I'll be emigrating to the DR in late November. Anybody got an advice about moving a car, how, where, and how much?? Customs, duties, etc. ?? My future wife is Dominican so how will this marriage act facilitate obtaining a permanent residency visa?? How about US taxes on pensions and SSI ?? Am I obligated to file an annual return? All advice welcomed !! I love the DR ?? Beats the long cold Winters of the Northeast. Thanks,

Do not even think about trying to import your car.
Put it simply they will rob you blind, it will take months.

Yes you have to pay taxes.

As for the rest. The time and ease it will take depends on who and how much you bribe.

If you will be working as an ex-patriot with U.S. corporation you are entitled to a tax-free earnings up to 80K ( check at the IRS website for current info). However bear in mind that if its a U.S Corp any free tickets or extra perks may be added to your salary e.g
If
Base salary -------------------------------------------------- 100,000.00
3 airline tickets/year (company paid)-------------------------3,000.00
Housing/cost of living payments etc -------------------------- 5,000.00


You will be taxed on anything over 80,000 i.e ( 28K). If total salary and benefits are less you will still be expected to file a return. Regardless of earning IRS requires that you file a return.


And yes you can import a vehicle but I would recommend that is no older than 5 years, as the taxes for older vehicle are extremely high. If this is an employer based move, then you should contact your employer as they should assist with all the details. If yes, it is possible many taxes could be exempt as long as the vehicle is re-exported within a designated time. You can try to contact some shipping/ocean steamship lines for rates and possibly a customs clearance broker (in DR).


good luck

In addition you can contact some Global logistic companies. They will normally be more expensive than shipping lines, but they usually have offices or global agencies that provide full service i.e shipping documentation custom clearance etc.

If you want to reduce the amount of hassles this might be a better option. Or you can do your own ground work with shipping rates and custom clearance agents. Here are some Examples

Logistic Companies:
Panalpina World Logistics,
BGI Worldwide Logistics
Golden Eagle International Freight Forwarders
CH Robinson
Kuehne & Nagel
BBAX Global

Ocean carriers:
Antillean Marine
Happag LLoyd
Maersk Shipping Lines
Seaboard Marine



If you do your own ground work, try to get everything in writing from the agent in DR. Make sure it is crystal clear.