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Dominican Republic Cigarette Imports Increase in Value During First Half of 2026
Cigarette imports into the Dominican Republic reached US$4.58 million during the first six months of 2026, with import values growing faster than shipment volumes, reflecting higher international prices, according to the country's customs authority.
The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) reported that the value of cigarette imports into the Dominican Republic totaled US$4.58 million during the first half of 2026, an increase of 5.8% compared with the same period in 2025.
According to the DGA’s monthly Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarettes Report, cigarette imports reached US$4,584,525 between January and June, up US$252,753 from the US$4,331,772 recorded a year earlier.
Import Volumes Show Modest Growth
In terms of quantity, the country imported 23,997,800 cigarette packs during the six-month period, an increase of 343,000 packs, or 1.4%, compared with the 23,654,800 packs imported in the first half of 2025.
The faster growth in import value relative to import volume suggests that cigarette prices increased in international markets during the period.
Packs containing 10 cigarettes continued to dominate imports, accounting for 21,768,000 units, or 90.71% of the total volume imported. These smaller packs increased by 1.46% year over year and represented 79.43% of the total import value, reaching US$3.64 million.
Meanwhile, 20-cigarette packs totaled 2,229,800 units, representing 9.29% of imported volume and posting a 1.45% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
Imports Remain Below Historical Peak
The customs report notes that cigarette imports reached their highest level in 2018, when the Dominican Republic imported 58.18 million packs. Imports declined in subsequent years, although volumes temporarily rebounded in 2021 before falling again in 2022.
Since 2024, the data show a gradual recovery in import volumes, though they remain well below the levels recorded during the market’s peak years.
Tax Revenue Trends
The DGA also reported that cigarette tax collections for June 2026 totaled RD$204.91 million, a decline of 24.98% compared with the RD$273.14 million collected in June 2025.
Despite the monthly decline, cumulative cigarette-related tax revenue for the first half of 2026 increased by 5.85% compared with the same period last year, reflecting stronger collections over the six-month period.
