Moving to DR without residency (yet)

rgwsf · 2025-04-26T20:04:14+02:00

Dear All: maybe I can get some advises/answers here :). I have been leaving in DR for 1.5 years but yet to apply for the residency (not time no need... was). However, my house in Los Angeles might be sold within a couple of months (we did not expect it to happen for at least another 6 months) and I have a dilemma: to ship my furniture (5 bedroom house with dinning and two living rooms, outside patio furniture, excessive decorations etc.) here or not. Yes, I am aware of the 18 % taxes but how does DR customs do assessment of a 15 years old bedroom? Or old pots, linens, etc.? Anyone had to go through this before? Maybe you can recommend a custom duty agent to talk to and represent me? The reason I am thinking to do it as I am about to finish a 6 bedroom villa in Punta Cana and trying to make a decision if I should furnish it from local stores (very expensive) or it would be wise to ship my things from Los Angeles. Any advise or consult will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance:) Best wishes, Anna

rgwsf Active member

Member since 23 January 2022

rgwsfActive member26 April 2025 18:04:14

Dear All:聽 maybe I can get some advises/answers here .聽 I have been leaving in DR for 1.5 years but yet to apply for the residency (not time no need... was).聽 However, my house in Los Angeles might be sold within a couple of months (we did not expect it to happen for at least another 6 months) and I have a dilemma: to ship my furniture (5 bedroom house with dinning and two living rooms, outside patio furniture, excessive decorations etc.) here or not.聽 Yes, I am aware of the 18 % taxes but how does DR customs do assessment of聽 a 15 years old bedroom?聽 Or old pots, linens, etc.?聽 Anyone had to go through this before?聽 Maybe you can recommend a custom duty agent to talk to and represent me?聽 The reason I am thinking to do it as I am about to finish a 6 bedroom villa in Punta Cana and trying to make a decision if I should furnish it from local stores (very expensive) or it would be wise to ship my things from Los Angeles.聽 Any advise or consult will be greatly appreciated.聽 Thank you in advance:)

Best wishes,

Anna

ddmcghee Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 15 May 2017

ddmcgheeDominican Republic Expert27 April 2025 14:07:21

1810

We used Arelis at as our customs agent. She knows the process well and can provide some insight into how valuations are done on used household items. We imported with residency, so we had full exoneration on the taxes on the household items and partial exoneration on our vehicle.

Another thing to consider is how well the furniture will work here - will the heat and humidity be an issue, does the style work with the new house, etc. If the furniture can be used here, then it will likely be cheaper in the long run to import it and pay the tax rather than having to liquidate in California and buy new here. But if the pieces are not what you would want in your new home, you might want to bite the bullet, take the loss and start fresh.

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert27 April 2025 18:51:13

17383

They will assess everything at a value that works for them, not you.聽 That is the reality.聽 Please speak with a good broker or two. It's not just 18% that can be charged but also duty!

ondami Contributor

Member since 25 July 2023

ondamiContributor27 April 2025 20:09:35

154

This may be a dumb question; however, if my partner is Dominican and has her c茅dula, do we still need a customs broker?聽

planner Dominican Republic Expert

Member since 27 December 2010

Dominican Republic Expert

plannerDominican Republic Expert27 April 2025 23:04:13

17383

Yes you do!

windeguy Serial expat

Member since 01 June 2018

windeguySerial expat05 May 2025 13:00:15

694

Everyone who does such an import will have a different story on how it went.聽 Some will be good, some will be bad.聽 It is all up to the agents you deal with and what they want to charge.聽

Keep in mind if you live here on a tourist card, your California drivers license is valid for 30 days.聽 Not 60, not 90...聽 So if you drive, keep that detail in mind.聽 No residency or naturalization through marriage?聽 No DR driver's license is possible.

And you most likely won't be able to renew it any more once you leave California.聽

Getting a driver's license was a prime motivator for my getting residency 22 years ago when I moved from the California SF Bay area and brought a full container.聽 I am glad I did it that way and it was a hassle.