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TIO GREENGLEE

Sep 27, 2009, 4:29 PM

Post #1 of 10 (1702 views)

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Going to the US to get a car

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Hi Folks,

My Mexican friend insists I can go to the US, buy a truck for him and save a lot of money. He says the duties and fees are a lot less for a car or truck 10 years old.

I want to help my friend but I'm skeptical especially because I have an FM-2 visa.

Can anyone help me with advice, information or past experiences.

Thanks in advance for your help

Tio Greenglee
San Fernando, Chiapas

La Isla

Sep 27, 2009, 6:41 PM

Post #2 of 10 (1679 views)

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Re: [TIO GREENGLEE] Going to the US to get a car

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I've never done anything like this (truth be told, I haven't driven a car since 1969!), but I have the feeling it could turn out to be a lot more complicated than your friend is letting on, or is even aware of.

joaquinx

Sep 27, 2009, 7:04 PM

Post #3 of 10 (1663 views)

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Re: [TIO GREENGLEE] Going to the US to get a car

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Ever wonder why your friend doesn't do this himself?

Rolly

Sep 27, 2009, 7:09 PM

Post #4 of 10 (1660 views)

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Re: [TIO GREENGLEE] Going to the US to get a car

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There have been substantial changes in the rules recently -- restrictions on what can be nationalized and sky-high fees. Your friend's idea is somewhere between very unlikely and impossible. Buy it in México.

You cannot nationalize a vehicle, only a citizen can do that -- having an FM2 is not an issue.

Rolly Pirate

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

(This post was edited by Rolly on Sep 27, 2009, 7:35 PM)

chicois8

Sep 27, 2009, 7:13 PM

Post #5 of 10 (1655 views)

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Re: [La Isla] Going to the US to get a car

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I do not know the answer but i bet Rolly knows what the rules and regulations are for selling a 10 yer old car/truck in Mexico or knows where to find that info...

TIO GREENGLEE

Sep 28, 2009, 6:38 AM

Post #6 of 10 (1604 views)

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Re: [TIO GREENGLEE] Going to the US to get a car

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Thanks, guys. Any web reference to the new rules so I can get this guy off my back? (He's a client of mine whose family takes English lessons from me)

Rolly

Sep 28, 2009, 6:53 AM

Post #7 of 10 (1594 views)

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Re: [TIO GREEN GLEE] Going to the US to get a car

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"Any web reference to the new rules so I can get this guy off my back?"

No. It's a problem getting exact information, partly because that's the way things often work in México, and partly because the rules seem to be in a state of flux right now. There is confusion over just what kind and year vehicle can be imported. One thing that is clear is that the fees are now 2 to 3 times what they were before. The last personal experience that I read said the fee he paid was over US$2,000. When I attempted to nationalize my pickup just as the rules changed at the beginning of this year, the fee went from US$850 to US$1,900. I canceled.

Rolly Pirate

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

(This post was edited by Rolly on Sep 28, 2009, 6:55 AM)

TIO GREENGLEE

Sep 28, 2009, 8:37 AM

Post #8 of 10 (1573 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Going to the US to get a car

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Thanks, Rolly, you're providing a great service to all us ex-pats here. I appreciate it.

Hound Dog

Sep 28, 2009, 9:31 AM

Post #9 of 10 (1552 views)

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Re: [TIO GREENGLEE] Going to the US to get a car

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You would have to go with your friend to the US , he can stay in Nuevo Laredo while you go to Laredo drive to Nuevo Laredo, before importing it sell it to your friend and let him handle the importation and so on..I think it would work.

Your friend can also buy one from an expat but he would have to go to the border with the current owner, have customs remove the sticker and then the expat can sell the truck to your friend who can import and legalize the truck at the border.

Some friends in Chiapas tell me you can do the same thing in Tapachula but I have not tested their story. They actually told me you could do it in Comitan since the municipality is in the free zone with parts of it within 50 km from the border. Again I have not looked into it but I am sure you could check it with the aduana in Comitan if there is one.. I would only check to see if I could get the truck exported... Someone else should ask about the importation.

NOTE:

My wife Brigitte wrote this comment under my name so I don´t know if I agree with her or not. I have to think about that. More later.

(This post was edited by Hound Dog on Sep 28, 2009, 12:38 PM)

La Isla

Sep 28, 2009, 11:12 AM

Post #10 of 10 (1527 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] Going to the US to get a car

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In Reply To

Ever wonder why your friend doesn't do this himself?

I was wondering the same thing. If you do decide to do this really big favor for your friend, is he planning to cover all the travel expenses for your truck-buying expedition?