Dominican authorities seize more than 30,000 illegal goods from Chinese businesses

Santiago de los Caballeros, DR.- The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), through the Specialized Corps for the Control of Fuels and Trade of Goods (Ceccom), has seized more than 30,000 illicit goods from Chinese-owned businesses as part of ongoing operations against illegal trade.

The seizures, conducted with the support of the Public Ministry, include premium alcoholic beverages, sexual stimulants, medicines, cigarettes and other consumer products that lacked the permits or registrations required under Dominican law.

The most recent operation took place in Santiago de los Caballeros, where authorities inspected Mall Lindo, Well Being Malls, Plaza Moda Select and Kindo Mall. The operation was led by prosecutor Lía Collado of the Santiago Prosecutor’s Office’s Electronic Crime Department.

Authorities seized 5,872 irregular products, including 3,706 sexual stimulants, 2,141 medicines and other goods without sanitary registration or proper Spanish-language labeling, and 25 units of high-end alcoholic beverages.

Violations of Dominican regulations

MICM said the practices detected violate Law 17-19 on the Eradication of Illicit Trade, Smuggling and Counterfeiting of Regulated Products, as well as the General Health Law 42-01 and General Customs Law 168-21.

Authorities identified products being sold without sanitary registration, fiscal traceability or the Spanish-language labeling required by Dominican regulations. MICM warned that these practices can pose risks to consumers while also reducing tax revenue for the national government.

The ministry and Ceccom said they will continue conducting inspections and pursuing illegal trade activities across the Dominican Republic.