Importing car from UK

Liz Essex

New member
Mar 26, 2004
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Have just returned from DR to UK after spending 2 weeks looking for properties to buy. In the process of selling house in UK and intend to return to DR in about 6 weeks to live permanently. Has anyone imported their car from the UK to DR? We have had a quote to send a Honda Civic 5 door hatch to DR for ?879 including all documentation. Is this a good idea or not and can anybody enlighten us to what taxes we have to pay on collection of the car at Santo Domingo.

Look forward to meeting all you ex-pats in the very near future!
 

mountainfrog

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Dec 8, 2003
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Before it is too late ...

Do a search on this message board on car imports into the DR.
If the posts do not convince you,
you might heed my personal advice:

Do NOT do it.

mountainfrog
 
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Robert

Stay Frosty!
Jan 2, 1999
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Liz Essex said:
Have just returned from DR to UK after spending 2 weeks looking for properties to buy. In the process of selling house in UK and intend to return to DR in about 6 weeks to live permanently. Has anyone imported their car from the UK to DR? We have had a quote to send a Honda Civic 5 door hatch to DR for ?879 including all documentation. Is this a good idea or not and can anybody enlighten us to what taxes we have to pay on collection of the car at Santo Domingo.

Look forward to meeting all you ex-pats in the very near future!

As already said, read the many threads on this subject.
Bottom line, do not do it unless you like pain and lots of it.

It will be cheaper for you to buy a car in the DR when all is said and done.

Yet to find a single person that would import a car here after going through the experience.
 

Ken

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Jan 1, 2002
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That quote must be for the transportation. It does not include the legal duty that will be collected nor the bribes that you will need to pay. By the time you are done, you will have the world's most expensive used car--assuming you hang in there long enough to actually get your car away from the dock.

Do yourselves a favor a get rid of the car before you leave and buy another one here. Don't start your new life in the DR with a terrible taste in your mouth after so much anger and frustration.
 

BushBaby

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Jan 1, 2002
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Hi Liz

This is Ginnie. As they all say, save yourself UNBELIEVABLE hassle & buy here. Scott is right about the steering wheel even if his attempt at humour is somewhat "flojo"!!
 

Criss Colon

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Jan 2, 2002
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Honda Civic is a good car!

But even after you pay "Top Pound" to get it into the country,the parts for "Hondas" are more difficult to find,and more expensive to buy! As many will tell you,buy a good used Toyota Corrola when you get here.If you are "rich",buy a Toyota Camray,and if you are really rich,buy a Toyota, or Mitsubishi SUV!
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mountainfrog

On Vacation!
Dec 8, 2003
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Steering Wheel is on the Right Side

Well, on the other hand the steering wheel might be on the RIGHT side after all.
Trucks (sorry, lorries) have a habit of scraping away the left side of other vehicles.

mountainfrog
 

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
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No jokes, no irony

There are several problems:
1) The steering wheel IS on the wrong side for driving here inthe DR.
2) The customs duties will be charged at new car value. If they tell you that the duty is only 30%, or 40%, you muct not believe them. They add on 10% Exchange surcharge, 2% import surcharge, and 12% VAT and anywhere between 10% and 80% Luxury tax, depending on the make and model. HAHA!!
3) The hassles you have to face to get your vehicle out of customs are enervating, frustrating, irritating and much, much more. Unlike anything you ever experienced.
4) The Honda Civics or Accords do not do well here. There are plent of them here but they seem to last far less than the Toyota Corollas and Camrys. By the way, a new Corolla that cost RD$380,000 pesos in February 2003, or about $17,000 at then current exchange rates is now selling for RD$950,000 or $22,600 at current exchange rates.

A final consideration is that public transportation is very inexpensive and safe. For the first few weeks or months you might want to look around and see if there is a big need for a vehicle, and also to see if an "opportunity" might pop up...and you get a really good deal on something that will fit your needs.

HB