Shipping a Car from Georgia

[kenshireen]

I understand car sales are very expensive.
How could I ship my car? Is it practical.
My car is in excellent condition

Has anyone done this before?

 

[keepcoming]

Ken, have you tried the search option? There have been numerous threads about shipping a car.

 

[drstock]

I understand car sales are very expensive.
How could I ship my car? Is it practical.
My car is in excellent condition

Has anyone done this before?

If you get residency you can ship a car in tax-free once, I believe. That should save a lot on the cost of importing it, but be prepared for a very long process. DR1 member Playacaribe may be able to help you.

 

[AlterEgo]

Car must be no older than 5 years when it arrives, taxes could be half the value of the car, first plates cost a fortune (ours were over $2,000).

 

[CristoRey]

I've heard similar stories in the past.
Not a quick process and depending on the year, make and model.. expensive.

 

[Farmer]

Recently entered with a shiny new visa and am taking advantage of the one-time reduction in import duties. As pointed out the car must be less than 5 years old and you must have owned it more than one year. Then it qualifies under Ley 168-67. I had shipping quoted between $950-1550 from three shippers. I'm using a broker here that had been recommended on this site to help me navigate Customs. I called them and dropped names of those that had referred me and found out that the $250-300 cost is now $650. Ugh! My vehicle leaves Miami tomorrow and arrives Wednesday on Seaboard. We're waiting on Customs to call towards the end of this week to come for our "entrevista" as they call it. That translates to shakedown not interview. Will be digging deep that day.

Bottom line is you have to start early in this whole thing. Either buying the vehicle well in advance of starting the visa process or owning one that fits the parameters of the law here. Also deciding the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Do you sell or leave your current car and take a loss on it and come down and buy a new one or do you bring your car, knowing its warts. AE mentioned the plates. That's one of the things I'll pay this week. Maybe someone else here knows whether you also pay that cost when you buy from a dealer who has paid it and baked it into the price? I imagine it's an inevitable cost. Normally tax, tag and title are extra.

 

[JD Jones]

I understand car sales are very expensive.
How could I ship my car? Is it practical.
My car is in excellent condition

Uh oh. Are you sure you even want to bring it?

 

[windeguy]

Also, what kind of car is it? Is it a model with parts that are readily available in the DR? If not, you could become an expert at importing parts.

As others have stated, it should be less than 5 years old and you have to own it for at least one year, and you have to be willing to take what seems to be a royal screwing on shipping, duty and first title fees. Others have reporting missing many things that were taken during shipment.

 

[chico bill]

Also, what kind of car is it? Is it a model with parts that are readily available in the DR? If not, you could become an expert at importing parts.

As others have stated, it should be less than 5 years old and you have to own it for at least one year, and you have to be willing to take what seems to be a royal screwing on shipping, duty and first title fees. Others have reporting missing many things that were taken during shipment.

I have shipped many parts here. For example a headlight or taillight or sensor or bearing you can buy off ebay and ship it for less than you can find here used.
Buy any popular US vehicle and parts light enough to ship are cheaper.
I have even gotten rebuilt turbos and AC Compressors cheaper off eBay than you can find them here

 

[playacaribe2]

I understand car sales are very expensive.
How could I ship my car? Is it practical.
My car is in excellent condition

Has anyone done this before?

Cars are expensive here because taxes/fees to import them are expensive. That does not change unless you bring a car in with or under a reduced tax regimen i.e., residency, returning Dominican, tourist project, Electric Vehicle or an exoneration held by a politico.

Having viewed your prior posts, I have two suggestions for you, some of which have already been stated before. First rent/lease property but do not buy anything here until you believe you fully understand how the country works and even then take a step back. Second, use taxis or rent/lease a vehicle until you are comfortable with things.

Finally, as was also posted, search the myriad of threads on buying property and/or shipping a vehicle here……but based on your knowledge of the country or lack thereof…….do not do either…….unless and until you have a lot more experience…….with both the Dominican culture and Dominican relationships.

Best of luck to you.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[windeguy]

I have shipped many parts here. For example a headlight or taillight or sensor or bearing you can buy off ebay and ship it for less than you can find here used.
Buy any popular US vehicle and parts light enough to ship are cheaper.
I have even gotten rebuilt turbos and AC Compressors cheaper off eBay than you can find them here

I have lost count how many items I had shipped in from the US for the Hyundai Santa Fe I purchased from Magna Motors new in 2003 in Santo Domingo. Labor is cheap, but local parts were either not available or too expensive.

They didn't stock parts or if they did the price was ridiculous and not worth dealing with them. Biggest thing was a rebuilt cylinder head when the timing belt failed prematurely. It is almost always cheaper to import anything you need than to buy it here as you discovered as well.

rockauto.com for most auto parts these days.

 

[chico bill]

I have lost count how many items I had shipped in from the US for the Hyundai Santa Fe I purchased from Magna Motors new in 2003 in Santo Domingo. Labor is cheap, but local parts were either not available or too expensive.

They didn't stock parts or if they did the price was ridiculous and not worth dealing with them. Biggest thing was a rebuilt cylinder head when the timing belt failed prematurely. It is almost always cheaper to import anything you need than to buy it here as you discovered as well.

rockauto.com for most auto parts these days.

I used to own a '08 Santa Fe, which I bought way past its mileage prime. The rear coupling for the AWD failed.
So in the interim I disconnected the rear driveshaft until I could find a replacement coupling.
I bought one new from Korea for $650, had it shipped to the US free, and brought it here in a suitcase for less than I could find a used one in DR that looked like it had been stored in salt water. Had it installed for $150 and then everything was good

 

[Manuel01]

in a few words: FORGET ABOUT IT

 

[kenshireen]

I appreciate all the helpful responses.
I am going to pass on this option for many of the reasons stated above.
Also, my car is 7 years old and yes, I can afford a new one, but you have to own for at least one year.

I'll go the rental or Uber route or maybe hire a driver.

Thank you again

 

[windeguy]

A 7 year old vehicle means it would simply not be possible.

 

[kenshireen]

A 7 year old vehicle means it would simply not be possible.

For that reason and many others

 

[playacaribe2]

I appreciate all the helpful responses.
I am going to pass on this option for many of the reasons stated above.
Also, my car is 7 years old and yes, I can afford a new one, but you have to own for at least one year.

I'll go the rental or Uber route or maybe hire a driver.

Thank you again

Just to be clear, or clarify, as the case may be:

1. You can bring in a car anytime without owning it for a year..................but you cannot bring it in that way under a reduced tax regimen like residency, returning Dominican (needs 1 year);

2. Must be no older than 5 model years and brought in by June 30th of the year AFTER it turns 5, i.e., a 2017 can come in as long as it is landed in port by June 30, 2023.

3. You have made, in my opinion, a very wise choice regarding the car.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[kenshireen]

Just to be clear, or clarify, as the case may be:

1. You can bring in a car anytime without owning it for a year..................but you cannot bring it in that way under a reduced tax regimen like residency, returning Dominican (needs 1 year);

2. Must be no older than 5 model years and brought in by June 30th of the year AFTER it turns 5, i.e., a 2017 can come in as long as it is landed in port by June 30, 2023.

3. You have made, in my opinion, a very wise choice regarding the car.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

I understand. Not sure how anxious I am to drive. I have seen some of the YT videos.