Dominican Republic: Import (product-based)

Plants and plant products (general)

A phytosanitary certificate is required for the import of certain plants, plant products, planting material, fruits and vegetables. This certificate should state that the products are free from disease and free of any genetically modified organisms.

A "no objection to import" permit is required for the import of plant material and fresh produce. It is available from the Plant Health Division of the Secretariat of Agriculture. Consular legalization may be required.

Certain protected products are regulated and require prior approval from the Agricultural and Livestock Promotion Committee at the Secretariat of Agriculture. These include sugar, rice, beans, onions, garlic, and potatoes.

Special regulations apply to certain agricultural products.

Special regulations apply to seeds.

Fruit may be imported only from countries free of fruit flies. Fruit shipments may only enter via certain ports and must be shipped in refrigerated containers.

Agricultural products may be inspected upon entry.

Rice, sugar, garlic, beans, onions may be subject to tariff rate quota and require an import license.

Diseased and/or unhealthy plants, plant products and seeds are prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-10-19)

Plants and plant products, including seeds, for use as food

Certain protected products are regulated and require prior approval from the Agricultural and Livestock Promotion Committee at the Secretariat of Agriculture. These include sugar, rice, beans, onions, garlic, and potatoes.

Rice, sugar, garlic, beans, onions may be subject to tariff rate quota and require an import license.

Fruit may be imported only from countries free of fruit flies. Fruit shipments may only enter via certain ports and must be shipped in refrigerated containers.

(Last updated on 2011-10-19)

Animals and animal products (general)

A "no objection to import" permit is required for the import of animal products. It is available from the Livestock Department-Animal Health Division of the Dominican Secretariat of Agriculture.

A health certificate is required for many live animals, embryos and semen, as well as animal products. This certificate may require consular legalization. Requirements concerning what needs to be included on the certificate may vary by animal. Consult with importer for exact requirements.

Poultry must be certified as Grade B (or better).

Milk and poultry require prior approval from the Agricultural and Livestock Promotion Committee at the Secretariat of Agriculture. Milk, milk powder and poultry products may be subject to tariff rate quota and require an import license.

Veterinary products should be registered with the Secretary of State of Agriculture and may require a free sale certificate.

A special permit is required for lard.

(Last updated on 2011-10-19)

Animals: Live

A certificate of origin may be required.

A health certificate is required for many live animals, animal products, embryos and semen. This certificate may require consular legalization.
Requirements concerning what needs to be included on the certificate may vary by animal.
Consult with Dominican importer for specific requirements.

(Last updated on 2011-10-19)

Animal products: Dairy

Milk and milk powder may be subject to tariff rate quotas and require an import license.

(Last updated on 2011-10-19)

Animal products: Meat

General requirements for shipping meat and meat products:

• For importation, meat shipped fresh or frozen requires specified inspection and health certification (e.g., a meat inspection certificate) issued by the government of the country of export. Meat must be free of filth, and must be deemed fit for consumption by health officials in the destination country before release for distribution. Meat that 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. Such prohibitions vary and are subject to change on very short notice.
  Important: Some countries have additional protected species that are not listed.
• Transportation: Meat that is temperature controlled cargo (either chill or freeze) must arrive in the destination country with its specified temperature range maintained throughout its transportation. Meat that arrives outside of that temperature range, or that has not been maintained continuously at the specified temperature, or that has spoiled, as determined by health officials in country of import, will be condemned. It must then be destroyed, or else downgraded (e.g., limited to animal consumption, or requiring treatment to kill bacteria before distribution).
• Terrorist threat to food supply: Many nations have implemented measures to protect their 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 2012-05-17)

Animal products: Poultry

Poultry products may be subject to tariff rate quotas and require an import license.

(Last updated on 2011-10-19)

Endangered species

This country is a member of CITES.
Certain endangered species of plants and animals (and/or items made thereof) may be prohibited or require specialized permits or certificates.
For more detailed information check Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

(Last updated on 2012-04-10)

Food products (general)

Rice, sugar, garlic, beans, onions, poultry meat, milk and milk powder may be subject to tariff rate quota and require an import license.

All food products must be registered at the Public Health Secretariat (SESPAS) and must include a certificate of free sale, the manufacturer's label indicating qualitative and quantitative information, a copy of the letter of assignment or contract with the importer, registration fees, and product samples.

Canned foods must meet standards.

Labeling: Required food labels [in Spanish or with Spanish translation attached] must contain the following information:

• Specific product name (not generic)
• Ingredients, including additives, listed in descending order, by weight
• Quantity
• Name and address of importer, exporter, producer, wholesaler or retailer
• Country of origin
• Lot number
• Expiration date (and "Best before" date, where applicable)
• Instructions for use and storage

Additional information may be required, depending on product. If food has been irradiated, it must be indicated on the label. Labels for foods containing cyclamates must state the following: "ESTE PRODUCTO CONTIENE CICLAMATO. Usese exclusivamente por prescripcion y bajo vigilancia de un medico."

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Food products: Processed/prepared food

All food products must be registered at the Public Health Secretariat (SESPAS) and must include a certificate of free sale, the manufacturer's label indicating qualitative and quantitative information, a copy of the letter of assignment or contract with the importer, registration fees, and product samples.

Canned foods must meet standards.

Labeling: Required food labels [in Spanish or with Spanish translation attached] must contain the following information:

• Specific product name (not generic)
• Ingredients, including additives, listed in descending order, by weight
• Quantity
• Name and address of importer, exporter, producer, wholesaler or retailer
• Country of origin
• Lot number
• Expiration date (and "Best before" date, where applicable)
• Instructions for use and storage

Additional information may be required, depending on product. If food has been irradiated, it must be indicated on the label. Labels for foods containing cyclamates must state the following: "ESTE PRODUCTO CONTIENE CICLAMATO. Usese exclusivamente por prescripcion y bajo vigilancia de un medico."

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Pharmaceuticals (general)

All pharmaceuticals and cosmetics should be registered with the government and require an import license. A free sale certificate is also required.

Labels for pharmaceuticals must include product name (chemical name and commercial name); manufacturer name and address; formula; registration number. If prescription is required, the following must appear on the label: "Uso segun indicacion del medico."

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Cosmetics

Cosmetics and skin care products require an import license.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Chemicals and chemical products (general)

Agro-chemicals require an import license.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Fertilizers (general)

Agro-chemicals and fertilizers require an import license.

Registration with the Secretariat of Agriculture is required for agro-chemicals.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Pesticides, insecticides, fungicides

Insecticides and fungicides must have instructions on the label. If a product is poisonous, it must be indicated on the label.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Machinery and appliances (general)

Used electrical appliances are prohibited.

Heavy machinery is restricted.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Machinery and appliances: Electrical (line-powered)

Used electrical appliances are prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Machinery and appliances: Telecommunications equipment, radios, TVs, and RF devices

Generally applicable import requirements for telecommunications equipment:

• Appliances that are connected to line power typically require testing and safety certification by an independent laboratory recognized by destination (import) country. There are also safety standards on batteries, particularly rechargeable batteries, that are shipped included in such devices.
• There are two concerns regarding emissions, which also require testing and safety certification by an independent laboratory recognized by destination (import) country:
• Radio frequency interference (RFI): even radios and TV receivers emit weak signals that can interfere with other devices; transmitters, including very low power devices (e.g., cell phones, portable phones) can also cause interference. There are international and/or national standards limiting spurious radio frequency emissions.
• TVs and computer monitors employing cathode ray tube emit very low level gamma radiation, and are subject to maximum radiation standards. (LED and plasma screens, which have all but replaced CRT TVs, do not emit gamma radiation).
• Labeling for point of sale packaging varies by import country, but typical requirements include:
  • Product description
  • Origin country
  • Certifications as to safety, RFI, possibly radiation
  • Warnings: Require safety warnings concerning shock, and radiation if gamma radiation is emitted
  • General consumer product labeling requirements, such as required language(s), name of manufacturer or distributor and how to contact
  • Intellectual property (IP) protection; counterfeit and mis-branded products prohibited
• Gray market goods restrictions may be in place. Importer may have to provide evidence of right to distribute within country of import, and such documentation should be provided before exportation.
• Some countries now require recycling instructions on these types of products.

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 2012-05-14)

Vehicles (general)

Motor vehicles over five years old are prohibited.

Heavy automobiles are restricted.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Textiles and Apparel: Used wearing apparel and textile products

Used clothing is prohibited.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Media containing data, including books

Printed matter (pamphlets, booklets, etc.) is generally duty-free.

(Last updated on 2011-10-24)

Advertising materials, product manuals

Printed matter (pamphlets, booklets, etc.) is generally duty-free.

(Last updated on 2011-06-20)

Artwork, antiques, cultural artifacts and collectors items

As a member of UNESCO this country is a signatory of the World Heritage Convention, which defines the kind of natural or cultural sites that are to be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List. By signing this Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the World Heritage sites situated on its territory, but also to protect its national heritage.

Illicit Export of Works of Art under the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act allows for stolen objects to be seized if there is documentation of it in a museum or institution of a state party and issues of world cultural and natural heritage are affected.

The UNIDROIT (International Institute for the Unification of Private Law) Convention on Stolen or Illicitly Exported Cultural Objects of 1995 calls for the return of illegally exported cultural objects.

For reference contact: UNESCO Headquarters: 1, rue Miollis; F-75732 Paris Cedex 15; France; tel: +33 145 681000; fax: +33 145 671690

(Last updated on 2012-04-30)

Other products with special import requirements or restrictions

Veterinary products may require a certificate of free sale.
Registration with the Secretariat of Agriculture is required.

Test certificates issued by recognized international testing shops must accompany all shipments of galvanized tubing.

(Last updated on 2012-04-30)