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Mdespriet

Mar 27, 2003, 7:01 PM

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bringing a car into Mexico

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My question is pretty simple but I've gotten several different answers. I am an American citizen that has just received Mexican nationality (I was born in Guadalajara). I am moving to the Puerto Vallarta area this summer and I am traveling by car. Can I drive my U.S. registered car into Mexico or not? Some say that since I am a Mexican national, it is not legal. Others say that it will not be a problem. Can someone enlighten with their opinion. Thanks in advance

Don

Mar 27, 2003, 8:36 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1762 views)

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Re: [Mdespriet] bringing a car into Mexico

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My wife was born in Mexico and is a U.S. citizen. When we moved here, we brought both of our U.S. plated vehicles. I had an FM-3 and she didn't, as she didn't need one. Mine was allowed in the country as long as my FM-3 was valid. They would only let her's in the country for 6 months. So we went to the Migration office in Guadalajara and also got her an FM-3, even though she was born in Mexico. This allowed her to keep her car here as long as her FM-3 was valid. We since had our vehicles nationalized under their last program, so we no longer have that problem.

Rolly

Mar 27, 2003, 8:48 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1755 views)

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Re: [Don] bringing a car into Mexico

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Interesting, Don. They let her have an FM3 despite her Mexican citizenship. My understanding of the law is that people with dual citizenships are to act and be treaded as citizens of the country they are in at the moment. Perhaps you were lucky?

Mdespriet, I would suggest that you be prepared to enter Mexico as a Mexican. Maybe you too can find a way around the citizenship rule; but I bet the border is not the place to press it. Just my slightly educated guess.

Good luck,

Rolly Pirate

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

jennifer rose

Mar 28, 2003, 11:18 AM

Post #4 of 8 (1734 views)

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Re: [Rolly] bringing a car into Mexico

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Sorry, Rolly. Don's got it right.

It's more of a "don't ask, don't tell" situation, using some discretion and not acting like a character portrayed by Don Knotts.

Rolly

Mar 28, 2003, 12:44 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1724 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] bringing a car into Mexico

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Hola Jennifer,

I'm a little thick today. Do you mean that my reading of the law is wrong? Or that it is loosely enforced? Or...?

Thanks

Rolly Pirate

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

Mdespriet

Mar 28, 2003, 12:49 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1726 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] bringing a car into Mexico

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Lemme see if I got this right. I use a tourist visa to get my car into the country and use my dual-nationality to work and buy property. Wouldn't it be easier to dress my car up like a donkey and push it across the border?

DavidMcL

Mar 28, 2003, 1:44 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1720 views)

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Re: [Mdespriet] bringing a car into Mexico

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Only if you have obtained the livestock papers needed to
A: bring it into Mexico
B: take it back into the states.
You will also need a mechanic's Certificate of Good health (oops Veterinarian's Certificate of Good Health) and proof of recent antimad burro disease shots.
I have found that having dual antennas helps the sombrero look more realistic as you then have two ears in approximately the right places.
Finally, Monday morning at about 1:30 am is a really good time to cross over.

Let us all know how it goes.
I think you have the makings of a great reverse-coyote business here.

David
David McL
WebJefe

(This post was edited by DavidMcL on Mar 28, 2003, 1:45 PM)

Don

Mar 30, 2003, 8:47 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1673 views)

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Re: [Rolly] bringing a car into Mexico

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Rolly, sorry I am a little late in replying, but just got back from spending the weekend at the beach over near Melaque. When we requested my wife's FM-3 at Migration in Guadalajara, they asked why, since she was born in Mexico. We told them them that as a U.S. Citizen the FM-3 will allow her to have her U.S. plated car here year around. All they said was "great idea". So we got the FM-3 and where it says country of birth, it says Mexico. When we went there to renew the first of this year, they suggest that she could now drop her FM-3 as it is now not needed by us. So, next year, we will not renew hers. The Guadalajara office has always been very helpful and the personel super friendly. Our last renewal took 1 hour to process the paper work and over 1/2 that time was spent walking to and from the bank to pay.