Getting items trough Customs at POP

19POSTS

7 years ago

I am doing some remodeling and am looking to bring back a suitcase filled with ceiling lights and switches and a kitchen sink faucet. Am I going to get hassled in customs? Is this something I should declare and pay an import tax? Any experiences with this?

Thanks,

Kevin

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planner Dominican Republic Expert

17771POSTS

7 years ago

Reality again is no one will care. Keep it under us 200 in value per person. If asked or checked a small propina goes a long way.

DominicanadaMike ViP

1051POSTS

7 years ago

It's all about you, nothing to do with customs.聽 I just came through with 4 suitcases full, VIP, no questions no issues, no problem.聽 Your case could be completely different, again depending on you.

1 member reacted to this post

GuestPoster38 Guest

0POSTS

7 years ago

Only been there once, but customs thru Santo Domingo was a breeze.

Just don't overdo.聽聽Bring back reasonable amounts each trip, you'll get to your goal.聽

Expatrusher

gotrogang Member

19POSTS

7 years ago

Thank you

gotrogang Member

19POSTS

7 years ago

Thanks

1 member reacted to this post

the tinker40 ViP

1236POSTS

7 years ago

Always be covert , never overt when it is apparent that a propina may ease the process.聽 A smile & calm,quiet demeanor will enable you to garner a smile in return. They may refuse the offer, but never report the attempt. Just never overdo your value to an obvious extent. I'm not suggesting that you break the law, heaven forbid such a thing.聽 I wink quite often, such as now.

gotrogang Member

19POSTS

7 years ago

Cdndreamer Member

14POSTS

7 years ago

I have been bringing stuff through PUJ for the last three years, Lights, toaster oven, vacuum cleaner, printer, you name it. I even brought down 7 six foot outdoor roller blinds in a ski bag. Customs looked at that one and I just said I had a condo, he laughed and let me through. Any guests I have coming down are required to bring an extra suit case which I pack for them (lol).

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Cdndreamer Member

14POSTS

7 years ago

#10

Oh, and all the power tools I needed

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17771POSTS

7 years ago

#11

Thanks for my morning giggle!聽 I have a vision of that bag in customs!

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Cdndreamer Member

14POSTS

7 years ago

#12

Yeah, they don't see many ski bags in the DR!

1 member reacted to this post

gotrogang Member

19POSTS

7 years ago

#13

I like it.... thanks for the info, it鈥檚聽 exactly what I鈥檓 looking to do.

gcvt Active member

34POSTS

7 years ago

#14

Stupid newbie question alert!

Could you buy a plane ticket including travel insurance, show up at the US airport, check in multiple heavy bags, pay the baggage fees, "get sick", go home, have the bags flown to POP airport without you and make arrangements for someone to retrieve them for you, get your airfare refunded via the travel insurance, and then fly down a few days later to retrieve your belongings?

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17771POSTS

7 years ago

#15

Nooooo my friend.聽 If you are not on the plane your luggage is removed.聽 Otherwise terrorist would easily do this!

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the tinker40 ViP

1236POSTS

7 years ago

#16

Righto! the planes would be falling out of the skies.

1 member reacted to this post

gcvt Active member

34POSTS

7 years ago

#17

Well, nobody would want that. Back to my Spanish learning then聽

MaxMenko New member

3POSTS

7 years ago

#18

I have had good and bad experiences both with 40" flat screens that at the time here were 3 x the Canadian price.聽聽Punta Cana breezed right through. Samana was forced to leave the TV because although I was willing to pay the tax they had no one to collect it. Had to go back later to retrieve it. The duty had nothing to do with the value or the international agreements that govern how duties/taxes are to be applied. Just a scrap of paper with a list of prices for electronic goods. In my case about 5x what it should have been,but still less than a TV here.
I have also over the years brought lots of power and other聽 tools,small appliances etc , with no trouble. I have noticed in the last couple of years there are more quality product coming in at more reasonable prices. Also eBay has suppliers from all over the world that ship here. Just keep below that magic $200 and usually no problems.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

17771POSTS

7 years ago

#19

Good info.

Ebay suppliers sometimes ship here but you are better off using a miami based freight forwarder. Lots of info on here about that. Keep it below US 200 including shipment to Miami.聽 Remember you pay by weight to here not by value.聽 A 1 pound package costs the same from Miami to here regardless of what it contains.

ChristieE Serial expat

365POSTS

7 years ago

#20

And, there are limits to how many suitcases they let you bring at any one time. Also, they are starting to check for televisions....

Cdndreamer Member

14POSTS

7 years ago

#21

The only restriction I have found is through the airline. Typically the expense for the third bag becomes prohibitive.

ChristieE Serial expat

365POSTS

7 years ago

#22

Several US airlines limit the number of bags you can take to DR to 2. They are also starting to restrict TV's in luggage.

Having said that though, 2 people, 4 bags, $25/$35 each (Jet Blue) is still a pretty economical way to pack mule. If you can leave the bags in DR and not pay to take them back, even better.聽馃槑馃愤

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