Dominican Republic announces new supplement import registration, suspends proposed tax

The Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Customs (Dirección General de Aduanas, DGA) issued the announcement at the start of February stating that the move is part of a process to improve and update the database for this sector. 

Importers must complete a form, including disclosing technical information of the products to be imported, on the directorate’s website.

However, the customs agency also announced it was suspending the introduction of a new 18% tax to be collected on nutritional supplements presented in tablets, capsules or pills due to confusion around the matter.

The Customs Agency has invited stakeholders to a meeting, scheduled for this week, to discuss the issue further.

“Given the sensitivity of the products involved, including concern created in a part of the population, [DGA] decided to stop its application, open a space for dialogue to listen to the parties and, at the same time, explain the scope and limitations of the institutional decision,”​ explained the agency in a statement on its website (translated from Spanish)​.

In a press release, the DGA added that, while it is a collecting agency, it is committed to balancing its responsibilities as a border authority while also facilitating trade.