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talosian

Mar 11, 2004, 8:04 PM

Post #1 of 14 (704 views)

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What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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And what are the costs and ramifications?

Thanks.

Spock
"When all logical explanations have failed, we must look to the illogical for the answer.

Esteban

Mar 11, 2004, 8:29 PM

Post #2 of 14 (697 views)

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Re: [talosian] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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It means to bring a car in from another country and register it in Mexico. The laws are changing so fast, it's hard to keep up with what's happening now. You have always been able to "import" a car but the cost was prohibitive. You'll have to talk to your local aduana to find out what the latest criteria is for nationalizing your car. You also have to realize, depending on how your local aduana chooses to interpret the law, you may find people giving you a variety of experiences from "yes" it's easy to "absolutely not!".

talosian

Mar 11, 2004, 9:27 PM

Post #3 of 14 (688 views)

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Re: [Esteban] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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Once the car is registered in Mexico, is there a problem getting it out and having it registered in the U.S?

Which is the better way to go financially if living there for an extended period of time?
"When all logical explanations have failed, we must look to the illogical for the answer.

Esteban

Mar 11, 2004, 9:37 PM

Post #4 of 14 (687 views)

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Re: [talosian] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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I don't know for sure but I would guess that importing a nationalized car would be the same as trying to import any foreign vehicle; a big hassle. If you plan on returning to the US, I wouldn't nationalize the car.

I'm not sure how to answer your question because we all have different needs. A lot depends on crunching the numbers. I bought a nice little VW bug which serves me well. It works with my budget and needs. You'll have to ask yourself a bunch of questions. You can always buy a Mexican car and sell it when you leave. You can bring in a car, nationalize it and when you are ready to return to the US, sell it. Or, you can bring a car in, get your fm-3 and take it back when you return.

jennifer rose

Mar 11, 2004, 10:33 PM

Post #5 of 14 (680 views)

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Re: [talosian] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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Once the car is registered in Mexico, is there a problem getting it out and having it registered in the U.S?

Which is the better way to go financially if living there for an extended period of time?

Let's not get the car before the horse with these hypotheticals. Rules change. And rules will change before you permanently move to Mexico.

Firm up your plans about moving to Mexico first. Then test the waters. Decide if you're going to get your FM-3 first. Get that. That will give your the privilege of temporarily importing your US-plated car for the duration of your FM-3, which could be as long as your natural life.

If, at some point between then and the termination of your natural life, you opt to legalize your foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico, ask again.

Bubba

Mar 12, 2004, 6:01 AM

Post #6 of 14 (665 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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Can one "nationalize" a car if living here under FM-3 status or is an FM-2 status required?

Esteban

Mar 12, 2004, 7:33 AM

Post #7 of 14 (643 views)

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Re: [Bubba] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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I know several people who have nationalized cars with an FM-3. Part of nationalizing is that state law also comes into play. In Sinaloa, you have to have a Mexican drivers license and an FM-3 to own a car with Sinaloan plates. To get the license, you have to have an FM-3 and proof of domicilio. However, you'll have to talk to your local aduana to get the "verdad profunda" . I'd like to know what you find out and where you asked.

Bubba

Mar 12, 2004, 7:47 AM

Post #8 of 14 (634 views)

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Re: [Esteban] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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Thanks, Esteban. I'll get back to you with specifics here in Jalisco.

TomG

Mar 12, 2004, 8:32 AM

Post #9 of 14 (625 views)

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Re: [talosian] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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It makes no sense to nationalized a car in Mexico, unless you are a Mexican citizen. It costs about $500 for an 14 year old pickup and goes up from there. Once nationalized, you’ve got a whole new set of problems – you can’t insure it unless you get a Mexican driver’s license. Etc. A nationalized vehicle can be sold in Mexico, but who would want to go through it all if you were not Mexican? Only pickups over 10 years old to the month qualify for nationalized. There are agents at the border that will handle it – they like to have about 2 weeks to do it smoothly, but it could be ramroded in one day with a lot of trouble.

I helped a Mexcian do it in one day. It was painful. I did it because he sang at my daughter’s wedding. He has had the pickup now for 2 ½ years and is very happy. It helped him attract a pretty young wife. They are married and have a baby. My old truck looks and runs better than when he got it. Through it all I meet his family, and the families of other friends from his village. Now I am always welcome in the village. It is a bond between us. I just visited my truck a month ago. Every time I show up in the village they organize a hootenanny in someone’s house. We sing songs of Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Javier Solis, lots of Paloma songs, and many greats from the Epoca del Oro of Mexican music. I would do it again; but only for a good friend. I would never do it for myself.

Esteban

Mar 12, 2004, 8:43 AM

Post #10 of 14 (621 views)

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Re: [TomG] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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If you helped your friend 2 1/2 years ago then you probably aren't up on the latest laws. Things change in Mexico quickly. I'd like to hear from someone who KNOWS what is happening NOW.

Don

Mar 12, 2004, 8:45 AM

Post #11 of 14 (621 views)

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Re: [Bubba] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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We nationalized our two U.S. vehicle several years ago under an amnesty program. I am glad we did it. That way we can sell the cars here when we want to replace the vehicles. Plus, we were able to stop my wife's FM-3 which she got to keep her vehicle here year around. She was born in Mexico and therefore her FM-3 was no longer needed. Forgot what the cost was at that time, but it is probably more expensive at this time since there is no amnestry program available.

Bubba

Mar 12, 2004, 11:31 AM

Post #12 of 14 (594 views)

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Re: [TomG] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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TomG:

You have just identified my problem. I have a 1995 Ford Ranger registered in California. A friend of mine who is Zapotec from Oaxaca wants to buy the thing which I no longer need. I really want to sell it to him but I don't know how to accomplish this. I am told that, if I sell it to him this is no big deal but that I will be responsible for life for any liablilty he incurs if he hurts someone.

Maybe I lived in the U.S, too long where that term "liable" is particularly scary. Maybe I can insure against this. Maybe we can drive to the border and "nationalize" this truck so I can get this over with.

Esteban

Mar 12, 2004, 12:39 PM

Post #13 of 14 (580 views)

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Re: [Bubba] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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If you are in Mexico, you need to nationalize the car in your name, which will include registering it in your name. Then you "deregister" it....I don't know the term but that's what people do in Sinaloa. At the same time you "deregister" it, the new owner applies for new plates and registration in his name.

jrice

Mar 14, 2004, 8:31 PM

Post #14 of 14 (538 views)

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Re: [talosian] What does it mean to "Nationalize" a car in Mexico?

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As of this year, the rules for importing (nationalizing) U.S. vehicles have been radically revamped under one of the 10-year clauses of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

I'm not sure if the new rules apply just to new cars or also to used.

You might check with Hacienda, with the Secretaria de Economia or with your state motor vehicle registrar to see what they think.

You will certainly have to pay a significant tax, just as new car purchasers do in Mexico.