Buying guideUpdated Nov 1, 2026
How to import a Chinese electric car into the Dominican Republic (2026)
CRAVEUO EV Export · Sources last checked 2026-11-01 · General information, not legal advice. We do not clear customs in the Dominican Republic. Nothing here is a promise or a quote.
Quick answer
Yes, for a left-hand-drive car within the age limit. Law 103-13 cuts import duties and taxes by 50%, including the first-plate tax, for qualifying electric vehicles. It is a cut, not an exemption. To get it you must show the car's technical data, and the law says that data is to be accredited by the brand's distributor in the country. That can be a real hurdle for a brand with no local representative, so settle it with customs first. Right-hand-drive cars are banned and can be confiscated. Used cars over five years are banned.
Key facts
Customs duty
Normal rate: 20%
With Law 103-13: 10%
Source: Rates from a logistics firm; the 50% cut is in the law
ITBIS
Normal rate: 18%
With Law 103-13: 9%
Source: Same
First plate
Normal rate: 17% of cost, insurance and freight value
With Law 103-13: 8.5%
Source: DGII; 50% cut in the law
CO2 tax
Normal rate: 0% below 120 g/km; 3% if no CO2 data
With Law 103-13: Separate
Source: DGII help forum; a logistics firm says pure electric is exempt; Ubikarros says 0% at 0 g/km
| Item | Normal rate | With Law 103-13 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customs duty | 20% | 10% | Rates from a logistics firm; the 50% cut is in the law |
| ITBIS | 18% | 9% | Same |
| First plate | 17% of cost, insurance and freight value | 8.5% | DGII; 50% cut in the law |
| CO2 tax | 0% below 120 g/km; 3% if no CO2 data | Separate | DGII help forum; a logistics firm says pure electric is exempt; Ubikarros says 0% at 0 g/km |
These rates stack in a way we did not calculate. A commercial guide says customs uses its reference value when your invoice is below it. One commercial site says pure electric cars pay no duty and no selective tax. That does not match the law's 50% text, and we did not find an official basis for it.
What Law 103-13 actually asks for
Three points in the law text matter to a buyer of a China-market car:
Maker's certificate
What the text says: The importer or brand distributor must give customs a certificate from the maker of the technical features (Art. 3, para. I)
What to do: Ask for it before you pay
Brand distributor
What the text says: Importers must show compliance with maker data accredited by the brand's distributor in the country (Art. 4)
What to do: Ask customs in writing how this works if the brand has no local distributor
Technical minimums
What the text says: Electric motor of at least 10 kW, regenerative braking, a lithium or NiMH pack of at least 48 V (Art. 4). Parts of the list are written for hybrids
What to do: Ask customs how they apply to a pure-electric car
| Point | What the text says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Maker's certificate | The importer or brand distributor must give customs a certificate from the maker of the technical features (Art. 3, para. I) | Ask for it before you pay |
| Brand distributor | Importers must show compliance with maker data accredited by the brand's distributor in the country (Art. 4) | Ask customs in writing how this works if the brand has no local distributor |
| Technical minimums | Electric motor of at least 10 kW, regenerative braking, a lithium or NiMH pack of at least 48 V (Art. 4). Parts of the list are written for hybrids | Ask customs how they apply to a pure-electric car |
The tariff codes are also old. Art. 3 lists 8703.90.16 in its opening line, but the detailed list below it omits that code, and it predates the current electric heading. Ask your broker which code customs uses now. We read this as a drafting issue, not a rule.
Bans and limits
Steering
Right-hand drive is prohibited, and such cars will be confiscated (Customs General Rule 2-08)
Used cars
Banned over 5 years from manufacture. Customs counts the year from 1 July to 30 June (Law 04-07)
Salvage
Banned. Customs has reissued the warning
Private buyers
We found no rule barring an individual. Customs' FAQ covers vehicle documents, and we found no statement that a broker is compulsory
Documents
New car: commercial invoice. Used car: title (customs FAQ). For the first plate, DGII lists the customs declaration, bill of lading and a CO2 or INTRANT technical certificate
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Steering | Right-hand drive is prohibited, and such cars will be confiscated (Customs General Rule 2-08) |
| Used cars | Banned over 5 years from manufacture. Customs counts the year from 1 July to 30 June (Law 04-07) |
| Salvage | Banned. Customs has reissued the warning |
| Private buyers | We found no rule barring an individual. Customs' FAQ covers vehicle documents, and we found no statement that a broker is compulsory |
| Documents | New car: commercial invoice. Used car: title (customs FAQ). For the first plate, DGII lists the customs declaration, bill of lading and a CO2 or INTRANT technical certificate |
Get the CO2 point right. If neither the maker nor DGII's table gives a figure, DGII applies the 3% rate. Ask for a maker's statement that the car emits no CO2.
The market
Electric imports fell after 2022: 2,732 in 2022, 1,651 in 2024 and 647 in 2025 up to November, DGII figures reported by Listín Diario. We did not find the reason in an official source.
Models to ask about
China guide prices, not delivered prices. All are pure electric and left-hand drive in China-market form.
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥109,800
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥176,800
Type: Battery-electric
China guide price from: ¥298,000
| Model | Type | China guide price from |
|---|---|---|
| Aion V | Battery-electric | ¥109,800 |
| XPeng G6 | Battery-electric | ¥176,800 |
| NIO ET5 | Battery-electric | ¥298,000 |
Send your country, model and version through the inquiry form. We tell you whether we can supply that car before any contract.
How an order works
- Ask customs (DGA) in writing how Law 103-13 applies to your exact version, and who can accredit its technical data.
- Get the maker's certificate and CO2 statement before you pay.
- Get a quote from the licensed Chinese export company named in the contract.
- Sign. Nothing is paid before it is signed, and payment goes only to the company account on the invoice.
- Clear the car, pay the taxes assessed, then request the first plate from DGII.
Common questions
Are electric cars tax-free?
Can I import a car from a brand with no dealer here?
Can I import a used electric car?
Can I import a right-hand-drive car?
Do I pay the CO2 tax?
Cars to start with
Want one of these cars shipped to your country?
Tell us your country and the version; we reply within one working day with an FOB reference price and the export route.
Sources (checked 2026-11-01)
- Law 103-13, DGII copy, Gaceta Oficial 10721 of 2 August 2013
- Customs FAQ
- Customs General Rule 2-08
- Customs notice on salvage cars, search excerpt only
- DGII: first-plate guide
- DGII help: CA2732 on CO2
- DGII: first-plate step 3
- Ferrampa Logistics: Law 103-13 guide, logistics firm
- Zero Emisión RD: incentives, commercial site
- Listín Diario: EV imports, press, 2025-11-23
- Ubikarros: import taxes, commercial guide
This guide is not legal or customs advice; the destination's customs and a licensed broker decide.