Can I send food to the Dominican Republic?
Yes, with conditions.
Meat, dairy, and plant products need an import authorization through VUCE. Send only sealed, shelf-stable, commercially packed food, or leave it out.
For every Onvoyo box: Only sealed, shop-bought, shelf-stable food. Express couriers don't carry perishable food: nothing fresh, frozen, meat, dairy or produce.
More rules for the Dominican Republic
Allowed with conditions
- Meat, dairy, and plant products
- Need an import authorization from the agriculture or health authorities through VUCE. Without it, customs holds the package. Couriers refuse perishable food anyway.
Before you ship to the Dominican Republic
- Tax-free limit
- Express shipments worth up to USD 200 (about DOP 11,900), counting the goods plus shipping and insurance (CIF), pay no duty or ITBIS. That includes personal effects and unsolicited gifts, not just purchases. Customs charges only a fee of USD 0.25 per kilogram. The limit applies to the whole shipment, and customs can add together similar goods sent to the same person. DGA's FAQ still describes the limit as FOB (goods only), but the 2022 customs regulation uses CIF, so keep goods plus shipping within USD 200 to be safe.
- Receiver ID
- Cédula, passport, or RNC, with RUA registration needed. Courier labels must show the receiver's cédula, passport, or RNC (for companies). DGA also requires everyone who uses courier services to be registered in its courier user registry, the RUA. There's no separate number: the ID itself is the registration, and signing up is free and online. Missing RUA registration is one of the listed reasons customs can hold a low-value package, so register before you ship.
- Transit
- 2-5 business days from North America; 4-7 from Europe; 5-8 from Asia
Questions
Can I send food to the Dominican Republic?
Yes, with conditions. Meat, dairy, and plant products need an import authorization through VUCE. Send only sealed, shelf-stable, commercially packed food, or leave it out.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA)
Decreto núm. 755-22, Reglamento de aplicación de la Ley núm. 168-21 de Aduanas (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior (VUCE RD)
Conoce los permisos y leyes que los sustentan (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Dirección General de Impuestos Internos (DGII)
Título III del Impuesto sobre Transferencias de Bienes Industrializados y Servicios (Código Tributario, Ley 11-92) (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA)
Ley No. 146-00 de Reforma Arancelaria (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in the Dominican Republic makes the final decision on every box.