Lawyers for international trade and logistics in the Dominican Republic

The regulatory chain

Dominican foreign trade is governed by the General Customs Law 168-21, by the country's trade agreements (DR-CAFTA, the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, CARICOM and Panama) and by sector sanitary, phytosanitary and quality rules. Logistics operators also answer to the Port Authority, the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute and the port and airport concessionaires.

We advise every actor in the chain on their contracts, compliance and disputes, with the support of our maritime and customs practice.

• International sale contracts, Incoterms and letters of credit
• Classification, valuation and origin; advance rulings before the DGA
• Use of tariff preferences under DR-CAFTA and other agreements
• Carriage, freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution agreements
• Customs and carrier bonds, and cargo insurance
• Defense in penalty proceedings, holds and seizures
• Distribution and commercial agency under Law 173
• Collection of freight and international invoices

Distribution and agency: Law 173

Law 173 on the Protection of Importing Agents of Goods and Products protects the Dominican distributor against termination without just cause by the foreign manufacturer, with significant indemnities. We advise foreign manufacturers on how to structure distribution in the country and Dominican distributors on how to enforce their rights.

Bonds and insurance in trade

Customs bonds, carrier bonds, cargo insurance and payment guarantees sustain the flow of trade. Our insurance practice lets us structure the right guarantee quickly and litigate the claim when the loss occurs.

Content reviewed by C. Constantin Poindexter Salcedo, MA, JD, CPCU, AFSB, ASLI, ARe, AINS, AIS, CPLP, partner at VSP Consultores Legales. Updated September 22, 2026.