You can export alcohol “in reasonable quantities” from the Dominican Republic. It is not known exactly how much this is, but it is clearly more than what is allowed to be imported into Russia.
According to Russian laws, you can import up to 3 liters of alcohol without paying duties, and the 4th and 5th liters with a duty of 10 euros per liter. Dominican rum is not so valuable that you pay 10 euros per liter. In Moscow supermarkets, Barcelo Anejo rum can be bought for 1000 rubles per 0.7 liter bottle. It turns out that the brought rum, if you pay another 10 euros for it, is 1.5 times more expensive than you can buy here.
Only passengers aged 18 years and older can transport alcohol to Russia.
Cigars and tobacco
You can export “in reasonable quantities”, in fact in any quantities.
You can import up to 50 cigars or up to 250 grams of loose tobacco into Russia. You can import up to 200 cigarettes, but this makes no sense, since they are expensive and not local in the Dominican Republic, as we wrote about in the article “”.
Only passengers aged 18 years and older can transport tobacco products to Russia.
Amber and larimar
Very popular gifts are semi-precious stones amber and larimar, and even more tourists bring jewelry made from them.
On August 23, 2017, Resolution R-MEM-REG-047-2016 came into force, which limited the export of amber and larimar from the country. As Energy and Mining Minister Antonio Isa said: “These are measures to develop the processing industry and improve conditions for miners.”
It is currently prohibited to export unprocessed and semi-finished stones. In fact, you can only legally export jewelry containing amber and larimar, or you can export a fully processed stone ready to be set into jewelry. The export of stones with inclusions is prohibited; such stones can only be taken away as part of jewelry. For example, the stone in the photo below is prohibited from being exported, it is not processed, click on the photo to enlarge.
Be sure to keep receipts for the purchase of any stones and jewelry made from them. This is proof of legal purchase.
In fact, Dominican customs do not look particularly closely at the stones being exported. Tourists, as before Resolution R-MEM-REG-047-2016, export raw stones as souvenirs. Rarely is someone searched and confiscated. The main thing here is not to be greedy, not to carry dozens of stones so that they do not catch the eye on the scanner at the airport.
There is another difficult point. Do I need to declare larimar and amber when entering Russia? By law, this is not required, since only precious metals and stones need to be declared. Amber and larimar are semi-precious.
According to the experience of tourists, customs officers sometimes ask you to declare it if you are carrying a lot. A couple of rings and a necklace do not need to be declared precisely; these are personal jewelry - an item for personal use.
In this article we tell you what you can bring from the Dominican Republic as a gift. We will tell you what souvenirs are brought from the Dominican Republic and how much they cost. We will help you figure out which rum is best to bring from the Dominican Republic. At the end of the article there is some information about what cannot be exported from the Dominican Republic.
Standard souvenirs
Photo © Jeff/flickr.comTraditional souvenirs of any country (magnets, postcards, keychains) can be brought from the Dominican Republic as a gift to friends, colleagues and relatives.
- Magnets - $1 per 1 piece. There are discounts if you buy from 5 pieces.
- Postcard - $0.5
- Keychains - from $2 (plastic, wood, leather, etc.)
- Icons - ok. 1$
- Deck of cards with Dominican landscapes - from $3
- Scarves - from $8
- Fabric wallets - from $5
- Mugs/plates - from $4
Dominican alcohol and cigars
Photo © Ronald Saunders flickr.com Rum
The Dominican Republic is famous for Rum. Many tourists try to bring at least one bottle of rum from the Dominican Republic for themselves or as a gift.
The price of a bottle of rum depends on the age of the drink. Dominican rum aged approx. 5 years can be bought in a supermarket for $10-15. Aged for 12 years, a bottle of rum will cost $40-50. It is better to purchase rum in the Dominican Republic in supermarkets.
To determine the age of Dominican rum, look on the label:
- Anejo – 1 year aging
- Extro Viejo – from 3 to 5 years
- Reserva – > 5 years
The best rum of the Dominican Republic. If you don’t know what rum to bring from the Dominican Republic, we recommend paying attention to the popular brands Barcelo, Brugal, Bermudez and Matusalem.
- Ron Barcelo Imperial - $25 for 0.7 l.
- Brugal Anejo - $10 for 0.7 l.
- Gran Reserva Rum Matusalem - $33 for 0.7 l.
- Brugal Extra Viejo - $9 for 0.7 l.
Mama Juana
Photo © Jose Kevo / flickr.com The Dominican drink Mamajuana is popular among residents and tourists. Typically, the drink consists of honey, rum and/or wine. The drink is infused with wood, bark, leaves, herbs and spices.
Mama Juana is believed to have healing properties. The drink is sold in bottles or in dry form so you can prepare it yourself.
A small package in the Dominican Republic can be bought for $3-7. The price of an average package in the online store is $16-25 (can be used about 30 times).
IMPORTANT: If you plan to bring rum, beer or MamaJuana from the Dominican Republic, please note that there are customs restrictions. You can export no more than 3 liters from the Dominican Republic. alcohol per person (1 liter of strong alcohol + 2 liters of weak alcohol).
Cigarettes and cigars
Photo © Alexander Vega / flickr.com Dominican cigars are not inferior to the quality of Cuban cigars and are very popular among tourists. You can buy cigars and cigarettes almost everywhere: at a hotel, on the beach, in a store, etc.
Note : do not buy cigarettes and cigars on the beach, there is a possibility of buying low-quality tobacco in a banana leaf for a price exceeding the cost of the original cigars.
Small factories are common in the Dominican Republic, where they conduct excursions and sell tobacco, cigarettes and cigars.
The brands Davidoff, Juan Clemente, Avo, Knockando, and Carlos are popular in the Dominican Republic. No less popular are cigars from the brands Courvoisier, Antonio Fuente, La Aurora, Davidoff, and Carbonell.
Local cigarettes cost $2.5-3 per pack. Cigar prices vary widely: from $4 to $70. On average, a quality cigar costs $10-30. They are sold individually and in packs of 10 and 50 pieces. For example, a cigar from Arturo Fuente costs about $15 apiece.
IMPORTANT: There are restrictions on the export of tobacco and cigarettes. A maximum of 200 pieces can be exported. cigarettes/50 pcs. cigars (cigarillos) / 250 grams of tobacco.
Coffee, cocoa and chocolate
Photo © Kullez / flickr.com The Dominican Republic is famous throughout the world for its coffee. The Dominicans themselves consume the tonic drink in large quantities.
The most popular coffee brands are Santo Domingo and Induban. A 450g package of Santo Domingo coffee will cost $10. Indumal coffee can be purchased for $8 per package.
In the Dominican Republic you can also buy finely ground coffee - Monte real (approx. $7-14). Elite coffee is sold under the Don Justino brand (from $16). Coffee with the names of the place where the beans grow - El Cibao, Barahona, Bani, Okoa (approx. $15). For those who care about their health and appearance, we recommend paying attention to green Dominican coffee for $10-17.
True coffee connoisseurs can go shopping at small factories, where they can not only buy coffee, but also taste the drink.
Photo © Miguel Discart / flickr.com Cocoa
Cocoa balls. Another interesting gift from the Dominican Republic will be cocoa balls. These balls make great hot chocolate. The size of one ball can be compared to the size of a ping pong ball. They are sold individually and in packages (approx. 10 pieces).
- 1 ball - approx. 1$
- A jar of balls (approx. 10 pcs.) - from $5-8
Cocoa powder also common in the Dominican Republic. On average, a package of 100% Dominican cocoa will cost $5 per 250 g.
Photo © Everjean / flickr.com Chocolate and Chocolate tea
It is not customary to have tea parties in the Dominican Republic. For Dominicans, tea is a remedy for illness and disease. However, in the Dominican Republic you can buy an unusual drink - chocolate tea. This tea is sold as a mixture of sticks and leaves. The cost of the mixture is 150-200g. $7.
In the Dominican Republic, some companies produce chocolate only as a semi-finished product for preparing a drink (hot chocolate). If you want chocolate in slabs from the Dominican Republic, then pay attention to the popular chocolate companies:
- Cortes Hermanos & Co
- Munne & Co
- Xocolat
- Rizek
- VizConde del chocolate
Lime doll - Dominican doll without face
The faceless Lime doll has long become a traditional Dominican souvenir that tourists willingly take home. Lime dolls are made from clay or cornmeal. The doll is a faceless woman who is dressed in a colorful traditional Dominican costume. Lime always holds something in his hands: an umbrella, a basket of flowers, a bouquet, etc.
The cost of a Doll without a face depends on the size; on average, a doll costs $4-6.
Note (for those who are wondering why the doll has no face): There are 2 main versions.
First version. The Lime doll was created by sculptor Liliana Mera, who was unable to highlight the characteristic facial features of the Dominicans (the diversity of the Dominican people is a fusion of European and African culture). Thus, the LiMe doll became a symbol of tolerance and a traditional Dominican souvenir.
Second version. The doll appeared during the time of the Indians. If you believe the legend, the doll is connected with the spirit of corn, which lives in the figurine of this faceless doll. The main point is that for love the face (appearance) of a person is not important, since only love allows you to see the true beauty of a person.
Natural cosmetic
Photo ©monicore/pixabay.com Natural cosmetics will be an excellent gift from the Dominican Republic for girls and women. The choice among natural cosmetics is not as large as we would like, but in general you can shop well.
Cacao butter. Cocoa butter perfectly moisturizes the skin and has an amazing chocolate smell. Manteca de cacao sells for about $8 per 235 ml. The oil is also sold in special 114 g jars. for 10$. Some packages contain Russian-language information about the composition and method of use of the oil.
M.Tropical J.R cosmetic cocoa butter and Manteca de cacao cocoa butter are popular.
Coconut oil. Coconut oil is actively imported as a face and body care product; it softens and moisturizes the skin. Coconut oil can also be used as a hair care product. They sell coconut oil in the Dominican Republic for $8 per 235 ml.
Increasingly popular cosmetics with snail mucus. Creams with snail extract moisturize the skin, help smooth out wrinkles and have anti-inflammatory properties. The price of face cream with snail mucus starts from $9.
You can also bring as a gift for your beloved women scrubs based on sea salt or coffee beans.
Jewelry from Larimar
Photo © Imaginarium-Annelise / flickr.com Jewelry made from the semi-precious Larimar stone is often brought from the Dominican Republic. The mineral is a delicate white-blue color. Larimar jewelry is sold in a basic silver or wood frame.
Note : Silver in the Dominican Republic is of poor quality, so many people prefer to bring the mineral from the Dominican Republic and place it in a frame at home.
- Pendant with Larimar - from $40 at the market and from $70 in the store
- Earrings – $30-40
- Bracelet made of Larimar, black caral and Amber - approx. 70$
- Small pebbles measuring 2-3 cm³ - $15
Note: To avoid running into a fake, carefully inspect Larimar products. The pattern should not be repeated on other products, the stone should not be pressed. The color depth of the lines should be multi-level. The mineral should have iridescent waves without clear and pronounced contours.
Photo © Adam Jones / flickr.com For those who want to often reminisce about a paradise vacation in the Dominican Republic, we advise you to bring home a painting by Dominican artists. The main subjects are Indian settlements, seascapes, dolphins, portraits of Che Guevara and Bob Marley.
Prices for paintings vary; in some places you can buy paintings for $8, and in some places the price starts at $18 for A4 format.
Carpets
An unusual souvenir from the Dominican Republic will be a colorful carpet. A distinctive feature of Dominican carpets is the method of their production. The carpet is created by hand from small scraps of fabric that are sewn to the bedspread. Externally, the carpet resembles a bright cloud or New Year's tinsel.
The cost of such an unusual product starts from $15.
Wooden crafts
You can bring various wooden products as gifts from the Dominican Republic: masks, figurines, boomerangs, etc. Such souvenirs will be a good decoration for your home.
- Masks - ok. $5 for medium size masks and approx. $12 for large masks
- Figurines - $12
- Boomerang - $8
Dominican Republic store opening hours
Photo © Ray_LAC / flickr.com Most shops are open from 8 or 9 am. On weekdays, stores close at 17-18:00, on Saturdays until 13:00.
Shopping centers are open from 9:00 to 21:00 seven days a week. On Sunday, shopping centers may close an hour earlier, at 20:00.
What NOT to export from the Dominican Republic
- It is prohibited to export from the Dominican Republic national currency (Dominican pesos). If you decide to bring pesos as a souvenir from the Dominican Republic, then it is better to abandon this idea.
- Exists a number of restrictions on the export of tobacco from the country. It will not be possible to export more than 250 g of tobacco/more than 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars from the Dominican Republic.
- Can be exported from the Dominican Republic no more than 3 liters. alcohol per person (1 liter of strong alcohol + 2 liters of weak alcohol).
Note: If you managed to export more than 3 liters from the Dominican Republic, then keep in mind that you can import up to 3 liters into Russia, but you can import up to 5 liters if you pay for each additional amount. liter 10 euros.
- Meat or dairy products It is also better to leave food in the Dominican Republic.
- It will not be possible to bring from the Dominican Republic objects raised from the seabed, a number of species of orchids, the heart of a palm tree.
- And the standard set of prohibited things: medicines containing narcotic substances; weapon; pornography; drugs.
Customs rules of the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) for Russian passengers on international flights.
Customs rules of the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) for Russian passengers on international flights. The Customs Service of the Dominican Republic "Direccion General de Aduanas" has taken a course towards "greening" and prides itself as a "Green Customs" (not in terms of age), which complies with the Montreal Protocol, the Washington Convention CITES, the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention and others. Naturally, this clearly indicates that taking with you something that destroys the ozone layer and various things from wild flora and fauna is categorically not recommended. However, almost all products of plant or animal origin are prohibited from import (more details can be found on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture). In general, customs regulations in the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) have not undergone major changes since October 2004. Please note that according to Dominican customs regulations: “officers must pay close attention to areas of public access (green zone).” It doesn’t matter at all whether you arrived on an airplane that flew or not, the customs rules of the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) provide for the following action: mandatory inspection of baggage using technical means in the presence of Military Security officers, who must be at a distance of 5 meters from the racks and tables of X-ray machines. Only after this inspection will officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Drug Control Authority be able to access you and your luggage. If you decide to take a musical instrument with you (carried by one person), prepare for a solo performance in front of Dominican customs officers, as a situation may arise in which you will be asked to demonstrate your skills in playing this musical instrument. If you are bringing gifts worth up to 500 usd, then they are not subject to duty only if you have not used this right for more than three months before this case. If, after placing your luggage for inspection using an X-ray machine, you see that in addition to the operator there are a couple of other spectators, it means that your luggage, together with the operator, will be examined by an officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and a security officer. After passing the technical inspection, do not be surprised if an employee of the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) approaches you and asks you to show the contents of your bags, suitcases and even wallet. Sometimes, instead of or together with an employee of the National Drug Control Agency, you will be asked to carry out the same procedure by an officer of the Ministry of Agriculture. According to the customs rules of the Dominican Republic, only officers of the Ministry of Agriculture have the right to such actions, and to act both independently and jointly. It’s absolutely not worth taking the birds with you, as they will definitely be quarantined for 10 days. You can carry medications, even psychotropic ones (you must present a prescription) in the amount necessary for treatment during your stay in the Dominican Republic. You shouldn’t take a lot of cash (anyway, they won’t let you take out more than 10,000 usd). Local tugriks (Dominican pesos) are prohibited for Russian citizens both for import and export.Since the customs rules of the Dominican Republic may potentially change over time, before flying to the Dominican Republic, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the latest information in the document "Instructivo de Operaciones con Pasajeros y Equipajes A.I.L.A.J.F.P.G.", which is published on the official website of the Direccion General de Aduanas ".
Read the original "Instructivo de Operaciones con Pasajeros y Equipajes A.I.L.A.J.F.P.G." You can download it from the following addresses:
portal.dga.com.do/dgagov.net/uploads/file/Ayudas/INSTRUCTIVO_OPERACIONES_PASAJEROS.pdf
or
www.aduanas.gob.do/Descargas/files/instructivos/INSTRUCTIVO_OPERACIONES_PASAJEROS.pdf
Customs rules of the Dominican Republic (Dominican Republic) for Russian passengers on international flights.
- Import and export of currency.
- What can you import into the Dominican Republic with exemption from customs duties?
Import and export of currency.
Filling out a declaration for the import and export of funds to the Dominican Republic is a mandatory procedure! According to the customs rules of the Dominican Republic, the equivalent of an amount of up to 10,000 usd is subject to mandatory declaration! It is possible to export amounts up to 10,000 usd only if such an amount was declared upon entry into the country. Please note that the import and export of Dominican pesos is strictly prohibited.What goods are subject to mandatory declaration?
When passing through customs control, you must enter in the customs declaration:- Present.
- Items you received as a donation or inheritance.
- Goods purchased for the home.
- Goods intended for sale or running your own business.
- Items purchased on board the aircraft and in duty-free areas.
For goods purchased on board the aircraft and in duty-free zones with a total value of up to 600 usd, you can use the right of duty-free transportation (only if you have the appropriate receipts confirming these purchases).
You can import goods for personal use into the customs territory of the Dominican Republic with exemption from customs duties:
The following goods for personal use can be carried in your personal luggage with an exemption from customs duties:- Tobacco products (adults only): 20 packs of cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 grams of smoking tobacco.
- Alcoholic drinks (adults only): 3 liters of alcoholic beverages (wine, liqueur, beer, rum or whiskey, no difference).
- Medicines: It is allowed to transport medications necessary for the duration of your stay in the country. For psychotropic medications, a prescription will be required.
- Other goods: Citizens of the Russian Federation can bring into the territory of the Dominican Republic duty-free items of personal use necessary during the trip. Personal items are understood as objects and things that a foreigner visiting the country uses, consumes or uses for his professional activities. At the same time, the quantity and purpose of these things and items must correspond to the nature and purpose of the trip around the country.
Goods, new or second-hand, for personal consumption, such as clothing, footwear and accessories, as long as they are adequate for the duration of the trip and the quantity cannot be traded.
Camera, video recorder, up to twelve rolls of film for the camera or video cassette.
Cell phone or pager.
Typewriter.
computer equipment (new or used laptop, netbook, etc.).
Two pieces of personal sports equipment (that can be carried by one person).
One musical instrument (which can be carried by one person), only if you can prove that you know how to use it.
Five DVDs, twenty CDs or magnetic tapes (audio cassettes) for sound playback.
Books and magazines that, due to their quantity, cannot be a commercial item.
Five toys (that one person can carry).
One binoculars.
Tent and camping equipment.
Sports goods for personal use.
Specific items required for persons with limited mobility.
Prohibitions and restrictions on import into the Dominican Republic.
When importing into the Dominican Republic, import bans apply to:
Drugs.Products of animal and plant origin.
Pornography.
Explosives. Substances that destroy the ozone layer and items containing them.
Import restrictions into the Dominican Republic.
Psychotropic medications (prescription required).Works of art and museum exhibits.
Transportation of animals and birds
Transport of animals included in the list of rare and endangered species protected by the "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna" into the Dominican Republic is possible only with a CITES certificate. Pets such as dogs and cats can be imported into the Dominican Republic upon presentation of health and vaccination certificates received in Russia, valid for another 30 days.All birds will definitely be quarantined for 10 days.
The import and export of foreign currency to the Dominican Republic is not limited, with the exception of US dollars. It is prohibited to import more than $10,000 in cash. The import and export of local currency, including coins, is prohibited.
Prohibited to import
Import permit required
Allowed with restrictions
- 200 cigarettes, incl. from Duty Free
- 1 liter of strong alcohol, incl. from Duty Free
- 2 liters of non-strong alcohol, incl. from Duty Free
Export from the Dominican Republic
It is prohibited to export
- Meat or dairy products
- Local currency - Dominican Peso - DOP
- Currency over $10,000. Or an amount not exceeding that which was declared upon entry.
- Weapons, drugs, pornography
Export permit required
- Objects recovered from the seabed
- Some types of orchids
- Heart of palm tree
- Medicines containing narcotic substances
- Animals must have a veterinary certificate and vaccinations against rabies and parvovirus
Allowed with restrictions
- 200 cigarettes
- No more than 50 cigars per person
- 1 liter of strong alcohol
- 2 liters of non-strong alcohol
Tax free in the Dominican Republic
There is no tax free tax refund system in the Dominican Republic.
Shopping on vacation is a fun and exciting activity, especially in addition to staying on the amazing islands of the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic is a great place where you can plunge into the world of shopping for exotic fruits, vegetables and unusual souvenirs. Having been a third world country for a long time, the modern state on the island of Haiti is increasing its economic well-being and turning shopping in the Dominican Republic into a rather pleasant process.
Dominican Republic shopping destinations
What to bring from the Dominican Republic? You can buy everything: clothes, food, cosmetics, various souvenirs and useful gifts for friends and relatives. The significant remoteness of this country increases the value of purchased goods, imbued with a unique local culture and traditions. Hospitable, attentive consultants and sellers, equipped trading platforms with a large assortment of goods will make the purchasing process itself quite comfortable.
It should be understood that in the Dominican Republic it is not customary to bargain in shopping centers or regular supermarkets, since prices in them are fixed. Bargaining will be appropriate only in small shops and souvenir shops. Most sellers there often inflate prices, hoping for their buyer.
Note! Many retail outlets are not open every day, so you shouldn’t put off the product you like.
It is important that the Republic does not have a tax free tax refund system. All retail outlets in the Dominican Republic are diverse and have their own characteristics.
Dominican Republic
Such a popular resort is characterized by:
- local shops, or comaldos, with no price tags for a wide range of goods;
- souvenir shops with fixed prices;
- supermarkets and hypermarkets, large shopping centers with tempting offers.
The largest commercial and shopping centers are located in Santo Domingo. This is where people go shopping, because vacationers are offered a wide range of local and foreign-made goods that are affordable and of comparable quality. Iconic shopping spots here include the Malecón Avenue, Mercado Modelo and Calle Conde with its private souvenir shops. Santo Domingo has low prices compared to other famous resorts.
You can also shop economically on the south coast. This especially applies to the purchase of jewelry. There are trusted stores in Puerto Plata, the products of which differ in quality and price. In the center of Punta Cana is the San Juan shopping center, open seven days a week.
The city of San Juan in the Dominican Republic is considered a paradise for shoppers, as there is a huge number of branded and regular stores, a supermarket, a park area, a bar, a restaurant, and a cinema. So the shopping process itself can be combined with a pleasant pastime. Since local residents also shop here, you will be pleasantly surprised by the prices of goods without unnecessary markups.
Also, everyone who wants to make purchases designed for Russians should pay attention to the stores in Punta Cana:
- Cousie boutique;
- Boca Chica;
- Matryoshka.
They have Russian-speaking staff, and the products have price tags that are understandable to Russian people. Here you can have a tasting and buy goods from little-known local brands.
Note! The Dominican Republic has its own established operating hours for all retail spaces and shops. Their normal opening hours are from 09:00 to 19:30. The exception is Sunday, when only supermarkets can open and then until 14:00. Interestingly, souvenir shops and local trading stalls can operate at their own hours and are often open until the last customer.
What can you bring from the Dominican Republic?
A good gift for any man would be a bottle of real rum, the number of brands of which on the island will please the most sophisticated buyers. When choosing a drink, you should pay attention to studying its color and the type of herbal additive that is present. The aging period of the rum and the method of its further use will depend on these indicators.
Typically, light rum is added to cocktails, while dark or well-aged rum is preferred to drink neat, diluted with pieces of ice. Among the famous varieties of Dominican rum are the common Brugal, Ron Barcelo, Bermudez, Punta Cana, Ron Barcelo Imperial.
Tourists are often offered to try rum in coconuts on the beach. The drink in coconuts acquires a slightly sweetish taste and is characterized by a pleasant soft aroma. In addition to rum, mamajuana is considered a popular strong local drink. Its direct association with the Dominican Republic and its interesting purpose attracts tourists; it is definitely worth purchasing as a gift. According to the Dominicans, this drink, prepared according to an ancient recipe, is considered the best remedy for stimulation, along with its preventive properties in the treatment of joint diseases.
Dominican Republic souvenirs
Natural cigars made from first-class tobacco are also famous. They are hand rolled and the quality of the tobacco used is equal to that of Cuban cigars. Most often, the choice is made on such well-known brands as Courvoisier, Antonio Fuente, La Aurora, Davidoff, Carbonell. Fake products made from banana leaves are often sold on the market, so it is recommended to purchase cigars in large stores or hotels, where only original products are allowed to be brought.
Women will not be able to resist the highest grades of aromatic coffee. In the Dominican Republic, Arabica is represented by a complex and very intense aroma, which incorporates a combination of honey, chocolate, fruit and floral notes. Popular among buyers are the Monte Real and Santo Domingo varieties with their individual and pleasant taste.
Since cocoa is one of the main export goods, the best souvenir from the Dominican Republic will be Cacao bola - a ground cocoa ball mixed with butter that tastes like chocolate.
Handmade products from local artisans are very popular among tourists. Such souvenirs from the Dominican Republic will not leave anyone indifferent. Thus, in the market and in trading shops you can buy unique wooden and ceramic products, handmade paintings, jewelry made of amber and ivory. The leading place among the brought souvenirs is occupied by shells and bright sunny paintings.
All lovers of folk musical instruments should pay attention to the souvenir shops, where you can always find a tambora and a Dominican drum.
Creole dolls made in national traditions do not go unnoticed. They combine European and African traditions and will become an unusual decoration for any home.
You should definitely purchase fresh exotic fruits at the local market.
Blue amber of the Dominican Republic
The islands offer the fair half of humanity a wide selection of jewelry made from various materials. Blue stone from the Dominican Republic (as the locals call it Larimar) is a new mineral with a unique pattern that is extremely popular. The Dominican Republic considers silver jewelry with larimar its calling card. This blue amber stone has positive energy and is considered semi-precious. Its color may vary and ranges from delicate blue to rich blue shades.
Important! The Dominican Republic offers larimar stone only in specialized stores. It is often counterfeited, replacing products with glass, plastic or ceramics. Therefore, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the unique design of the stone and the price-quality ratio.
The cost of such jewelry depends on the weight and size of the product. Its presence in precious metal products significantly increases the overall price.
Duty free in the Dominican Republic
At the airports of Punta Cana and Santa Domingo there is a duty-free service with Internet access. Tourists arriving on vacation most often visit it at the airport only when departing from the resort. Everything in Dominican duty free is standard. Usually everything that is brought from the Dominican Republic can be purchased here.
You can bring alcoholic drinks, branded cosmetics, summer clothes and locally produced goods from there. It is recommended to take the same cocoa and coffee if you were unable to do this during your vacation. It is only important to understand that the pricing policy here is overpriced relative to the local one. The exception is cosmetic products and perfumes. The prices here are tempting, and the products for sale are of really good quality, and often a gift from the brand is a bonus added to the main purchase.
Duty free
Features of Dominican Republic customs
One can only imagine what tourists bring from the Dominican Republic; the goods are not limited only to local flavor. But whether it will be possible to export purchases from the country in full, this question remains open. The reason for this is that among the features of Dominican shopping there are a lot of conditions and prohibitions on what can be imported and exported.
It is strictly forbidden to make any movement with local currency. This rule even applies to coins. As for foreign currency, its movement at the border is not limited. The only exception is US dollars: you can bring no more than $10,000 in cash. Also among the prohibitions at Dominican customs:
- meat and dairy products;
- weapons, drugs, pornographic products.
Important! A special permit is valid for importing medicines and pets. On the question of what cannot be exported from the Dominican Republic to Russia, these goods are also supplemented by the heart of a palm tree, objects raised from the seabed, and some types of orchids. Information about what goods and how much can be delivered to your homeland should be studied in advance.
With certain restrictions you can export:
- 200 cigarettes;
- no more than 50 cigars per person;
- 1 liter of strong drink, 2 liters of weak drink;
- 500 g of coffee drink;
- souvenirs with a total value of no more than $100.
Particular attention is paid to things of artistic and historical value. Exporting them from the Republic is strictly prohibited. For your own safety and to avoid unnecessary conflicts, you should keep receipts for expensive purchases.
For tourists, prices for goods are always inflated. The Dominican Republic is targeting the American tourist who does not like to bargain. But far from tourist centers, the ability to bargain solves this issue and most often it is possible to agree on half the original cost.
Capital city of Santo Domingo
When purchasing clothes, you should carefully look at the date they arrived at the store. Due to the fact that there is high humidity in the Dominican Republic, things can be spoiled, but this is not immediately obvious. Also, when purchasing in duty-free, you should pay attention to the packaging features of the product. If it is poorly packaged, there is a high probability of confiscation at customs.
For all groups of goods, prices in super- and hypermarkets are the lowest. During sales, you have the opportunity to purchase items at good discounts. Seasonal sales take place after the New Year holidays, at the end of summer, as well as in March and October. But they are all individual; some shopping centers do not offer discounts.
It is simply impossible to spend a vacation in the Dominican Republic and not plunge into the exciting world of trading and shopping. Experienced tourists view shopping as a process filled with a sea of impressions and emotions. The doors of centers, boutiques and retail shops are open to everyone, and the hospitality of the local residents will not leave you a chance to save money and will encourage you to purchase popular Dominican goods.
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