Passage through Customs is mandatory for all dominicans or foreign travelers entering the country transporting money or goods. However, up to certain limits permitted by law, citizens are not required to declare the goods they are carrying with them.

Yes, you must go through a two-step process involving Immigration and then Customs (Aduana) upon arrival in the Dominican Republic. First, you present your passport and your E-Ticket digital QR code to an immigration officer. After collecting your checked luggage, you walk through the Customs area. In 2026, the process is mostly "green light/red light." Most travelers with standard personal belongings pass through without a physical bag search. However, you are required to declare any currency over $10,000 USD or commercial goods. It is also important to remember that since 2021, the $10 USD "Tourist Card" fee is typically included in your airfare, so you no longer need to pay that at the airport. The entire process at major airports like Punta Cana (PUJ) or Santo Domingo (SDQ) usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of arriving international flights.