Shipping a Car from the USA to the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic sits a few sailing days off the Florida coast, which makes this one of the fastest and most affordable overseas lanes we run. We truck your car from any US door to the departure port, and our FMC licensed sister company, Royal Port Container Lines, Inc. DBA Cassandra Logistics, books the short hop to Santo Domingo.
How cheap is it to ship a car to the Dominican Republic?
Cheaper than most people expect, because the ocean leg is so short. Your price is the US trucking to the port, priced instantly in our calculator, plus the ocean crossing, where we show you the ocean carrier's actual invoice and cap our commission at $100. From Florida the whole freight picture can be startlingly small next to the Dominican taxes.
Why do most DR shipments leave from Florida?
Geography. South Florida ports run frequent short sailings to Rio Haina and Caucedo, so a car already in Florida can be on the island within days. If your car is up north, the play is simple: we truck it south first, and our New York to Florida and Florida coverage guides show exactly how that leg works.
What is the age limit for importing a car into the DR?
Around five years for passenger cars, with slightly more room for certain trucks. It is the make-or-break rule of the lane, checked at the port, not on the honor system. Confirm your model year qualifies before any money moves. Newer car, smooth import. Too old, no import at all.
Where does my car land and who receives it?
Rio Haina and Caucedo, both serving Santo Domingo, take nearly all US vehicle traffic. Your Dominican clearing agent files the import, taxes are paid on the vehicle's value, and the car releases to your receiver. Dominicans returning home after living abroad should ask their agent about returning-resident reductions, which can be significant.
RoRo or container for the short Caribbean hop?
RoRo dominates this lane: fast loading, frequent departures, and the crossing is too short for weather exposure to matter much. Container still earns its keep for high value vehicles or anyone consolidating cargo with the car. The US-side paperwork is identical either way, covered in our export documents guide.
Dominican Republic shipping questions
How old can a car be to enter the Dominican Republic?
Dominican law generally limits imported cars to about five years old, with a slightly wider allowance for some trucks and work vehicles. The age gate is enforced at the port, so confirm your model year qualifies before shipping.
How fast can a car get from Florida to Santo Domingo?
This is one of the shortest ocean legs we book: sailings from South Florida typically reach the Dominican Republic in under a week, sometimes just a few days port to port.
Which Dominican port should my car arrive at?
Rio Haina and Caucedo, both serving Santo Domingo, handle most vehicle traffic. Your clearing agent's preference usually decides between them, and both connect easily to the rest of the island.
Does the Dominican Republic accept rebuilt or salvage cars?
Dominican import law restricts salvage and reconstructed vehicles, and enforcement is real. If your car carries a branded title, have your Dominican clearing agent confirm eligibility before you spend a dollar on freight.
What taxes will I pay to import a car into the DR?
Expect import duty plus taxes calculated on the vehicle's value, commonly landing in the range of a substantial fraction of the car's worth. Dominicans returning home after years abroad may qualify for reductions. Your clearing agent runs the exact numbers.
Actual carrier invoice, our commission capped at $100. Price the US trucking leg in the calculator.
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