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dandl

Mar 16, 2006, 5:48 PM

Post #1 of 44 (2337 views)

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How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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We are wondering what the process is to bring a foreign (US) registered vehicle into Mexico to leave here permanently and whether anyone has successfully done so? We would like to leave a vehicle in Mexico, visit on an FMT visa and have the vehicle here for use during our visit... Is it simply easier to find and purchase a vehicle here in Mexico (tho' apparently at significantly higher cost) than it is to "legalize" a foreign vehicle? Thanks...

Rolly

Mar 16, 2006, 6:12 PM

Post #2 of 44 (2324 views)

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Re: [dandl] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Buying a car in Mexico is the only way for FMT folks. If you had an FM3, you could leave your foreign plated car, but not with an FMT.

Rolly Pirate

dandl

Mar 16, 2006, 6:49 PM

Post #3 of 44 (2317 views)

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Re: [Rolly] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Hola Rolly
Thank you for your reply... my question is intended to ask if we, as US citizens, can own a vehicle which is registered here in Mexico and not dependent upon our visa status... I understand the vehicle is allowed in Mexico under the FMT or FM3 time period, but is it not possible to leave a vehicle here "forever" by either purchasing one here or importing and legalizing through the aduana process and which may be left here as if it were owned by a Mexican citizen? I did read that foreign titled/registered boats and RVs may be left in Mexico for up to ten years, but that a car/pickup does not fall under that provision...? BTW, I have enjoyed reading of your Mexico experiences... we too are having fun! Cheers, Dave

Rolly

Mar 16, 2006, 8:27 PM

Post #4 of 44 (2295 views)

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Re: [dandl] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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my question is intended to ask if we, as US citizens, can own a vehicle which is registered here in Mexico and not dependent upon our visa status.

Yes. Once you buy a Mexican car and do the paperwork to register it and get plates, it can remain here forever with or without your being around. Your being a non-citizen doesn't rub off on the car. Of course you have to pay the license tax every year.

Rolly Pirate

sfmacaws

Mar 16, 2006, 9:35 PM

Post #5 of 44 (2283 views)

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Re: [Rolly] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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You can also convert it if it is the right age and type. They just extended the conversion window to the end of May. It costs about $1000 US here in QRoo to convert a car, once you do that it will have Mexican plates and you can leave it in MX.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

NEOhio1

Mar 16, 2006, 10:29 PM

Post #6 of 44 (2281 views)

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Re: [sfmacaws] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Jonna, hola chica, we are loving the blah, blah posts. When are you back this way? Any details on the convert extension? years covered etc...Anita

sfmacaws

Mar 16, 2006, 11:41 PM

Post #7 of 44 (2275 views)

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Re: [NEOhio1] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Hi Anita,

Our local car importer was just talking to us about it the other day, I believe he said any car from 1991 to 1996 or any small truck older than 1996.

He's an interesting guy, makes his living bringing cars down here from the US. He also brings other items if ordered, this trip he brought 3 big windows for an SUV that got hit and a couple of XM radio boomboxes all packed in a nice minivan. One time he brought me some vitamins I couldn't find here. You can have stuff shipped to an address he has in Houston and he brings it down on the next run. Last December he brought down 3 boxes of elaborate fireworks for a local bar. Cohetes you can get aplenty here but the big fancy starburst stuff is harder. He put one of those monster flat panel wall TVs in the back of an SUV (had to take the back door off to get it in) with some kind of camoflage box and brought that down once. Did I mention that duty is not part of the cost? He was telling me a route around the 30km checkpoint the other day, he has quite a system to cross quickly and avoid hassle. He was also telling me that mexican nationals can legalize the cars at the border for a lot less money. Says they are coming in in droves now, one car or truck towing another. He has also functioned as a bank for us, we needed US dollars once and he took a check from us, gave us the money from his dollar stash and deposited our check in his US account on his next run. I love guys like this that found a little niche and are working it. He likes the beach, beer and sun and he spends the time between trips enjoying them all. I think he likes the tourist girls in Playa as well. Outside of avoiding duty and those cases of fireworks, I've never heard that he smuggles anything really serious in or out of either country. Of course he always flies north so I'm sure he doesn't take anything that direction, he looks too much like a guy from ZZ Top to get away with much.

We bought our little toyota truck from him and he had done the paperwork for converting it. He sometimes makes 3 trips a month, not insignificant when you realize we are about as far as you can get from the US border and still be in Mexico.

I'm behind on the blog, we're still showing as loitering on Lake Atitlan but we've really been back in Akumal for almost a week. Soon... I'll get to it soon <g>

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

Papirex

Mar 17, 2006, 12:18 AM

Post #8 of 44 (2271 views)

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Re: [dandl] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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I think it would be cutting it a little thin time-wise to bring a US plated car to Mexico and try to have it nationalized by May 31.. You must jump through all the usual hoops, providing a comprobante de domicilio, etc; so you must have a Mexican address and some bills with that address on them.

Procedures vary all over the country of course, but here in Cuernavaca they want proof of just about everything except your dog’s blood type.

We just finished nationalizing our van here. They had us provide them with all kinds of documentation, then they told us that they would call us when everything is ready. They never do, so you must contact them. Then they ask for more documentation. This happened about three or four times. They even asked for photos of the vehicle one time, I guess they couldn’t think of anything else to ask for.

On the very day that we went to get our Mexican plates, a guy at DMV tried one last scam on us. He said we had to take the van to a particular business to have a rubbing made of the VIN number on carbon paper. He said it was required, and he could not give us our Mexican plates, title, etc. without it. That stupid procedure was required when we nationalized our first car in 2001.

Just then the Gerente was walking past us. We had met him earlier in the day. My wife stopped him and asked him why we hadn’t been told of the requirement for a rubbing of the VIN number. She was mad as only my wife can be. The Gerente asked her “Who told you that you needed it?” She pointed out the culprit. The Gerente glared at the guy who was trying to sink into the floor.

The Gerente took all of our papers and personally issued us our title and Mexican plates, stickers, tarjeta de circulacion, etc.

Time elapsed to nationalize our van here in Cuernavaca was over three months, in Mexico City in 2001 it took almost seven months.

I’m not sure, but I think that the newest model year eligible for nationalization this time are 1996 models.

If you decide to do it, be fluent in Spanish.

Rex
"The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved" - Victor Hugo

ignacio

Mar 17, 2006, 7:30 AM

Post #9 of 44 (2230 views)

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Re: [RexC] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Someone stated: "Our local car importer was just talking to us about it the other day, I believe he said any car from 1991 to 1996 or any small truck older than 1996."

This is NOT correct, you better check if it is a luxury model car or European... by luxury I mean Lincoln, Chrysler, Cadillac, and the larger models of Ford and others, most European cars are banned from this deal.

sfmacaws

Mar 17, 2006, 10:39 AM

Post #10 of 44 (2195 views)

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Re: [ignacio] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Like a lot of things in Mexico, I think it is easier to pay someone to do it for you or buy the car from someone who does it all the time.

Jonna - Mérida, Yucatán

jennifer rose

Mar 17, 2006, 4:30 PM

Post #11 of 44 (2157 views)

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Re: [ignacio] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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The current legalization programs differs from those in the past. Cars classified as luxury cars are eligble for legalization. I know, because I legalized my Cadillac last December. And did it by myself without the services of a customs broker.

johanson

Mar 17, 2006, 5:49 PM

Post #12 of 44 (2150 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Yes, but you are smart, speak the language, and are an attorney. Could the average Joe do it by himself?

jerezano

Mar 17, 2006, 6:55 PM

Post #13 of 44 (2144 views)

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Re: [johanson] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Hello,

Only cars assembled in the United States or Canada are eligible. Somebody mentioned legalizing a Toyota. I don't see how, but then almost everything is possible in Mexico.

The VIN indicates where the car was assembled or manufactured.

And yes, I know several average Mexicans who did it themselves. It must be done through a recognized Aduana office. Of course, they all speak Spanish. If you don't speak Spanish you will need a coyote or attorney or somebody to help you.

And yes, May 31 is fast approaching.

And yes again, the price to legalize at the frontier seems to be a lot less than here inside Mexico. A friend just bought a pickup in San Antonio and had it legalized at the frontier (Nuevo Laredo) in 2 days. Locally (Zacatecas)it took other friends almost two months. And they paid a lot more.

ignacio

Mar 17, 2006, 7:22 PM

Post #14 of 44 (2138 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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As someone said already, luxury cars NOT manufactured in USA are NOT elligible, I know, because I happen to own one of these cars (mine is very old, but still, because is from Germany, is NOT allowed in this or any previous nationalization campaigns).

Deroyam

Mar 19, 2006, 5:56 PM

Post #15 of 44 (2060 views)

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Re: [Rolly] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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As a follow up to the previous queston.

Rolly, if your visiting using an FMT and purchase a car in Mexico, can you drive it with out a Mexican driver's license?

Rolly

Mar 19, 2006, 7:30 PM

Post #16 of 44 (2045 views)

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Re: [Ed Gormley] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Driver's licensing is a state matter, so the rules may vary. I was told by the DL jefe in Lerdo, Durango that the owner of a car needs to have a Mexican license. I have have heard others in other states say it's not so.

I was also told that so long as my California license was valid, I was OK to drive in Mexico, BUT not all cops understand that, so I'd be wise to have a Mexican license. That sounded plausible to me, so I got one. And for the same reason, I wouldn't want to own a Mexican-plated car without a Mexican license, whether the law requires it or not.

The catch 22 is that with an FMT, you might not be able to get a DL. They wanted to see my FM3 (with a copy, of course)

Sorry, if I leave you more confused. Welcome to Mexico.

Rolly Pirate

(This post was edited by Rolly on Mar 20, 2006, 5:34 AM)

Bear

Mar 20, 2006, 4:58 AM

Post #17 of 44 (2022 views)

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Re: [Rolly] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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We know for a fact that the states of Mexico and Querétaro require an FM3 minimum to get a DL.
Other states in Mexico, I don't know. It is still good advice that Rolly gives for one to have Mexican DL with Mexican-plated car. Bear

indyoldguy

Mar 22, 2006, 2:59 PM

Post #18 of 44 (1937 views)

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Re: [jerezano] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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What are the charges on bringing a car in that is newer than 10 years old. I have an '04 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was made in the US ( I think) and would like to bring it with me.

Rolly

Mar 22, 2006, 3:48 PM

Post #19 of 44 (1930 views)

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Re: [indyoldguy] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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You can bring it, no problem. You just can't get Mexican plates for it. The paperwork at the border to bring it with you will cost a bit less than US$30.

Rolly Pirate

indyoldguy

Mar 22, 2006, 6:01 PM

Post #20 of 44 (1914 views)

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Re: [Rolly] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Please excuse my density. So the bottom line of this whole car deal is:

1) I get my FM3 here along with Mexican car insurance.
2) I drive my car to the border with US plates and pay a small fee - no 17% VAT or other customs fee ?
3) I keep the car as long as I am Mexico or until either I or the car breaks down with no additional fees as long as I don't get Mexican plates.
4) This requires a US residence address and DL ? Does it require a Mexican address also ?

Rolly

Mar 22, 2006, 7:50 PM

Post #21 of 44 (1894 views)

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Re: [indyoldguy] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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1, 2 and 3 - yes
4. DL, yes; addresses no

Read here: http://rollybrook.com/...ve_to_mexico.htm#Car

Rolly Pirate

Bloviator

Mar 22, 2006, 9:23 PM

Post #22 of 44 (1883 views)

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Re: [Rolly] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Just brought our 98 Mercury Mountaineer in at Mexicali using my wife's FM3. I was surprised that they didn't ask for proof of Mexican insurance. Also was holding my breath as my pink slip was stuck on a burro somewhere between Ajijic and San Diego. We had forgotten to take it with us when we went NoB and a friend mailed it to us three weeks before our return. Rules say you must have original ownership papers (pink slip) when applying to bring a car in. We didn't have them, but solved the problem by applying for a replacement ownership slip. They accepted that.

I have a really interesting question. When we were NoB, our car was stolen. If it had been our Jeep, it would have been registered as being with us in Mexico on my FM3. I guess I should check out each time I go NoB, and get a new set of papers each time I return. We have not done so as we are back and forth very frequently. Therefore, What would happen if it were stolen while we were NoB? We could hardly report it stolen to the Mexican officials and we could not check it back to the US at the border. Could I ever bring another car in without checking that one out?

Rolly

Mar 23, 2006, 6:46 AM

Post #23 of 44 (1862 views)

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Re: [dlyman6500] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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It is not true that you must have the original pick slip (title). Current registration is also acceptable. I quote from the rules: "Certificate of vehicle´s ownership, valid registration, or lease contract" found at http://www.banjercito.com.mx/site/tramiteitv_ing.jsp

If you drive out of the country without turning in your sticker, you run the risk of having a problem proving that you have removed the car from Mexico.

You were not asked about insurance because it is not required. It is widely believed that insurance is required, but it is not -- except by common sense.

Rolly Pirate

Bloviator

Mar 23, 2006, 8:10 AM

Post #24 of 44 (1839 views)

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Re: [Rolly] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Thanks for the information. I was one of those wide people who thought that insurance is required.

jerezano

Mar 23, 2006, 9:06 AM

Post #25 of 44 (1824 views)

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Re: [Rolly] How to Import or bring a car/vehicle into Mexico permanently

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Hello indyoldguy,

Look up the requirements here on the forum for documents to bring a foreign-licensed car into Mexico on an FMT or FM3.

You will need a NON-Mexican internationally recognized credit card or debit card in the name of the person that the temporary import permit is to be made out to unless you want to leave a rather expensive bond with the aduana; the original title to your ca (note thar Rolly says above that the original certificate is not required, but I have been refused entry without it so better be safe than sorry); and if there is a lien then notarized permision of the lein holder to drive the car into Mexico; etc. That credit card or debit card requirement can be touchy. No such thing as permitted use, the named credit or debit card holder must pay for the permit and that permiit must be in the name of the credit card holder and also be the car owner.

Joint ownership of the car is OK.

Where you are planning to cross can make a big difference in the time spent at the aduana. Look up the various crossing points which will be convenient to you and read comments from people who have been there, done that.

On the FM3, don't forget to check in with Inmigración at the border, and when you get to where you are going remember you have 30 days from that border check-in time to get Inmigración to put you on the list of foreign residents. The fine is substantial.

Adios. jerezano.

(This post was edited by jerezano on Mar 23, 2006, 9:47 AM)

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