Santo Domingo – Dominican Republic’s tax authority has successfully recovered approximately RD$1.592 billion in unpaid import duties through targeted enforcement operations. The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) conducted 49 comprehensive audits focusing primarily on businesses within the Asian import sector, with particular emphasis on enterprises of Chinese origin, according to their year-end 2025 report.
The audits represent a strategic component of the agency’s post-clearance monitoring system designed to enhance compliance with customs regulations. These measures ensure proper declaration protocols, accurate commodity valuation, correct classification of goods, and full payment of applicable import taxes.
In a recent enforcement action, Customs officials intervened at a commercial establishment in La Vega province to verify adherence to current customs requirements. The DGA’s broader enforcement efforts between 2020 and 2025 have yielded substantial results, with 139 audits conducted resulting in total tax adjustments reaching RD$4.509 billion. The agency emphasized that legitimate trade operations continue unaffected throughout these compliance measures.
The DGA highlighted its collaborative approach through the Roundtable Against Unfair Competition and Illicit Trade, an interagency initiative led by the Ministry of Finance and Customs. This partnership brings together public institutions and private sector representatives to combat customs fraud.
Key implemented strategies include enhanced risk analysis during cargo processing, deployment of advanced X-ray scanning technology, utilization of body cameras for transparency, coordinated audits with the Internal Revenue Service (DGII), international cooperation with foreign customs administrations, and permanent closure of companies engaged in illicit activities.