Haiti bans entry of foreign goods through the Dominican Republic border

Santo Domingo.- The Haitian government has announced a ban on the entry of foreign goods through the Dominican Republic starting on April 7, 2025. This decision affects land trade at major border crossings, including Dajabón, Elías Piña, Jimaní, and Pedernales, and mandates that goods can only enter Haiti by sea, under the control of national customs.

An official circular from Haiti’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, signed by Minister Alfred Fils Metellus, confirmed that Haitian Customs will no longer accept foreign merchandise crossing from the Dominican Republic at the designated border points. Customs officials have been instructed to seize any goods crossing in violation of this measure. In addition, the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Haitian Armed Forces (FADH) have been tasked with increasing surveillance at the border.

The provision is expected to disrupt Haiti’s supply chain, particularly for mass consumer products that have traditionally crossed from the Dominican Republic by land. Analysts warn that this could lead to significant challenges in supplying goods, especially items that, while imported from other countries, enter Haiti through the Dominican Republic.

The government has outlined that failure to comply with the new regulation could lead to administrative sanctions and potential criminal prosecution under Haitian law. While the exact reasons for this drastic move remain unclear, it is part of efforts to reorganize the country’s customs system and improve traceability of imported goods.