[kertionderf]

I became a temp resident as of March 21, 2012

I would like to buy a few things,(appliances TVs etc.) from USA and have shipped here IF i can take advantage of the residency program that apparently allows duty/tax free receipt of items.

I heard that you only have 6 months window after receiving residency to do this? I s this true ans 6 months to initiate which only leaves me 3ish weeks or must the items be received prior to the 6 month window, whereas I am too late.
Also appreciate any sources for good place to purchase such items(in USA) and what company can deal with the logistics and "duty free" element.

[Teeppoodiug]

Unless things have changed, yes, you only have 6 months to bring in the items.

However, I'm not sure if it's 6 months from temporary or from permanent residency.

[Hpdovoxm]

I believe that this 6 month period is from when you got your provisional/temporary residency, but I am not 100% certain on that. And yes the goods must arrive before your 6 month window is up.

This also begs the question for many people starting residency now since they will have provisional/temporary residency for 5 years under the new regulations before they can apply for permanent residency. The only way it would make sense for them to be granted a shipment duty free would be during the first 6 months of provisional/temporary residency. What sense would there be in having to wait 5 years until you have permanent residency to bring in your items and perhaps a vehicle at no or reduced duty?

Keep in mind that the items you import are not supposed to be brand new, but ones you are moving from your existing home.

[Hpdovoxm]

Dominican Republic


DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Visa's Passport (for Customer and each member of the family) must be at least one year old, otherwise previous passport is required
• Detailed inventory (original in English or Spanish)
• Marriage Certificate (if married)
• Birth Certificate of children living in same house
• Dominican Consular invoice
• In addition to the above documents, foreigners must have the following:
  • Work Permit
  • Customs Bond
  • Residence Visa
  • Work Contract
  • Dominican Residence Card
  • Bank guarantee or affidavit
  • Contracts for house or apartment rental as well as electrical and water service
• All documents must be originals

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• A physical examination is required prior to applying to the Department of Exoneration for clearance of goods
• Only one shipment allowed
• Used household goods duty-free, if used and owned for over two years
• Dominican citizens may be allowed one time exemption if they have lived abroad a minimum of one year

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• All new items (invoices required)
• Duplicate electrical appliances (i.e.. refrigerators, washers, dryers, air conditioners)
• Computer equipment and machinery

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Weapons, ammunition and explosives
• Drugs and narcotics (shipment subject to confiscation if included)
• Pornographic material
• Alcohol and tobacco products must NOT be shipped with household goods, but separately and requires consular documents

MOTOR VEHICLES

• CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• One auto per person
• Autos must be registered/owned by Customer for at least one year
• If Dominican citizen, Customer must have lived abroad a minimum of two years
• Limited to no larger than 2000 cc and maximum of six cylinders
• "Luxury" autos not allowed
• Documents required:
  • Original title must be certified by the Department of Vehicles and legalized by the nearest Dominican Consulate
  • Original of registration for past three years
  • Residence Visa
  • Original Dominican Consular invoice stamped at the nearest Dominican consulate
  • Original Drivers License
  • License Plate
  • Passport
• All documents must be originals

PETS

• Veterinary Certificate issued within 90 days of departure (no quarantine required for dogs and cats)
  • Birds have a quarantine period of 10 days
  
  GENERAL INFORMATION FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
  
  Except diplomatic, military or official shipments that are exempted; all HHG shipment and vehicles are subject to payment of taxes/duties.
  According to the Law 14-93 for HHG, all person moving to the Dominican Republic is permitted to introduce all of the goods that have been in use for two years or more at his residence abroad, for which shipper can obtain an important reduction or full exemption on taxes/duties depending on the criteria of the authorities.
  
  • Law 168 for Automobiles: Always pay taxes, but according to the Law 168, (if applicable) shipper can obtain from 20% to 60% reduction on taxes depending on the time that the auto has been in his legal use, with a minimum of one year. But if automobile is considered luxury is a or model of the current year or if the car has been in possession of the shipper less than one year; regardless the model, make and year, if client cannot apply for the Law 168, would pay full taxes/duties. Autos older than five (5) years of fabrication cannot be imported.
  • To apply the above-mentioned Laws shipper needs to have Dominican residency and not having visited The Dominican Republic for more than 90 days accumulated during the two years before moving. Consignee should be in the country prior the arrival of the goods or automobile, in reason that Customs Authority requires his presence.
  • Foreigners: must possess their Dominican residency.
  • Dominican Citizens: need to present their valid passport and prove that they are legally living abroad.
  
  Taxes/duties: Household goods: In normal conditions, HHG shipments pay taxes/duties, mainly completely new items, and electrical appliances, furniture, etc. Importation of firearms, weapons, ammunitions. Explosives pornographic material, narcotics drug, is absolutely prohibited
  In case of the firearms: Once in Santo Domingo, client must arrange with proper authorities for permit and legal importation, BUT MUST NEVER BE INCLUDED IN HHG SHIPMENT.
  Automobile and HHG clear customs separately regardless if included in same B/L and same container or consular invoice. The Consular Invoice is absolutely necessary to clear out an automobile from customs. If missing, Client will have to pay penalties, demurrage and will have a lot of problems with customs.
  The benefits of the Laws 14-93 and 168 is granted only once for one HHG shipment and one car, if client brings more than one car or HHG shipment will pay full taxes/duties for them after the benefits of the laws has been used.
  In normal conditions, the estimated time for customs clearance under the Laws 14-93 is approximately 15 working days for HHG and 45 working days for cars, after customs physical inspection of the shipment.
  When client pays taxes/duties, shipment is cleared in approximate 5 to 6 working days and doesn't need any of the above-mentioned documents only the Consular Invoice, Original B/L and inventory.
  If client wants to pay all taxes the working time is shorter.
  To obtain the Laws 14-93 and 168, after customs physical inspection of the shipment or vehicle we make an appointment in behalf of the client at the main office of General Direction of Customs, in Santo Domingo City, where client has to personally present his personal documents. In case that shipper lives out of the Santo Domingo City, will have to come to the city at least three times.
  Documents needed for the appointment at General Direction of Customs:
  
  • Copy of marriage Certificate or divorce (whichever applicable)
  • copy of birth certificate for kids
  • original and copy of complete passport
  • *original and copy of the Dominican residencyAnd originals and copies of shipment's documents (B/L, Consular Invoice, titles and registrations for vehicles, etc.)
    Once we have all the above-mentioned documents we accompanied client to his appointment at the General Direction of Customs main office in order to assists him with the procedure.
    This documentation is verified by Customs and, if it is correct, they proceed to apply the Laws and the personal documents will be returned directly to client. After this, is when shipper proceeds to pay the taxes/duties, if applicable, and shipment can clear out from customs.
    Shipping lines only gives 10 to 14 calendar days free of charges since the date of arrival of the container, after that, US$20.00 per day will be charged additionally, including the day when the container is returned empty to the port. Ned Lloyd, Happag Lloyd, CGM, Laser and Hamburg Sud charge US$25.00 per day for the chassis.
    Also there are other charges for T.H.C., Customs inspections fees, Port authorities, etc., that every shipment has to pay additionally by shipper amounting USD 300.00 to USD 400.00.
    The above regulations do not apply to the following shipments: Diplomatic, and military personnel, members of foreign embassies, consulates, United Nations, O.A.S, N.G.O s'
    IF CLIENT DOES NOT HAVE HIS DOMINICAN RESIDENCY WILL PAY FULL TAXES/DUTIES ON HHG AND VEHICLE.
  
  NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, CNN International LLC . cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

[compiit]

Good luck I bet it won't be worth it I have never heard good news about this . maybe the vets here have .....

[Hpdovoxm]

Good luck I bet it won't be worth it I have never heard good news about this . maybe the vets here have .....

I imported a full container (no auto) and don't regret it mainly because I had musical equipment I could never get in the DR. If it was just furnishings it might not be worth it. Others that have said they were happy with the results had very specific items they wanted to bring in (and yes some of those items were brand new).

[Valdoyes]

Definitely worth doing.

If I had it over again, I would do my residency one year and my wife's another year.

There's always something you forget to get.

No problem really - the car involves some running around but the household stuff flies right through.

Shipped Dec 2008 - Arrived Caucedo Jan 2009......... insist on Caucedo, least corruption