Bonded Stores in the Dominican Republic: What They Are and How to Order

Bonded stores — or provisions in transit under customs control — are one of the most valuable logistical benefits for vessels calling at international ports. In the Dominican Republic, the bonded stores regime allows certain products to be supplied to the vessel without paying Dominican import taxes, provided those products leave the country on the vessel itself or are consumed in international waters.

The legal basis in the Dominican Republic is the customs transit regime regulated by Directorate General of Customs Law 226-06 and its supplementary resolutions. The vessel, being on a port call en route to another country, is considered an international transit vehicle. Products supplied to it under this regime are covered by a temporary declaration that is automatically cancelled when the vessel departs with the goods on board. The customs broker working with the ship chandler is responsible for managing this process correctly.

The products most commonly supplied as bonded stores at Dominican ports are: alcoholic beverages (rum, whisky, wine, beer), tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars), some categories of consumer electronics, luxury perfumery, and certain high-end imported foods. The availability of each category depends on the supplier and the advance notice of the request.

The ordering process has more steps than regular provisions. First, the master or port agent sends the bonded stores list to the chandler at least 48 hours before arrival. The chandler verifies product availability and prepares the transit documentation: crew provisions manifest, temporary transit declaration, and a formal communication to the port customs authority indicating the vessel's name, IMO number, destination, and detailed list of items. Once the declaration is approved by port customs, the chandler proceeds with delivery under the supervision of a customs inspector, who seals the packages or the vessel's storerooms as appropriate.

One important practical point: not all products on the list can meet standard deadlines. Some luxury items or electronics may require a specific prior import for the order. This is why early communication is essential. If the vessel operates on regular Caribbean routes and makes recurring calls in the Dominican Republic, it makes sense to establish a standard bonded stores profile with the chandler to streamline future requests.

The price of bonded stores is usually more competitive than at airport duty-free shops, because the chandler's margin is lower and the products do not pay Dominican ITBIS (18% VAT) or import duties. Payment can be made in USD, by corporate card, or by bank transfer. The commercial invoice — required for the vessel's file — is issued in USD with itemized detail and delivered to the master along with the Dominican customs compliance certificate.