Esco Global Strategies
Quick answer: DR free zone goods reach US East Coast ports in 2–3 sailing days — the fastest of any nearshore manufacturing location in the Americas. Caucedo (Santo Domingo) and Haina handle 85%+ of DR free zone exports, with weekly direct services to Miami, Savannah, Charleston, Philadelphia, and New York.
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DR Port Infrastructure
- Caucedo Multimodal Port (Santo Domingo): DR’s largest container terminal. Capacity: 1.5M TEUs/year. Direct services to Miami (2 days), Savannah (3 days), Charleston (3 days), Philadelphia (4 days), New York (5 days).
- Haina International Port: Secondary port serving central and western DR free zones. Handles bulk, RoRo, and containers.
- San Pedro de Macorís: Eastern corridor port serving La Romana and eastern free zones.
Ocean Freight: US Routes and Transit Times
| Route | Transit Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Caucedo → Miami | 2 days | 3× weekly |
| Caucedo → Savannah | 3 days | 2× weekly |
| Caucedo → Charleston | 3 days | 2× weekly |
| Caucedo → New York | 5 days | Weekly |
| Caucedo → Houston | 6–7 days | Weekly |
DR Free Zone Customs Process
Production inside free zone → CNZFE exit permit → customs export declaration → cargo loaded at port → CAFTA-DR Certificate of Origin issued by exporter → US customs entry (ISF + entry summary) → 0% duty under CAFTA-DR.
Bonded Warehousing
All DR free zone facilities operate as customs-bonded warehouses by default. Raw materials imported duty-free can be stored indefinitely. No duty assessed until goods enter the Dominican domestic market — which free zone companies are prohibited from doing.
Air Freight
Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) handles time-sensitive exports. Primarily used for medical devices, samples, and urgent garment shipments. DR → Miami: 1-day transit, $3–$6/kg.
Logistics Providers
Major freight forwarders serving DR free zones: Crowley, SEABOARD Marine, King Ocean, Tropical Shipping. Local customs broker required for all import/export declarations. EGS maintains a vetted network of logistics partners across all major DR free zone parks.
EGS Logistics Advisory
We help US manufacturers design the full DR logistics chain — port selection, freight forwarder RFPs, customs broker vetting, and first-shipment coordination. Getting logistics right from the start reduces landed cost by 8–15% vs. ad-hoc setup.
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Related Pillar Guides
→ Nearshoring to Dominican Republic: Complete Cost, Tax & Setup Guide
Need Help Structuring DR Free Zone Logistics?
EGS connects manufacturers with the right free zone operators, freight forwarders, and customs brokers for DR export operations — including CAFTA-DR documentation and U.S. port compliance.