Car Export to the Dominican Republic from China
Wholesale supply to Caucedo, Rio Haina and Puerto Plata with left-hand drive specification, honest duty modelling and a 120-point inspection before loading.
Why Dominican Republic Dealers Buy Chinese Vehicles
Supply origin in this market has shifted decisively toward China over the past few years. Here is what that means for a dealer or importer sourcing stock.
Left-hand drive as standard
The Dominican Republic drives on the right. Every unit we quote for this market is left-hand drive, confirmed in writing before any deposit is taken.
The age maths decides the deal
Dominican assessment couples the age of the unit with engine size, and the tax load rises steeply as units age out of the favourable bands. We model that position before quoting, because it usually decides between a new unit and a near-new one.
A heavier landed structure, honestly costed
Duty, VAT and the selective consumption tax together make this one of the heavier landed-cost structures in the Caribbean. We do not hide that; the quotation lays out the components so you can price your retail accordingly.
Three ports, one plan
Caucedo, Rio Haina and Puerto Plata all handle vehicles. The right choice depends on where your customers are and which clearing agent you work with, and the shipping plan is built around it.
Import Compliance: What Dominican Republic Requires
The Dominican Republic is a documents-driven market with a real tax calculation at its centre. These are the steps in order.
- Importer registration and the customs declarationThe importer of record is registered with the national authorities and the single customs declaration is filed against our proforma invoice. The declared value is checked against the customs reference database, so clean, realistic documentation matters from the first page.
- Shipping and customs clearanceThe consignment clears against the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin. Duty, VAT and the selective consumption tax are assessed on the CIF value, with the engine and age bands applied at this point.
- Registration and platesAfter release, the file moves to the tax authority for the registration certificate and plate, with mandatory local insurance arranged before the vehicle is driven. Registration requires the clearance originals.
The step that matters most: The honest warning for this market: the tax load is heavy and it is calculated on the CIF value with age and engine bands on top. Units near the edge of the favourable bands can double their tax treatment. We read the manufacturing date and engine size before quoting and tell you plainly what each candidate unit will face, so there are no surprises at the port.
Documents we provide
| Document | What it is for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Proforma Invoice | Basis of the import declaration and the letter of credit | Before deposit |
| Certificate of Conformity | Enables destination clearance and registration | Before sailing |
| Bill of Lading | Title document for the delivery order | 3–5 days after departure |
| Commercial Invoice | Customs valuation and duty assessment | Before departure |
| Packing List | Port inspection and VIN verification | Before departure |
| Certificate of Origin | Customs and preferential-duty compliance | On B/L issuance |
| Inspection Report | Independent record of condition before loading | Before final payment |
On document accuracy: destination customs systems cross-check every character across the invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of conformity. We verify all of them against each other before the original bill of lading is printed.
Ports and Shipping to Dominican Republic
Three vehicle-capable ports serve the island. We build the shipping plan around the one that suits your distribution.
| Gateway | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caucedo (DP World) | Modern container gateway near Santo Domingo | The default for volume vehicle consignments |
| Rio Haina | Santo Domingo city terminal | Suits agents and customers based in the capital |
| Puerto Plata | Northern coast gateway | Suits north-coast distribution without the cross-island leg |
Port choice is a distribution decision. The cheapest ocean leg is rarely the cheapest outcome once inland carriage is counted. Tell us where the vehicles are going and we recommend the port that minimises total landed cost.
Container loading. A 40HQ carries three to four SUVs or four to five sedans depending on dimensions, and mixed model loads are routine for dealers testing a new line.
How Dominican Republic Import Duty Works
We quote FOB or CIF. Dominican assessment happens at destination on the CIF value, in the structure below.
| Component | Applies to |
|---|---|
| Import duty on passenger vehicles | CIF value, banded by category |
| Value added tax (ITBIS) | CIF value plus duty |
| Selective consumption tax | Scaled by engine size and age band |
| Port, storage and handling charges | Per consignment |
Why there is no total percentage here: We do not publish a combined percentage. The bands are real, they change, and the difference between favourable and unfavourable bands is large. Your proforma invoice sets out the structure for your specific vehicles, and we recommend confirming the final calculation with a licensed Dominican customs broker before you commit.
Vehicle age and eligibility
The Dominican Republic ties the tax treatment of imported vehicles to the age of the unit, with the load rising steeply once a vehicle passes the favourable bands, commonly measured in a handful of model years. Entry itself can be refused for units well outside the window. We verify the manufacturing date from the VIN before quoting and concentrate on new and near-new units that sit comfortably inside the favourable position.
Models Dominican Republic Dealers Order Most
Drawn from current demand in Santo Domingo and Santiago. Every model below is available from our catalogue or on allocation.
| Segment | Models in our catalogue | Why it sells |
|---|---|---|
| Sedans | Toyota Camry · Toyota Corolla · Kia K3 · Hyundai Elantra | The volume segment for retail and fleet |
| Compact and mid-size SUVs | Toyota Frontlander · Nissan X-Trail · Kia Seltos · Geely Boyue | Strong retail demand in the capital |
| New energy | BYD Song Plus · BYD Sealion 06 · Zeekr 7X | EV and hybrid treatment has historically been lighter |
| Pickups | Changan pickups · GAC pickups | Trade, agriculture and construction demand |
Need a model that is not listed? Send the model, year and quantity, and our sourcing goes beyond the catalogue shown on this site.
How Ordering Works
- Send your RFQModel list, quantities, target model years and destination port.
- Receive a quote within one business dayStructured FOB or CIF pricing with unit prices, container or routing plan and lead time.
- Confirm and pay a depositVehicles are reserved and the pre-shipment inspection is scheduled. The deposit and balance schedule is set out in your proforma invoice.
- Pre-shipment inspectionPhotographs and video of the actual units before loading, sent to you for approval.
- Balance, loading and departureDocuments are couriered to you so your bank and agent can complete the destination formalities.
Order sizes. Volume wholesale terms apply for dealers and distributors, and single-unit orders can be quoted FOB on request. Tell us your model mix and destination and we will confirm terms for your specific order.
Dominican Republic Import FAQ
Is left-hand drive required in the Dominican Republic?
How old can an imported vehicle be?
Why are taxes so much higher than other markets?
Which port should I use?
Do electric or hybrid vehicles pay less?
What is the minimum order quantity?
How many cars fit in one container?
How do I start an order?
Do you supply used vehicles as well as new ones?
Request a Dominican Republic FOB Quote
Send your model list, quantities, target model years and destination port. Our export team replies within one business day with pricing, a container plan and lead time.