Puente Freight
Container terminal in the Caribbean at sunrise with cranes and a docked cargo ship

Import · Export · Dominican Republic

International shipping to and from the Dominican Republic.

Import and export by ocean, air and RORO. We move cargo into the DR from anywhere in the world, and out of the DR to anywhere in the world — with offices in Santo Domingo and the USA.

In the US? Call toll-free (866) 216-7742

  • Imports & exports
  • Ocean, air & RORO
  • English & Spanish spoken

Two directions

Import into the DR. Export to the world.

Imports to the Dominican Republic

Cargo from the USA, Canada, China, Europe, Panama and Latin America to Caucedo, Río Haina, Puerto Plata and the DR airports — with customs clearance and delivery.

Common origins

  • USA
  • Canada
  • China
  • Europe
  • Panama
  • Latin America
Import services

Exports from the Dominican Republic

Produce, cigars, cocoa, coffee, manufactured and free-zone goods and personal effects shipped from the DR to the USA, Europe, the Caribbean and worldwide.

DR departure points

  • Caucedo
  • Río Haina
  • Puerto Plata
  • SDQ
  • STI
  • PUJ
Export services

What we ship

From a single barrel to a full container.

One team for the whole shipment, in either direction — booking, export paperwork, ocean, air or RORO, customs and delivery.

  • FCL & LCL ocean freight

    20′, 40′ and 40′ High Cube containers or consolidated cargo, imported into or exported out of the Dominican Republic.

  • Air cargo

    Air freight through Santo Domingo (SDQ), Santiago (STI) and Punta Cana (PUJ) for urgent, perishable and high-value cargo, inbound or outbound.

  • Vehicles & RORO

    Cars, trucks and equipment by roll-on/roll-off or container, with title and customs paperwork reviewed before shipping.

  • Door-to-door delivery

    We coordinate pickup at origin, the international leg, customs and delivery to the final address.

Example lanes

To and from the Dominican Republic

A sample of the lanes we handle in both directions. Transit times are estimates only and vary by carrier, sailing, season, customs and final address.

Imports to the DR

Imports to the DR
FromToModeEst. transitPrice
MiamiCaucedoLCL / FCL4–8 days (est.)Get a quote
New York / NJSanto DomingoLCL10–18 days (est.)Get a quote
HoustonCaucedoFCL8–14 days (est.)Get a quote
MontrealRío HainaRORO10–18 days (est.)Get a quote
ShanghaiCaucedoFCL30–45 days (est.)Get a quote
RotterdamCaucedoFCL14–22 days (est.)Get a quote
San Juan, Puerto RicoSanto DomingoLCL2–5 days (est.)Get a quote
Miami (MIA)Santo Domingo (SDQ)Air1–4 days (est.)Get a quote

Exports from the DR

Exports from the DR
FromToModeEst. transitPrice
CaucedoMiamiFCL / LCL4–8 days (est.)Get a quote
Río HainaNew York / NJFCL7–12 days (est.)Get a quote
CaucedoRotterdamFCL14–22 days (est.)Get a quote
Santo DomingoSan Juan, Puerto RicoLCL2–5 days (est.)Get a quote
Santo Domingo (SDQ)Miami (MIA)Air1–3 days (est.)Get a quote

All transit times are estimates, not guarantees. Every price is quoted individually based on your cargo, route and service.

USA office

Drop off at our USA warehouse

Shipping from the US? Bring your barrels, boxes and cargo to our USA office and warehouse in North Chesterfield, VA. Call us toll-free at (866) 216-7742 before you come so we can be ready for you.

Warehouse address

2208 Station Rd
North Chesterfield, VA 23234
(866) 216-7742

Why ship with us

A forwarder on both ends of the shipment.

  • Offices in Santo Domingo and the USA

    Our Dominican office in Santo Domingo handles exports and arrivals, and our USA office and warehouse in North Chesterfield, VA supports US-side cargo and drop-offs.

  • Imports and exports

    Whether your cargo is coming into the DR or leaving it, one team coordinates booking, documents and customs.

  • Paperwork reviewed before shipping

    We check invoices, packing lists and permits before cargo moves to help avoid problems with customs at origin or destination.

  • English and Spanish

    In the Dominican Republic, call or WhatsApp +1 (809) 549-1170. In the US, call toll-free (866) 216-7742.

Freight warehouse with wrapped pallets and boxes prepared for an ocean shipment

How it works

Four steps, in either direction.

  1. 1

    Request a quote

    Tell us what you are shipping, from where and to where. Use the form, call or WhatsApp.

  2. 2

    Booking & pickup

    We book space with the carrier and arrange pickup or drop-off at origin.

  3. 3

    Shipping

    Your cargo is documented and moves by ocean, air or RORO.

  4. 4

    Customs & delivery

    Cargo clears customs at destination and is delivered or made available for pickup.

Dominican gateways

Ports, airports & provinces

Seaports

  • CaucedoMain container terminal near Santo Domingo
  • Río HainaMultipurpose port for containers and vehicles
  • Puerto PlataNorth coast gateway for the Cibao region

Cargo airports

  • Las Américas · SDQSanto Domingo
  • Cibao · STISantiago and the north
  • Punta Cana · PUJThe eastern region

Across the Dominican Republic

  • Santo Domingo
  • Santiago
  • La Vega
  • San Francisco de Macorís
  • Puerto Plata
  • San Cristóbal
  • La Romana
  • San Pedro de Macorís
  • Higüey
  • Punta Cana
  • Moca
  • Bonao
  • Baní
  • Azua
  • Barahona
  • Mao

Customs

Documents for importing and exporting

Dominican customs is administered by the Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA). Incomplete or inconsistent paperwork is the most common cause of delays, so we review your file before it ships.

  • Commercial invoice

    Shipper and consignee details, descriptions, HS codes, values and Incoterm.

  • Packing list

    What is inside each package, with quantities, weights and dimensions.

  • Cédula or RNC

    The Dominican importer or exporter’s national ID (cédula) or tax ID (RNC).

  • Bill of lading / air waybill

    Issued by the carrier once your cargo is loaded.

  • Certificates for exports

    Certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates and other permits required by the destination country.

  • Vehicle title

    Original title and bill of sale are required to ship a vehicle.

What we move

Common cargo, both directions

  • Barrels & boxes for family
  • Business inventory & retail goods
  • Machinery, parts & construction materials
  • Cars, trucks & motorcycles
  • Household moves
  • Fresh produce & agricultural exports
  • Cigars, cocoa & coffee
  • Free-zone manufactured goods
  • Medical supplies
  • Personal effects

No rate sheets

What affects your price

Every shipment is priced on its own details. These are the factors a freight agent looks at when preparing your quote.

Estimate volume and weight
  • Mode of transport

    Ocean (LCL or FCL), air or RORO. Air is fastest; ocean is usually the most economical for heavy or bulky cargo.

  • Volume and weight

    Ocean freight is mostly priced by volume (CBM); air freight by actual or volumetric weight, whichever is greater.

  • Origin and destination

    The ports or airports involved, the distance, and current carrier schedules and surcharges on that lane.

  • Container type

    A 20', 40', 40' high cube, reefer, flat-rack or open-top container each has its own cost.

  • Customs clearance

    Duties and taxes are set by the authorities, not by us, and depend on the goods, their value and their classification.

  • Cargo insurance

    Optional coverage is based on the declared value of your goods.

  • Pickup and door delivery

    Collecting at your door or delivering to an address adds trucking, compared with port-to-port or drop-off.

Reviews

Google Reviews

Customer reviews will appear here soon.

FAQ

Shipping questions, answered

How much does it cost to ship a container to the Dominican Republic?

There is no single price. The cost depends on the container type (20', 40', 40' high cube, reefer), the origin port, the destination port (Caucedo, Río Haina or Puerto Plata), current ocean carrier rates and surcharges, whether you need pickup or door delivery, customs clearance, and insurance. Send us the details through the quote form and a freight agent will price your specific shipment.

What documents does DGA require for imports?

The Dirección General de Aduanas (DGA) typically requires a commercial invoice, a packing list, the bill of lading (ocean) or air waybill (air), and the importer's RNC (companies) or cédula/passport (individuals). Some goods also need permits from other agencies. Requirements change, so always confirm with DGA at aduanas.gob.do or ask us before you ship.

How long does ocean or air freight take?

Transit times are estimates only and vary by carrier schedule, port congestion, weather and customs. As a guide, ocean freight from Florida is roughly 4–8 days port to port, from the US Northeast roughly 7–18 days, from Europe roughly 14–22 days and from Asia roughly 30–45 days. Air freight is usually 1–4 days. Customs clearance and inland delivery add time.

Can I ship a car to the DR?

Yes. Vehicles can travel by RORO (driven onto the ship) or inside a container. You will need the original title, the bill of sale and a copy of your ID. The DR has import rules for vehicles, including age limits and taxes calculated by DGA, so check eligibility before you buy or ship. Share the year, make and model in the quote form and we will advise.

What is LCL vs FCL?

LCL (less than container load) means your cargo shares a container with other shippers and you pay for the space you use. It suits smaller shipments. FCL (full container load) means you book a whole 20' or 40' container for your cargo only. It is usually more cost-effective for larger volumes and moves with fewer handling steps.

How do I export from the DR or a free zone?

You need a commercial invoice, a packing list, the exporter's RNC, and an export declaration filed with DGA. Free-zone companies also follow the procedures of their free-zone operator and the Consejo Nacional de Zonas Francas de Exportación. Food, plant and animal products may need phytosanitary or health certificates. We coordinate booking, documents and loading at Caucedo, Río Haina, Puerto Plata or the airports.

What can't I ship?

Prohibited and restricted items include weapons and ammunition, illegal drugs, explosives and flammable liquids, counterfeit goods, and some chemicals. Lithium batteries, perfumes, aerosols, medicines and food often have special rules, especially by air. If you are unsure about an item, describe it in the quote form or ask us on WhatsApp before you pack.

Do you handle imports and exports?

Yes. We ship cargo into the Dominican Republic from anywhere in the world, and out of the Dominican Republic to anywhere in the world, by ocean, air and RORO.

How much does it cost to ship to or from the Dominican Republic?

Every shipment is priced individually based on the cargo, route, mode and service level. Send us a quote request, call or WhatsApp us for your price.

How long does shipping take?

Transit times are estimates and depend on the origin, carrier, sailing schedule, customs and final address. We give you an estimated timeline with your quote.

Which countries can you ship from or to?

Common lanes include the USA, Canada, China, Europe, Panama, Latin America and the Caribbean, but we can quote cargo to or from almost any country.

Can you export produce, cigars or cocoa from the DR?

Yes. We coordinate bookings and documents for agricultural and manufactured exports, including phytosanitary and origin certificates where required. Reefer containers are available for perishables.

Where are your offices?

Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo — call or WhatsApp +1 (809) 549-1170. USA: 2208 Station Rd, North Chesterfield, VA 23234 — toll-free (866) 216-7742.

What can I send in a barrel or box?

Clothing, shoes, household items, non-perishable groceries, toiletries, toys, gifts and small electronics are common. Cash, weapons, flammables, perishables and illegal items are not allowed.

Do you handle customs?

Yes. We help prepare the paperwork and coordinate clearance with Dominican customs (DGA) and with customs brokers at the other end.

Request a quote

Tell us about your shipment

Fill in what you know — a freight agent will review it and contact you with a quote. Prefer to chat? Message our Dominican office on WhatsApp.

1

Import or export

Origin and destination can be any country.

Are you importing into or exporting from the Dominican Republic?
2

Your contact details

Preferred language
3

Shipment type

What are you shipping?
4

Origin — where the cargo starts

How will we receive the cargo?
5

Destination — where the cargo goes

Delivery
6

Cargo details

Dimensions per piece (L × W × H)
Weight per piece / Total weight
Total volume (calculated)Enter dimensions and pieces to calculate.
Hazardous or contains batteries?
Stackable?
7

Service needed

Service level
Need customs clearance in the DR?
Need cargo insurance?
Need packing / crating?
8

Dates

Are your dates flexible?
9

Photos, documents and notes

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