Dominican Republic U.S. Customs Import Procedures Under CAFTA-DR

The U.S. Importer of Record

Every U.S. import shipment requires an importer of record — the party legally responsible for the goods and any duties owed. For Caribbean Corridor operations, the U.S. importer of record is typically either a U.S. subsidiary or affiliate of the DR manufacturer, or a U.S. distributor purchasing the goods. The importer of record files the CBP entry, pays any applicable duties, and is responsible for maintaining origin documentation.

Claiming CAFTA-DR Preference at Entry

The U.S. customs broker files a Customs Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501) claiming CAFTA-DR preference using the applicable Special Program Indicator. The importer must certify that they possess a valid certificate of origin at the time of filing. The certificate does not need to be submitted with the entry but must be produced if CBP requests it.

CBP Post-Entry Audit Risk

CBP may issue a CF-28 (Request for Information) or CF-29 (Notice of Action) related to an entry claiming CAFTA-DR preference. The importer typically has 30 days to respond with the certificate of origin and supporting documentation. If the origin claim cannot be supported, CBP issues a back-duty assessment plus interest. Both the exporter (for providing an inaccurate certificate) and the importer (for claiming unsupported preference) face potential penalties. Retaining complete origin documentation for five years is mandatory.

First-Time Import Setup

Establishing a U.S. import program for Caribbean Corridor goods involves: selecting and bonding a U.S. customs broker, establishing an Importer Security Filing (ISF) process for sea freight shipments, registering with CBP as an importer of record, and completing any sector-specific import requirements (FDA prior notice for food, FDA establishment registration for medical devices). EGS coordinates U.S. import setup as part of the corridor execution framework. Contact EGS to initiate your U.S. import program.