Import Japanese Car to Dominican Republic — Complete Guide 2026

Q: What documents do I need to import a car from Japan to Dominican Republic?

Export Certificate, Bill of Lading, Invoice, Insurance, DGII import entry

Age Limit

Max 5 years

Manufactured 2021 or later

Import Duty

~45% total

~20–50%: import tariff (20%) + ITBIS VAT (18%) + first registration tax

Steering Side

LHD

Drives on the right. LHD required.

Transit Time

18–22 days

From Japanese port to Dominican Republic

⚠️ Age Compliance Checker

Select your vehicle's manufacture year to check if it meets Dominican Republic's 5-year age limit:

📍 Entry Ports

🚢 Santo Domingo (Caucedo Port) 🚢 Puerto Plata

📋 Required Documents

📄Export Certificate

📄Bill of Lading

📄Invoice

📄Insurance

📄DGII import entry

🗂 Step-by-Step Import Process

Select LHD vehicle under 5 years

Ship to Santo Domingo (Caucedo)

DGA customs clearance

Pay import tariff + ITBIS + registration tax

DIGESETT vehicle inspection

DGII registration

💰 Import Duty & Taxes

~20–50%: import tariff (20%) + ITBIS VAT (18%) + first registration tax

⚠️ Important: Duty rates change regularly. The figures above are based on 2026 rates and are for guidance only. Always confirm current rates with a licensed customs agent or freight forwarder in Dominican Republic before committing to a purchase.

🚫 Restrictions & Banned Vehicles

⛔LHD vehicles only

⛔Max 5 years

⛔Must meet Dominican emissions standards

🔍 Pre-shipment Inspection

DIGESETT inspection on arrival.

🛡️ Safety Guide — Before You Buy

Always verify the auction sheet first. Get the original JP Sheet verification report before committing to any vehicle — confirms grade, mileage, accident history and all damage marks.
Check for flood damage. The Japanese inspector notes the word 冠水 (flood) in the auction sheet notes section. This is only visible with a full translation — never skip translation if buying for an important purpose.
Use a licensed freight forwarder who specifically handles Japan-to-Dominican Republic imports. They know local customs requirements, common delays and documentation pitfalls.
Verify the exporter. Check the company is registered, has verifiable reviews, and provides a full paper trail including export certificate and shipping documents.
Never pay full price before the car ships. A deposit is normal — paying 100% before shipping is a major fraud risk.
Check the chassis number matches across all documents — auction sheet, export certificate, bill of lading and invoice must all carry the same number.

💡 Import Tips for Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic requires LHD vehicles. Most Japanese exports are RHD — you need to source LHD Japanese models specifically, or vehicles originally built for LHD markets.