Entering The DR Following 6 Months of Residency Approved

gicamuci

Member
Apr 15, 2014
53
16
8
We are a couple from Canada and if we understood right, entering Dominican Republic in this 6 months time frame will qualify for some taxation relief on the goods one owns and brings them into the country. We also own two cars and would like to bring one of them with us.
The problem is we can't find one of them (2015 Mercedes-Benz B250 4Matic, 4 cylinders, 2.0L) on the listing posted on Valores de Vehículos Livianos. Also, both of our cars might be considered luxury vehicles from their point of view ? The other car we have (2011 BMW 535xi, 6 cylinders, 3.0L) is it too old to be imported under our circumstances ?
 

Cdn_Gringo

Gold
Apr 29, 2014
8,671
1,133
113
You have a year from approval to import your household goods tax free. Make sure whatever DR customs broker you choose to use knows that you plan to apply for the tax free exemption. You will need to personally go to DGM in Santo Domingo and fill out paperwork. You will need to be in possession of your your residency card and cedula for this process. Your broker should be able to help you out setting up this appointment and providing the paperwork you will need.

Your 2011 car is too old. You should not be accessed any taxes on your Mercedes but the importation of that is a different process and you may not sell it here in the DR for some period of time I believe. I didn't import a car so I can't offer much in the way of specifics.
 

Riva_31

Bronze
Apr 1, 2013
2,533
179
63
San Pedro de Macoris
You have a year from approval to import your household goods tax free. Make sure whatever DR customs broker you choose to use knows that you plan to apply for the tax free exemption. You will need to personally go to DGM in Santo Domingo and fill out paperwork. You will need to be in possession of your your residency card and cedula for this process. Your broker should be able to help you out setting up this appointment and providing the paperwork you will need.

Your 2011 car is too old. You should not be accessed any taxes on your Mercedes but the importation of that is a different process and you may not sell it here in the DR for some period of time I believe. I didn't import a car so I can't offer much in the way of specifics.

True, the main thing before do anything is to have in hand your residence and cedula. I have a Dominican friend that moved as a kid to USA, now he has aparment here and could bring one of his cars with the taxation relief after he got his Dominican cedula. And yes Mercedes Benz is a luxury car here.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
The DGM has their own list of values that they will apply... forget proving anything - luxury, got it cheap... nothing works except their book .

Call Hispaniola Freight ... or website
Wendoline de Pena.... use my name
They can help - they did me

Peralta Bros in Toronto are your Cdn contacts....

I did this but from the USA
 

gicamuci

Member
Apr 15, 2014
53
16
8
Already spoke with Max at Peralta Bros. Thanks. For the cars, I think we will just get rid of them here and buy a car once we are there. Will forget the Germans and embrace the Japanese :) or Koreans... Was actually thinking about a Toyota 4Runner, FJ Cruiser or similar. Don't know yet which one is more dependable/reliable down there or what year we should look for. We don't care about daily running costs, so doesn't matter if it's a diesel or gasoline. Just something that just works.
 

gicamuci

Member
Apr 15, 2014
53
16
8
You have a year from approval to import your household goods tax free.

You sure about this one year thing ? Our lawyer at G/A said 6 months. We understood one year is the time from approved, to actually picking up the residency card, which is a different thing.
 

gicamuci

Member
Apr 15, 2014
53
16
8
Really it doesn't matter for us. Maybe for whoever will read this in the future. We will get out of the Canadian cold before those 6 months anyway :)
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
use 6 months....

Bring the car... better than buying an unknown commodity

cars here -- add 40-50% on the US value.... to buy - less to import w/ residency.

My import is still kicking from Jan 2009
 

gicamuci

Member
Apr 15, 2014
53
16
8
use 6 months....

Bring the car... better than buying an unknown commodity

cars here -- add 40-50% on the US value.... to buy - less to import w/ residency.

My import is still kicking from Jan 2009

Yeah... But what about all those things with customs and such... We don't need complications or anything like that. Wouldn't be easier to buy local ?
I would very much bring one of the cars that I know from new...
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
Not that hard - I gave you Wendoline... she actually went into the meeting with me.

Unlike some here - I have really done this -- I did it

Bring your own -- AE did it and many others
This is a hard place for used vehicles... way too hard

You only get the one chance - don't waste it
 

lifeisgreat

Enjoying Life
May 7, 2016
3,271
1,162
113
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC




GENERAL INFORMATION FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC




Except diplomatic, military or official shipments that are exempted; all HHG shipment and vehicles are subject to payment of taxes/duties.




According to the Law 14-93 for HHG, all person moving to the Dominican Republic is permitted to introduce all of the goods that have been in use for two years or more at his residence abroad, for which shipper can obtain an important reduction or full exemption on taxes/duties depending on the criteria of the authorities.




Law 168 for Automobiles: Always pay taxes, but according to the Law 168, (if applicable) shipper can obtain from 20% to 60% reduction on taxes depending on the time that the auto has been in his legal use, with a minimum of one year. But if automobile is considered luxury is a or model of the current year or if the car has been in possession of the shipper less than one year; regardless the model, make and year, if client cannot apply for the Law 168, would pay full taxes/duties. Autos older than five (5) years of fabrication cannot be imported.




To apply the above-mentioned Laws shipper needs to have Dominican residency and not having visited The Dominican Republic for more than 90 days accumulated during the two years before moving. Consignee should be in the country prior the arrival of the goods or automobile, in reason that Customs Authority requires his presence.




Foreigners: must possess their Dominican residency.
Dominican Citizens: need to present their valid passport and prove that they are legally living abroad.
Taxes/duties: Household goods: In normal conditions, HHG shipments pay taxes/duties, mainly completely new items, and electrical appliances, furniture, etc.




Importation of firearms, weapons, ammunitions. Explosives pornographic material, narcotics drug, is absolutely prohibited




In case of the firearms: Once in Santo Domingo, client must arrange with proper authorities for permit and legal importation, BUT MUST NEVER BE INCLUDED IN HHG SHIPMENT.




Automobile and HHG clear customs separately regardless if included in same B/L and same container or consular invoice. The Consular Invoice is absolutely necessary to clear out an automobile from customs. If missing, Client will have to pay penalties, demurrage and will have a lot of problems with customs.




The benefits of the Laws 14-93 and 168 is granted only once for one HHG shipment and one car, if client brings more than one car or HHG shipment will pay full taxes/duties for them after the benefits of the laws has been used.




In normal conditions, the estimated time for customs clearance under the Laws 14-93 is approximately 15 working days for HHG and 45 working days for cars, after customs physical inspection of the shipment.




When client pays taxes/duties, shipment is cleared in approximate 5 to 6 working days and doesn’t need any of the above-mentioned documents only the Consular Invoice, Original B/L and inventory.




If client wants to pay all taxes the working time is shorter.




To obtain the Laws 14-93 and 168, after customs physical inspection of the shipment or vehicle we make an appointment in behalf of the client at the main office of General Direction of Customs, in Santo Domingo City, where client has to personally present his personal documents. In case that shipper lives out of the Santo Domingo City, will have to come to the city at least three times.




Documents needed for the appointment at General Direction of Customs:




Copy of marriage Certificate or divorce (whichever applicable)
copy of birth certificate for kids
original and copy of complete passport
original and copy of the Dominican residency and originals and copies of shipment’s documents (B/L, Consular Invoice, titles and registrations for vehicles, etc.)
Once we have all the above-mentioned documents we accompanied client to his appointment at the General Direction of Customs main office in order to assists him with the procedure.




This documentation is verified by Customs and, if it is correct, they proceed to apply the Laws and the personal documents will be returned directly to client. After this, is when shipper proceeds to pay the taxes/duties, if applicable, and shipment can clear out from customs.




Shipping lines only gives 10 to 14 calendar days free of charges since the date of arrival of the container, after that, US$20.00 per day will be charged additionally, including the day when the container is returned empty to the port. Ned Lloyd, Happag Lloyd, CGM, Laser and Hamburg Sud charge US$25.00 per day for the chassis.




Also there are other charges for T.H.C., Customs inspections fees, Port authorities, etc., that every shipment has to pay additionally by shipper amounting USD 300.00 to USD 400.00.




The above regulations do not apply to the following shipments: Diplomatic, and military personnel, members of foreign embassies, consulates, United Nations, O.A.S, N.G.O s’




IF CLIENT DOES NOT HAVE HIS DOMINICAN RESIDENCY WILL PAY FULL TAXES/DUTIES ON HHG AND VEHICLE.




Important: This information is intended for general guidance. Orbit International Logistics LTD.  cannot however take responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use.  As such it is advisable to contact the nearest Dominican Republic customs office for full and current information prior to importation.
 

william webster

Platinum
Jan 16, 2009
30,247
4,329
113
another idea is for you & your wife to file for residency at different times.

That gives you 2 containers and 2 cars.... I often wish I had that - filed a year apart or so
 

lifeisgreat

Enjoying Life
May 7, 2016
3,271
1,162
113
Thanks, that is good information. We already got a quote from Orbit too :)


I’m from Toronto if you have any questions just PM me..I’ve used peralto bros numerous times..Maximo is great guy hard to reach but honourable..