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ekammin

Oct 13, 2003, 7:55 PM

Post #1 of 19 (1376 views)

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Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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Whenever I read anything here about bringing a car into Mexico under an FM-3 visa, I am told that the best thing is to keep the car registered, insured and plated as it was back home, until you are ready to buy a car in Mexico. I am trying to find out if one could, as an alternative, import the car, pay whatever duties, taxes, etc., the Mexican Government requires, and then register the car in Mexico and obtain Mexican license plates and insurance. Could one not get out of country insurance if one wishes to drive to the U.S. or Canada, just as people from the U.S. or Canada need Mexican insurance to drive in Mexico?

I have read that Mexico has revised its automobile import regulations as a result of its joining NAFTA, and wonder if this might affect the answer to this question.

believer111

Oct 13, 2003, 10:48 PM

Post #2 of 19 (1356 views)

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Re: [ekammin] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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good question! does anyone out there know the answer to this?
I thought that this couldn't be done as mexico fears an influx of vehicles for sale.
Dios le bendiga

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

Don

Oct 14, 2003, 7:35 AM

Post #3 of 19 (1343 views)

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Re: [ekammin] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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Don't know the complete answer to your question, but you see many Mexican plated cars driving in the U.S., in border states. My relatives sometimes drive up to Texas in their Mexican plated van and they have insurance coverage. Once saw a Jalisco plated car in the Pacific Northwest. But, I don't know where they get their insurance coverage or even if all have it. I know my relatives van is covered by their Mexican insurance for short jaunts across the border.

SteveInPVR

Oct 14, 2003, 11:12 AM

Post #4 of 19 (1319 views)

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Re: [ekammin] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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That's amazing....this is the same question I was going to post today! I am planning on bringing my auto to Mexico and leaving it there. I want to register it down there, and would like to know how, since I don't plan on bringing it back to the states, I would cancel my U.S. policy after I register it in Mexico since once I give up the insurance here, the policy can not be cancelled until the plates are returned. The other concern I have is how would I handle the return of the temporary car import certificate if I am not bringing the car back out of Mexico? If I don't return the certificate, I understand I wouldn't be able to import a car into Mexico in the future. I hope someone here has had some experience with this. Thanks for any help you can give.

Steve
Steve

ekammin

Oct 14, 2003, 1:14 PM

Post #5 of 19 (1301 views)

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Re: [believer111] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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I believe that the Mexican GHovernment has become a bit more relaxed about this, possibly as a result of their membership in NAFTA.

believer111

Oct 14, 2003, 1:35 PM

Post #6 of 19 (1294 views)

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Re: [ekammin] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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This is a great topic for investigation. I am taking my 'mexico car' (1985 Dod Ram 4 wheel drive back to mexico (again) and this tie want to register it there. I'll pay the customs duty... whatever that might be...but need guidance as to whom to contact regarding fees and feasibility of this option (if, indeed, it is an option).
Does anyone out there have websites to contact or people in the know, or know of someone who has done this?
Rules and regs are different in the Baja than mainland mexico.
Info gained from consulates here may be the 'law' as they quote it, but not the current info or the 'possibilities' in accomplishing registering your american vehicle in Mexico.
can anyone out there assist?

shalom,
Dios le bendiga

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

jrice

Oct 14, 2003, 9:59 PM

Post #7 of 19 (1264 views)

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Re: [ekammin] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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Until now, Mexico has strictly limited the sort of car that you could LEGALLY import. I believe that there has recently been a NAFTA related change involving new cars (it could be used, not sure).

But, having owned a late-model U.S car (1994 cherokee), I can tell you that tryuing to register it was impossible.

Now, worse news, gang.

My car was stolen. Ok, one thought. Insured, etc.

The Mexican government has been vastly worse, in terms of causing pain and suffering, than were the criminals. Absolutely true.

I have been dealing with the bureaucracy for 10 months now. We are half-way through. I am married to a Mexican citizen with an awful lot of experience in dealing with bureaucrats (she works at UNAM), and she's horrified too.

This is truly awful. Awful.

Awful.

Did I saw it was awful?

Did you keep your permiso de importacion in the car?
You have to get a certified copy from the original agency. I was lucky and met some good people who made it easy to do so after a couple of months. (that's no insult -- they did a heroic deed to help me in that time frame and in that way).

You are taxed and fined for having your car stolen (see Hacienda web site -- ir you can find that section, he said with a diabolic chuckle).

You have to cancel the permiso, prove that you have been taxed and fined, present a certified copy of the acta reporting the robbery (the certification involved going to the tesoreria and standing in line for four hours, then returning to the ministerio publico and hoping they are in a good mood).

You have to deal, in depth, with the folliwng agencies:
-- Aduana, within the SAT section of Hacienda
-- possibly, if fortunate, Banjercito.
-- Secretaria de Economia
-- Ministerio Publico
-- Tesoreria Municipal

All playing ping pong with you. Not to mention the company and not to mention the U.
s. state in which said car was registered (you may have to pay taxes there too).

It's even so complicated that there's really nobody asking for a bribe. It's the Night of the Living Licensiados! Everything makes complete logical and legal sense. Everything is completely out of context. Everything is completely insane.

Bring in a beater or bring nothing at all. If it's stolen, you're dead meat long, long before reaching the insurance company.

believer111

Oct 15, 2003, 10:54 AM

Post #8 of 19 (1236 views)

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Re: [jrice] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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there have been many instances of american bad guys bringing cars south of the border, selling them there for large sums, and then reporting them stolen in order to be able to return to US without the vehicle....ergo the horrendous confusion and treatment by the mex bureaucrats. It is even an extreme hastle trying to temporarily leave mexico without the car with which you entered. If you enter with a vehicle and must leave temporarily ...say by air for an emergency in US....it's a hastle.

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

Rolly

Oct 15, 2003, 6:38 PM

Post #9 of 19 (1201 views)

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Re: [believer111] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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Hola Believer,

I don't understand why you have a problem leaving the country without your car. I do that 2 or 3 times every year with never a question.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

believer111

Oct 15, 2003, 9:30 PM

Post #10 of 19 (1178 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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hola rolly:
A 6 mo. Tourist visa (as opposed to an FM3) can be handled by the authorities with more scrutiny due to problems with americans trying to sell cars ....also, Mexico, being the arbitrary country that it is, presents different scenarios for the same situations.... problems/hastles for some and not for others. never know what to expect. It's pleasant to know that you have no problems leaving your vehicle there when you leave. I was teaching there for a year and used two 6 mo. tourist visas. had no problems getting personal goods/household items in...nary a question or duty. car situation seemed to be different story! Just depends...the luck of the draw, I guess.

shalom,

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

Carron

Oct 16, 2003, 7:34 PM

Post #11 of 19 (1132 views)

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Re: [believer111] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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Were you aware that it is totally illegal to teach or do any other work in Mexico on a tourist card? An FM-3 is required. Consider yourself lucky that you did not get into serious trouble with Migracion during your stay here.

believer111

Oct 16, 2003, 8:09 PM

Post #12 of 19 (1125 views)

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Re: [Carron] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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yes, totally illegal.
I have friends.

'nuf said.

ah, mexico! Todo es posible en mexjico!

shalom

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

Esteban

Oct 17, 2003, 5:56 AM

Post #13 of 19 (1105 views)

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Re: [Carron] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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From what I've seen here in Northern Mexico, the immigration authorities are very flexible. Like I've heard you talk about in your other posts, the interpersonal relationship has a lot of power in dealing with situations in Mexico. That goes for both legal and illegal activities. I'm sure you'll agree with that. In the US, there are computers, databases and other law enforcement tools to catch illegal workers. The US has a huge budget to catch people working illegally but still it persists. In Mexico, they don't have the resources to track down every illegal person doing work or living here without proper migracion documentation. From what I've seen, someone has to turn you in and even then, with the proper attitude, you are given a "second chance" to obtain the needed migracion paperwork with a few multas tacked on. Because of the world wide focus on Chiapas, I can understand why you have that opinion of migracion policies but elsewhere, I'd bet the rules are more normal Mexican ie flexible within reason.

believer111

Oct 17, 2003, 8:48 AM

Post #14 of 19 (1078 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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Yes, the advantages, friendships, cooperation, and assistance gained by living in and associating with the Mexican Community (not cloistered in a gringo conclave) are innumerable.! Adjusting to their ways and trying to learn the language while in their country shows a respect for the mexican people and their customs that is truly appreciated and rewarded by them.

All too many americans a unwilling to adjust to the mexican lifestyle or learn the language or make mexican friends. (This is, of course, not true of all americans, but so very many americans go to mexico because it is 'cheaper' taking advantage of this attribute while not joining the society).
Survival and a real life in Mexico depends on the Mexicans, not on the americans!

Get to know the people, live with them, shop with them, socialize with them, teach them, offer them material assistance when applicable, learn the language, ask for their opinions and assistance, entertain their families, accept invitations, acquiess (spelling?) to their customs, have the right attitude, and you will find Todo es posible en mexico!

It's their country and customs, and they truly appreciate and reward respect of same.

todo es posible

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

Esteban

Oct 17, 2003, 9:30 AM

Post #15 of 19 (1070 views)

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Re: [believer111] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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Although I agree what you say for the most part, Carron lived WITHIN the Mexican community and was not a part of any Gringo enclave. I think you will find pockets of political sensitive areas, such as parts of Chiapas that are scrutinized to a higher degree and migracion "mistakes" can be costly.

believer111

Oct 17, 2003, 12:56 PM

Post #16 of 19 (1049 views)

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Re: [Esteban] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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you are correct. The message was NOT directed personally at Carron, but posted as information for the general public and people who read the posts and threads here. Written for general information purposes on how to really live in Mexico....

With the current upheavel, traveling to/in Chiapas could be 'uncomfortable' for anyone. I wouldn't take chances of any kind there.

shalom

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta

Carron

Oct 17, 2003, 6:48 PM

Post #17 of 19 (1024 views)

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Re: [believer111] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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I have lived and worked in Mexico for almost six years. I have spent much time traveling around the country for more than thirty years. I speak enough Spanish to get by. I have friends and deep local connections from La Frontera Norteña to Tapachula. Two of my adult children are married to Mexicans. I have never come close to a gringo enclave in Mexico. Couldn't afford it if I wanted to. Hell, I doubt a gringo enclave would let me past the gates!

But although Mexico is my home now, I am still--and will always be--a guest in their country. I can be deported at any time for any reason. I would never do anything to offend my host or give them reason to ask me to leave. You may brag that you can circumvent the laws of Mexico, but you still should beware. You are not a Mexican, nor are most of us here on Mex Connect, but those of us who live here do not brag about braking the laws of the country we have chosen to live in.

Rolly

Oct 17, 2003, 6:53 PM

Post #18 of 19 (1022 views)

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Re: [Carron] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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Well said Carron! Amen!

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

believer111

Oct 17, 2003, 7:12 PM

Post #19 of 19 (1018 views)

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Re: [Carron] Bringing an automobile to Mexico

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whoops! You seem to have missed the point here. Conversation through emails is at best tertiary, so if you have taken anything personally written in this public form, it was not my intent to discuss you or your life style.

My POINT is,
for those reading this, that Mexico is to be respected as Mexico... unique and not american. many americans go there, as you know, expecting to change it....expecting to get along without respecting or adhering to the customs of the peoples and the country...expect for the mexicans to learn English or at best understand them, and on and on. You, i'm sure know, the type. Mexico belongs to the mexicans and in order to live there successfully we must always remember that. They are suspicious enough of americans without us further alienating them by our actions and attitudes.

It is disturbing to think that you took my passing on of advice or experiences as bragging. The point I was making is that with the appropriarte spirit and attitude and eliminating arrogance, asking for their advise, learning the language, and on and on, anything (almost) is possible in Mexico.
None of my comments were directed at you personally....there is a large reading public out there interested in mexico and, if unaware, should be educated to what it takes to live there successfully.

We should continue to contribute to the readers' educations and raise their consciousnesses as to what mexico is about. You have much to offer. Keep up the good work.

shalom

Dios le bendiga,
hermana greta