Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

barmarr

Sep 26, 2011, 10:25 AM

Post #1 of 13 (1856 views)

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New Vehile Entrance Fees ?

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We were just informed by a friend who took his car back into Mexico that there is a new permit fee in addition to the $41 that we always pay to bring our US plated car into Mexico.

He had to pay an additional $400 and was told that this has to be paid annually at the border. Furthermore, he was told if we get stopped and our US plated vehicle has an expired permit they will confiscate the vehicle!

I am concerned because I have left my car in PV for the last 3 years, with the understanding that the permit was automatically extended as long as we kept our FM3 renewed annually.

Does anyone know more about this?

RickS

Sep 26, 2011, 11:03 AM

Post #2 of 13 (1840 views)

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Re: [barmarr] New Vehile Entrance Fees ?

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You'll get better answers than this, but....

The laws are still being written (or the publication of them is not complete) and it's anyone's bet right now just exactly how they will be implemented. And, as we all know, at least for a while they will be implemented differently by whatever 'jurisdiction' you happened to use when crossing. So anything they told you 'take with a grain of salt'. Stay tuned to this station for updates on this new procedure later this Fall (maybe!).

The $400 is actually not a new fee, but a "Deposit" to make sure that you actually take you car back out of Mexico when you leave, and/or not try to sell it in Mexico. It will be refunded when you do just that....take it out of Mexico. Deposits have always been charged, but only if you paid you fees with cash and not a credit card. Now, it is mandatory for both. It is my understanding that this is a one-time charge and not an annual one.

You current vehicle is theoretically OK if you have updated it annually with your FM3 renewal. This, however, is one of those unclear portions of the law. But it you are not OK, then thousands of others are in the same boat (now doesn't THAT make you feel better). Everyone is waiting......

P.S. This has been discussed for the last 6 months here..... do a Search of the Posts to get a fuller understanding of the new law.

OK.... now it's time for someone to correct anything I have just said..... :>)

careyeroslib

Sep 26, 2011, 12:28 PM

Post #3 of 13 (1820 views)

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Re: [RickS] New Vehile Entrance Fees ?

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We have been stopped a few times over the years by Aduana ( they were just checking) and a current FM3, sticker on the windshield and original import paperwork in the glove box was fine with them.

As the previous respondent said, there has been a new regulation with respect to the deposit you make (they cash it if you don´t inform them in the proper manner--see info on this Forum--that your FM3 is being renewed), but if you don´t do this, or don´t do it properly, you won´t lose your car, just your deposit.

As for the new legislation, it is unlikely--but we don´t know--to impact temporary residents (now no inmigrante, FM3) with respect to keeping foreign plated vehicles in Mexico. But, as always, stay tuned as we all await the regulations for the new law´s interpretation.

Rolly

Sep 26, 2011, 1:01 PM

Post #4 of 13 (1811 views)

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Re: [barmarr] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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You'll find a pretty detailed discussion of the vehicle bond rules here.

Rolly Pirate

Judy in Ags

Oct 4, 2011, 12:06 PM

Post #5 of 13 (1661 views)

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Re: [Rolly] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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Rolly, I did read your info on "bonds", particularly this: "e) The vehicle must be removed from México within the authorized time frame as stated in the Temporary Import Permit if it was registered using an FMM. If it was registered using an FM3, the registration remains valid so long as the FM3 is valid, including renewals."

I'm a little dense at this, but when you say, "If it was registered using an FM3, the registration remains valid so long as the FM3 is valid, including renewals. Does that mean our original registration is still valid since our FM3 is valid--renewed several times? (That is what we have been assuming all these years.) If so, is there anything we need to do when we cross back into Mexico, or just our usual stop to get our FM3's stamped? We're supposed to go to the States this weekend, so I want us to have our ducks in a row. Any additional help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Judy

'Sorry about the font mixture. I don't know how to get it back to the original after I copied something from your site.

Rolly

Oct 4, 2011, 12:17 PM

Post #6 of 13 (1653 views)

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Re: [Judy in Ags] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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Hi Judy,

If you leave México without turning in your permit, you will not need to do anything about the car when you return.
If you turn in your permit, you will have to get a new one and post a bond when you return. Not a very appealing idea.

Rolly Pirate

Judy in Ags

Oct 4, 2011, 1:43 PM

Post #7 of 13 (1642 views)

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Re: [Rolly] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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We've never turned in our permit. There's no point in it, if we live here, right?

chinagringo

Oct 4, 2011, 2:13 PM

Post #8 of 13 (1637 views)

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Re: [Judy in Ags] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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"We've never turned in our permit. There's no point in it, if we live here, right?"

As long as you are willing to play "keno" in the hope that your vehicle is not stolen, totaled or otherwise disabled while NOB!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Judy in Ags

Oct 4, 2011, 2:33 PM

Post #9 of 13 (1632 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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Well, I guess we all are subject to the possibility of those occurrences. I wouldn't be "keno" any more that someone who has a 6-month permit. I don't get your point.

chinagringo

Oct 4, 2011, 7:01 PM

Post #10 of 13 (1591 views)

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Re: [Judy in Ags] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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I believe that I read somewhere that you are breaking the law by existing Mexico without cancelling your vehicle permit?
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

Judy in Ags

Oct 4, 2011, 7:16 PM

Post #11 of 13 (1588 views)

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Re: [chinagringo] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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I believe you read wrong. It's not our style to "play keno" with the law, so please provide proof of this.

RickS

Oct 4, 2011, 7:47 PM

Post #12 of 13 (1583 views)

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Re: [Judy in Ags] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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Judy, I think Neil was just trying to be helpful but maybe it did not come across that way to you. He is suggesting that, if you don't turn your temporary permit in at the border when you cross going OUT, and then something happens to your car or car sticker (wreck or having to replace the windshield, etc.) while in the US, you will probably have a sweet time correcting this situation back in Mexico.

Rolly addresses this situation very well (including the 'new' requirements for a bond) on his website. See: http://rollybrook.com/car-in-M%C3%A9xico.htm
especially the paragraph starting with "Starting in November 2006....." And in that paragraph also click on the live link "look here for instructions".

With the new wrinkle about the cash or credit card bond, some folks, possibly like yourself, who already have a temporary import sticker and who did NOT have to pay the bond (I am guessing) when you got it, may be even more reluctant to turn the permit in when they leave if they are returning 'soon', so as to not have to put up the new bond. Everyone will have to make up their own mind about that. It's one of those statistical things..... chances are low that anything will happen to the car or sticker.

But that is the story as I see it.

(This post was edited by RickS on Oct 4, 2011, 7:51 PM)

Reefhound

Oct 4, 2011, 8:54 PM

Post #13 of 13 (1566 views)

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Re: [RickS] New Vehicle Entrance Fees ?

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In Reply To

And I think Judy is simply asking, how is it any different if something happens to your car in Mexico?