Dominican Republic - Documents

Navigational Permit:

Visiting yachts are permitted to cruise the DR for 2 months (60 days) on arrival. If you want to stay longer and cruise around the country (or keep your boat in a DR marina), then prior to 60 days expiring you must go and see the comandante of the Armada/Navy to apply for a Navigational Permit for either a 6 or 12 month extension.

It's possible to get one yourself in Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo, or you can ask a marina to assist (Ocean World Marina and Puerto Bahia Marina assist for free) . In Samana there is a town anchorage agent who can assist also.

Rates can be changed with no prior warning and are worked out using the length of your vessel. It is expected rates will increase in 2024.

You will need to show that you are fully insured.  It is possible to get local liability insurance.

It is unlikely this Permit will be mentioned on check-in, so be sure to ask for more details if you know you want to stay longer. You will need to provide the following:

• Letter of request addressed to the Commander of the Harbor Master's Office or to the Commander of the Naval Command of Harbor Master's Offices and Maritime Authority, ARD., specifying the details of the vessel, address, ID, telephone, email of the applicant, if the vessel belongs to a commercial entity, a copy of the constituent bylaws stating who is the representative of the same;
• Four 5x7 size photos printed of the boat, stern, bow and both sides and recorded on a memory tock or CD in JPG format.
• Two 2x2 photos of the front of the owner or representative.
• Photocopy of the identity card or passport of the owner or representative if it is a company.
• Copy of the foreign registration. F. C. d. and. Certification of no valid original judicial record.
• Copy of the boat insurance.
• Paper of arrival at port.

The above documents must be translated into Spanish by a judicial interpreter. See Fees for the costs.

The law is currently under revision and it is hoped it will be alot easier to obtain the Navigation Permit in the future.

Once you have a Navigational Permit there is a process where you register your vessel with the Armada and can use an app to obtain port to port, or international despachos (which are still required).

The DR Flag:

If you want to re-flag your boat under the DR, you will have to pay import tax. It is high because there is a tax of about 30% followed by a selective import tax on top of that of another 20%. With sales tax then added of 16%, this is a pricey option. Most well off Dominicans that are in the yacht clubs, have their boats with an American Flag. They pay $43 to bring their boat into the country and then every year they pay a foreigner renewal fee of $300 or so.

Last updated:  December 2023