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Vilt

Sep 28, 2013, 10:22 AM

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Register vehicle in Mexico

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We are in process of moving to Play del Carmen area part time and it is just about time to put the new tourist sticker we got when we drove down. Is it better to go to Belize and cross the border then come back in and get the new travel sticker with the insurance OR if we register the vehicle here in Mexico, if we can... If we can register do we need to get a mexican drivers license, and get insurance. We do not know which is the best way to go (price wise). Any input or suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

DavidHF

Sep 28, 2013, 10:58 AM

Post #2 of 4 (215 views)

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Re: [Vilt] Register vehicle in Mexico

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You cannot "register"your vehicle in Mexico without first imported it at the border. You will need a customs broker to accomplish this. You can import only US and Canadian made vehicles, no Japanese, German, Korean, etc. are allowed. You vehicle cannot be newer than 2009 (I think) and it will cost upwards of $3,000 US.

RickS

Sep 28, 2013, 11:05 AM

Post #3 of 4 (209 views)

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Re: [Vilt] Register vehicle in Mexico

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Vilt, it may just be me, but a couple of things you posted are confusing. Like:

"...and it is just about time to put the new tourist sticker we got when we drove down."

If you got a tourist sticker (TIP) when you drove down, it should have already been attached at the border.

"OR if we register the vehicle here in Mexico, if we can..."

If by 'register' you mean Nationalize your vehicle, then:
+ It has to be a NAFTA approved vehicle of a certain age, older than 2009
+ Nationalizing 'generally' has to be done at a border although some brokers can get it done within the country
+ There is a fee that is not cheap..... several thousand $s depending on make/model/year etc
+ No, you do not have to have a Mexican driver's license to Nationalize but driving without Insurance would be folly. My understanding is that the car insurance or a 'Mexican' car is more expensive than the same car if temporarily imported.

With respect to temporary importing.... Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo and as such, is designated a Frontier area..... meaning one does NOT have to have a temporary import permit for their vehicle. No sticker is needed. Of course one could not (Legally) drive into Yucatan state without one, but.... If you do decide you want a TIP, then the Belize border run is done by many and is wholly legal. Others from that area might want to speak up and fill in any points I may have missed.

(This post was edited by RickS on Sep 28, 2013, 11:08 AM)

YucaLandia

Sep 28, 2013, 12:15 PM

Post #4 of 4 (190 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Register vehicle in Mexico

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8 and 9 year old NAFTA vehicles can be imported at seaports like Cancun or Mahahual (not just at the US border), but you have to find a Customs Broker who is willing to handle small personal transactions like this. Hiram Cervera does some.

The cheapest option is to turn in your previous Temporary Import Permit (and the windshield sticker) at the Chetumal border crossing (Subteniente Lopez / Santa Helena / Free Zone of Corazol) to preserve/recover your TIP deposit, and then operate the vehicle without Mexican registrations only in Q. Roo. You must keep your US or Canadian registration current to do this. This can mean paying for an unused US insurance policy for some US states (as required by Colorado, Florida and other states). If you need to drive to the US border, then get a 5 business day Retorno Seguro permit from SAT/Hacienda.
Happy Trails,
steve
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

(This post was edited by YucaLandia on Sep 28, 2013, 12:18 PM)