Dominican Republic clarifies DR-CAFTA vehicle rules and manages border trade shifts

In the Dominican Republic, the General Directorate of Customs (DGA) has entered technical and legal dialogues with the Association of Used Vehicle Importers (Asocivu) to clarify the application of the DR-CAFTA trade agreement. The discussions focus on the documentation required to prove the origin of vehicles, specifically regarding hybrid models like the Honda CR-V. The DGA clarified that the VIN alone is insufficient to prove regional content requirements, though importers may request tariff refunds within 12 months if documentation is provided post-importation.

Concurrently, the binational market in Dajabón continues to operate normally despite new Haitian restrictions. A circular from Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance mandates that goods from third countries destined for Haiti must enter through Haitian maritime or air ports to undergo customs controls and tax payments, rather than transiting through Dominican land borders. The Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic (AIRD) has called for increased coordination between customs authorities to maintain trade predictability.

In other economic developments, the National Council of Free Zones (CNZFE) approved investments exceeding RD$763 million for eight new companies and a new industrial park. These projects, located in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and San Pedro de Macorís, will cover sectors such as textiles, tobacco, and logistics. Additionally, ProDominicana reported active participation in international trade fairs in Spain, the United States, and France to promote Dominican exports.