Importing car to Dominican Republic

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert27 March 2022 11:48:29

#41

17621

Very good point!

RockyM Serial expat

Member since 22 May 2019

RockyMSerial expat28 March 2022 18:40:33

#42

526

Indeed. I would never drive a Toyota 4Runner in the States, but that is what we imported here because it is what works. Reliable, durable and easy to fix. And I can't tell you how much stuff I've driven over and into around here. So, the vehicle is useful. Gas mileage is horrible though

I also brought with me a diagnostic scanner, tire repair kit (a lot of flats here), jack stands, etc. to do as much maintenance as I can myself.

Here in Las Terrenas we see a number of Porsche Cayenne's, Volvo's, BMW's, etc. I assume these folks are visiting and live in Santo Domingo; otherwise, I have no idea who would fix those cars outside of the capital.

Tropical Flower Active member

Member since 14 December 2021

Tropical FlowerActive member10 April 2022 16:19:49

#43

@RockyM ahi there, would you mind giving the information of the import contact that helped you? I would like to import my car too and I am very scared from what I have read here about importing a car.

Jimmy809 Member

Member since 24 June 2022

Jimmy809Member24 June 2022 16:40:21

#44

@planner

This is somewhat helpful. I ordered a Chevy Tahoe through my Dominican Broker. I wasn’t informed of the DR custom taxes. Once I purchased the suv, she told me that custom taxes would be almost an additional $8500 usd and it is no way around it. Is this true?

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert24 June 2022 16:49:26

#45

17621

THat is likely true. Just sales tax is 18%, plus new plates etc.

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 15 May 2017

ddmcgheeDominican Republic Expert24 June 2022 21:53:36

#46

1904

new plates is also 18% or so.

If your car was about $23k, then the $8500 should cover ITBIS and the plate if it's a new car. If it's more like $45k, then that is likely just the ITBIS. You should only pay customs if you are importing the car yourself. But the 18% ITBIS (sales tax) and 18% first place (registration) applies to all cars.

Jimmy809 Member

Member since 24 June 2022

Jimmy809Member28 June 2022 16:31:34

#47

@planner Thanks

Michael Shirley Member

Member since 25 May 2022

Michael ShirleyMember28 June 2022 18:11:00

#48

When all is said and done isn’t it about the same price to buy a vehicle from a reputable dealer there?

WillieWeb ViP

Member since 13 December 2018

WillieWebViP28 June 2022 18:27:33

#49

1660

Not if you get the 'residency' discount

Plus

Some people prefer a car they know.....and no outlay for car here, just taxes

I imported one in 2009.... still have it...came on my residency

WillieWeb ViP

Member since 13 December 2018

WillieWebViP28 June 2022 19:00:25

#50

1660

Michael Shirley

I hope I didn't misunderstand you.......

Importing a car (your car) is cheaper in that you just pay the taxes

Buying here involves 'buying'... the car plus the taxes

A very BIG $$$ difference.... add to that the unknown history of the vehicle.

RockyM Serial expat

Member since 22 May 2019

RockyMSerial expat28 June 2022 21:23:12

#51

526

I agree with Willie. Either way it is costly. but I chose to take the punch in the mouth at Aduanas rather then get fleeced at some dealership in SD, which frankly would have wet their pants when we walked in the door. Ok, a bit of an exaggeration....but not much.

Also, we had our DR residency so were treated acceptably when the car arrived at the dock. I think that is key. If you attempt to import without residency you are in for a ride.

Michael Shirley Member

Member since 25 May 2022

Michael ShirleyMember29 June 2022 00:48:54

#52

OK….I appreciate the feedback. My wife is Dominican and has residency. Of course the car will have to be titled in her name so do I need a broker to avoid paying the sales tax when a new title is issued here in the US? T

shawnmartelle Member

Member since 29 June 2022

shawnmartelleMember29 June 2022 03:07:52

#53

Hi everyone…..looking for help/direction please. Wife and I want to import 2 Cam am Rykers from Ottawa to Puerto Plata and eventually to us in Cabarete. I’ve been trying to find them on the island however, only seen 4 and priced quite high. Both Canada and US won’t sell new ones for export

. I found 2 brand new at Evinmotors in Puerto Rico and they will sell but I’m told very costly to get them here despite only ferry ride. I can buy 2 - 2019’s in Canada for $16 000 USD but getting mixed quotes and nobody can confirm anything. Sorry so long but can anyone please refer me to company or person who can make this happen please. I tried Peralto Shipping but they said they no longer do vehicles:(. I spoke to Customs Brokers but they don’t provide shipping….at least the 2 I spoke with. Any advice is appreciated and thank you in advance. Shawn 😀🙏

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 15 May 2017

ddmcgheeDominican Republic Expert29 June 2022 10:33:40

#54

1904

OK….I appreciate the feedback. My wife is Dominican and has residency. Of course the car will have to be titled in her name so do I need a broker to avoid paying the sales tax when a new title is issued here in the US? T
- @Michael Shirley

The discount with residency comes in the first 6 months after obtaining residency, or in your wife's case, she could get the discount with repatriation. If she's been living outside the country for 2 years, she can bring in her household goods and a vehicle. I don't know if there is a time limit with repatriation.

Check the Aduanas site: https://www.aduanas.gob.do/servicios/importacion/ and choose Partial exemption of motor vehicle taxes of Dominicans and foreigners who come to reside in the country (URL doesn't change, so I can't send a direct link). You'll find this option a little more than halfway down the scroll bar.

Michael Shirley Member

Member since 25 May 2022

Michael ShirleyMember29 June 2022 11:41:23

#55

Very good and thank you for this helpful information! Getting a good vehicle over will certainly be welcomed .

WillieWeb ViP

Member since 13 December 2018

WillieWebViP29 June 2022 11:44:52

#56

1660

Very hard to 'beat the system' in the DR with vehicles

It is simpler to buy here unless you are getting residency......period

For ATV's

Evinmotors has a Sto Domingo office

Google CanAm ventas dominican republic

Michael Shirley Member

Member since 25 May 2022

Michael ShirleyMember29 June 2022 11:50:44

#57

@WillieWeb yes agreed. It is a very large purchase and one that I must live with a long time so thanks for your thoughts👍

shawnmartelle Member

Member since 29 June 2022

shawnmartelleMember29 June 2022 12:30:51

#58

Thanks WillieWeb and did try to make deal with them in Santo Domingo however, came up to $41 000 US so $20 500 per bike…..so hard to swallow with Miami selling same for $8900 but yes, import fees are ridiculous.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert29 June 2022 12:35:31

#59

17621

and the fees are based on this being a LUXURY item so higher then others.

WillieWeb ViP

Member since 13 December 2018

WillieWebViP29 June 2022 12:45:27

#60

1660

I think that's the going rate ---$15-20,000.......

Lots for sale here...

Drew181 New member

Member since 23 September 2022

Drew181New member23 September 2022 15:01:30

#61

@cruffman

Hello there! I’m not sure if this feed is still active, but I’m wondering if you can point me in the right direction to find a good car in the Puerto Plata area. I’m trying to avoid getting the “American price”, and/or getting a piece of trash. I know cars, so the latter I might be able to navigate through, but I still don’t want to have to go over it with a fine toothed comb.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert23 September 2022 15:26:03

#62

17621

Welcome to the forums Drew181 This is Cruffman's business and he gets paid to find the good vehicles. His fee is not a lot so I will recommend him to you!

Puerto Plata has a limited supply of vehicles and dealers and an overabundance of expats......

brodies2013 Serial expat

Member since 20 December 2014

brodies2013Serial expat15 October 2023 13:46:02

#63

512

I'm gonna try re-energizing this topic:

I have a couple questions:

When a couple gets residency (retiree + spouse) can both individuals import a car? (I realize that there are extra fees/costs involved with car imports...even with a container)
Can anyone verify that there is a 50% tax reduction on importing an EV?

(I drive an EV currently and plan to upgrade and bring car with me to DR. Added bonus in DR, the car can power our whole house and offsite construction if needed.)

WillieWeb ViP

Member since 13 December 2018

WillieWebViP15 October 2023 14:03:13

#64

1660

Residency

i regret notbringing in things separately

two shipments

Yes, you each get a car

learn the rules

Car must be owned for a year before import

Talk to Cruffman

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert15 October 2023 14:05:42

#65

17621

If Yu qualify as a couple then 1 shipment, 1 vehicle.

If you each qualify separately the you each get a container and 1 vehicle.

WillieWeb ViP

Member since 13 December 2018

WillieWebViP15 October 2023 14:17:01

#66

1660

I’m sorry

I didn’t know there was such a thing

’As a couple’

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert15 October 2023 14:38:35

#67

17621

Ok for example if one person applies for pensioner residency that person needs 1500 US of income.

For a couple to qualify on pensioner residency they need 1750 us in income.

2 individuals need 3000 in income then get the right to individual containers and vehicles.

That is how I understand the situation. I will confirm this.

Gcjackson2277 Member

Member since 12 February 2021

Gcjackson2277Member15 October 2023 14:42:42

#68

@plannerIf I get my residency and ship my car what percentage will i pay? I know I will get some form of discounts.

BMW x5 / Vin# starts with 5 which means it’s American made/assembly so I know I get the 20% exemption.

Since I get one car and a container, what other tax break do it get? Do I still pay the luxury tax and the full ITIBS?

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert15 October 2023 15:28:47

#69

17621

Sorry I do not know all the rules. Ask the lawyer helping with residency, they should know all the rules.

WillieWeb ViP

Member since 13 December 2018

WillieWebViP15 October 2023 16:01:44

#70

1660

The Aduana values the vehicle and you get a discounted rate...... your own valuation is meaningless

taccj9903 Active member

Member since 28 December 2023

taccj9903Active member28 December 2023 20:13:11

#71

@DominicanadaMike

My wife is Dominican, I'm an American without residency. I have been weighing the options between importing and buying a car in the DR. After reading your post I see it's probably better to buy in the DR. How to title, tags and insurance work? Can I do it all or will my wife need to be the buyer? She doesn't have her driver's license.

taccj9903 Active member

Member since 28 December 2023

taccj9903Active member28 December 2023 20:15:45

#72

@DominicanadaMike

Thanks for your input. After seeing the price of cars here in Santiago I thought it might be cheaper to import but sounds like it's not worth it. Do you know the process for title, tags and insurance here? My wife is Dominican but doesnt have a DL. I'm an American without residency but I come here to visit her several months at a time and it's time to get a car.