Check my company
Made here

The twenty imports Dominican Republic is best placed to replace.

Dominican Republic imported USD 23bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 11bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 1.7bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
148products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
484products Dominican Republic already exports well
473product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Dominican Republic already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Dominican Republic would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Dominican Republic does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of uncombed fibres, 85% or more by weight of cotton, less than 714.29 but...HS 520512

    Comes fromUnited States 99%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFabrics, woven: of cotton, dyed, weighing not more than 200g/m2... (exports USD 89m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 124m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 150m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); United States supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 150mdown 31% on 2022
  2. 2

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 43%, 42 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow... (exports USD 10m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 51m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 116m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); China supplies 43 per cent (1).

    USD 116mup 21% on 2022
  3. 3

    Wood: coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed...HS 440711

    Comes fromUnited States 95%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlywood: consisting only of sheets of wood (not bamboo), each ply... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 121k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 29m
    Countries that export it well22

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 85m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); United States supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 85mdown 1% on 2022
  4. 4

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromTrinidad and Tobago 63%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the two fertilizing... (exports USD 20m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 352k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 20m
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 43m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (2); Trinidad and Tobago supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 43mfrom USD 6m in 2022
  5. 5

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromSpain 32%, 45 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical apparatus: automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage not... (exports USD 784m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 65m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 165m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2).

    USD 165mup 43% on 2022
  6. 6

    Iron or steel: articles n.e.c. in heading 7326HS 732690

    Comes fromChina 46%, 75 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron): tubes, pipes and hollow... (exports USD 10m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 8m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 24m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 123m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); China supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 123mup 246% on 2022
  7. 7

    Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water...HS 690721

    Comes fromSpain 44%, 16 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCeramic flooring blocks, supports or filler tiles and the like... (exports USD 432k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 320k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 74m
    Countries that export it well16

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 110m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 43 per cent (1); Spain supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 110mup 48% on 2022
  8. 8

    Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers), napkin liners and similar articles, of any materialHS 961900

    Comes fromUnited States 34%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthBrooms, brushes, mops, feather dusters, squeegees, hand operated... (exports USD 128m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 200k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 101m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2).

    USD 101mup 13% on 2022
  9. 9

    Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, suitable for infants or young children, put...HS 190110

    Comes fromMexico 48%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFood preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether... (exports USD 59m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 741k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 39m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 98m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 48 per cent (1); Mexico supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 98mup 110% on 2022
  10. 10

    Glass: carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and other containers of glass, (not ampoules), used for the...HS 701090

    Comes fromChina 14%, 39 source countries
    Nearest export strengthGlass: cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass... (exports USD 2m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 1m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 83m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2).

    USD 83mdown 22% on 2022
  11. 11

    Vehicles: public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only compression-ignition...HS 870210

    Comes fromJapan 44%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthMortars and concretes: non-refractory
    Exports of this lineUSD 22k; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 48m
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 80m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Japan supplies 44 per cent (1).

    USD 80mup 101% on 2022
  12. 12

    Vehicle parts and accessories: n.e.c. in heading no. 8708HS 870899

    Comes fromUnited States 52%, 76 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPrinted matter: trade advertising material, commercial catalogues...
    Exports of this lineUSD 31m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 62m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 78m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 44 per cent (1); United States supplies 52 per cent (1).

    USD 78mdown 36% on 2022
  13. 13

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, (not corrugated), plated or coated with zinc (not...HS 721049

    Comes fromChina 96%, 8 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerro-alloys: ferro-nickel (exports USD 97m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 2m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 112m
    Countries that export it well26

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 72m, top 11 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); China supplies 96 per cent (2).

    USD 72mdown 19% on 2022
  14. 14

    Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94HS 390110

    Comes fromUnited States 80%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 210m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 391k; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 110m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 70m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); United States supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 70mdown 0% on 2022
  15. 15

    Beer: made from maltHS 220300

    Comes fromMexico 53%, 27 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRum and other spirits obtained by distilling fermented sugar-cane... (exports USD 128m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9m
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 57m, top 14 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Mexico supplies 53 per cent (1).

    USD 57mup 124% on 2022
  16. 16

    Juice: orange, frozen, unfermented, (not containing added spirit), whether or not containing added sugar or other...HS 200911

    Comes fromSpain 94%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNuts and other seeds: whether or not containing added sugar, other... (exports USD 29m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 65k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 15m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 55m, top 16 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 34 per cent (1); Spain supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 55mup 180% on 2022
  17. 17

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars)HS 401110

    Comes fromChina 60%, 36 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRetreaded tyres: of a kind used on aircraft (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 91k; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 82m
    Countries that export it well28

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 46m, top 20 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 41 per cent (1); China supplies 60 per cent (2).

    USD 46mup 42% on 2022
  18. 18

    Aluminium: unwrought, (not alloyed)HS 760110

    Comes fromSouth Africa 95%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAluminium: alloys, hollow profiles (exports USD 54m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 27k
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 45m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 45ma year
  19. 19

    Seats: n.e.c. in heading no. 9401, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture)HS 940180

    Comes fromChina 67%, 64 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSeats: parts, (of other than wood) for use in the assembly of motor... (exports USD 22m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 74m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 37 per cent (1); China supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 44mup 224% on 2022
  20. 20

    Plastics: boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS 392310

    Comes fromUnited States 54%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPlastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 (exports USD 210m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 5m
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 44m, top 21 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Dominican Republic's export strengths in the top 15 per cent (2); United States supplies 54 per cent (1).

    USD 44mup 51% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Dominican Republic already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 imports USD 260m, exports USD 72m, top source United States 23%
  • Tobacco, (not stemmed or stripped) imports USD 298m, exports USD 114m, top source United States 46%
  • Electrical apparatus: parts suitable for use solely or principally with the... imports USD 134m, exports USD 31m, top source United States 79%
  • Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink... imports USD 115m, exports USD 39m, top source Mexico 27%
  • Plastics: other articles n.e.c. in chapter 39 imports USD 278m, exports USD 210m, top source China 46%
  • Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing... imports USD 76m, exports USD 11m, top source United States 87%
  • Plastics: articles for the conveyance or packing of goods n.e.c. in heading... imports USD 85m, exports USD 21m, top source United States 89%
  • Non-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in item no.... imports USD 87m, exports USD 30m, top source United States 30%
  • Plastics: of polymers of propylene, plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not... imports USD 58m, exports USD 14m, top source United States 54%
  • Plastics: household articles and hygienic or toilet articles imports USD 50m, exports USD 10m, top source United States 58%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 473 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

Want the Dominican Republic edition kept current?

Leave an address and each new edition comes to you as the record moves. Tick the box if you would want the next layer for Dominican Republic: which public bodies buy each line, once that record is readable.

Your address is used to send this list and its later editions, nothing else. Privacy

Run a company? Check it against the developments BuzzBaboon follows, free.