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firestorm

Apr 1, 2008, 6:06 PM

Post #1 of 5 (5582 views)

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A move to Cozumel

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I plan on moving to Cozumel, hopefully within a year. I love the mexican people, I have gotten sick with things here in the US. Crime etc., The Mexican Consulate here in San Bernardino, where I live hasn't been very helpful in many ways, bringing on more confusion than answers. I have been to Cozumel 10 times over the last 7 years and love it a lot. I have many friends there also.

I know that Mexican law states that I can only bring one foreign plated vehicle into Mexico. My dilemna is , I have a 28 ft., 1973, 5 speed, gasoline engine u-haul truck with well over 100,000 miles on it, basically I want to use it to take everything I have now all my affects from my 3 bedroom house, my moped( I realize that this will count as another vehicle so I might sell it before I make the move to Cozumel. , and I want to also put my Mitsubishi Montero sport 2001 in the u-haul as well, with all my belongings safely secured inside, then drive down to cozumel.

I really need some clarification on this moving issue. Both vehicles have california plates, so am I allowed to take my car into mexico this way, I don't have a lot lot of money so I was wondering, i also read that taking two cars is sometimes allowed. My main vehicle is the Montero SUV, I intend to sell the u-haul for cheap in Cozumel and keep my Montero.

Does anybody know if there is a ferry from texas or florida that could just accept my cargo and ship me to Cozumel. Or any where from a US port to Mexico?

Is it easier to turn the u-haul into a Mexican car, Does it cost a lot to make it so., since its such an old car, but durable.

I am just trying to save some money on my move, want to do everything legally, so that I will have no problems concerning my move. Thanks in Advance.
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Rolly

Apr 2, 2008, 9:24 AM

Post #2 of 5 (5553 views)

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Re: [firestorm] A move to Cozumel

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I have good and bad news for you.

First, the bad news: 1) The one car rule is absolute, no exceptions except when a motorhome is towing a car both are allowed. 2) Your truck is out; it's too big. Nothing over 3.5 ton capacity is allowed to enter the country.

The good news: Your moped does not count as a vehicle if you are towing it.

This is copied from an official Mexican government website:

Important aspects to keep in mind for the temporary importation of a vehicle:

a) A temporary import is only possible for one vehicle at a time. [Except a motorhome towing a car or pickup can both be registered by the same person.]

b) The maximum load capacity for a temporary vehicle import is 3.5 tons, not including the weight of the vehicle.

c) You may tow with your vehicle one to three motorcycles, beach cars or dune buggies, or four-wheel motorcycles or ATVs, equivalent to the number of people traveling inside the vehicle. You must be able to provide proof of ownership for the vehicles being transported and they must be returned along with the towing or transporting vehicle.

Rolly Pirate

(This post was edited by Rolly on Apr 2, 2008, 9:26 AM)

S & C

Apr 2, 2008, 2:15 PM

Post #3 of 5 (5533 views)

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Re: [firestorm] A move to Cozumel

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You can ship your stuff to Mexico but I'm not sure if it could go directly to Coz.
I know HYBUR ships by boat from Florida to Puerto Morelos. You could send your stuff by truck to them and then pick it all up in Puerto Morelos. Then after getting things out of Customs you could send it all to Coz on the "car' ferry.
You might want to get in touch with HYBUR and ask them how they can help. Or if you know any one that has shipping contacts in the states they might be able to supply you with a name or two to call.

I have also seen referances to shippers on this board that will ship your stuff directly to your house but then again, Coz is a little harder to get to. Do a search on this board for shipping and see what you come up with.
Good luck
Stan

travisdyer

Apr 5, 2008, 7:53 AM

Post #4 of 5 (5494 views)

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Re: [S & C] A move to Cozumel

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Another option, which will probably be a little more economical, would be to drive your U-haul truck, with the SUV and moped inside, to Laredo, TX. I have close contacts with shipping agents and customs brokers that can forward your items to Cozumel via a Mexican trucking company. When you get to Laredo, you could go to a freight forwarder, and they will unload and store your goods in their warehouse. You could then drive the SUV and moped on down to Cozumel. Of course, you'd have to sell the U-haul in Laredo, which shouldn't be extremely difficult. In Laredo, it would most likely be bought fairly quickly, if the price is right. Many people buy these types of trucks for commercial use in the border zone. It really wouldn't surprise me if you sold it to someone, and they end up getting it down into Mexico.

firestorm

Apr 7, 2008, 12:36 AM

Post #5 of 5 (5457 views)

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Re: [firestorm] A move to Cozumel

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Then for consideration, is there storage type facilities in Mexico which may be used?
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