Executive Branch Creates Customs Office for Industry

The Executive Branch of the Dominican government, by decree, created a customs office for the special treatment and movement of high priority natural resources making them available for dispatch within 24 hours after presenting their declaration.

Through decree number 556-08, the new regulation refers to and will be applied on capital, natural resources and consumable goods utilized in the processes of industrial production…

Through decree number 556-08, the new regulation refers to and will be applied on capital, natural resources and consumable goods utilized in the processes of industrial production, as stated in agreement with the Law of Competitiveness and Industrial Innovation, according the a press release from the President´s Office of Information, Press and Publicity.

The regulation states that the creation of the new office will not reduce the last and final inspection of the entire customs removal process and the implementation of the controls contained in Law under the General Customs Office.

In order to achieve a more convenient payment system from the Proindustria qualifying companies, payments can be made online, credit card or by certified check.

The regulation also states that for the application of special treatment, customs officials will be limited to carrying out customs removals by applying random inspections to verify cases that are legitimately suspicious. They will do so in keeping with defined and pre-established risk indicators.

The regulation also establishes the competence of the Customs Officials who will exercise the maximum authority within the framework of their hierarchy. The remaining officials of other state organisms will cooperate with the Customs Officials only in the event of a flagrant crime, legitimate suspicion or a national security threat.

It also establishes competences that fall under the authority of various ministries. The Armed Forces will take action in the case of discovery or threat of arms and explosives; the Agriculture Ministry will exercise authority over land and cattle products; the Health Ministry will oversee the entrance of medicine, food, hygiene and personal products; the Environmental Ministry will inspect material that can affect the environment and the National Drug Control Office will be on the lookout for drugs and controlled substances.

This new regulation maintains that the special treatment will be available only for such companies that have been determined to be low risk and which have no prior record of infractions or customs-related incidents and who have not fulfilled their financial obligations to the Customs Offices.

In terms of the application of taxes on Industrialized Goods and Services (ITBIS), duty free natural resources and machinery will also be exempt from customs tax, among other issues covered by the new regulation.