Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

MichaelEL

Mar 20, 2008, 2:34 PM

Post #1 of 14 (3158 views)

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Bringing in car before having FM3

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We had planned on driving a car down tomorrow to Mexico, near Puerto Vallarta and leaving it there. (My brother has a home, and we will build too)

However, we have been alerted to a potential problema.

We have submitted for an FM3 but won't have it until we are in PV next week. We will have to bring the car in on a tourist visa. We are planning on leaving the car there and flying back to the states.

We know we need the FM3 to get a sticker for the car to leave it in Mexico. Can we only do that at the border or is there someplace in PV area where we can get the sticker. We do not want to drive back up to the border!

Advice please.

Michael

bournemouth

Mar 20, 2008, 2:42 PM

Post #2 of 14 (3154 views)

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Re: [MichaelEL] Bringing in car before having FM3

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Once you get your FM3, the car permit you already have will then remain good as long as the FM3 is good. Don't worry. Check Rolly's site - www.rollybrook.com - and look for Article 106. Print it out and keep it in the vehicle.

sioux4noff

Mar 20, 2008, 4:52 PM

Post #3 of 14 (3140 views)

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Re: [MichaelEL] Bringing in car before having FM3

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Travel safely! All the highways in the Puerto Vallarta area are chock full of Easter vacationers. Be patient and expect a lot of traffic.

MichaelEL

Mar 20, 2008, 8:18 PM

Post #4 of 14 (3127 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Bringing in car before having FM3

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Are you saying that the permit we get at the border with a Tourist Visa is good when we get the FM3, as long as we keep it current? is there not a difference between bringing in a car with a Tourist Visa and a FM3?

Michael

RickS

Mar 20, 2008, 8:53 PM

Post #5 of 14 (3122 views)

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Re: [MichaelEL] Bringing in car before having FM3

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The short answer is Yes to #1, then No to #2 (No assuming one does subsequently get the FM-3 and keeps it current).

If/when the vehicle then leaves Mexico, turn in the sticker and get another one (which will then be 'officially' attached to your FM-3) when you re-enter. Article 106 addresses this and many think it is a good idea to keep (Rolly's) printout of Article 106 in your vehicle... it's in Spanish and English and is 'handy' if/when a border agent is not well informed about this 'transfer'.

(This post was edited by RickS on Mar 20, 2008, 8:55 PM)

Rolly

Mar 20, 2008, 9:13 PM

Post #6 of 14 (3120 views)

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Re: [RickS] Bringing in car before having FM3

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http://rollybrook.com/article_106.htm

Rolly Pirate

MichaelEL

Mar 20, 2008, 9:31 PM

Post #7 of 14 (3116 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Bringing in car before having FM3

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Rolly, you are our hero. Thanks for all the excellent information. We have printed a lot of it out including Article 106.
My wife wrote you and asked:
"We are in the process of buying land and plan to build a house in Mexico. We applied for FM-3 visas but do not have them yet. We will drive a l996 Jeep to Mexico this Friday, March 21, and will be leaving the car there. It has CA license plates. We will get insurance through Lewis & Lewis.

However, we will be entering the country as tourists, and I don't know what to expect from the border customs and immigration officers. We were forewarned by our attorney in Mexico to not say anything about applying for the FM-3, and to just get a normal tourist visa on entry. If we do that, can we get a temporary importation permit at the border? "

You warned her that:
"you should understand that you would stand a chance of screwing up your FM3 if you get caught. I think it would be better to wait until you have the FM3 in hand for the follow reasons..

You must enter México within 90 days after receiving your FM3 and have it stamped by immigration. If you fail to do this on time, your FM3 will automatically die.

After you enter, you have another 45 days to register at the INM office serving the town where you will be living. If you fail to do this on time, you will be fined $3,000 pesos."

which was sage advice, which we will follow, but it did not answer the question of any concern about bringing in a car with a tourist visa, obtaining an FM3 after we are there, and what that means for the legality of the auto.

Your advice is priceless.
Michael

Marlene

Mar 20, 2008, 10:34 PM

Post #8 of 14 (3107 views)

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Re: [MichaelEL] Bringing in car before having FM3

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There seems to be confusion (at least, I am confused).... where did you apply for your FM3? If you applied in PVR as it sounded, then you should be in possession of a letter authorizing you to travel outside of Mexico while your FM3 is "en tramite". A lawyer has instructed you to be untruthful? Hmmm. Maybe you could tell him to follow the correct (and simple process) on your behalf. Then ask him for a refund. :-)

MichaelEL

Mar 21, 2008, 3:57 AM

Post #9 of 14 (3100 views)

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Re: [Marlene] Bringing in car before having FM3

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Well, we did not explain it well. We applied in PV but did not have the week to hang around and wait; needed to fly back for work. So we got all the submittals together and applied and should be able to pick it up this trip.

The attorney is a rare treasure, especially in Mexico. A better description would be to just not confuse issues by saying too much. Like any good attorney might prescribe.

It's really confusing to us newbies.

Michael

Rolly

Mar 21, 2008, 9:01 AM

Post #10 of 14 (3082 views)

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Re: [MichaelEL] Bringing in car before having FM3

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OK, now that we have a clear picture...

Get your tourist visas (FMT) at the border when you drive in. Keep your mouth shut about the pending FM3. Get your car permit which will remain valid after you get your FM3. When you get your FM3, toss the FMT. No more worries.

Enjoy your new life in México.

Rolly Pirate

MichaelEL

Mar 22, 2008, 5:24 AM

Post #11 of 14 (3056 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Bringing in car before having FM3

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Perfect answer.

We feel relieved. Thanks to all for helping solve our puzzle.

Michael

shoe

Mar 24, 2008, 3:33 AM

Post #12 of 14 (3015 views)

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Re: [MichaelEL] Bringing in car before having FM3

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Don't be relieved, read on:

When you bring a vehicle into Mexico with a FMT visa you will get t "tourista" sticker (permit). It will expire when your FMT expires or you turn it in when you leave the country or getting a different visa. If you get your FM3 in Mexico or someplace else, you will have to return the car to the border to get a "rentista" sticker, turning in the old one. The paperwork is the only place where the type of sticker is noted at this time.

Stickers are good as long as the visa they are connected to are good. If you get a FM3 while in Mexico and have a FMT "tourista" sticker you have ! year to return to the border to get a "tourista" sticker. The expiration date on it will be the same as your FM3 and will automatically renew when you renew your FM3.

Not many people bother to return to the border and get the proper sticker (imporperly informed, too much bother, etc.) but if something happens a problem could exist as you have a vehicle that is not legal in Mexico with a expired "tourista" sticker assuming you have been here for more than a year under the FM3 visa.

cya,
shoe

Nothing is intrinsically good or evil, but its manner of usage may make it so.
-St. Thomas Aquinas

Rolly

Mar 24, 2008, 8:40 AM

Post #13 of 14 (2996 views)

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Re: [shoe] Bringing in car before having FM3

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Shoe, since what you are saying seems to be a direct contradiction to the law as laid out in Article 106, perhaps you could give us the origin of your information.

Rolly Pirate

shoe

Mar 24, 2008, 12:07 PM

Post #14 of 14 (2979 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Bringing in car before having FM3

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See my post in the Living, Working, Retiring forum.

(This post was edited by shoe on Mar 24, 2008, 12:08 PM)