Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

nromero

Jun 30, 2010, 11:06 AM

Post #1 of 9 (3852 views)

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Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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We are driving to Mexico on Sunday and taking a van to my father-in-law. We drove two years ago with a visitor permit during Christmas and returned with no problem. I have read where you were suppose to sign in and out, however, we did stop at the border on entry or exit. I am wondering now if it might be a problem. The permit was in my name not my husband. The van is in his. We have heard all kinds of fees ranging from $300 to $1500 to leave the vehicle. Can someone give us a reliable number to call to get correct information. Thanks for any advice.

Rolly

Jun 30, 2010, 11:21 AM

Post #2 of 9 (3841 views)

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Re: [nromero] Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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If you left without tuning in your vehicle permit, you will never be allowed to bring another vehicle into México until you clear that one off the computer.

Your husband can get a permit for the van (you can't). But what you are planning, leaving it with your father-in-law, is against the law. Two things will happen if you do this. Your husband will never be able to drive another vehicle into México. If your father-in-law is caught driving the van, it will be confiscated -- he'll ever get it back.

You have a very bad plan.

Rolly Pirate

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

nromero

Jun 30, 2010, 11:34 AM

Post #3 of 9 (3834 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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Can we change it in Guadalajara to a permanent vehicle there? Also, since we didn't stop at the border to register our vehicle, how do they know we decided not to go. And how can we find out? Thanks for you help.

Rolly

Jun 30, 2010, 11:53 AM

Post #4 of 9 (3827 views)

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Re: [nromero] Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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Can we change it in Guadalajara to a permanent vehicle there?

No. Not there or anyplace else. A van cannot be nationalized at this time.

The rest of your post I do not understand.

Rolly Pirate

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

nromero

Jun 30, 2010, 11:56 AM

Post #5 of 9 (3822 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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Is there a place to go to find out how much it will cost to leave the vehicle there?

Rolly

Jun 30, 2010, 12:10 PM

Post #6 of 9 (3819 views)

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Re: [nromero] Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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No, because the law does not allow it. The law says you CAN NOT leave a foreign-plated vehicle in the country after its permit expires. If you, the vehicle is subject to confiscation.

Rolly Pirate

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

Reefhound

Jun 30, 2010, 1:18 PM

Post #7 of 9 (3797 views)

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Re: [nromero] Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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I am not understanding your situation clearly.

Two years ago you drove to Mexico. You said you had a permit (vehicle permit or tourist permit?) then later said you didn't stop to register it. What do you mean? Did you get a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit? If so, it's in their computers, whether you got it at the border or online.

Was it for this van? If so, the VIN is in their records and neither you nor your husband will be able to get a permit for it. If it was some other vehicle then your husband should be able to get a permit for the van.

And here's the deal, Mexico does not allow most vehicles to be imported and nationalized. It isn't a matter of seeing the right person or paying the right fee. It simply isn't allowed. If you do it illegally (no permit or abandoned permit) then it will be confiscated if your FIL is caught driving it. You'd be better off selling it in the USA and using the money to buy him a vehicle in Mexico.

esperanza

Jun 30, 2010, 1:56 PM

Post #8 of 9 (3788 views)

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Re: [Reefhound] Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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I agree completely with Rolly's statements, as well as with what Reefhound wrote.

Sell the van in the USA and, once you are in Mexico, buy him something to drive. Or send him the money from the sale and let him pick out his own vehicle.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Reefhound

Jun 30, 2010, 7:23 PM

Post #9 of 9 (3750 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Leaving Vehicle in Mexico

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While checking the Aduana website to see if there was any relevant info on some way of importing permanently (I found none), I did discover some info on an issue that has cropped up here in the past. If you have a vehicle in Mexico on a temporary import permit and that permit expires, there is a program "Retorno Seguro" that will allow you to drive it out without risk of "getting caught" along the way and facing detention or confiscation. You have to fill out an application, provide the required documentation, and then you get 3 to 5 days of safe harbor to get it out. But if pulled over, you'd better be headed north.

Este programa otorga de tres a cinco días únicamente con el propósito de retornar del vehículo de manera legal a su lugar de origen.