Guide · Moving Home & Money
Importing a Car to the Dominican Republic: The Rules and the Real Cost
Two things decide whether your car can come with you: how old it is, and how DGA's calculator prices it.
If you're weighing whether to ship your car home instead of buying one on the island, two rules matter more than anything else: the age cap on used vehicles, and how customs actually calculates what you owe.
📅 The 5-year age limit
Law 04-07 blocks used vehicles older than 5 years from being imported, to limit environmental impact. As of 2026, that means model year 2021 or newer. Collector and classic cars can qualify for an exception, but only with a specific DGA resolution — don't assume yours qualifies without checking first.
🧮 How the tax is actually calculated
DGA runs an official calculator that factors in the vehicle's value, ISC (selective consumption tax), and ITBIS (VAT) to produce what you'll owe. Run your specific vehicle through it before you commit to shipping — the number can be higher than people expect going in.
🏠 If you're a returning resident
Moving back permanently, not just importing a car as a standalone purchase? The Law 168-67 partial exemption may apply — see our guide to the dominicano ausente tax break before you assume you'll pay full freight.
Do this before you ship anything: run the exact make, model, and year through DGA's calculator first. It's the only way to know the real number, and it takes less time than arranging shipping.
Official source: DGA's vehicle tax calculator is at aduanas.gob.do/consultas/calculadora-de-impuestos-de-vehiculos. Age-limit exceptions require a DGA resolution — confirm with DGA directly if you think your vehicle qualifies.
Sources
1. Vehicle age limit (Law 04-07, 5-year cap, model-year 2021+ as of 2026) and exception process — reporting via cuantomecuesta.com's vehicle-import guide. 2. Official vehicle tax calculator (value, ISC, ITBIS) — Dirección General de Aduanas (aduanas.gob.do).
Criollo News guides are practical explainers, not legal or tax advice — always confirm current limits and costs with DGA before committing to an import.