Forums > General > General Forum

boonerdog

Feb 14, 2011, 6:24 PM

Post #1 of 16 (4075 views)

Shortcut

Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

Before Mexico converted to a computerized bar code on those metallic vehicle import stickers they put on your front windshield, I had returned back from Mexico once and properly returned my sticker, but the person manually wrote down the wrong vehicle identification number mistaking an "8" for a "B" and so on. Complicating matters, the last time I crossed was in an older car and brought a new one across the border. At the checkpoint south of Nogales, they noted that the vehicle sticker for my old car was never returned before leaving Mexico and they assumed I had sold it down there. I showed them a copy of my old car title showing the VIN # and the obvious mistake made in writing down the VIN. After 4 hrs in the hot sun waiting to hear back from Mexico City, I was finally allowed to cross in my new car. When I returned, I properly returned my sticker. My concern is that once a mistake is made in their computer system, it's difficult to get rid of it. Does anyone know if one can check w/Mexican authorities before driving all the way to the border to ensure that your VIN # on the car you'll be driving shows that the sticker was properly returned last trip? Thanks!

Reefhound

Feb 14, 2011, 7:01 PM

Post #2 of 16 (4050 views)

Shortcut

Re: [boonerdog] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

You could apply for a permit online in advance, and you'll either get it in the mail or get notice that you are not eligible.

boonerdog

Feb 14, 2011, 7:56 PM

Post #3 of 16 (4025 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Reefhound] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

You're kidding!?! I've spoken w/every governmental agency I could think of from Homeland Security to obscure little border agencies to the assistant of the head (supposedly) of the whole immigration division there at Nogales and NONE of them even suggested such a thing. Anyway, if you can give me a phone number, email, or even just names I can google, that would be much appreciated! I have a friend living in Puerto Vallarta who was an outdoor adventure guide so we're hopefully going to explore the jungles, beaches, mountains, and monarchs of Michoacan. Well, sorry if I rambled on, but this could take a load off my shoulders so thanks again for any more info you can provide. Brad

Rolly

Feb 14, 2011, 8:00 PM

Post #4 of 16 (4023 views)

Shortcut

Re: [boonerdog] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

You'll find what you need here: http://rollybrook.com/vehicle_permits.htm

Rolly Pirate

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

boonerdog

Feb 14, 2011, 8:06 PM

Post #5 of 16 (4013 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

Thank you. I just joined this website but I had 3 people give me aan answer to my difficult question in 15 minutes. That's amazing. Thank you all!

mexliving

Feb 14, 2011, 8:29 PM

Post #6 of 16 (4005 views)

Shortcut

Re: [boonerdog] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

good post!!!! after waiting through the process for the vehicle permit..... i took the time to check the vin # no the document/permit and it was wrong...... i explained to the clerk and she had to do the whole thing over again.....

everyone should take the time to check to make sure name/vin/make/ is correct.

Reefhound

Feb 14, 2011, 8:47 PM

Post #7 of 16 (4001 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Rolly] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

One thing you might want to consider for your page, where you question if it is worth the bother to do online, is that in cases like this you can find out if there is a problem in advance.

arbon

Feb 14, 2011, 8:58 PM

Post #8 of 16 (3998 views)

Shortcut

Re: [boonerdog] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post |

I think David Eidell is having the same problem on the Tom Zap board.

http://69.73.170.179/ph5/read.php?12,36945
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

boonerdog

Feb 15, 2011, 6:34 PM

Post #9 of 16 (3877 views)

Shortcut

Re: [arbon] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

Though I started this thread w/the question and am not the expert, one thing that saved my bacon is that I had a copy of my old car with me in a "Mexico" border crossing binder I keep for this kind of thing. Showing the title to the aduana, along w/copies of recent registrations, emissions test reports, license plate renewals, etc., helped prove to the border officials that I still owned the car and hadn't sold it in Mexico. It's not the sort of thing you'd normally think of, but it was an impulse move on my part to take that stuff w/me and it was worth it. I don't recall ever getting a return receipt so might be in trouble again when I head down in a few weeks, though I'm taking the same car I used last time so it shouldn't be a problem. Supposedly, they run the "hologram" sticker through a bar scanner now and it reads and enters your data showing that you made the return, but I can't swear to this.

boonerdog

Feb 15, 2011, 6:41 PM

Post #10 of 16 (3870 views)

Shortcut

Re: [boonerdog] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

P.S. I meant to say that I had a copy of "my old car TITLE" with me when I crossed in my new car, along w/copies of registration, etc. for my OLD car.

RickS

Feb 16, 2011, 11:23 AM

Post #11 of 16 (3828 views)

Shortcut

Re: [boonerdog] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

"Supposedly, they run the "hologram" sticker through a bar scanner now and it reads and enters your data showing that you made the return, but I can't swear to this."

This, like many things in Mexico, probably depends on what border crossing you use and when. I just exited Mexico at Piedras Negras last Friday and the 'agent' didn't use a bar code scanner on the hologram. The only time she actually looked at the hologram (and she really didn't "look" at it then) is when she scraped it off the inside of the windshield.... which was the last thing she did.... after handing me the receipt for the cancellation.

What she did (the whole process took about 90 seconds!) was take a picture of the VIN# on both the door-jamb and the windshield area, key the VIN# into the computer, print out the receipt and hand it to me.

BTW, the receipt was stapled to a "fancy" 3X3 placard which has written on it " PAISANO - Cancela en la frontera el permiso de importacion temporal de tu vehiculo al salir de Mexico" which translates to something like "CIVILIAN - cancels at the border gate temporary importation permit of your vehicle when leaving Mexico". This is the first time I have ever received this placard and quite frankly don't know what its purpose is. The backing on the placard is removable (I didn't figure this out until I got back home!) so that a sticky surface is exposed so I imagine it is to be used on the outside of the windshield, but no instructions were given to me.

Reefhound

Feb 16, 2011, 11:36 AM

Post #12 of 16 (3825 views)

Shortcut

Re: [RickS] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

This was at Piedras Negras or Allende?

RickS

Feb 16, 2011, 11:42 AM

Post #13 of 16 (3821 views)

Shortcut

Re: [Reefhound] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

Well yes, the check in/out for Piedras Negras is in Allende.

carltmon

Mar 3, 2011, 8:49 PM

Post #14 of 16 (3514 views)

Shortcut

Re: [boonerdog] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

Just get a new passport. All doc,s are based on it. New PP, New #. End of problem.

boonerdog

Mar 4, 2011, 7:05 AM

Post #15 of 16 (3474 views)

Shortcut

Re: [carltmon] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

I appreciate the response, but a new passport does not magically erase problems like car permits that haven't been properly returned, especially since Mexico has modernized its tracking system using scanners to read car permit stickers (as late as 2001, they entered the data by hand writing). This is a tip for those who cannot remember if they returned their car permit stickers the last time they returned from Mexico only to find out they didn't and end up driving all the way to the border and find out that they can't cross for the 6 months or so that it takes to solve the problem, you can find out if you're good to go w/Mx officials by going to banjercito.com.mx and call the numbers listed. If you don't speak Spanish, a shortcut is to call the main number listed, keeping pressing "1" and when a live person answers, ask if there is someone in their office who speaks english. There is, and it's usually a pretty intelligent, helpful person who can look up your info either through your vehicle VIN number or your passport number. In rare instances, they might need the passport number you had last time you crossed so have that handy if you kept it. Regardless, they're pretty resourceful. As Mexico Mike notes, the Mexican Dept of Treasury keeps track of this data and you can't simply solve the problem by getting a new passport, new car, or much of anything else. If all else fails, you might google "Mexico Mike" who is a wealth of information and for a very modest fee will give you much more info than I can on this and virtually every other issue.

Reefhound

Mar 4, 2011, 7:23 AM

Post #16 of 16 (3464 views)

Shortcut

Re: [boonerdog] Crossing border in car-Problems with VIN numbers

Can't Post | Private Reply

If you call that number and they cannot find your previous info through your VIN and new passport number, wouldn't that indicate that getting a new passport does indeed "solve" the problem? At least for the purposes of not turning up with an outstanding permit when you apply for a new one.