The Dominican Republic may not be a country that many online merchants think of first when it comes to cross-border eCommerce, but shipping to the Dominican Republic is actually an outstanding business opportunity. As the largest economy in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic definitely shouldn’t be overlooked by any eCommerce company.
Before your online business starts shipping to the Dominican Republic, it’s important to better understand the country. Here’s a quick look at some market insights, top online marketplaces in the country, what Dominicans like to buy online, the best times of the year to sell, import regulations and more!
Mobile Device Usage Growing in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic currently has a population of almost 11 million people with a population growth rate of about 1.1 percent as of 2018.
Dominican Republic has a nominal GDP of $71.6 billion and GDP per capita of $7,336, which is expected to increase to $9,657 in 2022, $10,234 in 2023 and $10,844 in 2024. With over 5 million Internet users and Internet penetration at over 50 percent, Dominican Republic is a great option for online store owners seeking to steadily grow their business in an international market.
In addition to growing Internet usage in general, mobile devices have become increasingly popular in the Dominican Republic, making the country a great opportunity for mobile eCommerce. In 2017, 36 percent of the nation’s population used mobile devices and by 2020, an estimated 43 percent is expected to be browsing the Internet using mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
Given the country’s growing economy and rising mobile device usage, more and more companies are shipping packages to the Dominican Republic to take advantage of the favorable eCommerce climate there. Make sure your business doesn’t miss out!
Local Online Marketplaces are Popular Alongside Major Global Ones
eCommerce companies planning on shipping to the Dominican Republic will find many local online marketplaces to use alongside major global players. A quick look at some of the top online marketplaces currently popular in the Dominican Republic include:
Fashion, Electronics are Top Product Categories in the Dominican Republic
eCommerce in the Dominican Republic is growing quickly, and, like all countries, its people have their own preferences of what they like to buy online. Companies looking into shipping to the Dominican Republic should familiarize themselves with the top online shopping product categories in the country, which include:
- Fashion
- Electronics and media
- Health and beauty care
- Toys and hobby items
Major Holidays Offer Prime Selling Opportunities in the Dominican Republic
Most online shopping in the Dominican Republic revolves around major holidays. A few popular times to sell online in the Latin American country include:
- Valentine’s Day
- Mother’s Day
- Easter
- Father’s Day
- Cyber Monday
- Back to school season
- Christmas
- New Year’s
Shipping to the Dominican Republic
Before your eCommerce business starts shipping to the Dominican Republic, it’s very important to understand the country’s import regulations. Here’s a closer look at some restricted and prohibited items in the Dominican Republic!
Restricted Items in the Dominican Republic:
The Dominican Republic Secretariat of Agriculture requires discretionary import licenses for most agricultural products imported into the country. This is designed to reduce the number of agricultural imports to help minimize competition with domestic agricultural products.
Other restricted items include:
- Alcohol
- Bank checks
- Flowers
- Food
- Gambling items
- Medicine
- Shampoo
- Electronic cigarettes
- Jewelry
Prohibited Items in the Dominican Republic:
- Coffee and coffee samples
- Animal skins
- Prescription and non-prescription drugs
- Animal products
A more extensive list of prohibited and restricted items can be found here.
International Couriers Offer Shipping to the Dominican Republic
Fortunately for eCommerce companies looking into shipping to the Dominican Republic, just about all major couriers offer services to the country. This includes SkyPostal, a Doral, Florida-based courier that specializes in shipping to Latin America.
A closer look at courier shipping options to the Dominican Republic include:
You can find more information about shipping packages to the Dominican Republic on Easyship’s Dominican Republic page. You can also use our rates calculator to find the cheapest shipping to the Dominican Republic as well as the fastest and best value options.
The Dominican Republic: A Great eCommerce Opportunity in the Caribbean
The Dominican Republic is a great cross-border eCommerce opportunity that should be tapped into, especially if you’re looking to expand into the booming Caribbean market.
Easyship’s courier discounts, tax and duty automation and cross-border shipment tracking will all come in handy when shipping to the Dominican Republic. Sign up today for free and take your business cross-border into the thriving Dominican Republic eCommerce market!
