The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) reported this Wednesday that the “Christmas Grace” period, which begins on December 1, will last until January 15.
The Christmas Grace consists of an exemption for the importation of gifts by Dominicans residing abroad, for articles or merchandise worth up to 4 thousand dollars.
Previously, the Christmas Grace period, which begins every December 1, ended on January 7, but this year it was decided to extend it until January 15, for a total of 45 days.
With this measure, the Dominican State seeks to repay part of the large contributions that Dominicans residing abroad make to their country, who, as of October 2022, have contributed a flow of remittances that exceeds 8,125.3 million dollars.
Both the Director General of Customs, Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, and President Luis Abinader himself, have recognized the contributions of the absent Dominicans in the development of the country, as well as the intention to compensate them with measures like this.
The entity explained that the transport of these gifts will be allowed by the way that the traveler deems convenient, provided that the FOB value of the transported goods does not exceed the established amount and is not in commercial quantities, allowing only one unit of each type of merchandise, especially in the case of household appliances.
To take advantage of this facility, people residing abroad, consignees of shipments, must present themselves to the corresponding customs administrations (collecturías) with their passport, purchase invoices, boarding pass and any other document that shows that they have more than six ( 6) months without entering the country.
“The measure will be applied as long as the entry of the merchandise has occurred in the period established for the Christmas Grace,” the DGA specified in a statement.
