Shipping a Car from USA to DR... HELP!

EK07

New member
Jun 2, 2007
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Hi All,

Does anyone know what fees, issues are involved in shipping a car from the USA to the DR? Car would be less than a few years old.

THANK YOU!!:squareeye
 

slrguy

New member
Oct 17, 2006
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Run a search. LOTS of threads about this. The consensus seems to be- you're better off buying in the DR than fighting the battle to import....
 

dr4sale

New member
Sep 22, 2006
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www.dr4sale.com
I would say DON'T DO IT!!! I have had nothing but nightmares since I shipped my 2005 Ford F150 hear last June (2006). I was advised to ship it to Puerto Rico, then put it on a ferry to Santo Dominigo. I have been through the ringer. First, I never receieved the paperwork when my car got off the ferry in SDG. I was told I had 6 months, then when my car was confiscated by AMET in April they told me it was only 45 days. I have been quoted anywhere from USD 13,000 to more than USD 26,000 to get my car legal here. Not only that, but I had to pay USD 4,000 to get my car out of customs and REGISTER it in Puerto Rico. No, it's not like driving your car to the next state. Did I mention the cost to have my car transported from Philadelphia to Florida and the cost of the ferry from Florida to Puerto Rico. THEN I had to fly my husband to PR from Philly to escort the car from PR to SDG and this was AFTER I had to pay the car off to get the title because the mortgage company would not give me a letter to transport the car to the DR and I couldn't get it on the ferry from PR to the DR without either the letter or the title. I didn't find this out until the car was stuck in PR (AFTER paying from Philly to Florida, then Florida to PR, then customs and registration in PR). Now, today I still have Puerto Rico plates and I'm hoping I can get a straight answer on how much I really have to pay to get Dominican plates before my car gets impounded again and I have to pay big dollars and call the friend of the Colonel of AMET to help me get my car back. I'm facing a $20/day penalty for every day my car has been here beyond the first 45days from last August 2, 2006. There's so much more (like the police station in Higuey and the towing incident there and so much more). Basically, BUY A CAR WHEN YOU GET HERE!!!! Sorry for the long post, but I don't want anybody to go through what I've been through and am still going through to this day!
 

Tamborista

hasta la tambora
Apr 4, 2005
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Importing a leased car on the Mayaguez Ferry might not have been the most cost efficient method.

tambo'
 

EK07

New member
Jun 2, 2007
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Thanks Mucho

Hello to those who responded... I appreciate the insight. I know it would be a struggle.... it just seems like the price of used cars in the DR is outrageous. Then again, so is new. An:squareeyey suggestions of going new versus used?
 

skyblue

New member
Mar 20, 2006
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save yourself the heartache and buy a car in DR. if you are going to spend the money just take your time looking. you will always pay a premium. i would buy it new and not worry about it. used in DR means super Used. i'd pay extra for peace of mind.

just always keep in mind, you will get screwed regardless. just choose the less of the two evils. my 2 cents.
 
Jan 5, 2006
1,582
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If you really want to ship a car to DR, the best way is to pay a shipper to do it for you. You get a set price up front, including all paperwork, duties, license plates, etc., and it gets delivered to your home in DR in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Your only other expense will be car insurance in DR.
 

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
40,964
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If you really want to ship a car to DR, the best way is to pay a shipper to do it for you. You get a set price up front, including all paperwork, duties, license plates, etc., and it gets delivered to your home in DR in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Your only other expense will be car insurance in DR.
Can you recommend a good, honest shipper?
 

skyblue

New member
Mar 20, 2006
279
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Can you recommend a good, honest shipper?


there is no such animal. if anyone tells you different, ask them if they shipped a car with them.

you can find honest shippers that will send other items, but not a CAR. i've never heard of ONE positive story. (still waiting to be wrong) sorry. good luck.
 
B

batich

Guest
Amazing! Who told you to ship through PR ??!! It was a practical joke.

Direct shipping to DR takes about three weeks and cost a bit over $ 1 000 per car, or $3200 per 40` container. There are reliable companies that ship to DR (even right to POP by land) without any problem. But they prefer the whole container (three cars) not an individual car as these companies specialize on other destinations and normally do not ship many cars to DR to do consolidation.

Buying a GOOD used car in DR (without salvage history and rolled-back mileage and not abused with poor DR roads and by horryble DR repair shops) - is MUCH more expensive than bringing it from US. If it is possible at all to find a quality used car that the owner is willing to sell.

It is not possible to look without tears at what is offered for sale here. Regardless of asking price.


I would say DON'T DO IT!!! I have had nothing but nightmares since I shipped my 2005 Ford F150 hear last June (2006). I was advised to ship it to Puerto Rico, then put it on a ferry to Santo Dominigo. I have been through the ringer. First, I never receieved the paperwork when my car got off the ferry in SDG. I was told I had 6 months, then when my car was confiscated by AMET in April they told me it was only 45 days. I have been quoted anywhere from USD 13,000 to more than USD 26,000 to get my car legal here. Not only that, but I had to pay USD 4,000 to get my car out of customs and REGISTER it in Puerto Rico. No, it's not like driving your car to the next state. Did I mention the cost to have my car transported from Philadelphia to Florida and the cost of the ferry from Florida to Puerto Rico. THEN I had to fly my husband to PR from Philly to escort the car from PR to SDG and this was AFTER I had to pay the car off to get the title because the mortgage company would not give me a letter to transport the car to the DR and I couldn't get it on the ferry from PR to the DR without either the letter or the title. I didn't find this out until the car was stuck in PR (AFTER paying from Philly to Florida, then Florida to PR, then customs and registration in PR). Now, today I still have Puerto Rico plates and I'm hoping I can get a straight answer on how much I really have to pay to get Dominican plates before my car gets impounded again and I have to pay big dollars and call the friend of the Colonel of AMET to help me get my car back. I'm facing a $20/day penalty for every day my car has been here beyond the first 45days from last August 2, 2006. There's so much more (like the police station in Higuey and the towing incident there and so much more). Basically, BUY A CAR WHEN YOU GET HERE!!!! Sorry for the long post, but I don't want anybody to go through what I've been through and am still going through to this day!
 
Jan 5, 2006
1,582
38
0
you can find honest shippers that will send other items, but not a CAR. i've never heard of ONE positive story. (still waiting to be wrong) sorry. good luck.
My father shipped a 2003 Subaru Forester from NJ in November, 2005. Got the car delivered to the house in 5 weeks for $2,250 USD including everything, except car insurance in DR.

I'll try to get the shipper's info from my father, as I need it for myself now. ;)
 

TarSeal

New member
Nov 4, 2006
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I'm not even going to bother buying a car. I'm just going to get a Yamaha 125 or so and let the wife have the company provided rental car. If it rains the driver will just have to take me to work.
 

EK07

New member
Jun 2, 2007
24
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0
Thanks!

If you really want to ship a car to DR, the best way is to pay a shipper to do it for you. You get a set price up front, including all paperwork, duties, license plates, etc., and it gets delivered to your home in DR in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Your only other expense will be car insurance in DR.


Have you done this recently? What was the cost?
 

british bulldog

New member
Jan 21, 2006
221
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save time and money buy in DR

Hello to those who responded... I appreciate the insight. I know it would be a struggle.... it just seems like the price of used cars in the DR is outrageous. Then again, so is new. An:squareeyey suggestions of going new versus used?

The only good point buying in thr dr ,is vehicles do not loose value like any other place i know,buy correctly and you wont loose to much money in one or two years.Dont advise you to buy new; look around at the state of most vehicles,new and used :ermm:
 

jcrew20

New member
Jun 22, 2005
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My friend just imported a brand new SUV. Total cost with taxes was $6,800. Shipping was $1,800 and he payed a Senator/Diplomat $5,000. (Senators/Diplomats are allowed to bring 2 vechiles per term in tax free)
 
Jan 5, 2006
1,582
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... he payed a Senator/Diplomat $5,000. (Senators/Diplomats are allowed to bring 2 vechiles per term in tax free)
If you're bringing in a high valued vehicle, buying an "exhoneracion" (tax waiver) from a government official is the only way to go. For an average vehicle, it is not worth it. ;)