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.