Santo Domingo.-The Electronic Commerce giant Amazon contemplates transporting about 770 tons of merchandise every week to the Dominican Republic, equivalent to 1.7 million pounds, from Miami and will have as its destination not only its Dominican clients, but also to those of other Caribbean islands, according to the explanations offered yesterday by the Director General of Customs, Eduardo Sanz Lovatón.
That will automatically turn the Dominican Republic into the Amazon Hub for the Caribbean region and where it will have the second Great Operation in the region next to which it recently opened in Puerto Rico. The difference is that in Borinquen its operation is concentrated in the market of that island, which is territory considered American.
Until now, local consumers depended on matches, international shipments or third logistics operators to receive their Amazon purchases.
From this Wednesday, the merchandise will land directly on Dominican soil through Boeing 767 cargo aircraft. Just that type of plane, announced by the Customs director in the framework of his speech in the space known as “La Weekly”, which every Monday heads President Luis Abinader, is the one who uses Amazon to transport his load in the United States.
That plane has a load capacity of 55 tons, so to reach 770 tons announced it is expected that from Monday to Friday it should produce two flights.
Amazon is the world leader of electronic commerce, concentrating about 40 % of online sales in the United States.
President Luis Abinader, referring to the milestone, said that it can already be affirmed that the Dominican Republic is a logistics hub of the Caribbean, and as Santo Domingo has established itself as a country of robust air infrastructure, with strategic location that places it at the natural crossing of routes between North America and South America, in addition to its proximity to the Caribbean islands.
In addition, Amazon evaluates to include the Dominican Republic in its high -speed satellite internet deployment, which would connect rural and marginalized areas and open opportunities on Teleeducation, Telesalud and Digital Entrepreneurship.
For decades, Courier’s companies were the bridge between Amazon and Dominican consumers. The dynamic was simple: customers bought at Amazon, sent their packages to an address in Miami and then the Couiers were responsible for transferring them to Santo Domingo.
That model is about to transform. Amazon had already taken a step with his home delivery service in the Dominican Republic, matching the Temu play, the Chinese online trade giant. Now, with direct flights, the role of the Couiers will be pressed.
Experts point out that these companies will have to reinvent themselves, focusing on niches such as documents, specialized parish or alliances with Amazon to become strategic partners.
Coordination
– Shipping
From Santo Domingo you can coordinate shipments to Haiti, Jamaica, Virgin Islands, Bahamas and other destinations. The operation will facilitate the integration of the country into the global logistics chain, reinforcing its commercial image.
More than 5 million have bought via the Internet
Access. 75 % of the population already has access to the Internet, and it is estimated that five million Dominicans have made some online purchase in the last two years.
Pandemia accelerated digital adoption and consolidated consumption habits that today make one of the regional leaders in electronic commerce. The official figure released by the company is 770 weekly metric tons. Translated to pounds, it means 1,700,000 pounds every week, about 242,500 pounds per day.
In this first stage, Amazon will work with local operators and contemplate other actions.
