Import Car from USA to Dominican Republic

US to Dominican Republic Vehicle Import Checklist

Vehicle Import Options

Vehicle Import Approval

US to Dominican Republic Car Import Costs & Time Frame

US to Dominican Republic Vehicle Import Options

Additional Services

Ports Served in the US and Dominican Republic

Cleaning Your Vehicle of Biosecurity Concerns

Plating Your Vehicle in Dominican Republic

Other Dominican Republic/US Import Options

Are you ready to get started importing a car from the USA to Dominican Republic?

Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to import your vehicle to Dominican Republic.

More information on the process of importing a vehicle to Dominican Republic can be found here.

As you engage in the vehicle import process, some of the most important questions to consider include:

These questions and more will determine whether your car is eligible for import to Dominican Republic. Your actual tax rate is based on these details.

You should never assume your scenario is the same as someone else’s.  Various factors can affect the eligibility, price, and timeframe of shipping, including shipping method (container shipping versus roll-on roll-off), the type of vehicle shipped such as luxury autos or classic cars, and the shipping companies involved. Some vehicles such as used cars may have eligibility requirements that differ from those for newer vehicles for import into Dominican Republic. To obtain an estimate of the cost to ship a car to Dominican Republic, fill out our free quick quote form.

Upon arrival of your vehicle import to Dominican Republic, the vehicle must be declared in Customs, where the Customs Agent makes a ´DECLARACION UNICA ADUANERA´ (DUA), which is the actual presentation to customs.

You’ll need the following documentation:

Things to Consider

Taxes & Duties for Dominican Republic Car Imports

Prior to importing a vehicle from US to Dominican Republic, verify your vehicle’s specifications and compliance with Dominican Republic requirements.

If you are importing a vehicle to Dominican Republic from the USA, your car will be subject to the latest vehicle import duty and taxes. These local customs duties include:

• 20% on the CIF value – (cost, insurance and freight). For vehicles fabricated in the USA this tax is 0%. Also, every vehicle which VIN# starts with 1 are made in USA. Vehicles with VIN# starting in 4 & 5 made in the USA will also be 0% However, not all brands apply for 0%. This will depend on origin of materials the parts used to manufacture the vehicle.
• Tax “ITBIS” – 18% from Vehicle CIF value. (For all Makes and models)
• Emissions Tax – (varies on the % of CO2 emissions). Determined and paid once registered. This is not a customs tax.
  1. Less than 120g CO2 / km = 0%
  2. More than 120 and up to 220g CO2 / km = 1%
  3. Over 220 to 380g CO2 / km = 2%
  4. Over 380g CO2 / km = 3%.

Car import to the Dominican Republic from the United States can be made using Roll-On/Roll-Off, shared container, or sole container service.

Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo Shipping) – With RoRo shipping, Your vehicle will be driven onto an expansive load area (also ideal for large vehicles like construction vehicles, dump trucks, and heavy equipment) on the delivery vessel, similar to a parking structure, and secured for shipping. RoRo shipping is our most cost effective import alternative to ship cars, since the only added shipping costs for RoRo ships are customs clearance and port expenses.

Shared Container Service – Our recommended option! Your vehicle is securely loaded into a 40ft enclosed container with only vehicles inside,  and other customers will share the additional charges for container transportation for auto delivery. (Additional charges include terminal handling, trucking and unloading fees, as well as customs clearance expenses)

All vehicles are loaded and stacked using our industry-leading R-RAK steel loading system into a shipping container. Although you’ll enjoy the added security of a fully enclosed container with no exposure to the elements, the container must reach capacity before shipping out so you might experience a longer wait time before your vehicle is imported to the Dominican Republic from the US with container shipping.

Full Container Load – Just like our shared container service, you’ll have the added advantage of a fully enclosed shipping container that will contain only one car. Since there’s no wait for other vehicles for the container to reach capacity, you’ll enjoy a shorter wait before the car ships out. However, added terminal handling expenses won’t be shared with other car owners.

Upon receiving your car, we’ll photograph and record the vehicle’s condition and loading process into our guaranteed condition report. All vehicles are loaded utilizing our cutting-edge steel loading framework that doesn’t rely on outdated wooded ramps and nails, which can damage your vehicle.

Once your vehicle is loaded into its own shipping container, it is locked and secured for transport so that it can’t be accessed before reaching its final destination. Since the car will be fully enclosed in a secure container, we invite our customers to transport additional items inside the vehicle. However, please make sure everything is packed securely, as we won’t be responsible for any damages. The custody of both vehicle and personal effect in its interior are to be accounted for, ANY article within the vehicle MUST BE DECLARED in the BL therefore leaving a breakdown of transported goods. These goods are also subject to further tax fees separate from the vehicle import duty and taxes.

After arrival, our shipping agents will access the container, record the vehicle’s condition and photograph the unloading process. In comparison to our Roll-On/Roll-Off Service, enclosed container shipping to the Dominican Republic from the US is safer, as well as quicker thanks to regular departures every week.

Sourcing Vehicles – More than twenty years’ experience shipping vehicles has enabled us to build up a broad system of vehicle purchasers. In return for a nominal charge, we can help customers abroad who wish to buy vehicles.

Other Services – Some of the auto transport services we offer in overseas territories include domestic pickup, vehicle import assistance, tracking of your shipment, customs clearance in the USA and a full vehicle inspection report.

Departure Ports – United States

The location your car will depart from depends on the method of car import to Dominican Republic, where your car is located, your budget and which services the nearest port offers. We have multiple departure locations in the USA, including Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Miami, Savannah and more.

Destination Ports – Dominican Republic

CFR Classic can arrange for car import services to just about any worldwide destination. We import cars to the following Dominican Republic ports:

Before importing your car overseas to Dominican Republic, the undercarriage must be cleaned and free of foreign soil to prevent the introduction of invasive plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.

This can be accomplished through steam cleaning or other thorough cleaning methods.

CFR Classic can assist with finding an appropriate cleaner to help ensure you comply with this requirement. We do not recommend washing the interior of the vehicle as it can cause mold during transport. Vacuuming the interior is usually more than sufficient.

To register a car introduced into the Dominican Republic and for the issuance of the first license plate and the certificate of ownership (registration) by the Directorate General of Internal Taxes (DGII), the importers of the car must submit:

• Signed, stamped and sealed request letter indicating the representative’s information to remove the plate (applies in the case of Legal Entities).
• Copy of original registration documents/title of ownership of the country of origin of vehicle or commercial invoice.
• Copy of the Identity Card, on both sides, of the person requesting the plaque.
• Power notarized & legalized, in case of being a representative who performs the process.
• Copy of the Identity Card, of both sides, of the authorized representative.
• Copy of Tax payment & Invoice of Customs Taxes.
• Copy of the payment receipt of the General Customs Directorate (DGA).
• Copy of the Unique Customs Declaration (DUA).
• Copy of the Bill of Landing (BL or bill of lading).

Importing a Car from the US to Dominican Republic
Importing a Car from Dominican Republic to the US
Car Shipping from the US to Dominican Republic
Car Shipping from Dominican Republic to the US
Cargo Shipping from the US to Dominican Republic
Cargo Shipping from Dominican Republic to the US
Moving Household Goods from the US to Dominican Republic
Moving Household Goods from Dominican Republic to the US

This information was updated in January 2024. All information, time frames, pricing, and regulations are subject to change. Please contact a sales representative for the most current rates and information.

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