Shipments In-transit to Port au Prince

Dominican International Forwarding, S.A. can serve as your local logistics partner to transport your shipments in-transit to Port Au Prince (PAP). We, as a Freight Forwarding Company, can provide freight forwarding services like but not limited to: Import Customs Clearance, Cargo Handling and On Carriage from Dominican Republic´s ports and airports up to the border checkpoint Jimani/Malpasse or up to Port Au Prince. Haiti.

1.Services.

Our main responsibility is to coordinate and obtain the approval of the In-Transit permits for all cargo coming via the Dominican Republic. Most important is the daily information provided via email about the status of the documentation of every shipment.

With this information at hand you can always be aware of any documentation issues, arrival of your cargo and what is the most important to know when demurrages will start.

We have a team of three (3) persons who are dealing exclusively with Haiti.

Luis Paulino luis.paulino@dif.com.do Haiti Coordinator. Tel (+1) 829 539 3705
Pablo Torres pablo.torres@dif.com.do – Haiti Coordinator. Tel (+1) 829 4109093
Sara Marchena sara.marchena@dif.com.do Haiti Coordinator. Tel (+1)829 568 2185

DIF performs its freight forwarding services in compliance with the Dominican Law, the official procedures established and respecting the Government and UN MINUSTAH Mission (peace keepers) instructions.

2.Documentation.

Receiving the documentation ahead of time guarantees the success of obtaining permits prior to vessel/aircraft arrival and taking advantage of the transit times.

• Humanitarian aid shipments arriving to Dominican Republic to be transported in-transit to Haiti have to state on the AWB/BL the following clause: "Humanitarian Aid in-Transit to Haiti”.


• We recommend to the donor to issue a kind of Certificate of Donation which has to include the following clause:

“We hereby certify that the goods mentioned in the attached list will be imported into Haiti to be used in the framework of the humanitarian aid program to recover Haiti. This is to assist the Government of Haiti to respond to the earthquake”.


• If the shipment is for commercial purposes, the AWB/BL has to state the following clause: "Shipment in-Transit to Haiti”. No certification of donation is necessary.


• A full set of shipping docs have to be sent in advance by e-mail:
  • Commercial Invoice,
  • Packing list,
  • Certificate of Donation if so, and
  • AWB/BL.
  
  *Originals must be in our hands before shipment arrival.

All documentation has to come under the following format:

s/: Name of shipper
c: Name of consignee
n/: Notify party

Dominican International Forwarding, S.A.
Ave. Abraham Lincoln No.504
Torre B&R 4to Piso
Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic
Attn: Luis Paulino.
Email: luis.paulino@dif.com.do
Tel: 809.566.4333 Fax: 809.544.3100 Cel: 829.410.9093

Note: Our Company can start the procedure of obtaining authorization w/copies of shipping documents as well as commercial invoice; therefore it is of paramount importance to receive copies via e-mail or fax ahead of time. Original documentation is required at the moment of getting “in transit permits” released from customs.

General remarks

• Recommended Seaports in the Dominican Republic:
  • Rio Haina: Break Bulk, Ro-Ro, Containers. *****
  • Caucedo: Containers. *****
  • Santo Domingo: Ro-Ro, Containers ***
  • Puerto Plata: Containers, Ro-Ro.*

Legend:

***** Primary Route: Rio Haina is the main port where break bulk, containers and Ro-Ro cargoes are handled. Caucedo port just handles containers. Most of the shipping lines sailing to Dominican Republic call these ports.

*** Secondary Route: Some Ro-Ro and container lines call this port.

*Third Route: Few container and Ro-Ro lines call this port. Distance from this port up to Port Au Prince is further than from the other ports.

In terms of road conditions within the Dominican Republic, all the above routes are recommended.

Note: In case of chartering a vessel, please inform beforehand to recommend to you one of these ports or others depending on their capacity and the handling equipment available.

• Recommended Airports in the Dominican Republic.
  • Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ). *****
  • Joaquin Balaguer Airport (JBQ) ***
  • Santiago Airport (STI) **
  • Puerto Plata Airport (POP)*
  • La Romana Airport (LRM)*
  • Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) *
  • Samana Airport (AZS).*

Legend:

***** Primary Route: Santo Domingo Airport (SDQ) is the capital and main airport of the Dominican Republic. Most of the airlines flying to Dominican Republic call this airport.

*** Secondary Route: Joaquin Balaguer airport is the second airport of Santo Domingo city. Some airlines call this airport.

** Third Route: Santiago Airport is located in the north-central region of the country. Some airlines call this airport. Distance from this airport to Port Au Prince is further than from Santo Domingo airports.

* Fourth Route: These airports could be an option but distances from there up to Port Au Prince are far.

In terms of road conditions within the Dominican Republic, all the above routes are recommended.

• We strongly recommend to hire a transport insurance to insure valuable cargoes (cars, special equipment or any other valuable goods) and endorse in favour of Dominican International Forwarding,S.A. a waiver of subrogation. Otherwise, DIF shall have to hire an insurance policy to cover its liability and this shall be invoiced to the client as per out lay + 5% fee.

DELIVERY INTO HAITI

The border checkpoint through which trucks can cross to Haiti is Jimani-Malpasse.

Trucks are received at the border checkpoint of Jimani by our personnel allocated there who will make all the arrangements before the customs authority and with UN MINUSTAH Mission (peace keepers) to coordinate the time to cross the border duly escorted by them.

Restrictions

AGRICULTURAL Department has not been accepting the in transit for Rice, Garlic and certain food products; therefore, prior to shipping company must confirm with us status.

Aid suggested

Food: Baby formula (dry/powder), Baby bottles, Non perishable food that’s not in cans (seal-paks of tuna, for example), Drinkable Water.

General: Beth Clothes ( sheets, blankets etc), Kitchen articles, Towels, Mosquito repellent, Baby wipes, Diapers, Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste), Hand sanitizer, Socks, Blankets, Flashlights, Batteries, Candles, Flip flops, Campaign Houses, Canvases, Power plants 1-4kgs.

Medicine: Antibiotics, Antiseptic, Analgesic, Vitamins, Serum, Gauzes, Elastic bandage.


Packaging: The cargo should come packed on boxes per kind of item and duly labeled. E.g. boxes of medicines, boxes of drinkable water, boxes of canned food, etc.