Importing car to Dominican Republic

Very good point!

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.

@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.

@planner Thanks

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

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

@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.

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...... 

I'm gonna try re-energizing this topic:

I have a couple questions:

1. 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)
2. 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.)

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

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.

I’m sorry

I didn’t know there was such a thing

’As a couple’

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.

@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?

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

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

@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.

@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. 

@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. 

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