DR Customs @ POP International

[Kennilingus]

I have read several references here which indicate that "tipping" $10 or $20 to the Customs officer at the POP airport can result in your bags not being checked on inbound flights.

My question is how is the $$$$ offered. Is it covert in a handshake? Openly offered?

Here in Canada tipping LE would land you in serious hot water, complete with fingerprint ink!! This is one area (of many)where I do not have a clue.

I would appreciate any light you could shed on this subject.

Thanks,

[Guychen_lu]

Sure. It works. 300 Pesos and I always ask: "a quien la propina"... The one who take it will let you pass without problems.

[Bug Boy]

No entiendo y hablo espanol senor:D

[Guychen_lu]

???? HUHHH

[WickedWillie]

The more frequent travellers may verify this further, but things certainly appear to have changed.

As my DR residency has expired and I am too lazy to renew it, I have always slipped the immigration guys at the booth $10 hidden in my passport. No problem.

On return I always shook the hand of the nearest customs guy, with $5 discretely passing to let me through with only a cursory check. No problem.

I took a trip a couple of weeks ago and was a little pissed that on exit my passport was thoroughly checked for the last exit/entry stamps and when it was discovered that I hadn't left the DR for 2 years was escorted to a separate office where I was fined RD$3,500.

I was told that it was now absolutely forbidden to give a propina to the immigration desk as they were now being forced to adhere to their regulations as the govt have finally realised that they were missing out on some tax revenue.

The very nice lady also told me to forget about the propina to the customs guys on return as they were now operating under the same conditions, but would only be stopping "suspicious" characters. Pretty much like Customs all over the world.

She also told me that they had been receiving a lot of training from the Americans.

On return my bags included 2 laptops, a 5 speaker surround sound system, a DVD player, watches and new clothing for my biatch. I was expecting to be stopped and had $10 in my hand plus the receipts for all items ready for everything in order to argue the value and thus hopefully minimize the taxes due.

But no, I walked straight through, and unlike the past, I wasn't directed or man-handled to any Customs officer by the maleteros (the guys in green or white shirts) and no Customs officer called me over.

I guess things have changed. Just don't look suspicious and you'll be OK.

[Downtown]

I think to some degree it's just the luck of the draw. I've never had any issues with them, but that's not to say they'll not stop me for an inspection in the future. Just walk by them with an air of confidence about you and hope they don't think you look suspect!

[Choirboy]

I think to some degree it's just the luck of the draw. I've never had any issues with them, but that's not to say they'll not stop me for an inspection in the future. Just walk by them with an air of confidence about you and hope they don't think you look suspect!

I've landed at POP 16 times since July 2005. I've only been searched once leaving the airport and that was one of my first trips because I stopped to see if they wanted to check my luggage. Now once I have my checked luggage, I just wait for a group of other people to head for the exit and just walk confidently out the door without slowing down.

When boarding the plane to return home, I avoid the luggage checker that works in the boarding chute by timing my entry when he or she is occupied with someone else.

I have nothing to hide, but I like to avoid the hassle. I've never slipped anyone any money, by the way.

[B_J_Lover]

Me too. I've never given a tip and I've always walked right past them every trip. Weird.

[GokuSS]

In my 5 trips to the DR and through POP I have never offered tips and I have never had my luggage searched; but I only have carry-on. I never have checked bags. I travel American Air Non-rev. (employee Benefit) it's a form of stand-by. Although I've never missed a flight there is always a risk of not getting on and having checked luggage can create more problems. I have the largest carry-on bag allowed and manage to get everything I need stuffed into it and an extra shoulder bag.

[Aren]

I have never been searched or stopped at POP but once on the way out of DR at Santiago aiport, before even checking in my luggage I was directed to a corner and my suitcase was searched (although they were doing this to every other passenger - about 2 years ago).

But last month on leaving POP the immigration asked for 1000 pesos for over-stay !? I said it's 300 and I know this is the right amount, she said no you have been here for more than 3 months. I looked at my passport and noticed there was no entry stamp from 5 weeks ago when I arrived !!!? She was looking at my last visit entry (4 months ago !!!).

Basically the idiot that checked my pass on entry did not stamp it. Anyway, I suddenly realised I have my ticket slip still in my bag, so I showed her and said this is the date I entered - I also showed the exit stamp for my last trip. Cut the story short she quickly accepted and took the 300 pesos.

My advice is to check the stamps in your passport on entry and exit !

[LM]

I've been to POP many, many times.......and this is what greets me every time I've arrived....a virtual ghost town.....

Never hassled on the way in or out...could be we are coming in on a Canadian charter, which arrive at around 11:30 am......I think they seem to to target regular scheduled flights from the U.S. more often IMO

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5586/popcustomsqp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Now Santiago seems to be a different story, they seem to be a little stricter there in and out...only been through there once...

Don't even ask about Cuba...been hassled a few times...plus they x-ray your luggage coming in and leaving....

[moshy2k]

I have never been searched or stopped at POP but once on the way out of DR at Santiago aiport, before even checking in my luggage I was directed to a corner and my suitcase was searched (although they were doing this to every other passenger - about 2 years ago).

But last month on leaving POP the immigration asked for 1000 pesos for over-stay !? I said it's 300 and I know this is the right amount, she said no you have been here for more than 3 months. I looked at my passport and noticed there was no entry stamp from 5 weeks ago when I arrived !!!? She was looking at my last visit entry (4 months ago !!!).

Basically the idiot that checked my pass on entry did not stamp it. Anyway, I suddenly realised I have my ticket slip still in my bag, so I showed her and said this is the date I entered - I also showed the exit stamp for my last trip. Cut the story short she quickly accepted and took the 300 pesos.

My advice is to check the stamps in your passport on entry and exit !

I had the same issue where they didn't stamp my passport when i arrived. I was lucky I still had my arrival flight ticket so I was able to escape without a fine.

[3somefan]

I've been through the POP airport three times now and have never had a problem! I do keep a US $5 bill folded up in pocket in case, but have yet to have to give to anyone. This last trip, when I got to the area where they check bags (before you walk out the door,) it looked like they were going to motion me over, I just walked by ignoring them...

I think that if you have been through there before and act like you know the deal (a sense of confidence) you won't have many issues, or at least this has been true for me.

[Beads]

I tend to find they check more thoroughly on the way out of the DR than coming in. POP airport isnt that bad as they only put it on the conveyer belts as in the above pic and start hand searching stuff on the way in.

In STI they xray on the way in and out on all my trips so far.

[TMONEY]

I used to tip the Customes guy on my way through up until Nov. 2007. On that trip there was a very different attitude with the agents. They were searching a lot more people and bags. That time of the year in the past everyone had a hand out as it was close to the Christmas Holiday.

In Santiago they check your bags via a machine and they never stop me. They just smile and wave me through. I always have 2 checked bags.

I did notice signs about not tipping.

[tomgueguen]

There 's no reason to tip anyone.

[moshy2k]

I refuse to tip.... I have nothing to hide so they can look in my bag as much as they want.

[passasabe]

When I was down in the DR last October, the customs guy checking the luggage straight up ask me for tip. I gave him $5 and kept on rolling. I was taken aback by the request, but hey, I am coming to their country to try and bang all their women, I just chalk it up to the cost of doing business.

[Rubicon]

If you've got no illegal substances, or nothing that they can declare as imports, no need to pay them anything, unless you just want to save the few minutes it would take for them to search your bags. If, on the other hand, you're bringing something in that would require a greater import tax than the $10 it would take to avoid that tax, then it might make sense to pay it.

[continentalmike]

I am almost never searched or stopped...

Just walk by, greet politely and out the door I am

[ElPlomero]

You better knock on wood now.

[weyland]

On five British charter flights I have never yet seen anyone stopped. Either they (correctly) assume that all Brits are totally honest or they (almost correctly) think that our little island is as poor as theirs and there is nothing we could bring in.

I usually talk to some family with kids going through and the officials think I am the grandfather. This last trip I had to pass through with the Thunderstars who are as suspicious looking as anyone could be. They have "criminal perverts" written all over them, but we still made it through without trouble although Thunderstar's suitcase was bulging with vibrators, handcuffs, whips and other holiday necessities.

[carolinajack]

Leaving out of New York is getting a bottle or two of liquor in carryon a problem - either leaving states - or once in DR (import tax)? :confused:

In DR I figure I'll just do the "walk right by - like you know where you're going" thing.

Don't trust AA to handle my bags (at least from what I've read) - but wanna take my own bar setup - I get a deal on liquor thru buddy.

[MisterPink]

You can only bring liquor from DUTY FREE onboard. You can bring the mini bottles in a ziplock, otherwise it will be confiscated by TSA at security in JFK. Vodka is very inexpensive in DR as is good Ron.


Leaving out of New York is getting a bottle or two of liquor in carryon a problem - either leaving states - or once in DR (import tax)? :confused:

[nyc]

last week i was asked 3 times for a tip by the customs agent in POP once i picked up my luggage.....i acted like i didn't understand what he was asking and kept it moving....

[Jimmydr]

last week i was asked 3 times for a tip by the customs agent in POP once i picked up my luggage.....i acted like i didn't understand what he was asking and kept it moving....


Just point to the posters that say "report corruption"

[El Capitan]

I get searched LEAVING SDQ everytime.......it's the 10 bags of coffee in my backpack. I load it on top, have the receipt with it too. The FYI: They use coffee to move coke...

I tip everyone EXCEPT Customs!

[Gutter Meat]

Just walk right by them without making eye contact. If they stop you so be it.

[Hemp]

there are times when i walk right through...no harm no foul, and there are times when they search me and my bags like im a major drug runner out of the DR????? once there done i just say thanks and keep walking... i have nothing to be afraid of so they can search whatever they want quite frankly.

i wouldn't suggest paying any currency to any official at the airport! even if they asked for it. i would just go through what ever search procedure they wanted to conduct...if one of the officials wants to be an asshole they can try and charge you with "bribeing an agent" or something and who needs that headache!

[continentalmike]

there are times when i walk right through...no harm no foul, and there are times when they search me and my bags like im a major drug runner out of the DR????? once there done i just say thanks and keep walking... i have nothing to be afraid of so they can search whatever they want quite frankly.

i wouldn't suggest paying any currency to any official at the airport! even if they asked for it. i would just go through what ever search procedure they wanted to conduct...if one of the officials wants to be an asshole they can try and charge you with "bribeing an agent" or something and who needs that headache!

Good post. Of course, one sometimes needs to remind them only to open one bag at a time, with you being witness to the procedure. Else you might find stuff missing.