Special Customs Regulations

Since 10 January, 2010, we started the SIGA's (Sistema Integrado de Gestion Aduanera) - a Dominican customs automatic system at the Caucedo port.

From the moment of its application, all shipment should be consigned to a customer located in Dominican Republic 
with this new automatic system, for all import cargo it will be mandatory to declare the shipper/ consignee and indicate their tax ID number (RNC Registro Nacional del Contribuyente for Dominican companies), Cedula de Identidad y Electoral (national ID) for Dominican’s citizens and permanent legal resident, or passport number for foreigners. Since we are under regulation BR0169 RCN for local customer already registered on TMS, it is imperative for clients to has a TMS CODE. You are therefore requested to include these details for all import cargo inside your DTX manifest.

Dominican custom authorities require that all shipment charges be duly stamped on bills of lading and declared to their offices.  The noncompliance to this disposition will lead to the payment of a RD$6,000.00 to MSC DOMINICANA, S.A., which will be passed on to the issuing agent.

Split BL's by customs are allowed in the Dominican Republic. 

Since the last Dominican customs meeting held with customs authorities, shippers and freight forwarders on 27 July, 2016, it has been reinforced and made mandatory to have all BLs freighted, except those than have a freight forwarder as CNEE. This measure became mandatory since  fraudulent freight charges were reported to customs authorities. Please do not accept any requirement for un-freighted bills of lading.

No dummy bill of lading will be accepted, as it leads to lateness presenting the correct documentation to customs and the incurring of fines.
Consignee's address & telephone numbers should always be provided, especially when the consignee is a physical person.

Import repositions seal fee: 36.00 $ USD. 

New Import Fee on Collect Charges Effective from 1 February, 2013:

What is demurrage?

Demurrage is the charge applicable, for the use of the containers, inside and outside the terminals.

Demurrage is handled by a 3rd party company known as www.portcollect.com 

What are storage charges?

A storage charge is applicable, after the free time expires, for containers left inside the container yard (for the use of the land).

Demurrage charges through Port Collect  

Our clients can perform the following services through the Port Collect Platform : www.portcollect.com

• Generates account statements.
• Generates Pro forma Bill of Lading.
• Download pending payment bills.
• Issue bills.
• Issue payment receipts.

Demurrage: updated policy 

MSC offers 7 days of Demurrage for standard equipment;  3 free days for special equipment,  and 2 free days for Reefer cargo, calculated from the container’s  arrival date until their empty return to the terminal yard or to an authorised warehouse. After this grace period expires, the payment of the demurrage will be calculated based on the tariff published in MyMSC.com or Port Collect Dominicana SRL.

 

What is VGM?

Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.
 
What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

You must include the following on all VGM instructions: 

• Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
• Container number
• VGM + weight measurement unit (lbs. or kgs.)
• Responsible Party Name 

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

• myMSC (Free of Charge) 

Guidelines for submitting your VGM instructions

• MSC prefers to receive a Shipper-Verified Gross Mass (VGM) before cargo is delivered

SOLAS VGM

MyMSC provides you with access to:

• Submit VGM.
• Upload Verified Gross Mass declaration form for a specific Booking or Bill of Lading number.
• VGM Submission History.
• Search and view previous VGM declaration details.
• Container Tare Weight Search.
• Search for a specific container tare weight.

Questions about VGM?

Contact our MSC Dominican Republic export team at do344-dosdqexports@msc.com.

Import 

• Radioactive materials and /or waste
• Import of used clothing and appliances
  • Customs has strictly prohibited the import of used clothing and appliances, with the application of severe fines to the carrier and/or agency that does not comply with this regulation.
• Import of Automobiles made more than five years from shipment date
  • Customs has strictly forbidden the import of automobiles made more than five years from shipment's date and those that are not capable of circulating in the origin country due to crashes, floods, fires, catastrophes & those denominated "salvages" for being a risk to the public and to an attempt against the health and environment, with the application of severe fines to the carrier and/or agency that does not comply with this regulation.
• It is prohibited the import of right-handed used or new vehicles.
  • ***REMARK***Note that the previously mentioned clauses don't apply to those shippers/consignees that are moving to the Dominican Republic cargo (such as clothes or vehicles) must be declared as personal goods. In case of vehicles, the documentation must reflect that the shipper/consignee has been the owner of the cargo for at least a year. MSC Dominican Republic won’t be responsible for any actions that local customs could take in case vehicle/clothes are not properly declared as personal good (in cases of confiscating cargo, if customs finds that vehicles or clothing were delivered in the Dominican Republic for commercial purposes and declared as personal goods).
• Import of Used Lithium Battery and Metal Scrap
  • Local customs and the Ministry of Environment have prohibited the import of lithium batteries for cellphones and metal scrap, with the application of severe fines to the carrier and/or agency that does not comply with this regulation, the cargo will have to be reexported to POL or any other country.

Export 

• Narcotics 
• Used batteries

General Information 

• Import Arrival Notice - Dominican Republic File includes local regulations for imports, process to be followed to release cargo, documents, certifications, and local requirements.

• Export Notes - File includes local regulations, process to be followed to complete export process, documents, certifications, and local requirements.
• Client form for FFWD - To be filled by Freight Forwarder Companies.
• Client form for BCO -  To be filled by Business Company Owners.

BASC & OEA Certificates

BASC: The Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC) is an international business alliance that promotes secure trade in cooperation with governments and international organizations.
OEA: The Authorized Economic Operator (OEA) is a program that aims to strengthen the security of the foreign trade logistics chain through the implementation of minimum-security standards internationally recognized, in coordination with the private sector.
Customer form:  It Is a requirement of OEA & BASC certification, is a form that our clients must complete for formal registration.