Dominican Republic: Export (product-based)

Endangered species

The European Union Wildlife Trade Regulation, Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 effective June 1, 1997, provides protection to wild animals and plants currently or likely to become threatened by international trade.

It enforces CITES Regulations (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), Secretariat: International Environment House; 11; Chemin des Anémones; CH-1219 Verniers-Châtelaine; Geneva, Switzerland; tel: +41 22 917 8139, and +41 22 917 8140, fax: +41 22 797 3417; email: info@cites.org
within the EU and provides additional measures for the conservation of species in trade. This regulation also is to cope with the abolition of internal border controls within EU countries and to enforce more strict trade control measures at the Community's external borders.

(Last updated on 2012-03-29)

Animal products: Meat

• In general, meat shipped fresh or frozen requires specified inspection and health certification (e.g., meat inspection certificate) issued by the government of the country of export is required for importation. Meat must be free of filth, and must be deemed fit for consumption by health officials in destination country before release for distribution. Meat which has been processed and packaged in such a way as to prevent spoilage during distribution, is subject to generally applicable requirements for importation of processed foods.
• Endangered species: Meat from animals protected under CITES may not be shipped for commercial purposes. In addition, particular countries may prohibit importation of particular species of meat and/or importation of meat from particular countries due to concerns over disease, with such prohibitions varying and subject to change on very short notice. Important: Some countries have additional protected species that are not listed.
• Particular countries may prohibit importation of particular species of meat and/or importation of meat from particular countries due to concerns over disease, with such prohibitions varying and subject to change on very short notice.
• Transportation: Meat is that is temperature controlled cargo (either chill or freeze) must arrive in the destination country with its specified temperature range maintained throughout the transportation. Meat which arrives out of temperature range, or that was not maintained continuously at specified temperature, or has spoiled as determined by health officials in the country of import, will be condemned, requiring destruction, or else downgraded (e.g., limited to animal consumption, or requiring treatment to kill bacteria before distribution).
• Terrorist threats to food supply: Many nations have implemented measures to protect its human and animal food supply from terrorist sabotage. These measures may require pre-importation registration of the supplier, packer and/or supplier, additional supplier documentation and notice of each shipment within a specified time period prior to shipment and/or importation.

(Last updated on 2012-03-29)

Cosmetics

Exporters should be aware that cosmetics are import-regulated in many countries with respect to:

• Safety: A typically required import admissibility document is a free sale certificate or equivalent issued by the government or a recognized chamber of commerce in the country of export.
• Some countries ban use of certain ingredients in cosmetics.
• Labeling: Ingredients must typically be listed on label along with safe application and use, known health risks and symptoms which indicate discontinuance of use or medical attention, and general consumer goods labeling requirements (e.g., required language(s), name of manufacturer or distributor and contact information).
• Intellectual property: Counterfeit items and/or labeling is against the law and will often result in seizure by customs.
• Gray market goods restrictions: Importer may have to provide evidence of right to distribute within country of import and such documentation should be provided before exportation.

For these reasons it is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer before concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

(Last updated on 2012-03-29)

Textiles, apparel and other textile articles (general)

Textiles and textile articles to be exported must generally meet the following criteria:

• Sanitary condition: Must be free of filth and insects
• Used textile products may be restricted or prohibited.
• Labeling: Varies by import country, but typical requirements for apparel and certain other manufactured products:
  • Fiber content
  • Origin country
  • For consumer and general distribution end-items, required language(s), name of manufacturer or distributor and how to contact, care & cleaning instructions.
• Intellectual property issues: Counterfeit labeled goods are generally prohibited and subject to seizure by customs.
• Gray market goods restrictions: Importer may have to provide evidence of right to distribute a particular brand within country of import, and such documentation should be provided before exportation.

For these products it is very important for an exporter to check requirements with a prospective importer before concluding the product sale and certainly before shipping product.

(Last updated on 2012-03-22)