"Once provisional residency is obtained, it is possible to bring a container with the essential furniture for a house, free of taxes. Also it is possible to bring a car paying reduced taxes; this car has to owed by the person in his country at least one year. The process for provisional residency takes from 3-4 months and is valid for 1 year."
This is from an information sheet on applying for residency in the DR dated April 8, 2003. I am not aware if there have been any changes since then.
If anyone have a more recent update, please post.