Are they still asking for tips at POP?

[Don Tomas]

Just curious, this next trip I might be bringing some new items for a friend and don't want to get hassled. Has the new government gotten rid of the greedy guys? Or can I bribe my way through still?

PS. Not carrying anything illegal but some stuff that should be taxed since it will be staying in country.

[Jimmydr]

Just curious, this next trip I might be bringing some new items for a friend and don't want to get hassled. Has the new government gotten rid of the greedy guys? Or can I bribe my way through still?

PS. Not carrying anything illegal but some stuff that should be taxed since it will be staying in country.

What are you bringing, I might want it and have a friend stop you. :D

[Don Tomas]

Just curious, this next trip I might be bringing some new items for a friend and don't want to get hassled. Has the new government gotten rid of the greedy guys? Or can I bribe my way through still?

PS. Not carrying anything illegal but some stuff that should be taxed since it will be staying in country.

What are you bringing, I might want it and have a friend stop you. :D

Feel the love!

Home all-in-one radio and possibly a microwave.

[milone]

Don, for me, it's better to slip the guy $10, and they will let you go through with no checking. I'm talking about items in my luggage, so I'm not sure about the microwave. Also, I don't know if they will classify the microwave as electronics. I had a bad experience bringing down cell phones when I was a newbie. A waste of time, plus they searched all my luggage. I have the $10. ready, and when they motion me over, which they will do because I'm an American, I slip it to him, he looks at it, and I'm on my way. If they find your radio, they will want to tax it. They have to fill out a form, and they will check all your luggage; its not worth it. This was in Puerto Plata airport. I don't know how the other airports are; I would guess better since P.P. is Monger territory.

[Don Tomas]

Don, for me, it's better to slip the guy $10, and they will let you go through with no checking. I'm talking about items in my luggage, so I'm not sure about the microwave. Also, I don't know if they will classify the microwave as electronics. I had a bad experience bringing down cell phones when I was a newbie. A waste of time, plus they searched all my luggage. I have the $10. ready, and when they motion me over, which they will do because I'm an American, I slip it to him, he looks at it, and I'm on my way. If they find your radio, they will want to tax it. They have to fill out a form, and they will check all your luggage; its not worth it. This was in Puerto Plata airport. I don't know how the other airports are; I would guess better since P.P. is Monger territory.

I am more then willing to slip a 10 spot, no problem. See my other post in this section. I'm curious if this is still possible or even asked for with the new government. While I wasn't there I read that there wasn't shakedowns at the airports when Leonel was last in office. That would totally suck getting busted for attempting to bribe an official.

[gdogg]

I'm not giving them a dime!! If you say no, they let you go. (Unintentional poetry)

[Jimmydr]

I'm not giving them a dime!! If you say no, they let you go. (Unintentional poetry)

Fuck them, they have good jobs to begin with, those greedy assholes! :D

[BrooklynBeas]

I'm not giving them a dime!! If you say no, they let you go. (Unintentional poetry)

Fuck them, they have good jobs to begin with, those greedy assholes! :D

exactly fuckem ... i may slip the bag checker 100 pesos on my way out of the country if i have a couple of bottles and ciggs... but sometimes no

[Russel4339]

Is there a tax on electronics brought into the country? On my next trip, I was going to bring my laptop and do some work (when I wasn't otherwise occupoied).

If there is a tax, what type of monies are we talking about?

[Jimmydr]

Is there a tax on electronics brought into the country? On my next trip, I was going to bring my laptop and do some work (when I wasn't otherwise occupoied).

If there is a tax, what type of monies are we talking about?

Welcome!

No tax on your laptop. :D

[the_Jayman]

In my suitcase:

1.75 of Absolute
1.75 of Captain Morgans
1.75 of Bailies
a quart of Ameretto
a half dozen "airplane" bottles of JD
my boom box
a big pile of "crap" from the dollor store
40 or 50 condoms
misc dildos and vibrators

I give them the 10 spot and no problemo

[Jimmydr]

In my suitcase:

1.75 of Absolute
1.75 of Captain Morgans
1.75 of Bailies
a quart of Ameretto
a half dozen "airplane" bottles of JD
my boom box
a big pile of "crap" from the dollor store
40 or 50 condoms
misc dildos and vibrators

I give them the 10 spot and no problemo

Do you have a change of clothes located somewhere in there?

[BrooklynBeas]

i was just gonna ask that Jim... I always overpack on the clothes... bring 2 or 3 outfits a day... due to the fucking hot weather i take a lot of showers and due to the fucking i take a lot of showers... im trying to keep this 4 night 5 day trip down to 1 large maleta and a carryon with a radio and condoms... those are most important of course... i dont mind as much if my maleta is lost...

[El Drunko]

2 or 3 outfits a day??????? thats worse than a broad......

why not just have the maid do your laundry? beats packing and bringing so much shit with ya.....

[Jimmydr]

2 or 3 outfits a day??????? thats worse than a broad......

why not just have the maid do your laundry? beats packing and bringing so much shit with ya.....

He has to look good for his Penthouse vacation with that mysterious someone. (Thats for the Vak remark)

[gdogg]

2 or 3 outfits a day??????? thats worse than a broad......

why not just have the maid do your laundry? beats packing and bringing so much shit with ya.....

He has to look good for his Penthouse vacation with that mysterious someone. (Thats for the Vak remark)

That was funny as hell!!
:lol: :lol: :lol:

[BrooklynBeas]

yeah it is funny... the reason i dont want the maid to do my laundry is because last time i did my laundry in DR it came back even more dirty then when i sent them to be cleaned... some stains that werent even there when i gave it to her... this wasnt the palace maid... it was the dolphins maid but i dont trust any of them... as long as they change my sheets im happy... and Jimmy im the furthest one from being gay on here... never had a 3some with another guy either... but uhm you kinda like that activity... hmmmmm..

[Jimmydr]

and Jimmy im the furthest one from being gay on here... never had a 3some with another guy either... but uhm you kinda like that activity... hmmmmm..

Why do girls have 3 holes, think about it, so you and two buddies can all have fun at the same time. :D

[BrooklynBeas]

and Jimmy im the furthest one from being gay on here... never had a 3some with another guy either... but uhm you kinda like that activity... hmmmmm..

Why do girls have 3 holes, think about it, so you and two buddies can all have fun at the same time. :D

why do you think i have 10 fingers .. a dick and a tongue... to handle the chica myself! :D

[continentalmike]

Back to the OP some hard info:

At SDQ airport I was asked for a propino (drinking money) I just smiled and said 'no hay' and was waved through..

Suggest you try the same (and goes for you to Jay-dude).. it will work out fine

[psriches]

I arrived at POP last week and it seemed like I was gonna get the old tip bullshit by customs. So I started fumbling through my carry-on pretending to look for my suitcase keys. I begin to hold up his line so he waves me through. lol

[mack10]

after reading the stuff on this thread, I was a little leery of what to expect. I just followed a lady in as if I was with her and not by myself. Had no problem.

[papi0170]

Hey Guys!
Read this about corruption at airports in Dr (Las Americas and Punta Cana)

Troops from PUJ and AILA transferred
The military contingents based at Punta Cana and Las Americas airports were removed by the Ministry of the Armed Forces after the filing of complaints of extortion and bribery by passengers. The removal of personnel includes everyone from the lowest recruit to the highest official based in Punta Cana. The order also includes the members of the tourism police force (Politur), the National Police (PN) and other security forces. Armed Forces Minister Admiral Sigfrido Pared Perez signed the order at the request of AERODOM, the consortium that runs the Punta Cana and Las Americas terminals. General Rafael Ramirez Ferreiras, the chief of the military intelligence services, carried out the directive at the Las Americas Airport. He first talked to Carlos Cota Lama, the government liaison at the airport who had warned of the extortionists and bribers. Customs Department Director Manuel Cocco had also requested the removal of the military presence at the airports. Most of the complaints centered around military personnel who had extorted dollars from passengers in exchange for swift passage through the Customs area.

[Malibook]

I have been to PP 5 times and never experienced nor seen any of this shit you guys describe.

How the hell would they even know you have anything since you pick up your luggage after going through customs?

[Don Tomas]

I have been to PP 5 times and never experienced nor seen any of this shit you guys describe.

How the hell would they even know you have anything since you pick up your luggage after going through customs?

You pickup your luggage after going through Immigration (tourist visa/passport stamped), after there you go to the baggage carousel and pickup your luggage and then you pass through customs (long metal tables lined up) right before exiting the door.

[domfan]

my dominican wife - with a swiss passport - just came back from connecticut via JFK. she had some of my preferred sausages in her luggage. she handed the official 3 (TRHEE!!!, well YOU dont have the looks of my wife!) $, the guy let her pass. next customer was thourouhgly filzed.

[Malibook]

You pickup your luggage after going through Immigration (tourist visa/passport stamped), after there you go to the baggage carousel and pickup your luggage and then you pass through customs (long metal tables lined up) right before exiting the door.
I have never seen any customs agents there.

All I see there is the porters.

Everybody just picks up their luggage and goes straight out the door every time I have been.

[domfan]

You pickup your luggage after going through Immigration (tourist visa/passport stamped), after there you go to the baggage carousel and pickup your luggage and then you pass through customs (long metal tables lined up) right before exiting the door.
I have never seen any customs agents there.

All I see there is the porters.

Everybody just picks up their luggage and goes straight out the door every time I have been.

i dont know, WHEN your last visit was, but now, yes there are customs agents after the caroussell, and, yes, they DO search your luggage.

[Malibook]

i dont know, WHEN your last visit was, but now, yes there are customs agents after the caroussell, and, yes, they DO search your luggage.
My last trip was 4 weeks ago.

People have been talking about this for quite some time.
It's not like it is something new.

I am curious why I have never seen this yet others seem to indicate that it is normal. :?

[jd_mine]

I sometimes fly on charters and they have a tendency to just wave those passengers through. Plus when I arrived in the hurricane last September they clearly didn't feel like working: one guy for the whole plane, almost everyone was waved through again....

[Malibook]

I sometimes fly on charters and they have a tendency to just wave those passengers through.
I was thinking this could be the reason.

I have always flown charter and it seems like the vast majority of passengers have a bus waiting for them to take them to the resorts.

I can understand why they wouldn't want to cause so many people so much delay and hassle.
Plus it is a bunch of people going to various resorts compared to people visiting their novias and families.

[vagabond]

I always flies Martinair from Amsterdam, and there is always customs officers searching the luggages there.

[Mister NYC]

The tiered tax surcharge chart is located directly in front of each custom's officials booth facing you as you walk towards it. It is only 150 pesos if you stay longer than 15 days and under 3 months. The punk told me I had to pay $10USD initially until when I questioned him and asked to see the chart. It pays to ask.

[psriches]

And some are still asking for tips......

[gmalet]

I take 3 different prescription meds. Would it be OK to put all three in one bottle? Do they check meds?

[psriches]

I take 3 different prescription meds. Would it be OK to put all three in one bottle? Do they check meds?no problem with MEDS..

[Macky]

When I was departuring last time they tried to hustle all passengers for 20$ US for a 'departure tax' - I just stood my ground and said no - my ticket is all inclusive (which it is) and they said I couldn't leave - then I put on a mean look and said MY ticket is all inclusive (I didn't have a dime on me except a few danish kroners).

I guess size _is_ important after all as I'm not just called Big Dane for fun - the three airport police-gangsters backed off ;)

This was infront of about 150 europeans trying to pool money together so they could leave - lol.

My guess is that they try to get as much cash as they can without making a fuzz - when they see someone who wont back down and he is right they know when to back off to avoid a scene that will ruin their little setup.

[D_W_]

They're still asking...I give them a $5 or $10 spot. I always bring plenty of rubbers, batteries, camera, boom box. I don't want them touching my shit. Usually that's enough for my whole crew. 6-8 of us just get waved through.

[Dark Knight]

I'll be damned. This was one thing I kinda agonized over (I'd rather give extra cash to women than some a-hole guy in a customs blazer, just a principle), but I was by myself and cruised right through. I had lots of condoms, vitamin V, another prescription medicine, camera, etc. etc. Customs guy said, kinda weakly "tip? tip?". I didn't bother to answer, grabbed my stuff and went out to the cabs. I was lucky or they were lazy? One thing I did *not* do was smile.

Anyway, point/question is...since prescriptions were in my name, no illegal drugs, etc., how is some Gomez going to seriously detain me for a bribe? I guess if it turns into a non-trivial pissing match and I have to be escorted out of the area, I will pay, but very reluctantly. As said above, these guys make OK money.

[DEPUTY DAWG]

how is some Gomez going to seriously detain me for a bribe?

Not cool :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

[Apos]

how is some Gomez going to seriously detain me for a bribe?

Not cool :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

ostronic,

Please keep the slurs to yourself. They will not be tolorated here. Govern yourself accordingly.

[Dark Knight]

Sorry about that. I grew up in a very hispanic area in North Hollywood and am used to good natured ball busting. I can see how that was inappropriate in this forum though; point taken.

[Apos]

Sorry about that. I grew up in a very hispanic area in North Hollywood and am used to good natured ball busting. I can see how that was inappropriate in this forum though; point taken.

okay this time, no harm, no foul as they say.

[Dark Knight]

Copacetic. To get back to the point--was I just lucky to have encountered no problem at customs? I really would rather not give these guys cash, but if you more experienced guys think that is the norm I will have to figure that into my budget. Thanks.

[psriches]

Copacetic. To get back to the point--was I just lucky to have encountered no problem at customs? I really would rather not give these guys cash, but if you more experienced guys think that is the norm I will have to figure that into my budget. Thanks.As long as you are on the up and up, no problem. Don't give them shit if you don't want to......It's all your choice but remember, you don't have to.......

[Apos]

Copacetic. To get back to the point--was I just lucky to have encountered no problem at customs? I really would rather not give these guys cash, but if you more experienced guys think that is the norm I will have to figure that into my budget. Thanks.

POP has a reputation for nonexistant customs controls. i have not had anyone try and stop me just walking thru to the taxi area outside. infact the last trip, this past january there was noone between the baggage carosel and the outside :lol:

i don't worry about it and if it does happen to me i'll just pretent not to understand and try to keep moving. worst cast i'll slide him a fiver or let him have a look in my bags.

[gdogg]

Funny story about coming home. This would have made the trip report had I finished (sorry about that, blame ps and Sammy!). I went through the detector and it went off. I forgot to take off my bracelet from the beach. So after we discovered that's what was sounding off the alarm, the guard said:

"Do you have a little tip for me?"

I was like "What?"

He said "Like $5.00"

I said (in my best Spanglish) "Man, you know I have no money, I gave it all to my novias" (Idea stolen from this site...worked for a second time!).

The funny part was when I took his hand and shook it hard...then gave him a hug!! Told him that I had a great time, and that I'd see him again in Augusto. The look on his face was priceless. Sometimes, I really think that I'm insane.
:shock:

[psriches]

Ha Ha Ha!!! That's funny............ :lol:

[Apos]

i wish i could have seen that! novias, plural...and a hug :shock:

gotta be fast on your feet to keep up with you! :lol:

[gdogg]

...and it really did happen. I guess I still had that DR euphoria still in me...you all know what I mean. This guy was real soft spoken also. It was like it was his first time asking for a "bribe". I think I really scared him, cuz I was kinda loud (he was whispering).

[gdogg]

i wish i could have seen that! novias, plural...and a hug :shock:

gotta be fast on your feet to keep up with you! :lol:

It was totally spontaneous! I was wondering why I set off the alarm...I dressed the way I did for the purpose of avoiding it. I was shocked when he said it (and at the way he was whispering). It was a natural response...well for me anyway. Hell, I scared Jimmy when I first met him.

[jd_mine]

"Man, you know I have no money, I gave it all to my novias" (

I've done the same thing when they asked for a propina for a cerveza fria. Just said I gave it to the novia in a you know how things go around here kinda voice :-).....They just laughed with me and said 'well maybe next time' !!

[DEPUTY DAWG]

...and it really did happen. I guess I still had that DR euphoria still in me...you all know what I mean. This guy was real soft spoken also. It was like it was his first time asking for a "bribe". I think I really scared him, cuz I was kinda loud (he was whispering).

Now that's some funny S*#t. I'm the one to try that!!!!!!!!!! (priceless) cant hurt if it doesn't work, I'll give up $5.00 :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:

[rley69]

Dunno about POP but there were some customs guys sacked at the SD airport recently after the customs managers organised survellience. Whether this is part of a serious attempt to tackle corruption or a PR stunt remains to be seen.

BTW, I've never even seen any customs people at POP on either of my visits from the UK.

[jd_mine]

BTW, I've never even seen any customs people at POP on either of my visits from the UK.

My experience is with charter flights they just let everyone walk through. Other flights they pick and choose who they want to check. My first trip they searched both my suitcase and carry-on luggage.

[JDR]

I was waved thru last Wednesday.

[gdogg]

I was waved thru last Wednesday.

Of course you were!! They know better than to mess with (future) government officials!
:wink: