Amazon Opens First Caribbean Hub in Santo Domingo, Promising Faster Deliveries to USVI and Wider Caribbean

On September 2, Amazon further strengthened its global logistics expansion by launching its first Caribbean distribution hub in the Dominican Republic. The initiative, centered at Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo, leverages the country’s strategic location and modernized infrastructure to serve as a gateway for e-commerce across the Caribbean.

With the arrival of its first Amazon Air Cargo flight, the company has begun operating seven weekly flights from Miami, utilizing Boeing 767-300 freighters to transport goods. Dominican President Luis Abinader hailed the development as a “game-changer” for the region, noted its potential to enhance trade and economic growth.

The hub, Amazon’s second in Latin America after Colombia, positions the Dominican Republic as a critical node in the company’s regional supply chain.

The hub’s operations rely on key infrastructure, including the ports of Caucedo and Haina and a new e-commerce terminal at Las Américas International Airport, capable of processing an additional 4 million packages annually. Dominican Customs Director Eduardo Sanz Lovatón described the launch as a “historic milestone,” noting that 96% of cargo now meets U.S. and European screening standards, facilitating swift customs clearance.

The agreement with Amazon includes a weekly cargo capacity of 770 metric tons, enabling the company to streamline shipments to Caribbean destinations. ALK Global Logistics, partnering with 21 Air, manages the logistics. This setup allows Amazon to bypass slower traditional shipping routes, positioning the Dominican Republic as a central hub for regional distribution.