Hi belgiank,
Please tell your friends that the law on importing cars into the Dominican Rep. does not allow to import a car more than 5 years old going by year of fabrication not by date car was manufactured.In other words, we are now in 2014, minus 5 years brings us to 2009. Any model car manufactured for the 2009 year can be imported. Any car before 2009 the law does not allow, and your friends will have to possibly forfeit their car at the dock, - a total loss-. I have personally brought in two cars, A 4 Runner in 2000, duty exempt once I obtained my residency, and a second car, a 2006 Highlander Hybrid in 2011 also duty exempt under my wife's name this time since she also had her residency. So even if they had a car less than 5 years old, your friends would have to be prepared to pay a hefty import tax since they probably don't have their residency yet I would guess? Hope things go well!
Christiantoy