Importing a Car

Tonchi

Active member
Nov 17, 2015
301
170
43
Has anyone tried to import a car recently.. I am interested in taxes (since I am not exempt as a politician is) and shipping cost.

I know several years ago, they were taxing cars, even if "Made in America". I was told at the time, they are not supposed to tax but still did.
 

windeguy

Platinum
Jul 10, 2004
44,347
7,108
113
They just swapped one tax for another with respect to US made cars. I complained directly to the US trade officials about it, but they don't care.

There are experts at this, but my general rule of thumb is add 40% to what the DR considers your car to be worth. If that is worth it to you, then go for it.
And hope nothing is stolen off the car in shipping.

Door to door shippers will be happy to quote you a firm fixed price for the job.
 

Tonchi

Active member
Nov 17, 2015
301
170
43
They just swapped one tax for another with respect to US made cars. I complained directly to the US trade officials about it, but they don't care.

There are experts at this, but my general rule of thumb is add 40% to what the DR considers your car to be worth. If that is worth it to you, then go for it.
And hope nothing is stolen off the car in shipping.

Door to door shippers will be happy to quote you a firm fixed price for the job.
I would love to have that new Ford pickup thats only $21,000.. There is one available in Del Rey Beach now. They are hard to find because of chip shortage.
I am guessing just do a google search or do you know a good company?
 

william webster

Rest In Peace WW
Jan 16, 2009
30,246
4,332
113
They just swapped one tax for another with respect to US made cars. I complained directly to the US trade officials about it, but they don't care.

There are experts at this, but my general rule of thumb is add 40% to what the DR considers your car to be worth. If that is worth it to you, then go for it.
And hope nothing is stolen off the car in shipping.

Door to door shippers will be happy to quote you a firm fixed price for the job.
I'm not sure they can do the import tax bit..... only Aduana does that.... and I went in person
 

AlterEgo

Administrator
Staff member
Jan 9, 2009
24,152
7,726
113
South Coast
They just swapped one tax for another with respect to US made cars. I complained directly to the US trade officials about it, but they don't care.

There are experts at this, but my general rule of thumb is add 40% to what the DR considers your car to be worth. If that is worth it to you, then go for it.
And hope nothing is stolen off the car in shipping.

Door to door shippers will be happy to quote you a firm fixed price for the job.
No door to door shippers for car. RORO or in a container, then you need a rep in DR to deal with aduana.
 
Jan 9, 2004
11,254
2,632
113
I would love to have that new Ford pickup thats only $21,000.. There is one available in Del Rey Beach now. They are hard to find because of chip shortage.
I am guessing just do a google search or do you know a good company?
Given the tax structure in the DR, only used should be considered for import. And those used would benefit from being 4-5 years old from a tax point of view.

There are no new 2022 Mavericks "realistically" for sale at $21,000 anywhere. Forget what the dealers are showing on their websites...........ask for an in writing quote on a particular vehicle in stock. Even the low end stripped down models are 26-27K and they are few and far between. Certainly none in the DR at that price.

2018/19 trucks are selling used for more than they cost new due to supply chain issues/demand etc.

Even if DR/CAFTA were invoked for a small tax savings, it would not include the Maverick. The Maverick is produced in Mexico......which is not a party to DR/CAFTA.

DR tax, shipping, and insurance will add approximately 50% to the cost of the vehicle landed in the DR, unless you qualify for a reduced tax/no tax regimen.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
 

Tonchi

Active member
Nov 17, 2015
301
170
43
Given the tax structure in the DR, only used should be considered for import. And those used would benefit from being 4-5 years old from a tax point of view.

There are no new 2022 Mavericks "realistically" for sale at $21,000 anywhere. Forget what the dealers are showing on their websites...........ask for an in writing quote on a particular vehicle in stock. Even the low end stripped down models are 26-27K and they are few and far between. Certainly none in the DR at that price.

2018/19 trucks are selling used for more than they cost new due to supply chain issues/demand etc.

Even if DR/CAFTA were invoked for a small tax savings, it would not include the Maverick. The Maverick is produced in Mexico......which is not a party to DR/CAFTA.

DR tax, shipping, and insurance will add approximately 50% to the cost of the vehicle landed in the DR, unless you qualify for a reduced tax/no tax regimen.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
You are correct about the Maverick,, but I didnt know it was made in Mexico... The dealers will have them ordered them for customers a long time ago (now those customers no longer want them) and are selling them for 7000 over sticker. There was news stories that Ford told them to knock it off, but the sales guy I talked to said, he read it to, but its not official policy. I could have had a Miami Maverick if I wanted to pay up for it.

I searched a transporter called Caribbean Car Transport and they gave me this quote...but never answered email or phone message about taxes

Quote # Q6497945​
Origin:​
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL​
Destination:​
SANTO DOMINGO, DO​
vehicle:​
2022 FORD MAVERICK​
Total Price:​
$1,345.00​
 

william webster

Rest In Peace WW
Jan 16, 2009
30,246
4,332
113
But you must own it for a year prior to importing it...... unless you can bring it in as a 'new' car....like a dealer
 
Jan 9, 2004
11,254
2,632
113
But you must own it for a year prior to importing it...... unless you can bring it in as a 'new' car....like a dealer
If you are NOT using a tax reduction regimen i.e., residency/returning Dominican etc., you do NOT need to have owned it for a year prior to entry.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
 
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