and delivered across the country. See barrels and boxes to the DR, or our moving service for a full household move.
Main ports and airports in the Dominican Republic
Choosing the port or airport closest to the final address can reduce inland trucking after clearance.
- Caucedo (Multimodal Caucedo), east of Santo Domingo: a major container terminal close to the capital and the eastern region.
- Río Haina, west of Santo Domingo: a long-established port handling containers, general cargo and vehicles.
- Puerto Plata, on the north coast: convenient for Santiago, Puerto Plata and the Cibao region.
- Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), Santo Domingo: the main air cargo gateway.
- Cibao International Airport (STI), Santiago: for air cargo going to the north.
- Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ): for the east, including Punta Cana, Bávaro and La Altagracia.
Documents you will need
Missing or inconsistent paperwork is the most common reason imports are held. Make sure the description, quantities and values match on every document. Our customs and documents guide and the article on Dominican Republic customs documents go deeper.
- Bill of lading (ocean) or air waybill (air), issued by the carrier.
- Commercial invoice with seller, buyer, a clear description of the goods and their value.
- Packing list with the number of packages, weights and dimensions.
- Consignee identification (cédula, passport or RNC for businesses).
- Permits or certificates for regulated goods, such as some food, medicine, chemicals and agricultural products.
DGA customs basics
Imports are declared to the Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA). Customs reviews the declaration and documents, assigns the tariff classification and assesses import duties and ITBIS based on the type and value of the goods. Some shipments are selected for physical inspection. Duties and taxes depend on the goods, so we cannot quote them in advance without details. Our customs clearance service handles the declaration and follow-up with customs.
What cannot be shipped to the Dominican Republic
Some goods are prohibited and others need permits before they can enter the country. Ask us before you ship anything you are unsure about.
- Weapons, ammunition and explosives without government authorization.
- Illegal drugs and controlled substances.
- Counterfeit or pirated goods.
- Hazardous materials (flammables, compressed gases, corrosives) unless properly declared, packed and accepted by the carrier.
- Cash, perishable food without proper permits, and plants or animals without sanitary certificates.
Approximate transit times
Transit times are approximate and vary by carrier schedule, origin port, weather and customs. As a rough guide, ocean freight from the US East Coast and Florida usually takes days to a couple of weeks port to port, while cargo from Europe or Asia takes several weeks. Air cargo usually arrives within a few days. Clearance and delivery add time on top, so plan with some margin. Check the current lanes on the transit board above or ask for a quote with your dates.
Tips to avoid delays and extra charges
- Send complete, matching documents before the cargo arrives.
- Describe goods specifically, not just "merchandise" or "personal items".
- Ask about permits for food, medicine, cosmetics, chemicals and vehicles before you buy.
- Pack well and label every package with the consignee name and phone.
- Respond quickly to customs questions to avoid storage and demurrage charges.
- Use our freight calculators to estimate volume and dimensional weight.
Delivery anywhere in the Dominican Republic
After clearance we deliver door to door across the country, including Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and La Romana. See our door-to-door shipping service. Exporting as well? See export from the Dominican Republic.