Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Dominican Republic
Seaway Export ships from Savannah, Miami / Port Everglades, and other ports to Caucedo and Haina in 3–11 days port to port, with weekly sailings on the main lane and rates from $1,100.
A short hop from Florida and Georgia to Caucedo and Haina. Cars up to five years old, pickups, SUVs and machinery ship in containers or RoRo, with the age rule and salvage ban checked before you buy.
Dominican Republic at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,100+
- Ocean transit
- 3–9 days (Florida & Southeast)
- Arrival ports
- Caucedo · Haina
- Import duty + VAT
- ~20% duty + 18% ITBIS + selective tax
- Age limit
- Cars up to 5 years
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Dominican Republic: What You Need to Know
The Dominican Republic is one of the closest markets we serve and one of the busiest for U.S. used cars, pickups and SUVs. The rules are strict and worth knowing before you bid: passenger vehicles are limited to about five years old under Ley 04-07, and salvage or rebuilt-title vehicles are prohibited under Decreto 671-02. Cars that meet both rules clear without drama, and cars that do not are the most common reason a shipment is refused at the port.
Shipments arrive at Caucedo, east of Santo Domingo, or at the Haina terminals to the west. From Port Everglades and Miami the crossing is a matter of days, and Savannah, New York and Houston connect on weekly or biweekly services. Buyers include dealers, family importers in New York, New Jersey and Florida, and contractors bringing in used machinery, which does not face the passenger-car age limit. Our Spanish-speaking team confirms the model year, title brand and consignee before we quote.
Key takeaway
Cars must be about five model years old or newer with a clean title; salvage and rebuilt vehicles are prohibited. Send the VIN before you bid and we confirm eligibility.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Dominican Republic
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | Caucedo | 3–6 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Caucedo | 5–9 days | Weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Haina | 6–10 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Caucedo | 7–11 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Dominican Republic from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Dominican Republic, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Dominican Republic fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Dominican Republic
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,100 – $1,800 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,100 – $3,000 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $2,900 – $4,100 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,100 – $1,900 | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Request today's exact rate for your vehicle and hear back within 1 business day.
Price My ShipmentDominican Republic Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars (up to ~5 yrs) | ~20% | 18% ITBIS + selective tax | First-plate fee and selective tax by value and CO2 |
| Pickups & SUVs | ~20% | 18% ITBIS + selective tax | Same age rule as cars |
| Salvage / rebuilt titles | Prohibited | — | Decreto 671-02 |
| Heavy machinery | By HS code | 18% | No passenger-car age limit; classified before booking |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Check the car before you bid
Send us the VIN and the title type from the auction listing. We confirm the model year and title brand against the Dominican rules before you pay, so you do not end up with a car that customs will not release. Reviewed October 2026; figures are indicative and the age rule is applied by the Dominican customs authority.
What We Ship to Dominican Republic
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Dominican Republic's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Dominican Republic.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Dominican Republic.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Dominican Republic
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Dominican Republic Routes
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → Caucedo
3–6 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Caucedo
5–9 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
New York / New Jersey → Haina
6–10 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Caucedo
7–11 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Dominican Republic Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
3–9 days (Florida & Southeast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Caucedo · Haina.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Dominican Republic. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Passenger vehicles are limited to about five years old under Ley 04-07. Machinery and some commercial vehicles follow different rules. Send us the VIN before you buy and we check the model year against the current limit.
No. Decreto 671-02 prohibits salvage and rebuilt-title vehicles, so we do not book them to this lane. Clean-title cars and pickups within the age limit are the core of what ships.
Most vehicles arrive at Caucedo, east of Santo Domingo, or at the Haina terminals to the west. We choose the port with the best service for your departure city and tell you which one in the quote.
More shipping destinations in North & Central America
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