Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and the Dominican Republic

Central America and the Caribbean · 5 port guides · US free trade agreement partner

In 2025 the United States exported $12.9 billion of goods to the Dominican Republic and imported $7.6 billion from there. The Dominican Republic ranked 31st among US export markets and 45th among sources of US imports.

Request a rate quote (757) 857-4141
17 ports in the Dominican Republic recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$12.9BDown 0.9% on 2024 ($13.0 billion)
US imports, 2025
$7.6BUp 1.1% on 2024 ($7.5 billion)
Goods balance
$5.3BUS surplus
Export market rank
31stAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
45thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to the Dominican Republic

Mineral fuels and oils (chapter 27) led US exports to the Dominican Republic at $3.8 billion, 30% of the total. The top three chapters made up 43%.

  1. 27Mineral fuels and oils$3.8 billion29.7%
  2. 87Vehicles and parts$943.6 million7.3%
  3. 39Plastics$781.4 million6.1%
  4. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$748.5 million5.8%
  5. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$721.0 million5.6%

US imports from the Dominican Republic

Optical, medical and precision instruments (chapter 90) led US imports from the Dominican Republic at $1.8 billion, 24% of the total. The top three chapters made up 53%.

  1. 90Optical, medical and precision instruments$1.8 billion23.6%
  2. 24Tobacco and nicotine products$1.1 billion15.1%
  3. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$1.1 billion14.0%
  4. 61Knitted apparel$446.1 million5.9%
  5. 71Precious stones, metals and jewelry$402.6 million5.3%

Trade terms

The United States and the Dominican Republic are parties to the Dominican Republic-Central America FTA (CAFTA-DR). Goods that meet its rules of origin can qualify for reduced or zero duty. Our certificates of origin page covers the paperwork.

The International Trade Administration covers the import rules and documents the Dominican Republic requires in its Country Commercial Guide.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with the Dominican Republic.

Exports through the port, 2025
$131.4M1.0% of the US total with the Dominican Republic
Leading export goods
MeatHS chapter 02, $39.9 million
Imports through the port, 2025
$6.2M0.1% of the US total with the Dominican Republic
Leading import goods
FootwearHS chapter 64, $2.3 million

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in the Dominican Republic

5 ports in the Dominican Republic have a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index. In the index, Santa Cruz de Barahona records the deepest cargo pier of them, at 9.4 m.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for the Dominican Republic: Amber Cove, Cabo Rojo, Las Calderas, Manzanillo, Pepillo Salcedo, Puerto Botado, Puerto Viejo de Azua, Puerto de Haina, Punta Nizao Oil Terminal, San Pedro de Macoris, Sanchez and Santa Barbara de Samana.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Import requirements: International Trade Administration, Country Commercial Guides, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.