Dominican Republic Recovers US$53.2 Million in Crackdown on Illegal Commerce

A government crackdown on illegal commerce has led to interventions at 19 businesses operated by Asian nationals between January and September 2026, with authorities seizing more than 235,000 products and recovering DR$3.2 billion in taxes and customs revenue.

Industry and Commerce Minister Eduardo Sanz Lovatón said the government supports foreign investment that operates under Dominican law but is increasing enforcement against businesses that fail to comply with construction, immigration, tax, customs and commercial requirements.

According to the minister, the interinstitutional task force monitoring these businesses has identified violations including missing sanitary registrations, expired products, undeclared imports and unpaid taxes.

The operations have also involved commercial establishments that allegedly operate outside their registered business activities or lack the permits required for their operations.

For commercial real-estate investors, the enforcement could affect the market beyond the merchandise being seized. Closures or changes in the way these businesses operate could free up commercial spaces, alter tenant demand and change competition in areas where these establishments have expanded rapidly.

The government said 14 of the 19 businesses were intervened through search warrants, while five were inspected through joint operations involving several institutions.

The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) recovered approximately RD$1.795 billion through post-clearance customs assessments, while the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) collected about RD$1.4 billion in unpaid taxes identified during inspections.

Sanz Lovatón emphasized that the government's position is not directed at Asian businesses as a group, but at businesses that violate Dominican laws.