Furniture Sourcing from China to the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is one of the busiest hotel markets in the Caribbean, from all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and Bávaro to boutique hotels in Santo Domingo and residential projects on the north coast. Resort projects need large volumes of guestroom, restaurant and outdoor furniture built for heat, humidity and salt air. Chinify helps Dominican developers, hotel owners and interior designers source this furniture from verified factories in Foshan, China, and coordinates samples, production, quality control and export.
This page sums up what you need to know before importing furniture from China to the Dominican Republic: duties, ITBIS, tourism incentives, documents, ports and timing.
Import duties and ITBIS for furniture
The Dominican Republic applies its general tariff to goods from China. In the current customs tariff (7th amendment, 2022 edition), the rates for project furniture are:
| Product (HS code) | Import duty |
|---|---|
| Seats and sofas (9401) | 20% |
| Other furniture (9403): bedroom, kitchen, office, dining and other furniture | 20% |
| Mattresses (9404.21, 9404.29) | 20% |
| Lamps and decorative lighting fittings (9405, residential and commercial) | 20% |
Duty is calculated on the CIF value converted to Dominican pesos. ITBIS at 18% is then charged on the CIF value plus the duty. Furniture is not subject to the selective consumption tax (ISC).
Illustrative example: for furniture with a CIF value of USD 100,000, the duty at 20% is USD 20,000 and ITBIS at 18% on USD 120,000 is USD 21,600. Duty and ITBIS together add about USD 41,600 before customs agent fees, port charges and inland transport, unless the project qualifies for the tourism incentives below.
Tourism incentives: CONFOTUR (Law 158-01)
For hotel and resort developers, the most important rule is the tourism incentive law. Under Law 158-01, tourism projects approved by CONFOTUR, the tourism promotion council chaired by the Minister of Tourism, are exempt from import duties and ITBIS on the equipment, materials and furniture needed for the project’s first fit-out and start of operations. Hotels, resorts, convention centres, marinas, theme parks, restaurants and other tourism infrastructure can qualify.
- Law 195-13 extended the regime to the whole country and set a 15-year benefit period.
- Existing hotels at least five years old can import furniture and equipment for modernisation or renovation free of ITBIS and other taxes, subject to approval.
- The process: the project applies through the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR); CONFOTUR classifies it, and use of the exemptions must be authorised by the Ministry of Finance before goods are imported.
Approval comes before the import, so start the process early and align it with your furniture schedule. The 2026 tax reform (Law 30-26) keeps CONFOTUR but changed how incentive regimes combine; confirm your project’s position with a Dominican tax adviser.
Clearance requirements
- Tax ID: companies import with their RNC; individuals with their cédula or passport.
- Customs agent: the importer can file the customs declaration (DUA) directly or through a licensed agente de aduanas. For a project shipment, and especially for CONFOTUR-exempt imports, we recommend an agent with hotel project experience.
- Import licences: furniture and lighting do not usually need one. Your agent will confirm for each HS code.
Documents for a shipment to the Dominican Republic
We prepare the export documents; your customs agent files the DUA in the Dominican Republic. A typical file includes:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Insurance certificate
- Certificate of origin, if your agent asks for it
- CONFOTUR and Ministry of Finance approvals, if the import is exempt
We use ISPM-15 treated and marked wooden pallets and crates on all export shipments.
Ports and ocean transit
- Caucedo (DP World): the main container port, east of Santo Domingo and the most direct for Punta Cana, Bávaro and La Romana.
- Río Haina: the main multipurpose port, west of Santo Domingo.
- Puerto Plata: the main port on the north coast, convenient for projects in Puerto Plata, Sosúa and Cabarete.
Some Asia–Caribbean services call at Shekou, close to Foshan, and continue through the Panama Canal to Caucedo. Forwarders estimate about 28 to 40 days port to port from South China to the Dominican Republic, depending on the service and transshipment. Add booking, port handling, clearance and inland transport, and ask your forwarder for the current schedule.
A realistic timeline
For a custom resort or residential package, plan on roughly 4 to 6 months from approved drawings to furniture on site, plus the time for CONFOTUR and Ministry of Finance approvals if you are using the tourism exemption. Work back from your opening date.
What Chinify coordinates
- Furniture specified for coastal climates: finishes, hardware, fabrics and outdoor materials that resist humidity and salt air
- FOB Foshan quotations you can compare, and itemised invoices that support your exemption file
- Samples, three-stage quality control with photos and signed reports
- Export packing, consolidation, loading and export documents
- Coordination with your forwarder and customs agent in the Dominican Republic
Import clearance, duties, ITBIS and exemption approvals are handled in the Dominican Republic by your customs agent and advisers. The full process is on how we work.
Related
See our hotel furniture and outdoor furniture pages and browse the catalog. Compare sourcing hotel FF&E in China versus local factories, read the guide to importing furniture from China, or go back to Latin America.
Send us your Dominican project scope and we will reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on furniture from China to the Dominican Republic?
In the current Dominican customs tariff, seats, sofas, other furniture, mattresses and residential or commercial lamps pay 20% import duty on the CIF value. ITBIS at 18% is then charged on the CIF value plus duty. Approved tourism projects can be exempt under Law 158-01.
Can a hotel import furniture duty-free in the Dominican Republic?
Yes, if the project is approved under the tourism incentive law (Law 158-01, CONFOTUR). Approved projects are exempt from import duties and ITBIS on furniture and equipment for their first fit-out, and hotels at least five years old can get ITBIS exemptions for renovations. Approval and Ministry of Finance authorisation must be in place before the goods are imported.
Do I need a customs agent to import furniture into the Dominican Republic?
It is not legally required: the importer can file the customs declaration (DUA) directly. For a project shipment, and especially for an exempt import, a licensed customs agent with hotel project experience saves time and avoids errors.
Which port should I use for a resort in Punta Cana?
Caucedo, east of Santo Domingo, is the main container port and usually the most direct for Punta Cana, Bávaro and La Romana. For north-coast projects, Puerto Plata can be closer. Your forwarder can compare current services and inland transport.
How long does furniture take to arrive in the Dominican Republic from China?
Forwarders estimate about 28 to 40 days at sea from South China, depending on the service. For a custom project, plan about 4 to 6 months from approved drawings to delivery on site, plus time for incentive approvals if you use them.
Tell us about your project
Send us the location, the type of project, the areas to furnish, drawings or references and your timeline. We reply within 24 hours.