How to Ship a Car from Philadelphia to the Dominican Republic

One thing we all can collectively agree on is shipping heavy transport can be challenging, which is why you are here. Don’t worry! We do not intend to add further to your headache. Rather, we will break down the process for you so that you need not have anxiety the next time you plan to ship a car.  

Be it exporting goods for the first time or doing it on a regular basis, there are various aspects to consider while shipping to the Dominican Republic from Philadelphia. There are various reasons why one should export their item to the Dominican Republic. Let us discuss that:

Why Should you Ship To Dominican Republic From Philadelphia?

With a population of above 10 million and boasting a large Caribbean economy, the Dominican Republic receives a huge number of shipments from the United States. 

• The rules of the Dominican Republic do not vary much from the ones in the US.

• The way in which business is conducted in the Dominican Republic is highly influenced by the high number of tourists. Although it is done in a formal manner, business is relaxed, resulting in ‘friendships.’ Another important aspect of business success in the country is third-party contacts, meaning if an established person vouches for you and presents your company, it will help you gain trust in the market.

• Some of the common traits of Dominicans include spontaneity and flexibility. Compared to European and American business people, they have a different perception of time management – often more relaxed.

So let us get started with shipping, shall we? But, we need to first know about the different shipping methods. 

What are the Different Shipping Methods?

Currently, there are three common shipping methods. They are:

• Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) – In this method, a delivery vessel that is more or less similar to a parking structure is used for driving your vehicle onto a big load area and secured for shipping. The RoRo shipping method is usually considered one of the most economical alternatives, as port charges and customs clearance is the only additional expense that is needed to be taken care of. 

• Shared Container Service – This shipping method involves your vehicle being securely loaded into a 40ft enclosed container and other vehicles. These vehicles share the extra expense of container shipping. Some extra container shipping charges include terminal handling, trucking and unloading fees, and customs clearance charges. While you will get the advantage of the extra security of a fully enclosed container without any exposure, the container has a provision of reaching a particular shipping limit to be shipped out from the Dominican Republic to Philadelphia.

• Full Container Load – Just like the shared container shipping services, the customers will enjoy an additional advantage of a fully enclosed shipping container. However, the only difference is that the shipping container will only contain your vehicle. This means that there will be no waiting time as the vehicle ships out as soon as the formalities are done. That being said, other vehicle owners will not share the extra terminal handling charges.

If you are in the US and not entirely familiar with the shipping market, you must always consider an International shipping company that understands the business, the language, and the customs regulations and has a proven track record of success in terms of shipping to the Dominican Republic. Now that we are familiar with the different types of shipping methods, let us shed some light on the necessary documents required for shipping your car from Philadelphia to the Dominican Republic.

What are the Necessary Documents for Shipping a Car to the Dominican Republic from Philadelphia Take?

While shipping a car to the Dominican Republic, it is essential to understand and comply with all the document requirements. AES agents fully understand the regional and country-specific document needs. To prevent you from any additional fees or delays, we will ask for suitable documentation prior. It includes a shipping order, power of attorney, title, and commercial invoice. 

Therefore, it is quite important to prioritize the preparation of these documents, failing which you might encounter delays upon delivery. Apart from previously identified documents, you will also need to give personal IDs like a passport, driver’s license, or any other accepted government-issued ID. 

Besides government-issued IDs, you are also required to have proof of ownership. The title of the vehicle in question proves this. The financial lender will need to grant you approval if you have not paid for the entire vehicle. In case the purchase of a vehicle is recent, a bill of sale will be needed to verify the proof of purchase and ownership.

Another important document is insurance. While showing all the documents, you have to show proof of that insurance. For example, if you have opted for a shipping container, you must give a complete packing list for that container. A comprehensive packing list might lessen the delivery from the vessel and result in a lesser shipping fee.

After the submission, we will assign you an agent who will review all the paperwork. Upon any corrections or missing documents, they will inform you, thereby speeding up the shipping process. Once the documentation clears customs, the shipment will be facilitated via local services but in an organized manner through an AES agent.

For better understanding, this is a list of vehicle documentation necessary for shipping out:

• New Vehicles: Commercial Invoice
• Used Vehicles: Title
• Boarding Documentation (BL)
• Proof of Insurance
• Customs Declaration (DUA or Declaracion Única Aduanera or DUA)
• Vehicles imported from the United States of America (USA) will need the title of the vehicle for applying for tariff preferences.

These are the necessary documents needed for shipping from the Dominican Republic to Philadelphia. Now, let us get into the pricing of shipping a car. Note that the price is dependent on various factors. We will first discuss the factors and how they play a key role in determining the shipping cost.

What Factors Affect the Shipping of a Car to the Dominican Republic from Philadelphia?

Shipping rates to the Dominican Republic will vary based on factors. Some of them are: 

• the model and make of your vehicle
• your current location
• the nearest departure port in the USA
• your shipping method of choice
• availability of your chosen shipping services, and your final destination.

Additionally, you’ll need to consider shipping costs, such as 

• Storage
• Cleaning
• Other vendor fees
• Dominican Republic taxes and duties

Before you ship your vehicle from the United States to the Dominican Republic, you must verify the specifications of your vehicle and adhere to the requirements of the Dominican Republic. When you are shipping your car to Dominican Republic from the US, your car will be charged local customs duties. It includes the following: 

• 20% on the CIF value (cost, insurance, and freight) – The tax levied on vehicles whose fabrication is done in the USA is 0%. Vehicles with VIN# starting in 4 and 5 made in the USA will also be exempted from this tax, but this does not apply for every brand as it depends on the origin of materials and the parts used to manufacture the car.
• Tax ‘ITBIS’ – 18% from Vehicle CIF value. This applies to all models and makes
• Emissions Tax – This changes based on the percentage of CO2 emissions and is determined and paid once upon registration. This is determined by the following:

• Less than 120g CO2 / km = 0%
• More than 120 and up to 220g CO2 / km = 1%
• Over 220 to 380g CO2 / km = 2%
• Over 380g CO2 / km = 3%

Now that we know the various factors that impact shipping costs, let us find out a rough number of what you are going to get charged while shipping your car.

What is the Cost of Shipping a Car to the Dominican Republic from Philadelphia?

The amount of taxes and import duties that one is paying while shipping a car to the Dominican Republic from the US keeps changing, and it all comes down to the details of your shipment. The question of how much it costs to transport a car overseas, and due to the availability of so many services, getting an exact quote can be a tough job. Generally speaking, for standard ocean transport, AES charges somewhere between $400 – $5,000 for shipping a personal vehicle internationally.

Besides cost, another important factor is the amount of time the shipment takes to reach the destination country. Let us have a look at that aspect as well.

How Much Time Will Shipping a Car to the Dominican Republic from Philadelphia Take?

Typically, you can expect shipping a car to the Dominican Republic to reach in three weeks. That said, the time frame is estimated, so the delivery time varies depending on factors like customs, weather, time of the year, and more. 

One last thing that needs to be known is the restrictions on vehicles shipped to the Dominican Republic. Let us discuss that:

What are the Restrictions On Vehicles Brought into The Dominican Republic?

Talking about importing a car, the Dominican Republic has some distinct rules and regulations. For example, a car that is more than 5 years old, irrespective of the circumstance, cannot be shipped into the country. Here are other unique rules that you must know before transporting your vehicle: 

• You cannot ship cars of more than 2000 cc or 6 cylinders.
• Import of luxury autos cannot be done.
• The car that is being shipped to the country must be owned and registered for at least one year.
• The presence of the car owner is a must at customs pickup.
• You can only bring one car to the country.
• On auto transport, the new residents of the Dominican Republic pay little to no duty.
• A minimum of 2 years is needed for Dominican citizens who live outside to ship a car back to the island.
• And, once again, cars more than 5 years old cannot be shipped.

This is a comprehensive overview of shipping to the Dominican Republic, covering each aspect of shipping a car from Philadelphia to the Dominican Republic. 

Final Words:

When it comes to Dominican consumer goods, around 70% of them come from the United States. Moreover, thanks to the strong trade connection located in the country and the cultural link made, it is favorable for shipping items to the Dominican Republic. 

FAQs

What do I need to ship a car to the Dominican Republic from the US?

It’s important to understand and follow the documentation required when shipping a car to the Dominican Republic. With AES, our agents understand regional and country-specific document requirements. We will ask for the proper documentation to prevent you from added fees or delays. This may include the shipping order, title, commercial invoice, and power of attorney.

How much does it cost to ship a container to the Dominican Republic?

AES charges somewhere between $400 – $5,000 for shipping a personal vehicle internationally. The exact cost depends on various factors. Please talk to one of our agents for an exact quote.

What documents are needed for shipping a car from Philadelphia to the Dominican Republic?

• New Vehicles: Commercial Invoice
• Used Vehicles: Title
• Boarding Documentation (BL)
• Proof of Insurance
• Customs Declaration (DUA or Declaracion Única Aduanera or DUA)
• Vehicles imported from the United States of America (USA) will need the title of the vehicle for applying for tariff preferences.

What container capacity do I need for my cargo?

There are many options to choose from among standard dry shipping containers’ capacities and sizes. You can go for the smallest (20ft) with 1,172 CFT / 33.2 CBM volume capacity, up to a 45-ft container with 3,122 CFT / 88.4 CBM volume capacity. If your shipment is low-volume, you can also consider a Shared Container (LCL).

What type of cargo can be sent in a container?

Shippers often find that dry shipping containers meet all of their cargo’s needs: they come in a wide range of sizes and capacities and are suitable for transporting dry bulk, a common type of cargo.

What items can not be sent to the Dominican Republic?

• Medications and vitamins
• Antiques (fragile, that may break)
• Asbestos
• Soil samples
• Fur
• Hazardous material, fuel (according to IATA regulations)
• Military equipment
• Dangerous goods
• Pornography
• Live animals
• Hunting trophies (animal), animal parts such as ivory and shark fin, animal remains, or animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption, prohibited movement by the CITES Convention and/or local law.
• Human remains or ashes
• Bars of any precious metal
• Cash (current legal currency)
• Loose and semi-precious and precious stones
• Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives / explosive devices
• Illegal items, such as counterfeit goods and narcotics