Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico | Surviving Yucatan [PDF]

Surviving Yucatan

Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico TABLE OF CONTENTS:~ for Mexican Driving & Car importation issues and Rules ~ Click to jump over “Updates” … and view Topics & links to the specific Section you want. ******* Sept. 10, 2017 Updates Aduana agents at various US-Mexico border crossings are shifting their stance on whether the US state registration paper is sufficient to get a Temporary Import Permit for US-plated vehicles. In the past, US state registration paperwork was sufficient, but now many Aduana agents are also requiring that we submit a copy of the vehicle’s title. … Most recently, the Nogales, Nuevo Laredo & Columbia Bridge Aduana agents have been refusing to issue TIPs with US starte registration documents, unless the vehicle owner also supplies a copy of the vehicle title. Further, the fine attorney Lic. Spencer McMullen explains some additional details about additional problems that can occur if you do get your TIP with just registration paperwork: …. ” The HUGE issue is that while you can technically get a TIP with the vehicle registration, without the title your car will sit in impound if towed due to improper parking or accident. ” An additional insight to handling the TIP process well: “… Financed cars should get a US notary certified copy (of the title) with apostille to prepare for this eventuality. ” April 28, 2017 Update The RETORNO SEGURO permit program has been shifted back to local~regional Aduana~SAT offices. The Aduana~SAT central “Distrito Federal” office has decided to no longer process Retorno Seguor permit applications. This is a blessing, because the local~regional Aduana~SAT offices (like our Hacienda~SAT office in north Merida) was able to process the applications in a week or less ~ while the national SAT office in Distrito Federal was horribly slow (4 – 6 weeks). Click here for more details: ~ What to Do If Your Car Becomes “Illegal” – The Retorno Seguro Program / Permit Dec. 18, 2016 Update We have added a section on how to protect your TIP’s $$ deposit with Banjercito~Aduana, when you enter to complete the Residente Temporal process (and have just a 30 day TIP) June 20, 2016 Update INM at airports appear to now have access-to & use Aduana-Banjercito vehicle permit database information when we fly out of Mexico. … A recent San Miguel Expat forum post described a change at one INM airport office on for foreigners exiting Mexico (in Mexico on a Visitor’s Visa)… who also had an existing (un-cancelled) Temporary Import Permit for their foreign-plated car: ” Our car permit is in my husband’s name (we’re on tourist visas). He had to fly out yesterday to care for his mom for awhile. When the plane was just about to take off, they found him and he had to pay a 390 peso fine because he’s leaving the car behind. Word to the wise! “ This is the first report we’ve read about what sure looks like INM … now … has the ability to flag our INM records with some of our auto/truck permit information from the Aduana/Banjercito database(s). Bit by bit, this is another step in the Mexican government using their nationwide databases to force foreigners to finally comply with Mexican law. June 13, 2016 Update: SAT published new rules on Authorized Destruction (Scrapping) of Temporarily Imported (TIP) Vehicles this February. There are now official SAT authorized sites for disposing of unwanted TIP autos, as listed below. Unfortunately, there are none in the Yucatan, but the State of Mexico is well supplied. http://www.sat.gob.mx/terceros_autorizados/centros_destruccion/Paginas/centros_destruccion_vehiculos.aspx After we have scrapped a TIP car (at our $$ cost ) then we deliver proof to SAT of the vehicle’s authorized destruction … per page 56, anexo 5 : http://www.sat.gob.mx/informacion_fiscal/normatividad/Documents/manual_importacion_vehiculos.pdf After completing these steps, we can bring in another TIP vehicle … and if all is done properly, we potentially protect our previous TIP deposit. Note that people who have tried to use these official rules, have found that SAT does not necesssarily follow their own rules, so be sure to talk with SAT before trying it.

May 12, 2016 Update Since last November, Aduana – SAT is no longer processing Retorno Seguro applications in the regional Aduana-SAT offices. Aduana-SAT have shifted the process to their Mexico City office, and significantly RAISED & changed 8 requirements. … Now, consistent reports from across Mexico are saying that we can expect 6 week to 8 week waits for Aduana (Mexico City) to send out the Retorno Seguro permits. For readers who don’t know about Retorno Seguro permits, they are the permit we use to legally take ANY foreign-plated vehicle out of Mexico – like when our TIPs expire … or when we convert to Residente Permanente visas and can no longer have a TIP vehicle. Please see our section below on Retorno Seguro permits for details on the NEW requirements & changes at: ~ What to Do If Your Car Becomes “Illegal” – The Retorno Seguro Program / Permit ============== TABLE OF CONTENTS KEY Importation and Driving ISSUES and TOPICS: ~ Click the Items below to go directly to the Section you Want ~ : ~ Advantages & Disadvantages of Permanent v Temporary Import Permits ~ What Cars Can be Imported Permanently ~ Customs Brokers Who Permanently Import Cars ~ Current Process for using a Customs Broker to Permanently Import your Car ~ Pedimento Checker and Issues with Permanently Imported Foreign-Plated Cars ~ A Link to the Mexican Govt’s Official VIN Checker to get Import Duties ~ Preserving your Temporary Import Permits $$ DEPOSIT when you enter Mexico for 30 days to finish your Residente Temporal Visa process … Plus instructions for getting a TIP online before traveling to Mexico for existing RT Visa Holders ~ How to get a Temporary Import Permit for your Car – online – before entering Mexico – to get a 180 day TIP ~ Rules for Classic Cars (29 year olds and over) and Other Exceptions and Exempted Areas ~ How Long is My Aduana Temporary Import Permit Valid For? ~ How to Check the Expiration Date and Status of a Temporary Import Permit on a Foreign Plated Car ~ Aduana Letter to Carry In the Car If Your TIP was Issued before June 11, 2011 ~ Leaving Mexico with the Vehicle and Returning Later: ~ Why not just drive out of Mexico, and keep the sticker on my windshield? ~ Want to end the “No Front License Plate” Hassles at Retens? ~ Mexican Customs Law Governing Expat Vehicle Operation and Temporary Importations: ~ What does Article 106 Say about Keeping Your Aduana/Banjercito TIP From Expiring? and . . . Just Who is Allowed to Drive My TIP Car ~ Example Letter Notifying Aduana of changes-in or renewals-to your INM Visa ~ What to Carry in Your TIP Car to Avoid Unnecessary Hassles: ~ Copy of Article 106 to Carry in Your Car ~ When Should I Notify Aduana of Renewals of My INM Immigration Permit? ~ Official list of documents for notifying Aduana of your new/changed INM visa information: ~ Leaving Mexico with a TIP Vehicle and Returning Later – Multiple Exit/Entry Permits ~ Partial Returns Program: Multiple Exit and Re-Entry Permit Letter ~ Whom to Call With Permit Problems ~ Leaving Mexico without your Vehicle Registered under an FMM – Hint: Don’t ~ What to Do If Your Car Becomes “Illegal” – The Retorno Seguro Program / Permit ~ Important Rules for Operating Foreign Plated Cars in Mexico: Article 106 and Article 17-17.4 Copies to Keep in Your Car ~ What Happens if Your Foreign Plated Car is Stolen …. SURPRISE ! @#%&***!! ~ Advantages and Disadvantages of Permanently Importing a NAFTA Vehicle into Mexico vs. Getting a Temporary Import Permit ~ I Can’t Take My Car to the Border and I Want to Donate It to Aduana ~ Effects of Having a TIP for a Foreign Plated Car When You Apply For Residency at a Consulate: ~ Issues When Leaving Mexico with a Pending INM Application using a Temporary Exit Permission Letter: ~ Still Have Questions About Importing a Vehicle into Mexico? ~ SAT -Directory of Banjercito Locations for Importing Cars ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~ Jan. 2015 Update for Rules on Vehicle/Car Imports SAT/Aduana has announced their latest rules for permanently importing cars and non-dually pickup trucks into Mexico. The rules take effect on Jan. 1, 2015, and are described in the following video:

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¿Qué vehículos pueden importarse? from Servicio de Administración Tributaria The ever-helpful, very talented Mexican attorney Spencer McMullen ( Chapalalaw.com ) has offered the following summary of the new Aduana rules for permanent vehicle imports by private individuals. “What vehicles can be imported: ~ Used NAFTA cars and non-dually pickups: VIN shows they were made or assembled in Mexico, the USA or Canada. and ~ only 8 to 9 year old cars, where the model year starts on Nov. 1. e.g. a vehicle manufactured on Nov 1, 2008, is considered a 2009 model year car … and would be considered “8 years old” in 2017. Note: ~ Vehicles whose rights are restricted or prohibited from being driven in their home country are supposedly prohibited from importation. (Check with your licensed customs broker before attempting to import a car that is not legal to drive in the USA.) ~ Classic cars more than 29 years old can be imported under special rules. Requirements & Notes: ~ Importation fee: Roughly $2,000 to $3,000 are typical current quotes from licensed Customs Brokers. ~ Cars can be imported by Mexicans or foreigners with residency visas. ~ Licensed Customs Broker Importers need generally official ID and CURP, emissions certificate, clear vehicle title, (and nothing that limits their right to be driven in their home country). Procedures 1. Contact a licensed custom broker (see below) Go to a customs agent with your ID, letter of appointment of customs broker, and vehicle title. 2. Basically they have to verify : ~ that the vehicle complies with physical / mechanical conditions and environmental protection (verification centers exist close to the border zone aduanas). ~ ~ Verifies that the vehicle has not been reported stolen ~ ~ Verifies that the vehicle VIN number matches the title. ~ ~ Presents any/all US-titled vehicles to American Customs (CBP) to perform the required US export (this process takes an average of two days – but CBP rules say to bring the vehicle to them 72 hours before the planned export). (Editor’s Note: The rules for Canadian vehicles are still being resolved on this issue.) ~ ~ Prepares the importation pedimento. ~ ~ Pays the proper taxes ~ ~ Turns in the definitive importation pedimento fully paid. 3. Present the vehicle along with the pedimento at the aduana module for inspection and receive the import pedimentos with its attachments and register the vehicle in the Public Vehicle Registry. Remember, only a licensed customs agent can do the procedure with Aduana. Sidelight: I am just the messenger~author, so, I do not know how Canadians will fare without a title (because some Canadian provinces do not use titles). Background: Deeper more detailed questions can be answered by Lic. Spencer Richard McMullen (Cédula #7928026) and official court translator (Perito Traductor). Mx 376-765-7553 Chapalalaw.com * * * * * * *

Dec. 15, 2014 Update SAT/Aduana recently released the latest version of their Vehicle Importation Manual. The new manual can be found here: http://www.sat.gob.mx/informacion_fiscal/normatividad/Documents/manual_importacion_vehiculos.pdf The most important changes for vehicle Temporary Import Permit (TIP) holders are: 1. Since June 2010, foreigners with TIPs must notify Aduana each time they renew their INM permit, or when they exchange their FMM & consulate preauthorization for a Residente Temporal card. THE Nov. 2014 CHANGE: ~ Aduana now allows us to send them our INM renewal notice EARLY. Aduana now requires either the copy of the new INM card OR ~ the NUT number ~ OR INM’s printed resolution authorizing the new card. INM’s printed “resolution” authorizing the new card is the paper they give you when you are approved for fingerprinting – because when we receive this INM “resolution”, it means we are formally approved for the visa. (Item 2.4) Ironically, the INM “resolution” document only has your NUT printed on it, and does not show your name or any personal identifying information. This means we can now notify Aduana early – before receiving the INM card – using the 2 INM papers we get while processing our new INM visa (renewal) application. If you have a TIP: SAVE that INM paper with the NUT number, and SAVE that INM paper that approves you for fingerprinting. Even though the new SAT/Aduana rules say we can use just the NUT, savvy travelers note that it’s best to use both INM papers to renew your TIP: If Aduana receives our request to renew out TIP with just the NUT paper, there can be a problem if Aduana checks the INM records before INM finishes approving your application. When we have both INM’s NUT paper and the notification of approval for fingerprinting, we have cleared that final key INM hurdle. To avoid losing your deposit, good immigration attorneys are having their clients file their Aduana vehicle notification the very day they are notified they can place fingerprints, including a copy of the notification, as well as the pdf notification with no personal information. 2. SAT/Aduana’s Second Big Nov. 2014 Change: SAT/Aduana has changed to 15 business days for the grace period for filing our INM permit-renewal / TIP renewal (after INM card approval). It is no longer 15 calendar days. (Item 2.4) 3. SAT/Aduana maximum duration periods for renewing TIPs now matches INM permit periods: The new maximum periods that we can have TIP vehicles imported with Residente Temporal is up to 4 years. Residente Temporal Estudiante’s TIPs are for the duration of their studies. TIPs for FMM para “canje” (foreigners entering Mexico using the 30 day canje preauthorized visa from a Mexican consulate) are for up to 30 days, and can be extended up to 4 years when you get your Residente Temporal. (Item 2.2) Nov 15, 2014 Questions about driving cars into Mexico under Tourist Visas and Residente Temporal INM permits have filled years of expat and travelers forums. This article is a 9 year collection of insights trolled from Mexican law and people’s experiences. If we’ve done our job, you should be able to find answers to the common questions, and if not, leave us a comment/question and we’ll do our best to give you answers based on the current rules and regulations about importing and driving foreign cars in Mexico. There is a table of topics covered here, where you can click on a topic that interests you: ~ KEY Importation and Driving ISSUES and TOPICS Nov. 15, 2014 Update: The San Miguel Allende INM/Aduana-issues facilitator Sonia reports that the Queretaro Aduana office and the Distrito Federal Aduana office have been issuing new expiration dates for her client’s vehicle Temporary Import Permits (TIP), even after the TIP’s formal expiration date, as long as the foreigner delivers their request for extending/registering a new TIP expiration date within 15 days of receiving their latest INM visa/permit. Since Mexican mail can be slow, it may be necessary to use a special carrier to deliver your TIP expiration date extension letter before the Aduana 15 day grace period ends. Here is an example letter: Example Letter Notifying Aduana of changes-in or renewals-to your INM Visa Note that if INM is tardy in getting your INM permit renewed, you may exceed Banjercito’s 15 day grace period, and Banjercito automatically confiscates our deposits on Day 16 after your TIP’s printed expiration date, while your expiration date request letter to Aduana preserves the validity of the TIP – it does not necessarily protect the Banjercito deposit. … If you want to protect the deposit, you have to notify Aduana in writing, with enough time left in Banjercito’s 15 day grace period for Aduana to record your request and notify Banjercito – using your INM NUE and Pieza number information – or go to the border by the expiration date – and surrender the TIP to collect your deposit. (still messy) … Oct. 21, 2014 Update: ~ How to get a Temporary Import Permit for your Car – online – before entering Mexico – to get a 180 day TIP If you take your Residente Temporal pre-approval and Canje visa from the Consulate – and you enter Mexico to get a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your car, Aduana and Banjercito only give you a 30 day TIP. Instead, if you apply online with Aduana/Banjercito for a TIP, delivered to your home, then Aduana gives you a 6 month (180 day) TIP. For details, see our section on this below by clicking on the link at the beginning of this paragraph. Whether you get a 180 day TIP expiration date or a 30 day TIP expiration date, when you get your INM permit, be sure to give written notification of your INM permit’s expiration date to Aduana. We must notify Aduana before 15 days after the TIP expiration date, or Banjercito confiscates our deposit. The TIP remains valid, but you lose your deposit. ~ Example Letter Notifying Aduana of changes-in or renewals-to your INM Visa If you notify Aduana of the new INM permit expiration date for your TIP within 15 business days of receiving the INM permit, even if it is beyond the TIP’s printed expiration date, Aduana has been granting extensions of the TIP expiration date – saving a trip to the border- though Banjercito may have confiscated the deposit under the 15 business day rule). As of 2017, some Mexican Consulates are also issuing TIPs. Temporary vehicle import permits can be obtained for $35 American at Mexican consulates in Albuquerque, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Chicago. Temporary vehicle import permits may be obtained at a Mexican consulate up to 6 months prior to your trip. When obtaining the permit at a Mexican consulate, you may choose the date when the permit goes into effect. Getting a TIP at the Mexico US border: If the title or car registration has any names listed on it of persons who are not traveling with you, you will need to bring a notarized letter from those persons authorizing the trip. Jan. 22, 2014 Update: ~ Current Process for using a Customs Broker to Permanently Import your Car ~ Note that with the Jan. 1, 2014 changes to Aduana and SAT rules, it is possible for private individuals to permanently import cars without a Customs Broker. We typically advise against attempting doing this because filling out the US Govt. forms for cancelling your US title and exporting the car out of the US, and then filling out all the Mex. Gob. forms to import the car into Mexico is very complex, involving peculiar govt.-speak terminology, and 3-5 days for the 2 Govts. to check and approve the paperwork (or require revisions for first-time inexperienced filers). If you contact a reliable Customs Broker before you get to the border, they generally have all the details and paperwork squared-away, ready for you to sign, and complete the process in just 3 – 5 hours versus 3-5 days for DIY efforts. Costs vary widely between crossing points and brokers, from low costs at Mexicali and Nogales, ranging up to 2X to 4X higher costs at the Texas border crossings. (The cost of living in Texas must be 3X higher(?) ~ $2,000USD vs $700 ~ than other places for the same car and same service?) Note that as a part of our commitment to keeping our information current and valid, we make updates on these articles from time to time – so our core articles evolve over time to reflect current reality. Recent additions to this article, include sections on: (click on the Bolded Underlined items to jump directly to that section) ~ Current Process for using a Customs Broker to Permanently Import your Car ~ Effects of Having a TIP for a Foreign Plated Car When You Apply For Residency at a Consulate and ~ Issues When Leaving Mexico with a Pending INM Application using a Temporary Exit Permission Letter: May 2, 2013 Update There have been reports from around the internet of various customs brokers and other “Agents” who are offering paperonly permanent imports of foreign-plated TIP cars, where the expat sends cash and their car’s papers to the “broker” and they get Mexican license plates in return. Note that some brokers have provided falsely obtained state plates, with no valid Aduana pedimento for the importation. Also note that if the broker does this for you, you should get your TIP cancelled too. Finally, there really MUST be a pedimento listed in Aduana’s national database for your VIN at the end of the process. That pedimento should also allow the car owner to easily register their car with their state DMV. Alternately, if you want to buy a permanently imported car from someone else, or you have permanently imported your foreign-plated car, and you want to check if Aduana has officially logged your VIN & pedimento into their database, then: Check this Aduana website to see if a car was successfully imported: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/soianet/oia_consultarap_cep.aspx CONSULTA RÁPIDA DE PEDIMENTO ESPECÍFICO and SAT’s website VIN checker website: http://www2.repuve.gob.mx:8080/ciudadania/servletconsulta Note: If your car was legal before you changed to a non-working INM Residente Temporal then your foreign-plated car and your Aduana TIP are still valid, as long as you kept your INM permit valid. Residente Permanente card holders cannot have TIP cars in Mexico. “Working” (lucrativo) Residente Temporal permits are not allowed to keep TIP cars. ~~~~ March 15, 2013 Update: If you have issues with renewing your foreign-plated TIP vehicle, as a Residente Temporal: Contact — Lic. Karen Villaseñor 01-55-5802-0000 x46889 Administracion Central — 01-55-5802-2069 [email protected] You can also write directly to Aduana DF to request an extension of your TIP, including copies of your INM card, the new INM expiration date, the VIN, make, model, TIP number, and your passport number. There is a pdf form from Aduana/SAT – on page 41 – to send in – note that it loads very slowly. ftp://ftp2.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/2012/vehiculos/Manual_importacion_temporal_vehiculos.pdf Administración Central de Planeación Aduanera Av. Hidalgo No.77 Modulo IV primer piso Col. Guerrero, Delegación Cuauhtémoc Código Postal 06300, México D.F. Be sure to have your extension request ARRIVE at an Aduana office before 15 days after you receive your INM permit renewal – even if it requires express delivery. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Also CHECK OUT our other articles describing how to go to the border and resolve TiP problems, TRICKS to DRIVING IN MEXICO, etc at: Updates to Aduana, INM & Banjercito Procedures for Visas and Importing Cars ” Give me my Ticket . . . Please ” … What to Do and Say If You are Stopped by the Mexican Police Spanish Phrases to Use in an Emergency Driving in Mexico (cruising?) Pemex Gasoline: Issues? ONAPPAFA – An Alternative to Paying Aduana Import Duties and Permit Fees? Options for Foreign-Plated “TIP” Car Owners in Mexico, esp for Permanent Residents ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ What’s it all about, Alfie? Basically all NAFTA made foreign cars and pickups (but no dually’s) can be temporarily imported by expats with FMM’s (Visitor / Tourist Visas), and Resident Temporal INM permits (what used to be called FM3’s No Inmigrante Rentista & No Inmigrante Lucrativo) by getting a Temporary Import Permit (Permiso de Importación Temporal de Vehículos) from Aduana / Banjercito. Alternately, only NAFTA vehicles can be permanently imported, and 6 year old and older vehicles can be imported permanently at modest import duties at the US-Mexico border crossings. Note that if you are only staying in the 25 km border area, or ONLY going into specially designated free zones like Baja California, California Sur, Quintana Roo, or parts of Sonora, then you do not have to get a Temporary Import Permit (TIP). Such cars must only stay in those areas. If you decide to go to other parts of Mexico, you must return to the border and get a TIP. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Advantages & Disadvantages of Permanent Imports vs. Temporary Import Permits (TIPs): With a permanent importation permit: ~ You can sell the car here in Mexico. ~ You can keep the car in Mexico as long as you want, regardless of INM status. ~ Mexican drivers can drive your car, without you (or some other expat) being in the car. ~ You must license the car here, and renew your State registration every year ($$). ~ You may have to pay annual State ownership taxes (tenencias $$) depending on your State’s rules. ~ You can only import 8 or 9 year old NAFTA vehicles for $2,000 to $3,000 in import duties and fees. ~ You pay no cash deposit when you bring the car into Mexico. ~ You do not have to go to a (non-airport) Aduana’s office every year to register your new INM permit expiration date. ~ You can import just one vehicle per person a year. ~ You have to pay state taxes on the imported vehicle when you register it to get Mexican plates. ~ You have to formally export a US plated car through a 72 hr CBP procedure, and have the US title cancelled at the border before Mexico Aduanas will import the vehicle. With a Temporary Importation Permit (TIP): ~ You cannot sell the car here in Mexico. ~ You can only keep the car in Mexico with current & select types of INM permits. …~ ~ ~ (e.g. If you change from ordinary Residente Temporal over to working Residente Temporal or to Residente Permanente, then you cannot keep the car here on a Temporary Import Permit, you have to take it out of Mexico or face having it permanently confiscated. ~ Mexican drivers cannot drive your car, without you (or some other expat with a Temporary Resident or Visitor visa) being in the car. ~ You do not have to license the car here, and many States do not require that you keep your foreign plates current. ~ You pay no annual State ownership taxes (tenencias $$). ~ You can import an additional car or truck. ~ You have to pay a cash deposit when you bring the car into Mexico the first time. ~ You must go to a (non-airport) Aduana’s office every year in person to register your new INM permit expiration date with Aduana well before your TIP permit expires. ~ If you bring in a trailer, then the trailer is attached to your towing vehicle’s TIP. This means when you go to cancel the vehicle TIP, you must also have the trailer with you. For more details, see below: Advantages and Disadvantages of Permanently Importing a NAFTA Vehicle into Mexico vs. Getting a Temporary Import Permit ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ What Cars Can be Imported Permanently Specifics for Normal Periods of Permanent Imports: NAFTA cars and non-dually pickups, 8-9 years old qualify for a Permanent Import permit, but the expat must: be a citizen or resident (Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente); and the vehicle must be manufactured or assembled in a NAFTA country. The permanent import process is called tramite => “nationalizing” in English, see Aduana‘s website: “Importing Used Autos”, where the Model Year is determined as the automotive year period between November 1’st from one year to October 31 of the following year. Check an estimate of your import duties and check your VIN and manufacture date at this Banjercito website: http://paisano.prevalidadorcaaarem.org.mx/Cotizador/ and you can also check this official spreadsheet of “Reference Values” published by the Secretary of the Treasury (Hacienda y Credito Publica) here: http://www.aduanas-mexico.com.mx/claa/ctar/leyes/mec_precios_estimados.html#ane2 Invoice values are not accepted. One Aduana website says that import duties are 10% of the “Reference Values”. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The US Commerce Department reports: Compilation of Foreign Motor Vehicle Import Requirements “Mexico maintains a 30 percent tariff for new vehicles, and 50 percent tariff for used vehicles on U.S. and Canadian vehicles not meeting the NAFTA rule of origin and on vehicles from all other countries that do not have an FTA with Mexico. Mexico has also signed 12 FTAs with 44 countries, including such major markets as Japan and the EU member states. See a complete list of Mexico’s free trade partners at: http://www.economia.gob.mx/swb/en/economia/p_Tratados_Acuerdos” Note: If the first character of the VIN is a number, then it is a NAFTA vehicle. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Here is a link to the Mexican Govt’s official VIN Checker with import duties : http://paisano.prevalidadorcaaarem.org.mx/Cotizador/ . For people who get Mexican plates from a broker for their foreign-plated TIP car, it is important to be sure the plates are legitimate. If a driver is pulled over and the car that shows up as being stolen, the police may approach the driver with guns drawn, and the driver may be arrested and jailed. If you suspect there might be a problems with your plates, you can check them at these Mexican Federal Govt. websites: SAT VIN checker: http://www2.repuve.gob.mx:8080/ciudadania/servletconsulta and this Aduana website for pedimentos on imported cars: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/soianet/oia_consultarap_cep.aspx CONSULTA RÁPIDA DE PEDIMENTO ESPECÍFICO You enter your Plate Number, VIN, and Folio ID. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Customs Brokers Who Permanently Import Cars: Foreigners who want to permanently import a car must use a customs broker. Based on reliable internet reports of personal experiences: The following brokers have been used successfully by various gringos this past year. We do not endorse them, but pass along their contact information as an aid to readers. Most of the information comes from Mexconnect posts: recommended customs brokers for nationalizing vehicles ~ Lic. Oscar Fco. Angulo – Nogales, MX [email protected] Nex. 32*13*322903 Cel Mex 045 631 157 38 21 AnCo Comercializadora ~ Hiram Cervera – Progreso, Merida, Campeche, Cancun [email protected] Tel (969) 935-3535 Agencia Aduanal Cervera: www.cervera.com.mx/english/index_eng.html ~ PG IMPORT – Mexicali B.C. Mexico Importacion y Nacionalizacion de Autos, Pickups, Lanchas, Motos etc. Tel. 686 554-2866, Nextel 152 14 74633 E-Mail: [email protected] Local S3 C. Comercial Caballito, Blvd. Adolfo Lopez Mateos ~ Transportes Americas – Mexicali B.C Calz. de las Americas #283 Fracc. Sonora Tel. 686 564 3413 Nextel. 152 1346 2410. E-Mail: [email protected] ~ Grupo Cuevas – Nuevo Laredo/Laredo http://www.importaciondeautos.com/ Tel. 956-729-7004 / 956-729-7415 [email protected] From: Updates on Aduana TIPs, Residente Permanentes, Pedimentos and Processing There are also paper-only imports being done on NAFTA cars and non-NAFTA cars. We have no formal opinions on whether these work or not. ” SMAcoolist: Mon Dec 9, 2013 7:36 am (PST) . Posted by: soniangel32 This week we received several pedimentos and facturas of cars we nationalized from as far away as Ixtapa and Manzanillo. All were done without the cars leaving their property and no driving to the border. Some pedimentos are slow and others are coming in 3 weeks. Hopefully, in the future they will all be faster. Happy Holidays Sonia SONIANGEL32 AT hotmail.com cell: 044-415-106- 1499 ” ??? Note that the Amparo that Sonia was using for German & Japanese made cars expired long ago. Note that Sonia’s service does not include a service to get US citizens the US government required official 3 day export permit done by US CBP. US-titled used cars are required to be formally registered as exported from the USA before they are permanently imported into Mexico. Customs brokers at the border do this US export for a modest fee. When you use any Broker or any import system, it is important to check the official Mexican gob. databases to see if your VIN is recorded, to prove the permanent import process worked – to see if a car was successfully imported: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/soianet/oia_consultarap_cep.aspx CONSULTA RÁPIDA DE PEDIMENTO ESPECÍFICO and SAT’s website VIN checker website: http://www2.repuve.gob.mx:8080/ciudadania/servletconsulta . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Current Process for using a Customs Broker to Permanently Import your Car ~ Note that private individuals must permanently import cars using a Customs Broker. Customs brokers/agents have recently required copies of: ~ Your driver’s license, ~ A photo id. (passport is preferable), ~ A copy of your car registration, ~ A photo of the VIN, and ~ A copy of a “comprabante”: your Mexican electrical or telephone bill that shows your current residence. This just a basic list of common items. Contact a Customs broker for specifics. Once you have sent these documents to the broker or agent, the broker/agent starts the nationalization process. With brokers/agents like Oscar Angulo (in Nogales), they can have the documents ready as early as 48 hours. Your new Aduana permanent import documents from the broker now include a Pedimento and a title, and as always ~ check all the paperwork to confirm correct spellings of names and addresses. ~ When you meet your broker at the border to get your new documents, good brokers guide you to SAT (Aduana) or Customs. If you previously had a TIP (temporary import permit), then you submit the TIP to Banjercito and Aduana, so your car info will be removed from the database. Banjercito employees take a foto of your VIN and they remove the windshield sticker. Be SURE to keep the Banjercito receipt, as proof that your TIP was surrendered to avoid any future hassles that can arise over old TIPS. After getting your papers from the broker and dealing with any old TIP issues, you then start the nationalization process with Aduana by handing them the original registration, original title of the vehicle, and the “pedimento” form containing legal information about the car (prepared in advance by the broker/agent). Officials review the documents and issue a blue import sticker (Registro Publico Vehicular). Final Steps: Once you have nationalized your vehicle with Aduana, you still need to register your vehicle in your home state. Each state has different procedures and their own taxes/fees, so contact your state “DMV” (“SSP”?) to find out the specific requirements for your state. Typically, you have 30 days to complete this state registration process. When you use any Broker or any import system, it is important to check the official Mexican gob. databases to see if your VIN is recorded, to prove the permanent import process worked – to see if a car was successfully imported: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/soianet/oia_consultarap_cep.aspx CONSULTA RÁPIDA DE PEDIMENTO ESPECÍFICO and SAT’s website VIN checker website: http://www2.repuve.gob.mx:8080/ciudadania/servletconsulta http://www.repuve.gob.mx/ . Happy Motoring ! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Potential Issues with Permanently Imported Foreign-Plated Car If you want to buy a permanently imported car, or you have permanently imported your foreign-plated vehicle, and you want to check if Aduana has officially logged your VIN & pedimento into their database, then: Check this Aduana VIN & Pedimento Checker website: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/soianet/oia_consultarap_cep.aspx CONSULTA RÁPIDA DE PEDIMENTO ESPECÍFICO ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Rules for Classic Cars (30 year olds and over) and Other Exceptions and Exempted Areas Exceptions to the rules: Cars over 29 years old also qualify for free importation as “classics”. 8-9 year old vehicles designed to haul more than 16 people, cement mixers and other heavy vehicles are allowed to be permanently imported at 10% taxes. There are also special rules for importing 5-9 year old vehicles into the Baja California y California Sur, and special zones of Sonora, but these categories affect few expats, so, we will say no more on these exceptions: http://www.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/vehiculos/importaciones_autosusados/Paginas/vehiculos_clasicos.aspx . There are also special exemptions from requirements to get a vehicle import permit, if the vehicle only stays in special “Free Zones”: along the border, parts of Sonora, Baja California, and Quintana Roo. The vehicle must enter Mexico with no Temporary Import Permit, and then stay within these zones. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Temporary Import Permits for Residente Temporal and Visitante (visitor/tourist) INM Permit Holders Temporary Import Permits can be issued to any Visitante or Residente Temporal INM permit holders. These permits allow the visa holder to drive around Mexico, while the vehicle keeps its foreign license plates, and foreign title & registration. (See below: Articulo 106 de la Ley Aduanera.) As of 2017, some Mexican Consulates are also issuing TIPs. Temporary vehicle import permits can be obtained for $35 American at Mexican consulates in Albuquerque, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Chicago. Temporary vehicle import permits may be obtained at a Mexican consulate up to 6 months prior to your trip. When obtaining the permit at a Mexican consulate, you may choose the date when the permit goes into effect. Getting a TIP at the Mexico US border: If the title or car registration has any names listed on it of persons who are not traveling with you, you will need to bring a notarized letter from those persons authorizing the trip. Aduana agents at various US-Mexico border crossings are shifting their stance on whether just the US state registration paper is sufficient to get a Temporary Import Permit for US-plated vehicles. In the past, US state registration paperwork was sufficient, but now many Aduana agents are also requiring that we submit a copy of the vehicle’s title. … Most recently, the Nuevo Laredo & Columbia Bridge Aduana agents have been refusing to issue TIPs with US starte registration documents, unless the vehicle owner also supplies a copy of the vehicle title. Further, the fine attorney Lic. Spencer McMullen explains some additional details about additional problems that can occur if you do get your TIP with just registration paperwork: …. ” The HUGE issue is that while you can technically get a TIP with the vehicle registration, without the title your car will sit in impound if towed due to improper parking or accident. ” An additional insight to handling the TIP process well: “… Financed cars should get a US notary certified copy (of the title) with apostille to prepare for this eventuality. ” Temporary permitted vehicles must be taken outside of Mexico before the end of their associated INM permit/visa’s CURRENT expiration date, or the car can be confiscated by Mexican officials. If you towed in a trailer with your TIP vehicle, you must bring the trailer to the border when you take the TIP vehicle out to be able to cancel the TIP and recover the TIP deposit from Banjercito. TIP Costs and Deposits: How much does a Temporary Import Permit cost? ~ The Nov. 2014 SAT/Aduana manual continues with the same 3 ways for to applying for TIPs: – Apply at the border ($51 USS + IVA). – Apply online at http://www.banjercito.com.mx ($45 USD + IVA). or – Apply at the Mexican consulates in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Denver and Phoenix ($51 USD + IVA). (Item 2.3) ~ Vehicle deposits in the Nov. 2014 SAT/Aduana manual, remain the same. $400US for car models 2007 – 2015, $300US for car models 2001 – 2006, and $200US for cars 2000 and older. (Item 2.3) Specifics USD $51.00 + IVA = U.S. $59.16 total at the border, etc- with the Banjercito website costing $52.2 USD. A deposit to guarantee that you take vehicle out of Mexico and cancel the TIP is also required: The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) has issued a decree which states that beginning on June 11th, 2011 anyone applying for a temporary import permit for vehicles must make a deposit in the amount determined by the following table: Vehicle Year Model

Amount to be paid in Mexican Pesos based on applicable exchange rate

2007 and later

400 USD

2001 until 2006

300 USD

2000 and earlier

200 USD

This deposit is compulsory and can be paid by credit card, debit card, or cash (in US Dollars only). Users must keep in mind that if the deposit is charged to a credit card, the charge will be made in Mexican Pesos and will be calculated based on the exchange rate of the day on which the payment is made. This deposit will be refunded to the same credit card on the next banking business day after the vehicle is fully returned and based on the exchange rate of that day.The vehicle must be returned on time and within the time period stated on the temporary import permit. If the vehicle is returned after the stated time period, the entire deposit amount will be transferred to the Office of the Treasury on the day following the expected return date, as allowed by current law. To maintain the deposit, we must notify Aduana (in writing) every year that we renew our INM permit. Banjercito gives a 15 BUSINESS DAY grace period after the TIP’s expiration date for us to send in a TIP expiration date renewal letter – proving we have renewed our Temporary Residency INM permit. – **More details on this in the Dec. 15, 2014 Update at the top of this article.** and at: https://yucalandia.com/2014/12/15/mexico-aduanas-new-rules-for-temporary-importation-of-vehicles/ https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/opcionCaptura.do;jsessionid=B690C782E9202D63EEC4B95A166469A4 ~How to Preserve your TIP $$ Deposit when you enter Mexico for 30 days to complete your Residente Temporal visa application process: Soon after you’ve registered with your INM office, and have your NUT number … Go right away to Aduana to notify Aduana in writing that you have an INM Residente Temporal visa in process, and formally request that Aduana extend the expiration date of your 30 day TIP. This is the same process at Aduana for both our first Temporary Resident visa & TIP combination and also for all subsequent annual INM visa renewal. What to Submit to Aduana: 1. Original and copy of your passport, 2. Original and copy of vehicle title (Americans) or registration (Canadians), 3. Take your INM notification paper verifying that your visa process is started ~ which is the page with the NUT number … starting with six 0’s, 4. Bring the Aduana/Banjercito paper document from which the windshield car permit was removed. Complete a letter including the requests to preserve your $$ deposit with Banjercito, and to notify Aduana to extend your TIP expiration date (fecha de caducidad). ~ How get a Temporary Import Permit for your Car – online – before entering Mexico – to get a 180 day TIP: If you take your Residente Temporal pre-approval and Canje visa from the Consulate – and you enter Mexico to get a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your car, Aduana and Banjercito only give you a 30 day TIP. Instead, if you apply online with Aduana/Banjercito for a TIP, delivered to your home, then Aduana gives you a 6 month (180 day) TIP. If you try to enter Mexico with your special 30 day visa (Canje RT) from the Consulate, then you only get a 30 day TIP at the border, which is now easy to complete the essential part of the INM process, and still have time left to notify Aduana to extend the 30 day expiration date – out to match your new Resident Temporal permit’s 1 year expiration date. Details at: https://yucalandia.com/2014/12/15/mexico-aduanas-new-rules-for-temporary-importation-of-vehicles/ With a 180 day TIP from online application, you have plenty of time to notify Aduana of your INM RT permit’s expiration date (1 year) – to get Aduana to extend your TIP’s expiration date to match your INM permit. With the extension, Aduana also gives you a letter to carry in the car, certifying the renewed/extended TIP expiration date. Here’s the background information and details for applying online: ~ You may request your TIP permit between 7 – 60 days before entering Mexico with your vehicle. ~ You may ONLY request a permit for a vehicle that is registered in your name, or your spouse, your children, or your parents. ~ You may NOT request a permit for a vehicle that weighes more than 3.5 metric tons (7,716 lbs). ~ If you are a foreigner, before starting the vehicle permit application process, you must go to INM’s (Instituto Nacional de Migración) website to apply for an immigration pre-authorization for your FMM, aka tourist card – or get pre-approval for a Residente Temporal from your local Mexican Consulate. The Consulate gives you a special 30 day visa to enter Mexico (Canje) to complete the Residente Temporal process at your local INM office. Use this special visa to apply online with Banjercito to receive a 180 day TIP, … otherwise, the vehicle permit will be issued for the same period as that stated on your immigration pre-authorization (30 days if you do it at the border). ~ Once the payment has been accepted, Banjercito will send the permit to your address within 7 business days. ~ Once you have received your permit, you must send a copy of the documents you provided during the application process in one of the following ways: ~ Sending the scanned documents by e-mail to [email protected]. Courier service to the following address: Av. Industria Militar 1055, Col. Lomas de Sotelo, Del. Miguel Hidalgo, México, D.F., CP. 11200. Delivering them in person to any Banjercito office. Notes: ~ Should any of the information you provide during the application process be found to be false, you may be subject to sanctions imposed by the Mexican authorities. ~ Banjercito reserves the right to deny any request for a permit should any violation of current law be found. ~ The applicant must be 18 years old. ~ The person named on the credit card must be the person who is applying for the temporary importation permit. ~ You will not be able to process the permit online if you have a working or student visa, due to the fact that it is necessary to prove that the visa is still valid and it has at least been one year since its been in force. If this is the case you will need to go to the Mexican Consulate that processes vehicle permits or at one of the borders so you may obtain your vehicle permit. … Here’s the Link to Banjercito to get your TIP Online https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/ Good Luck! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ When you get to the border, we now are best off supplying BOTH the vehicle registration documentation and the ownership title. Aduana agents at various US-Mexico border crossings are shifting their stance on whether just the US state registration paper is sufficient to get a Temporary Import Permit for US-plated vehicles. In the past, US state registration paperwork was sufficient, but now many Aduana agents are also requiring that we submit a copy of the vehicle’s title. … Most recently, the Nogales, Nuevo Laredo & Columbia Bridge Aduana agents have been refusing to issue TIPs with US starte registration documents, unless the vehicle owner also supplies a copy of the vehicle title. Further, the fine attorney Lic. Spencer McMullen explains some additional details about additional problems that can occur if you do get your TIP with just registration paperwork: …. ” The HUGE issue is that while you can technically get a TIP with the vehicle registration, without the title your car will sit in impound if towed due to improper parking or accident. ” An additional insight to handling the TIP process well: “… Financed cars should get a US notary certified copy (of the title) with apostille to prepare for this eventuality. ” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ As of 2017, some Mexican Consulates are also issuing TIPs. Temporary vehicle import permits can be obtained for $35 American at Mexican consulates in Albuquerque, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Chicago. Temporary vehicle import permits may be obtained at a Mexican consulate up to 6 months prior to your trip. When obtaining the permit at a Mexican consulate, you may choose the date when the permit goes into effect. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ How Long is My Aduana Temporary Import Permit Valid For?? Vistor’s permits, and hence their temporary import permits, are for 180 days, while vehicles temporarily imported under Residente Temporal are allowed to stay in Mexico as long as the visa remains valid. Under Aduana’s new Nov. 2014 rules: We have no more than the 4 years total allowed on our Residente Temporal permit. If you have a Residente Temporal visa and renew your INM visa, then your TIP remains valid, but you must notify Aduana in writing of the extended/new expiration date for your visa within 15 business days before the TIP expiration date, to preserve your TIP deposit. When you successfully renew your TIP, Aduana issues you a letter certifying the renewed/extended expiration date for your TIP to carry in your car. See the section below with an example letter for notifying Aduana of your INM visa’s new expiration date. ***** Surrendering your Visitors (Visitante) permit by leaving the country forces you to also take the vehicle out at the SAME TIME. Whenever the vehicle leaves Mexico, the owner of the vehicle should stop at Aduana (Banjercito) offices at the border to either get a permit to exit and return multiple times, or have Aduana remove the import-sticker. In reality, people who cross the border frequently, just drive in and out. But if do not get the multiple exit and reentry permit from Aduana, AND you wreck the car outside of Mexico OR sell the car outside of Mexico, you just might lose your right to ever get another temporarily import permit. SAT has a webpage for checking the current status and expiration date of our Temprorary Import Permits at ~ SAT TIP Vehicle Permit Checker at https://portalsat.plataforma.sat.gob.mx/…_internet/index.aspx ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Leaving Mexico with a TIP Vehicle and Returning Later – Multiple Exit/Entry Permit For expats with Residente Temporal permits leaving and re-entering Mexico with their foreign-plated vehicle, there is a Partial Return program (Retorno Parcial). From Aduana’s website (Google Translation): “Banjercito records exit and return information in the system, and it delivers a partial return receipt to the importer, so you can make multiple entries and exits during the term of the permit.” “Exiting From and Returning To Mexico for Temporary Permit Vehicles” The drive-out / drive-back-in dilemma is really common. Hundreds of expats report years of driving out of Mexico without stopping at the border Banjercito office to get their multiple re-entry and exit permit. Some expats are now writing back to say that their vehicles are NOT allowed back into Mexico, ever. A few expats w/vehicles under Temporary Permits later write back to say that their vehicles are not allowed back into Mexico, ever. Of those who write about NOT being allowed to re-enter with the vehicle, a few report 1-2 years of filing documents with Aduana in failed attempts to get the mess un-knotted. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Why not just drive out of Mexico, and keep the sticker on my windshield? Here are a few small cautions about intentionally crossing the border and NOT turning in the Aduana/Banjercito sticker: ~ If your car is stolen NOB, then you are likely screwed forever for bringing another foreign-plated vehicle into Mexico on a Temporary Import Permit. ~ If your car is wrecked – or the windshield smashed while NOB, … you will likely find it very difficult and timeconsuming to get the Mex. Gob. to honor your claim for returning the old sticker. ~ If you sell the car abroad, … you will likely find it very difficult and time-consuming to get the Mex. Gob. to honor your claim for returning the old sticker. ~ If you choose to return to Mexico with a different vehicle, … you will likely find it very difficult and time-consuming to get the Mex. Gob. to honor your claim for returning the old sticker. Keeping those items in mind, I don’t think the choice to turn-in the sticker to Aduana or to keep the sticker is an automatic “gimme” as you leave Mexico. I suspect some people choose to turn in their stickers to avoid future hassles – and to be allowed to easily drive a different vehicle on a future return. Others come and go with no hassles. To each his own. The negative consequences of leaving and a failed attempt to return without the permit: ~ The owner is never allowed to have another foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico under their visa; ~ they have to find a place to store or sell their car/truck in the USA or Canada while they are in Mexico; ~ they have to find alternate transport to their Mexican home; and ~ if they want to have a car in Mexico, they have to buy car in Mexico, because they aren’t ever allowed to temporarily import a different one under their FMM, FM2, or FM3 again. Can you live with this set of consequences? Do you like to roll the dice.* If not, then stop at the Banjercito office at your border crossing and get a multiple exit and re-entry permit (see web address in the article above for details). *Rolling the dice on INM and Aduana catching ex-pats breaking the rules, had much much better odds in the past, when paper systems ruled these operations, but now in the era of computerized data-bases, I think we will be hearing of much more enforcement of these easily-tracked easily-detected violations. e.g. We were just stopped at the intra-state border checkpoint between Q. Roo and Yucatan (near Dziuche), and an Aduana agent there noted the Texas license place, and required that we show him a current TIP, for him to check the TIP paper permit’s information vs. the windshield sticker and the VIN. He pointed out that we must keep proof of the current TIP expiration date, plus the permit, plus the sticker in the car, or they could confiscate the vehicle. See more below about updating the expiration date of the TIP. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Want to end the “no front license plate” hassles at Retens? Many foreign vehicles are only issued a single license plate for the back. Having no front plate triggers minor hassles across Mexico, since Mexican police at retens (police checkpoints) frequently pull over vehicles for 5 – 30 minute inspections and document reviews. Solutions? Friends of ours simply took their license plate into a print shop (the kind that makes small signs) and had them create a plastic front plate for about $8. Alternately, you can instead scan your rear plate, print a high quality color copy, and laminate the color copy. They install the mock plate while in Mexico, and fly through the retens. Is this strictly legal? Well, I would take the mock plate off the vehicle before re-entering the US with the car. Otherwise, there are 100’s of gringos happily motoring – with no reports of problems over the past 7 years that we have been tracking this issue. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Mexican Customs Law Governing Expat Vehicle Operation and Temporary Importations: The main part of Mexican Customs Law (Ley Aduanera) that covers expat driving and importation issues is Article 106, and the Operations Manual for Temporarily Imported Vehicles, page 45, Sec. 17-17.4 (“Manual Importacion de Vehiculos”“ and the section describing how your car’s permission to stay follows some changes in Immigration status: “Obligación de registrar y retornar el vehículo““) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ What does Article 106 Say about Keeping Your Aduana/Banjercito TIP From Expiring? . . .Just Who is Allowed to Drive My TIP Car Article 106 basically says two things: Your car registration is valid as long as your Visitante or Residente Temporal INM permit is valid – AS LONG AS YOU HAVE NO BREAKS, NO FINES, AND NO CHANGES IN INM STATUS – which means NO MORE THAN 4 years TOTAL; and It describes who is allowed to drive your car. (see below) Article 106 allows foreigners to temporarily import a car into Mexico for the duration of the registered importer’s immigration status: e.g. 180 day Visitante visa gives 180 days for their car; Residente Temporal permit holders have the 365 days (or until their RT permit expires) for their car (plus any extensions or re-applications) – BUT you MUST notify Aduana whenever you change status on your new INM permit, or renew the INM permit, or change addresses in Mexico: reporting the new status and new expiration date (or change in address)- in person and in writing at your local Aduana office.** If you imported your car after after June 2011, then you MUST notify Aduana every time you renew your new INM permit, reporting the new expiration date – in person and in writing at your local Aduana office before 15 days after your old expiration date – or you lose your deposit. Note that some people have had success reporting their new expiration dates to the Aduana D.F. address listed below, but the timing gets dicey to get the notification reported in time to save any Banjercito deposits you made. Note that airport Aduana offices DO NOT generally handle this. It is also worth noting that: i. The car import sticker is valid as long as the holder’s Visa remains valid, up to 4 years total, regardless of the expiration date shown on the import sticker, unless you have breaks or fines on your INM permit or change INM permit status. Residente Temporal period = Vehicle’s approved period. This all works fine, but you put your Bajercito deposit at risk if you do not notify Aduana annually of INM visa renewals or changes in your visa. ~ See instructions below on how to do this. ii. Article 106 of the Customs Law (Subsection IV) tells us that Temporarily Imported vehicles may be driven within Mexico by a foreigner who has an approved type of INM permit**, by his or her spouse, their parents or descendants (children), and… even when the latter are not foreigners: A TIP car can also be driven by a Mexican, as long as one of the persons authorized to drive the vehicle travels with him or her in the car. **Temporarily Imported vehicles can be driven by other foreigners with the same INM permit/(visa) type. iii. All temporary import permit holders are required to notify the Mexican Customs office of renewals of your INM permit within 15 days of the expiration date, in person and in writing. IF YOU MADE A CASH DEPOSIT TO REGISTER YOUR CAR or if you made a credit card deposit after June 11, 2011, you will automatically forfeit the deposit if you do not file early*. This notification (including copies of the vehicle permit and copies of the renewed Visa) is made by taking a letter to your Aduana office describing your name, INM visa type, the new expiration date for renewals, NUT, address, your passport, your driver’s license, your comprabante, and the car’s information, along with copies of “everything” – including the 3 copies of this notification letter – all submitted AT LEAST 15 days of the visa change or visa renewal. * Because the Aduana systems do not currently rapidly update the Banjercito data bases, Banjercito border employees are saying to start your INM renewal as soon as possible (30 days before the expiration date) and they encourage TIP holders to notify Aduana in person, in writing of the new expiration at LEAST A WEEK before the expiration date (Fecha de Caducidad) and hopefully 2 weeks before the expiration date on your Residente Temporal card, if you want to preserve your deposit. iv. Aduana’s practices appear to have recently changed, where the Progreso Aduana office is now telling expats with Resident Temporal visas that they must keep an approved copy in the car of the renewal notification letter they give to Aduana when they have renewed or changed their visa with INM. v. Sidelight: Before the Aduana Nov. 2014 New Manual, this used to cause a possible problem for people with TIP cars imported before June 2011: Since we were required to only notify Aduana of changes in INM permit status (e.g. FM3 to FM2), then we likely did not have a letter showing your TIP’s current actual expiration date. ~ Some people who are only renewing their INM permits, and then go on only later to notify Aduana D.F. (by mail) of the new expiration date, are being allowed to extend that TIP expiration date, even if they forgot in the past. Will this leniency continue? … lo no se … How to Check the Expiration Date and Status of a Temporary Import Permit on a Foreign Plated Car: Aduana’s web site has a website now to to check vehicle temporary import permits online. Use your temporary import permit number or VIN number and passport number to get details of the permit issuance date and expiration date. ~ SAT TIP Vehicle Permit Checker For vehicles registered after June 11, 2011, regal 4.2.7 states: “In order to guarantee that this regal does not terminate your temporary import permit, then within 15 (BUSINESS) days after the date on which your (previous INM permit expires) IMN permit is granted an extension or re-approval, or change in immigration status, you must present in writing, at any Aduana office in the country or ACOA, a letter describing the circumstances and expiration date of your new permit, attaching a copy of proof of such proceedings and the vehicle import permit ” ==================================================================== Example Letter Notifying Aduana of changes-in or renewals-to your INM Visa Here is a pdf form from Aduana/SAT – on page 41 – to officially inform them of the change in your INM permit’s expiration date – note that it loads very slowly. ftp://ftp2.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/2012/vehiculos/Manual_importacion_temporal_vehiculos.pdf Administración General de Aduanas Administración Central de Operación Aduanera Administración de Operación Aduanera “3” Av. Hidalgo No. 77, Módulo IV, 1° piso, Del. Cuauhtémoc Col. Guerrero, C.P. 06300, México D.F.

Be sure to have your extension request ARRIVE at an Aduana office before 15 days after you receive your INM permit renewal . ALTERNATE LETTER: Your Location and Today’s Date Lic. ______ _______ (For Progreso Aduana Office: use Mariano Bueno Guerrero) Administrador de la Aduana de _______ (city of your Aduana office), _____________, (your State) For Progreso, use: Administrador de la Aduana de Progreso Presente, Por este medio la gue suscribe _______ (your last name), ____ _____ (first and middle names), pasaporte no. __________________ (enter passport number), notifico a esa autoridad aduanera mi: “cambio migratorio de ingreso a Mexico” (for changes in visa status) or “cambio de fecha de caucidad a _______ (enter your new visa expiration date) de mi Residente Temporal de NUT ______ (your NUT number from your RT application), esto a fin de esa autoridad esta notificada y se me de una extension de permanencia de mi vehiculo. Mi dirección es: (enter your address and official postal code) Mi número de teléfono es: (enter your telephone number) Mi información de coche es: Marca: Modelo: Con VIN: Entrego para constancia copias de: 1. Permiso temporal de vehiculo 2. Pasaporte (first 2 pages) 3. Cambio migratorio nuevo (or) Renovación de mi permiso INM 4. Comprobante domiciliario Atentamente, _____ _____ (Your Signature) _____ _____ (Your Printed Name) Note that some Aduana offices now have their own pre-printed forms for you fill out. If you cannot get to an Aduana office, you can try sending your information to the Aduana D.F. office at: Administración General de Aduanas Administración Central de Operación Aduanera Administración de Operación Aduanera “3” Av. Hidalgo No. 77, Módulo IV, 1° piso, Del. Cuauhtémoc Col. Guerrero, C.P. 06300, México D.F.

==================================================================== After you submit this letter for notifying Aduana/Banjercito that your visa status or visa expiration date has changed, Aduana will approve your letter/application and they will either: ~ ask you to return to their office in a few days (typically 2), to pick up one of the (now approved) copies of your letter (since you gave them the original and 2 copies) to keep in your car to show the Police during any future stops; ~ Aduana de Progreso no longer approves these TIP expiration date extensions requests locally, as of April 21, 2013. They send your request to Aduana DF, who approves the extension of the TIP expiration date. ==================================================================== What to Carry in Your TIP Car to Avoid Unnecessary Hassles: There have been many reports on the internet of Mexican police rejecting/challenging ex-pat drivers’ claims that their sticker expiration date is the same as their RT permit’s exp. date, so, we suggest you keep the following items in your car: ~ A copy of Sec. 17-14.4 ~ A copy of Article 106 in both Spanish and English (Spanish for the Police to read, see below) ~ The Aduana approved copy of your letter notifying Aduana of any visa status or visa expiration date changes; and ~ A copy of the Visa and passaport of the expat to whom the Temporary Import permit was issued. Here are a few other things to carry in the car, that really help (are necessary?) if / when the Mexican police stop you: 1. ~ A copy of Article 106 AND Sec. 17-17.4 (Go to Article 106 below) in both Spanish and English (Spanish for the Police to read) 2. ~ The Aduana approved copy of this year’s Aduana letter describing your TIP’s current expiration date, (which matches your INM permit expiration date). I 3. ~ A copy of the INM Visa/Permit and passaporte of the expat to whom the Temporary Import permit was issued. 4. ~ Copies of all documents (including the paper permit) that were issued with the car’s Mexican importation sticker. ====================================================================\ When Should I Notify Aduana of Renewals of My INM Immigration Permit? In another twist of the regulations, you must notify Aduana in person with a simple letter and supporting documents, formally notifying Aduana within 15 business days of your renewal of your RT (Residente Temporal permit: “prórroga” or renovación (extension or renewal of your INM permit), so, Aduana can change the temporary status of your vehicle in their computer records. Since June 2010, foreigners with TIPs must notify Aduana each time they renew their INM permit, or when they exchange their FMM & consulate preauthorization for a Residente Temporal card. THE Nov. 2014 CHANGE: ~ Aduana now allows us to send them our INM renewal notice EARLY. Aduana now requires either the copy of the new INM card OR ~ the NUT number ~ OR INM’s printed resolution authorizing the new card. INM’s printed “resolution” authorizing the new card is the paper they give you when you are approved for fingerprinting – because when we receive this INM “resolution”, it means we are formally approved for the visa. (Item 2.4) Ironically, the INM “resolution” document only has your NUT printed on it, and does not show your name or any personal identifying information. This means we can now notify Aduana early – before receiving our INM card – using the 2 INM papers we get while processing our new INM visa (renewal) application. If you have a TIP: SAVE that INM paper with the NUT number, and SAVE that INM paper that approves you for fingerprinting. Even though the new SAT/Aduana rules say we can use just the NUT, savvy travelers note that it’s best to use both INM papers to renew your TIP: If Aduana receives our request to renew out TIP with just the NUT paper, there can be a problem if Aduana checks the INM records before INM finishes approving your application. When we have both INM’s NUT paper and the notification of approval for fingerprinting, we have cleared that final key INM hurdle. To avoid losing your deposit, good immigration attorneys are having their clients file their Aduana vehicle notification the very day they are notified they can place fingerprints, including a copy of the notification, as well as the pdf notification with no personal information. ==================================================================== Documentos necesarios para comprobar la calidad migratoria Para Extranjeros: Official list of documents for notifying Aduana of your new/changed INM visa information: Original y copia de su identificación oficial vigente la cual puede ser: Tarjeta de residencia emitida por la autoridad migratoria en el extranjero Pasaporte: Passport Card Enhaced Driver License and ID Card (EDL/ID) Certificado de naturalización emitido por el Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos de América La documentación expedida por el Instituto Nacional de Migración que acredite su calidad migratoria autorizada para el trámite. ” If you need to contact the Mexico City Aduana office listed in the previous letter, a dedicated reader further reports on June 28, 2012: “The guy to speak to now ( and as he himself said … when the govt’ comes in with the new President a lot of people might lose their jobs to croniism ) is ” ANDRES AGUILAR ” … who speaks good English and he can be reached at the same main Aduana number, then press 7,2,1,1 and ask for extension 49584 to reach him directly. Also if you run into blank looks at a regional Aduana Office ask them to call him and he will explain what they have to do.” ==================================================================== Leaving Mexico with the Vehicle: When you leave Mexico with the vehicle imported under a Visitor Visa (Visitante), the sticker must be removed-by and retained -by the Mexican Customs Authorities. If you do not have them remove the sticker, and have them register the exit of your vehicle from Mexico, then their computer tracking will not allow you to bring in any future vehicles, as there is only one vehicle allowed per visa/person – and their computer system will show that you already have a vehicle in Mexico – as tracked by both your INM permit number and your passport number. When you leave Mexico with the vehicle imported under a Residente Temporal ,you have to decide if you are returning to Mexico with the vehicle later or if you will not return the vehicle to Mexico. If you are NOT returning the vehicle to Mexico later, the sticker must be removed-by and retained -by the Banjercito (Banking side of Mexican Customs Authorities). If you do not have them remove the sticker, and have them register the exit of your vehicle from Mexico, then their computer tracking will not allow you to bring in any future vehicles, as there is only one vehicle allowed per visa/person – and their computer system will show that you already have a vehicle in Mexico. Be SURE to keep the copy of the document they give you certifying that your old TiP was officially cancelled, allowing you to easily bring in another fresh TIP vehicle later. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Partial Returns Program: Multiple Exit and Re-Entry Permit Program: For expats with FM3’s or FM2 Rentista or Residente Temporal permits leaving and re-entering Mexico with their vehicle, there is a Partial Return program. From Aduana’s website (Google Translation): “Banjercito records exit and return information in the system, and it delivers a partial return receipt to the importer, so you can make multiple entries and exits during the term of the permit.” “Exiting From and Returning To Mexico for Temporary Permit Vehicles” Specifics: Remember the Banjercito office you registered your car at when you entered? When you are leaving Mexico, you need to return to a BANJERCITO office at border crossing when you are crossing back into the USA with the vehicle. They will check your vehicle & your Temporary Import Permit, and log your vehicle into their computer system as having exited Mexico officially. Banjercito gives you a return certificate to document the change. As with all similar papers, keep this receipt for when you drive back into Mexico in the future (proof that you are allowed to bring another vehicle into Mexico, since the prior vehicle was not left in Mexico). ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Whom to Call With Permit Problems On the off chance that you drove out of Mexico without canceling the permit, then you must return with the car with the Mexican Aduana sticker intact. If that is not possible, it takes special actions and months to years of Mexican Gob. actions to clear up the mess. (A good friend from Louisiana reports that it took her over a year to unknot the problems…) At last word, you can call 1 877 448 8728 from the USA or Canada for more information (in Spanish of course). You can then file a formal written request to document your proof that the vehicle cannot be brought back to the Mexican border to: Administración General de Aduanas Administración Central de Operación Aduanera Administración de Operación Aduanera “3” Av. Hidalgo No. 77, Módulo IV, 1° piso, Del. Cuauhtémoc Col. Guerrero, C.P. 06300, México D.F. If you need to contact the Mexico City Aduana office, a dedicated reader further reports on June 28, 2012: “The guy to speak to now ( and as he himself said … when the govt’ comes in with the new President a lot of people might lose their jobs to croniism ) is ” ANDRES AGUILAR ” … who speaks good English and he can be reached at the same main Aduana number, then press 7,2,1,1 and ask for extension 49584 to reach him directly. Also if you run into blank looks at a regional Aduana Office ask them to call him and he will explain what they have to do.” If you choose this route, here are the basics of what’s needed (Note: this is only if you drove out without registering the vehicle’s exit, and cannot take the vehicle back to the border due to vehicle’s sale, accident, theft, loss in a divorce settlement etc.): – A notarized letter that explains precisely why you cannot bring the vehicle to the border (in Spanish) and describing the current legal / physical status of the vehicle. – Copies of the title & registration you used when you took the vehicle into Mexico. – Your original permit from Banjercito & the sticker from the vehicle (plus a foto of the VIN is very helpful). – Sufficient documentation to prove your claim of: sale of vehicle, accident, loss in a divorce settlement, theft. Fotos of accidents/total wreck, police reports, official bills of sale – notarized, copies of divorce papers, insurance company reports, etc and other documents that prove your claim are usually necessary. Some past claimants have found that fotos of a wrecked vehicle showing the sticker intact were helpful. – Your current contact information: home address, phone & e-mail. Does all this make it clear why it’s worth it to remember to stop and register your vehicle’s exit from Mexico, and let the Aduana folks remove the sticker? ==================================================================== Leaving Mexico without your Vehicle Registered when you have an FMM Visitante Visa: (Hint: Don’t) If you entered Mexico with a valid Resident Temporal, then there are no issues with you traveling out of Mexico without the vehicle. If, however, you enter Mexico on a Visitante Visa and get a TIP for your car, then you must only leave Mexico .. with the vehicle – driving out. The vehicle’s permit sticker has control numbers associated with your Visitante Visa’s FMM and your passport, and when you leave the country (e.g. by flying), then when you depart Mexico, they take/cancel your old Visitante Visa & FMM card. When a visitor~tourist re-enters Mexico, they are issued a new Visitante Visa using the FMM, and the number on the new Visitante Visa-FMM will not correspond to the control number on your car’s sticker, which will potentially cause big problems when you attempt to leave Mexico with the vehicle. ==================================================================== What to Do If Your Car Becomes “Illegal” – The Safe Returns Program / Permit: If your car becomes illegal due to visa changes, visa’s expiring, or whatever reason, you can apply for a free temporary permit that gives you 5 BUSINESS days to remove the vehicle from Mexico. Where to Apply: In April 2017 the RETORNO SEGURO permit program was been shifted back to local~regional Aduana~SAT offices. This is a blessing, because the local~regional Aduana~SAT offices (like our Hacienda~SAT office in north Merida) were able to process the applications in a week or less ~ while the national SAT office in Distrito Federal was horribly slow (4 – 6 weeks). UPDATE: The official forms for the new Retorno Seguro permit procedure can be found here: http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5416019&fecha=19/11/2015 The application form is half way down the DOF web page: “Solicitud de autorizacion para el retorno de vehiculos extranjeros con permiso de importacion temporal de vehiculos vencidos, de conformidad con la regla 4.2.20” According to Jessica Amaya Lopez ( ~ 01-55-12-03-1000 ext 47691 ~) here is the current procedure: Complete the form and send copies of these documents to the address below: 1. Passport 2. Utility bill 90 days in any name which will be address used for courier 3. Driver’s License (Mexican, Canadian or American) 4. Visa front and back 5. Vehicle Title 6. Receipt proving payment of the original Temporary Import Permit 7. Permiso de Importacion Vencido (the original paper document that also contained your windshield permit) If a person other than vehicle owner will be driving the car in the accompanying letter you must state their full name as on their passport and provide a copy of their Drivers license ID. The Retorno Seguro permit is FREE. Aduana-SAT offices take about 1 week to process applications. =================================== SAT-Aduana also now want proof of address, but what if a person rents? ============================================================== ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ IMPORTANT RULES FOR OPERATING FOREIGN PLATED CARS IN MEXICO: Article 106 and Manual de Operación para la Importación Temporal de Vehículos y Motocicletas: Article 17 Sec. 17 17.1 & 17.4 Many people who drive across and around Mexico in their Temporary Import Permit cars swear-by keeping a copy of Article 106 (of the Customs Law) and Article 17-17.4 (of the Aduana Operations Manual), because many/most Mexican Police do not know the rules. Here are a copies to print and carry in the car: ===================================================== Que Se Entiende Por Régimen De Importación Temporal ARTICULO 106 de la Ley Aduanera Se entiende por régimen de importación temporal, la entrada al país de mercancías para permanecer en el por tiempo limitado y con una finalidad especifica, siempre que retornen al extranjero en el mismo estado, por los siguientes plazos. ARTICULO 106. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Fracción IV. Por el plazo que dure su condición de estancia, incluyendo sus renovaciones, en los términos y condiciones que establezca el Servicio de Administración Tributaria mediante reglas, en los siguientes casos: a) Las de vehículos propiedad de extranjeros que se internen al país, con la condición de estancia de visitante y residente temporal, siempre que se trate de un solo vehículo. Los vehículos podrán ser conducidos en territorio nacional por el importador, su cónyuge, sus ascendientes, descendientes o hermanos, aun cuando éstos no sean extranjeros, por un extranjero que tenga alguna de las condiciones de estancia a que se refiere este inciso, o por un nacional, siempre que en este último caso, viaje a bordo del mismo cualquiera de las personas autorizadas para conducir el vehículo y podrán efectuar entradas y salidas múltiples. Los vehículos a que se refiere este inciso, deberán cumplir con los requisitos que señale el Reglamento. b) Los menajes de casa de mercancía usada propiedad de residente temporal y residente temporal estudiante, siempre y cuando cumplan con los requisitos que establezca el Reglamento y el Servicio de Administración Tributaria mediante reglas. Ley Aduanera 9/12/2013 D.O.F. http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5324941&fecha=09/12/2013 Ley Aduanera: Dec. 9, 2013 http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/12.pdf ===================================================== Aduana Manual de Operación para la Importación Temporal de Vehículos y Motocicletas: “Articulo 17: Fracciónes 17.1 & 17.4, 17.- El plazo para retornar los vehiculos que hubieran sido importados temporalmente al amparo de las calidades migratorias señaladas en la ley, será el de la vigencia de la calidad migratoria, sus prórrogas, apliaciones o refrendos otorgados a dichas calidades migratorial conforme a Ley de la materia. 17.1.- Para estos efectos la prórroga de la vigencia del permiso de importación temporal del vehiculo se acreditará con el documento oficial que emita la autoridad migratoria, sin que se requira autorización de las autoridades aduaneras; en este caso, el permiso de importación temporal se mantendrá vigente aún y cuando el importador haya obtenido cambio en la calidad migratoria de no inmigrante a inmigrante rentista, (Residente Temporal), siempre que exista continuidad en las calidades migratorias. 17.4.- En caso de que el trámite de importación temporal se haya efectuado mediante tarjeta bancaria, y la documentación esté completa, el responsable del CIITEV de la aduana que corresponda, procederá a informa al interesado que no es necesario la presentación de dicho aviso, en virtud de que su vehiculo se encuentra legal en el territorio nacional mientras continúe vigente su calidad migratoria, incluyendo sus prórrogas, ampliaciones o refrendos.” Aduana Manual de Operación para la Importación Temporal de Vehículos y Motocicletas: “Articulo 17: Fracciónes 17.1 & 17.4 ===================================================== English copies of the Ley Aduanera Article 106 and the Manual de Operación para la Importación Temporal de Vehículos y Motocicletas: Sec. 17: 17.1 & 17.4 Customs Law: Temporary Vehicle Importation Regulations Ley Aduanera ARTICLE 106. Temporary importation is understood as the entry of merchandise into the country, which will remain in it for a limited period of time and for a specific purpose, so long as it is returned abroad in the same condition. The former applies for the following term: PART IV. For the term of his or her migratory status, including extensions, in the following cases: Vehicles owned by tourists, visitors, local visitors and distinguished visitors, students, and immigrants who are tenants, whenever said vehicles are their own, excepting tourists and local visitors. When the vehicles are not their own, requirements established within the regulations must be met. Such vehicles may be driven within the national territory by a foreigner –the importer holding one of the migratory status referred to in this paragraph, by his or hers spouse, parents or descendants, even when the latter are not foreigners: and by a Mexican as long as one of the persons authorized to drive the vehicle travels with him or her in the car. Vehicles referred to in this section must meet the requirements pointed out in the regulations. Aduana Manual de Operación para la Importación Temporal de Vehículos y Motocicletas: Sec. 17 17.1 & 17.4 17.- The deadline to return the vehicles [that] had been imported temporarily under immigration grades defined by law, this means the effect of immigration status, extensions, or endorsements given to these qualities migratorial [types of immigration status] under the Act. 17.1.- For this purpose an extension of the duration of the temporary import permit of the vehicle will be credited with an official document issued by the immigration authorities, without the required authorization of the customs authorities, in this case, the temporary import permit will remain valid even and when the importer has obtained the change in immigration status of No Inmigrante to Inmigrante Rentista, (Residente Temporal) provided there is continuity in the immigration status. 17.4 .- If the temporary importation procedure has been made by credit card, and the documentation is complete, the head of CIITEV of the customs office, shall inform the person concerned that it is not necessary to submit such notice, which is required for those with a cash deposit guarantee (referring to paragraphs 17.2 and 17.3], under as their vehicle is legal in the country while their immigration status remains in place, including extensions, extensions or endorsements. ===================================================== Here are a few other things to carry in the car, that really help (are necessary?) if / when the Mexican police stop you: 1. All original documents that were issued with the car’s Mexican importation sticker. 2. A copy of the visa associated with the car’s sticker: FMM, FM2, or FM3. 3. A copy of the passport associated with the car’s sticker. 4. A copies of Article 106 & Sec. 17-17.4 (shown above). =========================== What Happens if Your Foreign Plated Car is Stolen? … …. SURPRISE ! @#%&***!! If your foreign plated car is stolen in Mexico, you owe Aduana a 40% tax (as the Import tax) for not being able to take the car out of Mexico, as you agreed-to when you got your Temporary Import permit. Aduana instituted this fee because past expats would dump their foreign plated cars that they did not want to take back to the border, and then claim that “My car was stolen.” to get around the Aduana requirements. If you choose to not pay the tax, you forfeit your future rights to Temporarily Import another car and drive it here with foreign plates. http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_11258.html * * * * * * * Advantages and Disadvantages of Permanently Importing a NAFTA Vehicle into Mexico vs. Getting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) Here are a few less-than-complete thoughts about the advantages and disadvantages of Nationalizing (Importaciones definitivas de automóvilies usuados) a NAFTA Vehicle vs Temporary Import Permits (Permiso de Importación Temporal de Vehículos) (Importación temporal de vehículos): ~ Temporary Import Permits (TIP) require the owner to make annual pilgrimages to the local Aduana office to get their annual letter, certifying their new updated expiration date. ~ TIPs cause some police to hassle some drivers over whether their TIP is still valid (unexpired). ~ Anyone is allowed to drive a Nationalized car, while there are significant restrictions on who is permitted to drive a TIP car. ~ If the TIP car is stolen in Mexico, then the owner may be on the hook for rather wicked 40% taxes/fees of the car’s value. What Happens if Your Foreign Plated Car is Stolen? … …. SURPRISE ! @#%&***!! ~ With many insurance companies, you must keep the Aduana TIP valid/unexpired, to keep your insurance protection in force. ~ If you lose you TIP paper document, it requires a trip to the border to cancel/surrender the old TIP and about 4 hours of hassles to get a new replacement TIP, plus paying for the deposit. ~ TIPs require $100’s dollars deposit on the vehicle, and Banjercito does sometimes play games in refunding the TIP deposits, particularly if you did not notify them of your new INM permit expiration date before the expiration date. ~ If you accidentally forget to renew your INM permit on time (surprisingly common based on internet reports), then your TIP may become invalid, requiring a trip to the border. ~ TIP cars do NOT have to pay annual State tenencias (no annual ownership taxes). ~ Permanently imported vehicles may have to pay annual State tenencias. (States may waive/exempt the tenencia if the vehicle is old or cheap – or if it is a pick-up truck. We have lots of Ricos driving Lincoln pickups, as a tax dodge – since these luxurious Lincoln Mark IV’s never see anything in the bed nor ever haul a load.) ~ TIP cars are frequently stopped at police and military retenes , while nationalized cars are waved through. ~ If you leave Mexico, with the TIP sticker on your windshield, then you can have a year’s worth of hassles resolving the lost sticker if: the car is stolen, the car is wreaked or the car is sold. ~ Nationalized vehicles can be bought and sold easily inside Mexico, while TIP cars are expressly forbidden from being sold or transferred. ~ If the TIP car is lost, wrecked, or stolen inside Mexico, canceling the TIP with Aduana generally requires a letter from a Notario and documentation, and possibly trips to Aduana to get the document proving that the TIP has been canceled. ~ Nationalizing vehicles costs money, and a one day or 2 day trip to your State DMV to register and get plates. ~ Many states require a 1 day annual trip to the State DMV to renew the registration of nationalized cars (though Yucatan just eliminated this requirement). ~ We get regular comments/questions from gringos who leave their TIP vehicle in Mexico, while going back NOB. Many times these migrants run into problems if they get sick, hospitalized, etc and cannot return to Mexico to do the annual Aduana TIP dance. ~ We know more than a few people who either must leave Mexico or the owner dies, and their TIP car is then stranded in Mexico with very few options. ~ If the TIP car dies in Mexico, it generally requires canceling the TIP, and sending Aduana a special letter from a Notario certifying that the vehicle has no value and has been scrapped. ~ TIP cars can be any make or model (FUN), while nationalized vehicles must be NAFTA manufactured. i.e. We had to swap our very sweet Nissan Maxima for a Sentra when moving here, because the Maxima is of Nippon origin. ~ Only 8, 9, and 10 year old vehicles, or classic cars, can be nationalized for modest taxes/duties. ~ Other newer nationalized vehicles are hit with steep taxes/duties (non 8-10 year old used vehicles are charged a 50% duty on the new list price, while new cars pay a 30% duty??**), when nationalizing them vs. only the Banjercito deposit of a few $100’s dollars for a TIP car. **US Dept of Commerce 2011 Compilation of Foreign Motor Vehicle Import Requirements =========================== I Can’t Take My TIP Car to the Border and I Want to Donate It to Aduana There are provisions in the Ley Aduanera (Article 61, Fraccion XVII) Ley Aduanera 2012 for destroying unwanted TIP (Temporary Import Permit) vehicles at SAT authorized destruction sites, if you cannot take them back to the border. SAT published new rules on Authorized Destruction (Scrapping) of Temporarily Imported (TIP) Vehicles this February. There are now official SAT authorized sites for disposing of unwanted TIP autos, as listed below. Unfortunately, there are none in the Yucatan, but the State of Mexico is well supplied. http://www.sat.gob.mx/terceros_autorizados/centros_destruccion/Paginas/centros_destruccion_vehiculos.aspx After we have scrapped a TIP car (at our $$ cost ) then we deliver proof to SAT of the vehicle’s authorized destruction … per page 56, anexo 5 : http://www.sat.gob.mx/informacion_fiscal/normatividad/Documents/manual_importacion_vehiculos.pdf After completing these steps, we can bring in another TIP vehicle … and if all is done properly, we potentially protect our previous TIP deposit. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Effects of Having a TIP for a Foreign Plated Car When You Apply For Residency at a Consulate: People who have foreign plated vehicles with old TIPs (Temporary Import Permits) should realize that if they apply with Mexican Consulates to either get Residente Permanente or Residente Temporal, the Consulates have the ability to check your Mexican Government computerized records. If the Consulate finds you have an old moldy TIP on your record (which turns up when they search your name and passport number), they can reject your Residency application and force you to go back to Mexico and first cancel-out/surrender the old TIP. If you have lost the original paper copy of the TIP or if you have a trailer on the TIP, then the process of cancelling the TIP gets even messier: Unexpected Effects of Having a Trailer with Your Car’s Temporary Import Permit (TIP) and Updates to Aduana, INM & Banjercito Procedures for Visas and Importing Cars . These issues point to the potential importance of: ~ Not losing the original paper copy of the TIP. ~ Surrendering your TIP on a foreign-plated vehicle before going to a Consulate to apply for Residency. ~ Bringing along any trailer that is “attached” to the original TIP, when cancelling a TIP. and ~ Stop at INM every time you drive out, and have INM register your exit.*** ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Issues When Leaving Mexico with a Pending INM Application using an INM Temporary Exit -Exit/Re-entry Permission Letter: ***Note that when you get a Letter from INM permitting you to leave Mexico for up to 180 days, that letter expires in 60 days, so you must officially leave Mexico within 60 days of the letter’s issuance date. If you drive out of Mexico without registering your exit with INM, then the 60 day clock is still ticking – and you must then return to your INM office within 60 days – and you effectively lose the 180 day grace period. This means you should make the effort to find an open INM office when you drive out, and have them record your exit from Mexico, to qualify for the 180 day permission. It is important to do these things properly, otherwise, you may have to start the whole Residente Permanente or Residente Temporal process all-over-again – re-paying full fees (no credits). Also note that : If you have already successfully turning in your ID fotos, been fingerprinted, and paid for your Residente Permanente or Residente Temporal, you can give a Carta de Poder letter to a trusted friend or family member, granting them permission to pick up your new Tarjeta de Residencia when it is ready. They then send you your new Residency by DHL or UPS, while you are still in Canada or the USA – and you then turn in your INM letter when you renter Mexico using your new Residency Card. =========================== Still Have Questions About Importing a Vehicle into Mexico? Why not call Aduana there and ask them? Check out the official map of Aduana offices, along with their contact information, hours of operation, and addresses at: Map of Aduanas del Pais to get current contact information for ALL Aduana offices across Mexico. The latest SAT / Aduana Manual of Rules for temporarily importing cars can be found at: http://www.sat.gob.mx/informacion_fiscal/normatividad/Documents/manual_importacion_vehiculos.pdf Note: Since dealing with Temporary Import Permits involves using Banjercito, you can check this SAT reference to check the applicable Banjercito sucursales office hours etc: SAT -Directory of Banjercito Locations for Importing Cars Also check out the Aduana webpages on Permanent Importation of Vehicles: Importaciones definitivas de automóviles usados http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_10173.html , http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_10268.html , and Link to the Mexican Govt’s Official VIN Checker to get Import Duties http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5324941&fecha=09/12/2013 Ley Aduanera: Dec. 9, 2013 http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/12.pdf Web link for SAT rules on Classic cars (over 29 yrs old): http://www.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/vehiculos/importaciones_autosusados/Paginas/vehiculos_clasicos.aspx SAT Website to check VINs of imported vehicles: to see if a car was successfully imported: http://www2.repuve.gob.mx:8080/ciudadania/servletconsulta http://www.repuve.gob.mx/ and this Aduana website for pedimentos: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/soianet/oia_consultarap_cep.aspx CONSULTA RÁPIDA DE PEDIMENTO ESPECÍFICO =========================== *** There are good updates and more detailed information flowing in on a Mexconnect thread on these topics at: Updates on INM Procedures and Aduana & Banjercito Procedures Happy Trails, steve ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Please Continue to Make Comments and Replies to Help Keep This Information Current! Disclaimer: This information is not meant as legal advice. It is for educational and informational purposes only. Government policies vary between States and offices, and Mexican Government officials have broad discretion in how they individually enforce policies, so, your personal experiences may vary. See a professional for advice on important issues. * * * * * * * * Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan. © Steven M. Fry Read-on MacDuff . . .

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1,059 Responses to Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico Pingback: Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico | Surviving Yucatan

calliope101 says: August 29, 2010 at 7:26 pm

Thanks for the excellent info. Does the term “spouse” include common-law as well? Reply

yucalandia says: August 31, 2010 at 9:17 pm

Calliope, See the reply I made above to your questions about bringing in a car and a common law husband. steve Reply

Dani says: September 6, 2012 at 7:11 am

Hello, I am making a TV program and need to bring a car into Mexico from Japan to sell on. Can someone help with how I do this? E mail: [email protected] Thank you!

yucalandia says: September 6, 2012 at 6:11 pm

Dani, The only general type of vehicle you could sell in Mexico is one that you permanently import. Since only NAFTA vehicles are permitted for permanent importation into Mexico, a Japanese manufactured car does not qualify for permanent importation by private parties/individual.** Check the VIN. If it starts with a letter, then No, it is not allowed for permanent importation by a private party. If the VIN starts with a number, then it is NOT a Japanese manufactured car. VINs that start with a number are US, Canadian, or Mexican manufactured cars. The article above contains all these details. What’s the TV program about? steve **Automobile companies/dealers are allowed to import non-NAFTA cars.

Dani says: September 7, 2012 at 9:44 am

Its a car show, based on buying and selling cars. Then celebrating the car culture in each country we visit around the globe. Its very exciting! Johnny says: April 19, 2015 at 12:25 pm

Hello, I have a question about buying a car in Mexico on a 180 day tourist visa, taking it to the states and selling it there- is that possible/ allowed/ a good idea? Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: April 19, 2015 at 6:26 pm

Hi Johnny, You should check the state rules where you would like to do it. Some (most?) states do not allow visitor visa foreigners to buy and register/license the car – which means you would not be able to get the car registered in your name. You might be able to get SAT to give you a 5 day Retorno Seguro permit – but you’d have to check with them. If you bought US manufactured NAFTA cars, and drove them out using Retorno Seguro permits, it might work. If you bought Mexican cars, then you’d have to jump through EPA & DOT hoops to get them compliant before they’re allowed for import into the USA. steve

Johnny says: April 20, 2015 at 2:36 pm

Hey Steve, Thanks for the reply! Do you mean Mexican states? The plan would be to buy in Mexico City, drive over the border and sell it in San Francisco about 2 months down the line… I’m happy to jump through hoops as long as they don’t cost too much- just worried about getting turned back at the border. What do you reckon? Johnny

yucalandia says: April 20, 2015 at 4:43 pm

Hi Johnny, Correct, DF and the State of Mexico may not allow you to register or license a Mexican vehicle in your name with just a Visitors Visa – I don’t know. You might be better making an arrangement with some gringo who has changed their visa to Residente Permanente (RP) and is stuck with a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) car inside Mexico – where the US car is no longer legal for them to drive in Mexico because their RP permanent visa does not allow TIP cars. You could get a 5 day Retorno Seguro permit on the TIP vehicle, drive it back to the USA, and register the sale to you in the USA (since you would have a valid US title that they have signed over to you). The TIP vehicle from the USA would be fully legal to bring back into the USA (no hassles with EPA or DOT standards because it’s a US vehicle). There are some gringos with RPs in Mexico City in this problem, and even more in Lake Chapala/Ajijic area who are looking for someone to buy their TIP vehicle that they can no longer drive legally in Mexico. Check our chapala.com ‘s webboard to ask if anyone has a TIP car they want to sell. steve

Johnny says: April 21, 2015 at 9:21 am

Thanks Steve! looking into it now.. Johnny says: April 21, 2015 at 11:18 am

So if I agree to buy a soon to be rp’s car (with a 5 day retorno and presumably some insurance) and he signs the back of the registration over to me, will I need to get it registered as soon as I get in the states? Or would I be able to do it in, say, Washington?

yucalandia says: April 21, 2015 at 12:32 pm

Hi Johnny, I saw your post on Chapala.com: Well done! It all depends on whether the US-titled car still has valid (current) US plates/registrations. If it does NOT have valid current registration, then when you enter Arizona or Texas, I think they require you to get a temporary (30 day?) registration – to qualify for US liability insurance. If it has current plates, I think you just get insurance coverage, and drive to Washington. Check with your insurance company, and Washington’s DMV about their specific requirements. steve

gabrielheiser says: April 21, 2015 at 12:47 pm

Steve, So if my U.S. state license has expired (I’m a RT and didn’t want to pay to renew when I’m here full time in Mexico), and I want to sell my Ford Escape in Texas, so I can buy a Mexican car when I become RT, will I be able to drive it to a dealer in TX without getting in trouble with local police? Thanks! Gabriel

yucalandia says: April 21, 2015 at 4:38 pm

Hi Gabriel, If you get the free 5 business-day Retorno Seguro permit from SAT, then yes, anyone (name specified in the permit) can legally drive the car to a border. At the Texas border, I understand you apply for a 30 day temporary TX permit, (unless the car still has valid US plates/registration). Happy Trails, steve

gabrielheiser says: April 21, 2015 at 12:49 pm

I mean when I become RP, not RT! Karen says: April 21, 2015 at 6:20 pm

Does anyone have more information or experience getting a 30 day permit in Texas? I will be driving a car to Oregon that has been in Mexico for 11 years. The Oregon plates have long expired. Where does one get the Texas permit? Any other info? I can get a 30 day permit from Oregon before I even cross from Mexico into Texas but wonder if that will work in Texas and the other states I travel through. What have other people done? Johnny says: April 22, 2015 at 3:18 pm

Thank you for your help Steve, I’ll let you know how I get on!

Fe Girad says: August 30, 2010 at 5:33 am

Observed your website via google the other day and absolutely liked it so much. Carry on the truly great work. Reply

Dani says: September 4, 2012 at 8:57 am

Hi Steven, I am making a TV show about cars in Mexico and you seem like a super knowledge! How do I contact you? Thanks, Dani. Reply

Tony says: September 17, 2010 at 9:20 am

Can anyone recommend moving companies to the Yucatan? Thanks Reply

yucalandia says: September 18, 2010 at 10:05 pm

Tony, Our information on good shippers is out of date, so, I suggest you post the question on Yolisto. There are plenty of ex-pats on that site with experiences from the last few years. Much Luck with the move! steve Reply

Dani says: November 14, 2012 at 8:39 am

Hi there, Our film crew are out in Mexico CIty next week, we’re looking to speak to anyone buying a car in Mexico City – if any of you are, please contact me: [email protected] Thank you. doctorgoodbody says: November 14, 2012 at 9:49 am

Steve, Last week I requested and paid for a permit for a pre-2000 car. Banercito sends the document out DSL and it shold be delivered today. My question is this: I have decided I would rather take a different vehicle than the one I registered with Banercito. Any suggestions on how to best facilitate this change? ________________________________

yucalandia says: November 14, 2012 at 4:00 pm

Hmmmm… Other than contacting them, no other options spring to mind.

calliope101 says: September 25, 2010 at 1:10 am

Hi, Steve, This is a question related to driving in Mexico. I would like to get your opinion on what type of vehicle would be best for two gringos and their dogs to be driving around the Yucatan in, in the first few months of 2011. We are considering the vehicle we currently own here in BC, Canada, which is a white Dodge 1-ton Megacab dually, but were wondering if we should buy a 1999-2000 Suburban or go with a white van. My query is based on different information read on the Internet about pickup trucks and SUVs being targeted by the criminal element for robberies, kidnapping, etc. What is your take on all of this? I value your opinions because of your scientific approach to things and know that you base them on research of facts, plus your years of personal experience in the Yucatan. Many thanks in advance PS: If I could figure out a way to email you from this site, I would do that instead of posting something that is a little off topic. Reply

jay labrie says: November 6, 2010 at 9:51 am

I am in baja California Sur, Mexico I want to buy a car here . I am an American with only tourist status. the car I want to buy has Oregon license plates that expire in 1 Month. what can I do to legally drive the vehicle in Mexico?? Reply

yucalandia says: November 7, 2010 at 10:31 pm

Hi Jay, Sorry to say, since the Oregon plated vehicle is registered under the other person’s FMM, FM2 or FM3, then the rules say that the vehicle has to be taken out of the country by the owner or a member of the owner’s family, where they turn in the sticker on their car to the Mexican border authorities. You can also leave Mexico at the same time, turning in your old FMM to the Mexican INM authorities at the border. You can then return to Mexico by getting a new FMM , and at the same time you can bring the vehicle back in with you under your new FMM and get a sticker specifically attached to your new FMM. Realize that you can choose to ignore these rules, and buy and drive the oregon plated vehicle under the other person’s FMM, but the Mexican authorities (as in the police) are allowed to confiscate the vehicle permanently any time you or others are driving it. Since the US vehicle’s approval to stay in Mexico is tied solely and directly to the other person’s FMM, then the permission to have the vehicle inside Mexico is cancelled when they leave Mexico and their old FMM is cancelled. If the current owner has an FM3, then the approval for the car lasts only as long as their FM3 is valid, and they are allowed only one vehicle per FM3, so they cannot bring in any vehicles in the future, until the problem with the old Oregon plated vehicle is resolved. I explain these convolved stories, because it just does not seem worth trying to slide by the law, and the history of enforcement has supported the sequelae I described above. Can you please write us with an update of what happens in the future with your dilemma? Hope these explanations helped, steve Reply

Rolly Brook says: April 18, 2012 at 12:57 pm

I realize this post is old, but…You missed an important point. The question came from a guy in Baja. Baja does not require a TIP. So, yes, he is free to buy the car. BUT Baja also requires that license plates be current, so in one month the car would be illegal in Baja.

yucalandia says: April 18, 2012 at 3:27 pm

Rolly, Excellent points. steve

amy says: December 9, 2010 at 11:54 am

i’ve heard that certain types of FM2 visas allow you to temporarily import your car and certain types do not… is this true or just a rumor? great site!! amy Reply

yucalandia says: December 11, 2010 at 1:35 am

Hi Amy, You can keep your imported car that is still licensed outside of Mexico if you have an FM2 that does not permit you to work in Mexico – e.g. retirees are allowed to keep their non-Mexican plated car, but people on FM2’s that include permission to work are not allowed to keep a non-nationalized vehicle. steve Reply

amy says: March 23, 2011 at 6:39 pm

update: i have a FAMILIAR FM2 (my husband is mexican) and they did not allow my car to be temporarily imported with this status (even though this status does not allow me to work in Mexico.) the only FM2 that you can have and receive permission for you car is the RENTISTA FM2.

yucalandia says: April 9, 2011 at 8:39 am

Great Update! Thanks!!!

amy vogt says: December 14, 2010 at 9:52 am

thanks, steve!! Reply

Robert Brown says: February 26, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Excellent write up. Question. Does Mexican law or regulation state that the driver of a car with a valid temporary import permit must in addition to all the other requirements have a valid non-Mexican drivers license? I ask this because a broker for Mexican car insurance told me that the Federales were confiscating cars in violation of this purported law. Reply

yucalandia says: April 9, 2011 at 7:34 am

Hi Robert, Yes, Mexican law does require that foreigners driving in Mexico have a valid driver’s license from another country. I could not find the precise section of Mexican law describing the requirements, but the US State Department’s website on Mexico confirms that the Mexico accepts valid US driver’s licenses: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html . I suspect that you may be asking about the law, because your license is expired back in your home country. Under the letter of the law, an expired license is not a valid license => it is not legal to drive here with an invalid license. In practice, do the Mexican police accept expired driver’s licenses? I know of instances where they have accepted them, but likely it was because a. they either couldn’t read English or b. they didn’t want the paperwork hassles that would result from detaining the offending driver and their car. Is it worth gambling that a driver will never meet a police officer who both reads English and chooses to enforce the law? lo no se. Reply

Annie says: March 13, 2011 at 7:58 pm

Hi Steve, Thanks for the fantastic website info. Is it possible to ditch/sell/give away a car in Mexico without having problems with the authorities? The car is seriously ill and it would be better to get rid of it and continue travelling with public transport but we don’t want problems exiting the country. if it can make it to the border, could we get rid of it in Belize or Guatemala if we can’t do it in Mexico? Reply

yucalandia says: April 9, 2011 at 8:02 am

Hi Annie, Yes, some people do ditch/sell/give away their old foreign plated cars in Mexico (locally called “chocolates” ), but the best way is to take the car to an approved border crossing, stop and have the Mex. border officials remove the sticker from the windshield. Why? Because in the vehicle entry forms you signed, you promised to take the car back outside of Mexico, and there are no legal options for selling your foreign plated/registered car within Mexico. If you drive out of Mexico, there are dealers in Belize (across the border from Chetumal) that buy foreigner’s cars. There is one potential option to legally leave the car in Mexico: have a mechanic document and certify in writing that the car is ruined and undrivable – if it has been wrecked, provide pictures of damage, then take fotos of the sticker on the windshield – carefully remove the sticker – and return to the border with the letter, the sticker, and with all registration papers. There is no guarantee that the Mex. Gob. will accept your claim, and their approval process can be slow, but doing this may allow you to bring another car into Mexico in the future. Best of Luck! Reply

Annie says: April 9, 2011 at 6:34 pm

Thanks Steve – you’re a gem!!

Gail M Wood says: March 14, 2011 at 1:13 am

Can you tell me what documents I need in order to put Mexican plates on my 2006 Subaru? Also, is there a table or chart online where I might be able to get an idea of how much I’ll have to pay in import taxes on it since it is not 10 years old? (I have an FM2.) I’ve had the car in Mexico since 2006 but I’m tired of getting pulled over all the time due to the US plates. I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth the hassle and the import fees to put Mexican plates on it. Thanks very much for your help. Reply

yucalandia says: April 9, 2011 at 8:26 am

Hi Gail, I understand that IVA taxes are likely owed on the vehicle. IVA tax rates vary around Mexico, but 16% might be a good first estimate. Reply

angelo says: March 15, 2011 at 12:33 pm

Hello Steve, thanks for the great info. Regretably I didn’t know some of these odd regulations. I entered Mexico with my truck and trailer in Sep 2010, all documented etc. I flew back home with my family in Nov 2010 for an anniversary. Returned Nov 2010 with a new 180 day visa. According to your notes the vehicle permit is auto extended. I expecting to leave May 2011. Sounds like they’ll impound(?) the truck and trailer because the docs do not match now? It would have been reasonable to leave with the vehicle in Nov becasue I drove down from Canada. If this is true, then an FM2 might be in order so that everything is re-registered ? Thanks in advance for any info you may share. Angelo A Reply

yucalandia says: April 9, 2011 at 8:39 am

Updated 6/26/2011 Hi angelo, I do not think that it is guaranteed that Aduana will impound the vehicle(s). If your car becomes illegal due to visa changes, visa’s expiring, or whatever reason, you can apply for a free temporary permit that gives you 3-5 days to remove the vehicle from Mexico. Check out Aduanas website for instructions on how to apply: “Safely Returning Autos”“ Frommers also reports that Aduana has the option of assessing up to a $250 USD fine for every 15 days that you are late when leaving Mexico with a car that was registered using a 180 day FMM (formerly called FMT). This might be a good time tomake an application for a 3-5 day safe transit permit, or talk with a good attorney, or contact Aduana at Nuevo Laredo to explore your options: (867) 7122071? Much Luck! Reply

John says: October 16, 2011 at 4:31 pm

Steve, Thank for all your helpful advice! I’m going to have to bite the bullet and take my illegal car out of Mexico. I’ll just find a good used car when I get back and use it until I leave. My question is that when I was at the aduana in DF (and I found out that my FM3 didn’t permit me to have a car here) I got the impression that when I applied for a safe transfer permit that it was not an immediate issue of that permit. It might take some days and I also got the impression that the government sets the time of leaving. Any advice on how to proceed so that I can pick my own date to do a border run? Thanks Again John

angelo says: March 15, 2011 at 12:35 pm

(resubmitted to correct spelling and clarity ) Hello Steve, thanks for the great info. Regretably I didn’t know some of these odd regulations. I entered Mexico with my truck and trailer in Sep 2010, all documented etc. I flew back home with my family in Nov 2010 for an anniversary. Returned Nov 2010 with a new 180 day visa. According to your notes the vehicle permit is auto extended. I’m expecting to leave May 2011. Sounds like they’ll impound(?) the truck and trailer because the docs do not match now? It would not have been reasonable to leave with the vehicle in Nov because I drove down from Canada. If this is true, then an FM2 might be in order so that everything is re-registered ? Thanks in advance for any info you may share. Angelo A Reply

Jammie says: April 19, 2011 at 7:31 pm

Hey Steve, I loved the article, but I have a question about what would be best for my wife and I. We are planning on moving to Mexico in Sept. for at least 5 years. We are looking at buying a new car right now, as ours is old and has too many miles to sustain another 5 years. I was reading about how there is some 10 year rule to bringing in cars. We’ll be down in Manzanillo, and I don’t really want to have to drive back up every year to re-register our car. Could you explain the rules a little better to help me make the best choice as to what year/type of vehicle we buy? Reply

yucalandia says: April 20, 2011 at 12:47 pm

Hi Jammie, Personally, I would plan to buy a good used car in Mexico, with Mexican registration & plate/register it here. Used Nissans have very good reputations. Just be sure to get the original copy of the registration of when the car was sold by the dealer. This is often a sticker glued into the inside page of the owner’s manual. This original documentation acts as a title and proves that the vehicle was not stolen. If you bring the vehicle in on an FMM, then the vehicle must go back to the border every time you renew your FMM. You could alternately: bring it in under an FM3 or Rentista FM2 (no work allowed under this FM2 visa), or bring it in and nationalize (tramite) it, or buy a good used vehicle here. If you want to bring down a car on a FM3, FMM, or Rentista FM2, and drive on your US plates, then: – Most US warrantees are not honored here in Mexico. – Some US States require continuous insurance, which means paying for insurance simultaneously both in the US and in Mexico. – If you bring the vehicle into Mexico under an FMM, then the vehicle is supposed to leave when you do, because the FMM is cancelled/closed-out when you leave. – There can be problems getting repairs here. While some US models appear the same as those sold in Mexico, many have different parts. e.g. Between at least 1996 and 2004: Mexican Nissan & US Sentras look exactly the same but they have different brake calipers, different starters, different clutches, and different alternators… (though we have been able to figure work-arounds on each of these issues). – If you believe that must buy a vehicle in the US, we suggest that you buy a brand and model that is also sold in the US in case it needs a repair: like Fords… ? But realize that even some Fords in Mexico use different parts: Rangers here are made in Argentina = not as well made as US/Canadian manufactured vehicles – they have different manual transmissions – etc. – If you bring the car in on an FM3 or FM2, then there are strict rules about who is allowed to drive the car, the approval is only valid as long as the FM3 or FM2 is valid, and people with inmigrado status cannot keep a foreign plated car, so, if you plan to stay here long term, problems often arise with foreign plated vehicles that do not occur with vehicles purchased in Mexico. If you want to nationalize (register and plate) a personal vehicle brought in from outside Mexico: – It must be a NAFTA car (made in the USA, Mexico, or Canada) – check the VIN against NAFTA lists. (If the first character of the VIN is a number, then it should be a NAFTA car, & the 3’rd digit has “1” for USA, “6” for Canada.) – We understand that you cannot import personal vehicles more than 10 years old, and dual wheeled or dual axle pickups are also not allowed. – We understand that vehicles younger than 10 years old can be imported, but you will have to pay stiff import taxes ( e.g. IVA can be 16% or higher – Value Added Tax). We imported and nationalized a 10 yr old Ford Ranger and a Nissan Sentra, and have been happy with both vehicles, but I am a mechanic, and I enjoy doing custom work-arounds when problems arise. Hope this a good start, steve Reply

draya says: August 28, 2012 at 9:33 pm

I am confused about whether I can bring in a dual wheel truck on an fmm or fm3 (not for nationalization)??? We were planning to drive down our airstream in the next few weeks pulled by a 1990 F350 dually? I was planning to buy it tomorrow . . .so I want to clarify this? Can you help?? Thanks . . . Draya

yucalandia says: August 29, 2012 at 7:09 am

draya, Our prior research found that dually pick-up trucks were not permitted for temporary importation, though I can’t find the citation in the regs right now. In 2006 my sister-in-law wanted me to bring in one for her, and the Aduana folks at the border told us that duallys were not permitted. In case things have changed since 2006, I have asked the question of an expert with Aduana, steve

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John says: June 18, 2011 at 9:31 am

Dear Steve, I just learned about the FM2 requirement that I leave with my car. I got my FM2 in March 2011 and previously had FM3 status for five years and assumed the FM2 status gave me the right to have my car. My FM2 is cargo de confianza, so I am working. Do you know how much time I have to get to the border? I live in Leon, Guanajuato. I really do not want to drive to the border right now under the circumstances with all the robberies and kidnapping happening in the north. Any suggestions? Thanks. John Reply

yucalandia says: June 18, 2011 at 11:51 am

Updated 6/26/2011 Hi John, I understand that your only legal option is to take the car to an official border crossing. If your car becomes illegal due to visa changes, visa’s expiring, or whatever reason, you can apply for a free temporary permit that gives you 3-5 days to remove the vehicle from Mexico. Check out Aduanas website for instructions on how to apply: “Safely Returning Autos”“ At the border you can have Aduana remove your current sticker that is associated with your old FM3. as you leave, and forfeit any deposit you made when you imported the car. You could then bring the car back into Mexico and nationalize the vehicle, paying fairly steep taxes to bring it in (unless it qualifies under the 10 yr old & “NAFTA made” rules). Or sell it in the border town, return to Mexico, and buy a local car. How long do you have? Unfortunately, the vehicle’s permit is already expired, any deposit you paid is forfeit, and it is not legal to drive the car within Mexico, unless you get the 3-5 day removal permit described above. If you are driving without the special permit and get stopped by the police, they have the right to permanently confiscate your car at any time. The strict interpretation of the law formally says that only Aduana officials can confiscate it, but the reality is that various Policia Federale and Estatal ignore this technicality and routinely confiscate illegal expat cars across Mexico. Statistics and probability would predict that the more you drive the car, the more likely you are to get caught and have the car confiscated on-the-spot, so, logic would say to drive the car only as much as is required to get to the border or have it towed, if you do not want to risk confiscation. Some past experience says that some ex-pats illegally drive their vehicles for months without getting stopped. I guess it all depends on how lucky you feel. For me, it would be better to sell the car at a loss across the border in the US, rather than driving for extended periods & risking having it confiscated. Best Wishes for GOOD LUCK on this! steve Reply

Bill Basham says: June 24, 2011 at 8:30 am

Dear Steve, Thanks for some great information. I would like to present a scenario to make sure that I understand all of the process. I enter Mexico with my car (2006 Hyundai-appprox deposit approximately $200)using FMM status and within 30 days apply for change on website to fm2 (rentista). Upon several visits to INM paying fees, etc. and my being granted fm2 rentista status by INM, notify aduana by letter of status change. Renew fm2 annually and if I leave the country temporarily, return to Banjercito office to have them log removal into system, and receive a return certificate to re-enter. As long as these requirements are met my car an I can remain in Mexico assuming my license and registration in US are in order. Even though my wife holds dual citizenship I chose this route because of the car limitations on a spousal approach. Did I miss anything?? Your reply would be appreciated. Bill Reply

yucalandia says: June 25, 2011 at 7:49 am

Hi Bill, Under the old Immigration law, your plan works fine, using an FM2-Rentista (proving sufficient monthly income), not FM2Familiar. Under the new Immigration law (in force since May 25, 2011), there’s a bump in your road, Article 53: “Article 53. Visitors, except those for humanitarian reasons and those who have (family) links with Mexican or regular resident alien in Mexico, can not change status of residence and will have to leave the country at the end of the period of stay authorized.“ “Surviving Yucatan: New Immigration Law Published for Mexico – The Article” This clause is not currently being applied yet, but INM can choose to implement it at any time, which means typical Visitor/Tourists to Mexico cannot change residency status without leaving Mexico when INM starts implementing the new law. On a related note: the new/current immigration law requires INM to write El Reglamento for the current law before Nov. 25, 2011, which should mean that INM will start implementing the new law at any time before Nov. 26, 2011. Here’s where the fun comes in for you: If you enter Mexico and file for your FM2 before INM implements this clause, it’s all good! If you enter Mexico after INM implements this clause, then INM might say you have to prove your marriage to your esposa Mexicana to allow you to change from the new Visitante visa over to Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente without leaving Mexico first. Did you have a Civil ceremony here in Mexico, or have you registered your US marriage with your local Mexican Registro Civil? If you do not have your marriage registered officially with the Mex. Gob., INM could force you to leave Mexico, making a trip to the border with the vehicle, to change residency status under the new immigration law, and then re-enter to make your new Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente visa application. Clear as mud? steve Reply

Thomas Allen says: July 1, 2011 at 11:20 am

Steve, I have an FM3 and left Mexico in May 2011 without getting the sticker removed. I thought there was an adjuana office right next to the border but there was not. Prior years you could just drive throught this little area at the Nogalas border to turn in the sticker. I am returning in September and still have the permit on my windshield and a current FM3. I am planning to stop at the vehicle permit building and straighten this out but I am real nervous about coming into Mexico since I left without turning in the sticker. Any advice? Reply

yucalandia says: July 1, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Thomas, In theory, you were supposed to check in with a Banjercito office before you left Mexico to get a permit letter to leave and reenter. Many ex-pats report on web-forums that they have come and gone from Mexico for years, crossing out and re-entering to Mexico with no problems using vehicles w/stickers w/o stopping to “check-out”. (I can’t promise anything, but simply report others’ stories). Problems certainly occur if you sell the car or wreck the car with a sticker while you are in the USA, because the sticker is associated in Aduana / Banjercito’s computers with your FM3. The problems also arise if you attempt to bring a different car into Mexico before you have Aduana scrape the old sticker off your car’s windshield. Don’t sell the car and don’t wreck the the car, and the next time you leave Mexico, either get a permit letter from Banjercito at the border or have Aduana remove the sticker. Please give us a shout and tell us how it worked out, steve Reply

Norbert J. Gebauer says: July 11, 2011 at 2:12 pm

We purchased a 10-year import sticker for our motorhome expiring in 2015. Do we need any other papers/document/sticker to re-enter Mexico this coming winter? For three winters, from 2006 to 2009, we drove a BC registered Suzuki Sidekick in and around the Puerto Vallarta area. The car was bought from a Canadian who owns a home in PV. Police stopped us a couple of times for various reasons. At one time the officer pointed out that our car was in Mexico illegally and fined us 500 pesos. After a bit of negotiating he let us go after paying 150 pesos (after all it was close to X-mas and I wished him and his family “Feliz Navidad!”). Our encounters with Federales over the years was usually very courteous, polite and somewhat amusing. Now, I always suspected our Suzuki was in Mexico illegally and it could have been easily confiscated. However, police isn’t in the business to to that but rather want to collect the infamous morbida. Some knowledge of Spanish, a good sense of self-deprecating humour and a radiant smile will get one through most run-ins with Mexican Federales. I’m proud to say that we never payed any fine that wasn’t appropriate. In other words, if you don’t screw up, don’t pay! We now RV in southern Florida but I really miss Mexico and wouldn’t hesitate to return to this beautiful, exciting country despite all the negative news. As long as we stay away from border towns, or get passed them as quickly a spossible and never drive after dark, heck, it’s safer there than in many of our own big cities! Hasta la proxima, amigos! Bert Reply

yucalandia says: July 11, 2011 at 5:34 pm

Here are our understandings: The temporary import rules for vehicles are tied to the ongoing “visa” status of the person who registered for the temporary import permit on the RV. If that person has maintained their Inmigrante/FM2, or No Inmigrante/FM3 status, and that Immigration status is still current, then the 10 year vehicle permit remains valid (because the Aduana’s rule linking ongoing Immigration approval to ongoing temporary vehicle permit approval uses the term “vehicle” in describing the requirements). In theory, you needed to stop at a border crossing Banjercito vehicle registration office to register the RV’s departure and get a departure-re-entry letter: see “Exiting From and Returning To Mexico for Temporary Permit Vehicles”. “El retorno de los vehículos internados temporalmente – Retorno Parcial“. If you did not stop and register the departure of the RV when you left Mexico, then Aduana could (in theory) deny your re-entry into Mexico under your current 10 yr permit. Reports from around the internet describe how most drivers return into Mexico with their vehicles successfully, without previously registering their departure, but there are also a few reports of people who are required to pay fines, and get a new permit (added $$$) when they attempt to re-enter. Did you register the RV’s departure at a Banjecito office and get the Retorno Parcial permit letter when you left Mexico? Is the temporary import permit holder’s FM2 or FM3 still valid? steve Reply

purplepatty says: July 11, 2011 at 5:02 pm

I’m hoping this is the right place to ask a new question. I brought my car across the border on my FM3 in Aug. 2005 and subsequently it was totaled July 2006 in Michoacan. I was hospitalized for a week and thus unable to turn in my import sticker to Aduana in the required 5 days after the accident. Two months later I flew to Houston, bought a new car and drove to Laredo. At the Aduana office there I presented the police report of the accident, the insurance adjusters report with photos of the smashed car including the sticker, license plate and VIN and letter from the insurance company that showed they had paid me for the car. And I had my sticker, still adhered to chunks of windshield along with title, registration, paperwork from original sticker, FM3 and passport. The Aduana officer would not accept my proof that the car was totaled and undrivable–he said he wanted to see the vehicle and it’s condition. I told him it was not drivable and was in a junk yard in Zamora, Michoacan. And that I had another vehicle with me to import. He said I would have to go to Aduana in Morelia (the capitol of Michoacan) to turn in my paperwork and get a sticker for my new car. At km 21 the officer noticed I didn’t have an import sticker. I told him what Aduana had told me about going to Morelia for the new sticker and he said, “OK” and waved me through. I later went with the same paperwork as at the border to Aduana in Guadalajara. I talked to 5 people in different offices, none of which could help me. I was finally told to hire an attorney. I did that and gave him all my original paperwork and sticker which he took to Mexico City. It has now been 5 years and I still have an illegally imported car (which I drive only locally) and no idea how long this process will continue. A year ago, through my attorney, Aduana wanted to know why I didn’t turn in my sticker within the required 5 days. I had my attorney send them a copy of my surgeon’s notes including my admission and discharge dates from the hospital. And I’ve heard nothing since. Is this case hopeless or can I expect some action from Aduana in the near? future? Thanks so much for any help or advice–Pat Reply

yucalandia says: July 11, 2011 at 5:50 pm

Hi patty, You have checked all the boxes, submitted all the forms, supplied the correct information, followed the rules, hired an attorney to take actions, and did it in the most timely fashion possible, and the system still did not work. I know of one other woman who jumped through similar hurdles 2 years ago on a similar problem of being unable to produce the Aduana vehicle sticker, and she had a former Mexican Supreme Court justice throw his weight onto her similarly-knotted vehicle-permit-stuck-in-Mexico-City loop. At last word, her vehicle permit was still in limbo. If you are worried about the possibility of your current car being confiscated, and want to drive legally, worry-free: you could buy a local car and take your old car outside of Mexico to sell. There are 3-5 day temporary permits issued free, for the sole purpose of legally shuttling illegal vehicles out of Mexico. See:“Safely Returning Autos”“ steve Reply

Gail M Wood says: July 11, 2011 at 6:10 pm

I previously posted a query about importing my 2006 Subaru and paying whatever the import duties might be since I was tired of being pulled over in Mexico for driving a car with US plates. Since then I have talked to an import attorney in Morelia and he emphatically told me that Japanese made cars are not prohibited from being imported into Mexico, period, no matter what model year they are. I have since sold the car in the US and will be buying a Mexican plated car. I have no way of knowing if this rule is in fact true, but I was tired of the whole scenario of repeatedly being pulled over for having US plates. Not worth it. Reply

Gail M Wood says: July 11, 2011 at 6:12 pm

I apologize for the error in my above post. It should read: “He emphatically told me that Japanese made cars ARE prohibited from being imported into Mexico, period, no matter what model year they are.” Reply

Jonathan says: July 12, 2011 at 11:22 am

Hello and Thanks for all the information you have supplied. I have a problem right now that me and my grandma were in chihuahua mex and i had to leave back to the us and left her in mexico. And on my return back into the interior of mexico they confiscated the vehicle with the claim that i as a grandson to the importer(my grandma) was not an authorized driver and therefore that cualified the vehicle as being in a ilegal state. we both have our fm2 forms and they ares still curent. They are not wanting to give the vehicle back even though me and my gradma went to pick it up the did a lot of paper work when they took the vehicle and now they say we have to give them any proof we think will help the situation within 10 bussiness days and then they have about 4 months to respond with their acction in the case. I Know that in the articolo 106 it says that a decendant of the importer is an authorized driver, however the officials say that this is only in reference to a son or as they call it a direct descendant. I don’t know what i should turn in for proof to help me get my grandma’s vehicl back. If there is anything you could do to help me it would be very apreciated. thanks Reply

yucalandia says: July 12, 2011 at 2:35 pm

Jonathan, I think your problem has become serious enough that you need to hire a professional to solve your problem. As your grandmother’s descendant, you were legally allowed to drive her temporarily imported car around inside Mexico, but you were NOT allowed to drive it out of Mexico across the border, and you are not allowed to drive it back across the border back into Mexico. Only the car’s temporary permit holder is allowed to drive it out and back. You also needed to get a letter from a border-crossing Banjercito office when you left Mexico with the vehicle: There is a “Partial Return” program. From Aduana’s website: “Banjercito records exit and return information in their system, and delivers a partial return receipt to the importer, so you can make multiple entries and exits during the term of the permit.” “Exiting From and Returning To Mexico for Temporary Permit Vehicles” Your case is unusual, and I believe you need to talk with Aduana and get a written list of exactly what documents and information you need to give them to recover your car, AND contact a professional experienced in these matters (a Customs Broker or Lawyer) for help. Best of Luck, steve – Reply

Tony says: July 13, 2011 at 12:02 am

Thank you for the great information! I have a problem, not yet mentioned. My 1997 vehicle, which resides in Mexico under my FM3, is defunct. It will not start and no amount of trouble shooting either by the dealership, my local mechanic, or website auto problem solvers can fix it! I can’t drive it to the border to have its sticker removed. It would seem that the best thing I can do is to sell it for parts, but I can’t do this until its removed from my “file”. Can I nationalize it without going to the border? Help! Reply

yucalandia says: July 13, 2011 at 12:49 pm

Tony, This goes beyond our expertise. You can donate the car to the Mexican Gob., and free up your FM3 to allow you to bring in another Temporary Import. Contact your Aduana office for instructions on how they currently do this. steve – Reply

Tony says: July 20, 2011 at 6:45 pm

Steve, thanks for the quick reply. wish there was another way. Tony Frank says: October 6, 2012 at 12:26 am

Tony this may be a bit too late and you probably resolved the issue by now. I have had several friends whose vehicles have been wrecked and not drivable, Because of the pain in the but about rules and regulations they have all loaded their vehicles on trailers and taken them to the border just to get the sticker removed from the windshield. I realize it seems like a hassle but for them it was worth the expense just to be able to get a new permit in the future.

Lisa Friesen says: July 15, 2011 at 12:06 pm

Steve, My husband and I entered Mexico on an FMT and driving our truck in October 2009. Our intent was to stay for 6 months but we decided to make it permanent. We obtained our FM3’s at the beginning of March 2010. We paid for the assistance of a local trusted individual, who was previously employed as a federal policeman. We renewed our FM3’s again in 2011, again using the same indivudual to assist us. From what we understood, our vehicle remained legal as long as our status remained legal. From what I am reading now, our vehicle is actually illegal as we did not notify Aduana of the change in status and to extend the vehicle permit. Is this correct? If we can prove continuity in our status to Aduana do we still have to return to the border to correct the situation? Thanks for your information. Reply

yucalandia says: July 15, 2011 at 7:11 pm

Lisa, The Aduana rules say that you should file the change of INM status in person, along with the documents listed in the article above (edited to add the list). I would go to your Aduana’s office with the required letter and documents, and ask them if anything else is needed. steve Reply

Robert says: July 19, 2011 at 9:42 pm

Hi Steve, I have only two questions. First, where the heck do you find all the time. I know that you stay indoors during the hot part of the days because of limited use of AC’s . . . . . . . . . . but my goodness man where do you find all the time? (smiling) Second and more serious question: I would like your take on the following. I came in with my 2008 Tahoe and 16 ft enclosed cargo trailer. I am on an FM 2 “Rentista”. I need to go back NOB with only my Tahoe (as I do not really wish to pay all the extra cash for both additional gas and the cuota fees for both Tahoe and trailer. I have to go back for my VA Medical appointments and should return within ten days. My Mexican Temp Import Sticker of course has both the tow vehicle and the trailer listed. What’s your take on this particular situation? I have been stopped once last month, driving without the trailer at a local federales checkpoint and asked where my trailer was. I explained it was at my house up the road (which went over well) as I didn’t wish to spend all the extra money, for driving a trailer around town when it was not necessary. That satisfied him and he let me go and nicely said have a nice day. Do you think that I could do the same thing and drive across the border without checking in, and ten days or so later drive back without the trailer and not have a problem? Appreciate your feedback. P.S. A great site you have here. robt65 Reply

Robert says: July 19, 2011 at 9:43 pm

Hi Steve, I have only two questions. First, where the heck do you find all the time. I know that you stay indoors during the hot part of the days because of limited use of AC’s . . . . . . . . . . but my goodness man where do you find all the time? (smiling) Second and more serious question: I would like your take on the following. I came in with my 2008 Tahoe and 16 ft enclosed cargo trailer. I am on an FM 2 “Rentista”. I need to go back NOB with only my Tahoe (as I do not really wish to pay all the extra cash for both additional gas and the cuota fees for both Tahoe and trailer. I have to go back for my VA Medical appointments and should return within ten days. My Mexican Temp Import Sticker of course has both the tow vehicle and the trailer listed. What’s your take on this particular situation? I have been stopped once last month, driving without the trailer at a local federales checkpoint and asked where my trailer was. I explained it was at my house up the road (which went over well) as I didn’t wish to spend all the extra money, for driving a trailer around town when it was not necessary. That satisfied him and he let me go and nicely said have a nice day. Do you think that I could do the same thing and drive across the border without checking in, and ten days or so later drive back without the trailer and not have a problem? Appreciate your feedback. P. S. Great site you have here. robt65 Reply

yucalandia says: July 20, 2011 at 7:35 am

Hi Robert, The drive-out / drive-back-in dilemma is really common. Hundreds of expats report driving out of Mexico without stopping at the border Banjercita office to get their multiple re-entry and exit permit. A few expats w/vehicles under Temporary Permits later write back to say that their vehicles are not allowed back into Mexico, ever. Of those who write about NOT being allowed to reenter with the vehicle, a few report 1-2 years of filing documents with Aduana in failed attempts to get the mess un-knotted. The negative consequences if Aduana/Banjercito catches the violation: The owner is never allowed to have another foreign-plated vehicle back in Mexico under their visa, – they have to find a place to store or sell their car/Tahoe in the US, – they have to find alternate transport to their Mexican home, and – they have to buy a different car in Mexico. Can you live with this set of consequences? Do you like to roll the dice.* If not, then stop at the Banjercito office at your border crossing and get a multiple exit and re-entry permit (see web address in the article above for details). If you suspect that Banjercito may require that the trailer must go out with the vehicle, check with Aduana on their official policy before you travel. steve *Rolling the dice on having INM and Aduana catch ex-pats breaking the rules, had much much better odds in the past, when paper systems ruled these operations, but now in the era of computerized data-bases, I think we will be hearing of much more enforcement of these easily-tracked easily-detected violations. Reply

Robert says: July 21, 2011 at 7:50 am

Hi Steve, Good response. I certainly was not looking for a way around the law, but just not knowing what is the correct procedure as , I have not been able to find such information one way or the other. but your . . . . . . “Rolling the dice on having INM and Aduana catch ex-pats breaking the rules, had much, much better odds in the past, when paper systems ruled these operations, but now in the era of computerized data-bases, I think we will be hearing of much more enforcement of these easily-tracked easily-detected violations.” . . . . . . . . is a good “heads up” and one that I readily agree with. I believe that while there doesn’t seem to be any direct information one way or the other, and since here in Mexico we all know that “the only thing for sure, is that nothing is for sure”, it is much wiser to error on the side of spending the extra dollars for additional tolls and gas. I also believe like you that Mexico is quickly learning how to “track and enforce”. I think I am going to try going to Aduana in Queretaro and maybe asking them and also get, in writing, their response if I ca indeed leave my trailer at my home in Queretaro for a short medical trip NOB. Robert Reply

yucalandia says: July 22, 2011 at 3:22 pm

Hi Robert, Can you give us a shout when you hear from Queretaro Aduana about their position on truck/trailer combination registrations and the Partial Return program? Happy Trails! steve Reply

Marty Rosenzweig says: July 26, 2011 at 10:35 am

Hi Steve, It appears that when we enter Mexico from Texas with our 2009 vehicle (under FMM rules) we will post a $400 deposit at the border. However, if the long awaited ferry service from Progreso to Tampa actually begins early in 2012, that would be our preference for departing Mexico. Is it your understanding that we would forfeit this deposit since we’re (legally) departing at a different crossing? If so, with all the computerization of the process, can you supply any possible rationale for this rule? Thanks Marty Xcalak Q. Roo Reply

yucalandia says: July 26, 2011 at 3:58 pm

Hi Marty, We’re confused. Will you enter Mexico at 2 different locations, at 2 different times, leaving Mexico between the 2 entry dates? Or are you saying that a deposit paid at a land port of entry (border crossing) can be refunded, and that deposits paid for entry at a sea port is not refundable? steve Reply

Marty Rosenzweig says: July 28, 2011 at 9:07 am

Sorry about the confusion! Neither! My understanding is that, if you want your deposit back, the new regs require you to exit Mexico at the same location you entered. It’s as if Banjercito is holding your deposit in an envelope (!) at the point of entry and so you need to get the refund at the same bank. From: http://pvnn.com/vallarta/news/25jun2011/import-drive-car-into-mexico.htm “Specifics: Remember the Banjercito office you registered your car at when you entered? When you are leaving Mexico, you need to return to the corresponding BANJERCITO office at the border crossing where/when you are crossing back into the USA with the vehicle. ” So, on our next annual trip, if we make the vehicle deposit at Allede (south of Eagle Pass, TX), for example, and then take the ferry from Progreso back to the U.S. (instead of driving back up and “checking out” through Allende), is there any way to get the $400 deposit back? Marty Reply

yucalandia says: July 28, 2011 at 10:56 am

Hey Marty, I just now saw your new posts. I think there is a little confusion between the old paper or local computerized Aduana systems and Aduana’s newer national computer data base systems. The old system worked best when expats entered and departed through the same port-ofentry/border-crossing. We understand that the current system now allows Aduana to check your records at any of their locations, especially since ex-pats are going into their local Aduana offices to notify Aduana of changes in Immigration status. The changes are entered locally, but the data is then available at all the Aduana ports of entry across the country. “….on our next annual trip, if we make the vehicle deposit at Allede (south of Eagle Pass, TX), for example, and then take the ferry from Progreso back to the U.S. (instead of driving back up and “checking out” through Allende), is there any way to get the $400 deposit back? ~~ The law says that you should get your deposit back, if your car is returned on time, with the sticker intact, and with all your documents, regardless of your “port of entry” departure point. I would check with Aduana first, though, to confirm that their systems can do this smoothly. Please give us a shout when you actually use their new system(s). Happy Trails, steve Reply

Marty Rosenzweig says: July 28, 2011 at 9:21 am

Another question: Years ago, when the ferry did operate from Tampa to Progreso (for one season?), was there a immigration office where you could get a tourist card and, more importantly, a vehicle permit (maybe it was passenger only?)? The first would be easy since Progreso is a port of entry but they probably weren’t (aren’t!) expecting to deal with vehicles! M Reply

Gunther Hepner says: July 29, 2011 at 6:46 pm

I brought my 2008 Ford explorer sport trac titled and has US plates in to Mexico in January of 2011 under my existing FM3 non inmigante I recently married my wife who is Mexican and when my FM3 expired I got an FM2 inmigrante. I am retired and live off of my pension and I do not work we have a home here and I am now a resident in Mexico. I was told today 7/29/2011 that I could not keep my Ford legaly in Mexico under my new status because my Caracteristica says “Familiar” Just does not make any sense.. Reply

yucalandia says: July 29, 2011 at 9:34 pm

Gunther, That sure is a tough break, but that’s the law’s consequence of you choosing to apply as a dependent: – a foreigner who is financially dependent on your wife. As it says in the article above: If you had applied for an FM2: No Inmigrante RENTISTA, you could have kept your vehicle. As a self-supporting independent Rentista (living off foreign investments and foreign savings/pensions), you are entitled to keep a foreign plated vehicle. As a – financially dependent – Family member, who does not have to meet any foreign pension/investment income requirements, you gave up the right to have a foreign plated vehicle. By legally announcing your status as a Family member of a Mexican, you are also officially identifying stronger ties to Mexico, because Familiar is the path to citizenship: you can claim the right to apply for Citizenship after just 2 years (a significant benefit) = much closer ties to Mexico. As a Familiar person who can now fast-track their citizenship, you are formally giving up some foreign ties(?), like your car’s umbilical cord back to the USA. Whoever advised you to change from Rentista to Familiar did not consider your desire to keep your car. You only needed to provide 3 months of bank statements or investment account statements showing sufficient $$$ to have kept your Rentista status & your car. This is my way of saying that you made the choice that created you current status. The Mexican government does not force people to choose the less rigorous Familiar category. I wish I had better news for you, but sometimes we have to live with the consequences of our decisions, and sometimes they are the consequences of less-than-thorough advice or less-than-thorough research. It sure can be “no fun” to make a mistake like this. Was this a “Do-it-yourself” effort, or did someone advise you? Are you planning a trip to the border to sell the Ford? steve Reply

Gunther Hepner says: July 30, 2011 at 7:46 am

I would like to keep the car if possible I’m going back to imigration on monday to see why they changed my status from Rentista to Familiar (the only thing I can think of is because I married a mexican) I think there was a miscommunication and I hope that it can be fixed. I am retired and recieve a check every month I also did all the paperwork myself and I remember telling them and giving them copies of my retirement deposits. If I cannot change it I will have to make a trip to the border…..

yucalandia says: August 1, 2011 at 5:01 pm

Best of luck, Gunther! Our local INM agents push expats married to Mexicans to get FM2 Familiar visas, since they see it as a fast-track to citizenship. steve

rachael says: August 11, 2011 at 11:38 pm

My husband and I were asked by his mother (who is retiring In merida in september) to drive her car down to the yucatan. She is single and has health problems and can not be in a car for that long so she is going to fly. She has not finished paying her car off yet, but is current in the payments. Do you know if this will be a problem for us if shes not with us? Please let me know asap Reply

yucalandia says: August 12, 2011 at 7:52 am

rachael, Your situation has multi-issues going on simultaneously. First, you would need a notarized letter from her car finance company authorizing the car to be taken to Mexico. Does she already have an FM3 Rentista or FM2 Rentista (rentier = or person living on pension income)? Are you moving to the Baja & Sonora zone where you can permanently import 8, 9, or 10 year old cars? Is the the car going to stay within the Border Zone, or within the special Baja/Sonora Free zone where it needs no permit? Multiple other sites say that Aduana will allow you to bring a spouse’s or immediate family member’s car into Mexico, without having the visa holder/car owner present at importation. You would need a notarized letter from your mother authorizing your plan, plus an official (apostilled?) copy of her birth certificate, and some sites recommend including a notarized copy of her passport with your application. You also need a current registration, and the car’s title. AND 2 COPIES OF EVERYTHING you will be submitting. The next hurdle is what visa you use to import the car: Do you have an FM3 Rentista or FM2 Rentista (where you would you register her vehicle’s Temporary Importation under your your visa)? I am not sure how Aduana handles changing the cars permit ‘from your visa to her visa, later. You might consider posting your question on Mexconnect, to find out other expats experiences on how to transfer the car’s Temporary Import permit from your visa to hers (at her local Aduana office) when she arrives , or would you plan to keep a current FM2 Rentista or FM3 Rentista? This all is also REALLY UP IN THE AIR until INM issues the NEW regulations on visas and imported car permits. We are currently operating under the old statute, but INM will issue COMPLETELY NEW rules on visas between now and December 2011. The old FM2/FM3/Inmigrado categories completely go away after the New Regulations are issued, and NO ONE KNOWS how INM and Aduana will handle CAR PERMITS and the NEW “Residente Temporal” and “Permanente Temporal” categories… See: See Full Article at: “New Immigration Law Published for Mexico – The Article” Since your mom will likely be a rentier/”Rentista “, living off pension/savings income, she would seem to qualify for the NEW Permanent Resident category (maybe not available until Dec. 2011), which means she would file for Permanent Residency once, get approved, and never have to file or pay again vs. the annual $250 – $300 (or more) per year residency renewal dance. It seems likely that the new “Permanente Temporal” category will not allow expats to keep Temporarily Imported vehicles (just as the current Inmigrante/permanent resident category does NOT allow foreign-plated cars). I don’t like speculation, but I’d hate for you to go through all the hassles to bring in your mom’s car, just to find that you have to take it back out of Mexico after 6 monthst of an FMM/Visitante visa, due to changes in the upcoming New Immigration Regulations, because she wants/needs to apply for the New Permanent Residency visa. Your mom could instead buy a used car here under an FMM, and avoid all the hassles and uncertainty. Could you instead plan to to buy a modestly priced car here for her? As long as you make sure that the car has it’s legal permits from the original vehicle sale (Mexican version of a title that proves where it was originally purchased) to avoid buying a stolen car, there are lots of very good used cars here. In particular, Nissans are rugged, get good gas mileage, are relatively easy/cheap to have repaired, have easy easy access to lots of very inexpensive aftermarket parts if they break, and almost all mechanics work on Nissans here, and they are NAFTA cars. steve Reply

John says: August 19, 2011 at 2:30 pm

Oh Boy….. I think I’m in big trouble. I entered Mexico exactly 180 days ago through Laredo. I entered on an FMM visa. I then got a visa “No Inmigrante” about 3 months ago. I did not do anything…..and I was looking through my papers thia afternoon and realized that my temporsyrimportation permit expires today……what alternatives do I have no that I’ve passed this expiration date? Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: August 19, 2011 at 2:42 pm

John, In theory your car’s temporary permit’s expiration date changed to the expiration date of your No Inmigrante visa. Reports from around the web report no problems for expats who go to their Aduana office with their letter explaining their new visas status and with their supporting documents, even when they are beyond the 15 day grace period for reporting the visa change/renewal. steve Reply

Eric says: August 21, 2011 at 8:21 am

I have a specific question when only holding an FMM/FMT. My family and I have been living in Playa Del Carmen for 6 weeks and have already purchased a vehicle here with mexican plates. Can we register this vehicle in our name on our Tourist visas and how does that work since we have to leave the country in 180 days and return to renew our FMM? Also we are looking for another vehicle and I don’t know if it is better to purchase a foreign vehicle, with american plates and fight with the import sticker every time we leave the country, which will be by plane or just stick to Mexican cars. Thanks for your help with my question. Reply

yucalandia says: August 21, 2011 at 12:24 pm

Eric, Your options depend on whether you intend to follow Mexican law, and upon whether you are willing to risk having the car permanently confiscated if you are caught. You can legally buy a Mexican car in Mexico, but you can only register it if you are a resident (FM3, FM2, Inmigrado, or naturalized citizen). We advise: Get your residency, (costs about $275 USD), and then register the car and operate it legally. If you choose to drive a car registered to someone else (a Mexican), then you are gambling that they will continue to pay the annual tenencias (yearly taxes), and that they pay the annual registration and licensing costs, and hopefully they pay for insurance too. They also have to be willing to certify that they allow you to drive the car, if the police question your arrangement. Since most of us cannot be assured that a different person will pay all the bills and fees on time, then you risk having the car confiscated. As Mexican States increase their requirements for licensing and insurance (e.g. in Yucatan in a few months, you will need to have all three current annual approval stickers/holograms posted in your back window), your chances of having the car confiscated increase over time. Purchasing a foreign plated vehicle in Mexico is strictly forbidden, and you again risk having the vehicle permanently confiscated on the spot if the authorities catch you. If you get an FM3 or the new Residente Temporal permit to stay in Mexico, then you can register and drive the Mexican vehicle legally, and if you want to also buy the other foreign plated vehicle – make a trip to Belize/Chetumal, and bring the foreign vehicle back into Mexico, registered with a Temporary Import permit in your name, on your FM3. We advise: Get your residency, (costs about $275 USD), and then register the car and operate it legally. steve Reply

Eric says: August 21, 2011 at 5:33 pm

Oh wow, I have wrong information. I thought as long as I had a valid visa, whether it be for residency or just for tourism I could buy and own a car in Mexico. I had read before that just as long as I didn’t try to leave the country with the car I could own/register a Mexican plated vehicle with an FMT/FMM. Please advise if this is not correct. Also I thought the same applied with an American plated vehicle, just as long as I have a valid Visa I can import the vehicle throught the border, whether that be the US/Mexico border or the Belize/Mexico border. I have read if the vehicle(American Plated) is foreign you can cross over into Belize and transfer the title there and then you can reenter Mexico and claim your new vehicle as your own on whatever visa you possess including an FMT/FMM. Please advise on this as well. Obviously it will take time to get an FM3/FM2 and I will need a vehicle until then, just want to make sure I take the best route until I can obtain an FM3. Thanks again for helping me through this. Reply

yucalandia says: August 21, 2011 at 6:11 pm

Eric, The general rule across Mexico is that FMM/Visitor permit holders cannot register Mexican vehicles. Since Quintana Roo (like Sonora and Baja California) have some special rules and exemptions that offer extra leeway to tourists etc, maybe Q. Roo allows Visitor visa holders to register a car? Other states prohibit it. State officials in Mexico are given latitude in application of the law, and Quintana Roo is a special zone in several ways, so, again, maybe Q. Roo has a way for Visitors/FMM tourists to register a vehicle? I think it is time to get definitive information on how Q.Roo handles FMMs and car registration. Please give us a shout when you find out the actual rules for Q. Roo from their version of the DMV. steve – Reply

Gunther Hepner says: August 22, 2011 at 7:53 am

I brought my US plated 2008 Ford across the boarder last year under my FM3 I now have a FM2 Rentista do I need to do any changes or inform the local Aduana office? Reply

yucalandia says: August 22, 2011 at 8:39 am

Gunther, Yes, the rule says to notify Aduana in person within 15 days of INM visa changes or renewals: bring your letter requesting the change and your documents. Since Aduana data bases are not linked to INM data bases, by filing with Aduana, then you can keep the correct expiration date of your car permit current in Aduana’s computers – but only by notifying Aduana of your new INM visa expiration date. steve Reply

Giovanni says: August 22, 2011 at 5:43 pm

Hi Steve, my Step dad is an American Citizen but has an FM3 Visa to live in Mexico, He brought a 2007 Tahoe (Oregon Plates) to Puerto Vallarta wich is the city i live in, My dad got sick and moved back 2 the states again, he called me a few days ago and asked my to sell his car… by reading you article im sure that it cant be done.. on the other hand my dad cant drive all the way back to the states because of his medical condition… im not sure what 2 do??? i hope you can help out … Cheers Sorry for my spelling its been a while…. Reply

yucalandia says: August 22, 2011 at 7:38 pm

Giovanni, Is there any chance you could drive the car to the border to be sold? steve Reply

Cheryl says: September 4, 2011 at 9:18 am

Hi Steve, Great site, I’ve gleaned a lot of very helpful info. I have a 1990 Chev S10 pickup that I am driving down from Canada to Mexico. I have an FM3 and a residence in Mexico. I want to permanently import this car into Mexico i.e. get Sinaloa tags for it. What is the process to accomplish this? Any help you provide would be greatly appreciate. Thanks. Reply

yucalandia says: September 7, 2011 at 5:11 pm

Hi Cheryl, Since the vehicle is more than 10 years old, you cannot permanently import it. You may only bring it in under a Temporary Import permit. There are exceptions for classic cars, but yours does not qualify. steve Reply

Bill Glenn says: September 8, 2011 at 12:34 am

I have a 1970 VW that I would like to bring into Mexico. It is old enough for “vehiculos classicos”, but is not a NAFTA vehicle. Is there someway it can be brought in? Currently, I’m under a no inmigrante visa, living in Mazatlan, and have a 1988 van with foreign plates that I brought in years ago. I’m doing the research for several of us with old cars, so any help, or enlightenment, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Bill Reply

yucalandia says: September 8, 2011 at 8:22 am

Hi Bill, Good question. Your situation is unique, and I don’t know if there’s some exception that might apply or fees that could be paid. Do you have a visa/permit that would allow you to import it temporarily? (Inmigrante/FM2 or No Inmigrante/FM3) This sounds like a question for a lawyer familiar with Aduana’s rules on very old vehicles. Nothing we’ve read in the current Mexican laws allow it. steve Reply

Bill Glenn says: September 16, 2011 at 11:28 pm

Thanks for your reply. I may just haul it to the border with my RV, and see what happens. I can always drive the van out, turn in the permit, and reenter with the VW, as it then would count as an allowable auto under my No Inmigrante/FM3.

yucalandia says: September 18, 2011 at 5:44 pm

Thanks for the update. steve

Gunther Hepner says: September 18, 2011 at 9:28 pm

From my knowledge you are only allowed one vehicle to be brought in across the boarder with your FM Reply

Bill Glenn says: September 19, 2011 at 12:40 am

You are allowed to bring in both an RV and a towed vehicle in one person’s name. If you are under a 180 day visa, they both must leave Mexico before it expires. You can come back in on another 180 day, but your vehicle, or vehicles, cannot for another year. If you bring both in, and have a No Inmigrante, the old FM3, or the new FM2, or change to that status while in Mexico, you can leave one, or both , in Mexico when you exit, as long as your visa is valid. There are rumors that things may be changing next month, but nothing is known at this time. Reply

yucalandia says: September 19, 2011 at 8:45 am

Good points.

Jon says: October 3, 2011 at 10:41 am

I have a working FM2. Can I permanantly import a 10 year old car? If so, just to be clear, I am currently visiting in the US. If I enter MX before Nov 1, 2011, what must the age of the car be? Reply

yucalandia says: October 3, 2011 at 11:24 am

Hi Jon, Yes you are eligible to import one 10 year old vehicle. As I replied to Meir, Mexico Aduana defines model years as Nov 1 to Oct 31 – so, cars manufactured between Nov. 1, 2010 and Oct. 31 2011 are currently eligible for permanent importation (until Nov. 1, 2011 when the 2002 model years become eligible). steve – Reply

Jon says: October 3, 2011 at 12:57 pm

Thanks, but don’t you mean manufactured between Nov 1, 2001 and Oct 31 2001 are eligible. Also, I was under the impression that if I had a working FM2, I couldn’t drive a foreign plated car. Wouldn’t it be foreign plated until I had it legalized? or is it somehow automatically legalized when I cross into MX, maybe just a form to fill out at the border? Reply

christopher says: October 4, 2011 at 3:16 pm

Hi Steve, Thanks for all the great information on this site. I’m hoping you can answer this for me. Last Friday (9/30), I re-entered Mexico by car via Nogales in order to get my FM3 renewal paperwork in before the expiration date (10/4/11). I was cutting it close but knew I could make it to the immigration office in Bucerias on Monday (10/3). After crossing the border (at km 21) I obtained a car importation permit for my Honda, which of course shows an expiration date of my FM3, which is 10/4/11). I was told that I would need to visit the Aduana office in vallarta as soon as I had the paper from immigration proving that my FM3 renewal was being processed. On Monday (10/3) I went to the immigration office (in Bucerias) and submitted all of the renewal paperwork and should have my new FM3 card in 10 days or so. Right after I left the immigration, I went to the aduana window at the vallarta airport (where immigration told me to go) and showed them my FM3 renewal receipt, car importation papers, etc. After speaking with 5 different people, they told that I would likely need to visit a Banjercito office (closest one of which is in Guadalajara) to notify them in person of the renewal. This didn’t sound right to me, so they gave me the phone number to call for more information. That phone number is: When calling the number, I was transferred 5 times before speaking with someone who told me that I needed to speak to the Aduana office in Mexico City for instructions, and gave me a phone number, which turns out to be invalid. I’m now at a loss at what to do. In reading your notes, it appears I have 15 days to let the Aduana know that my FM3 has been renewed, however, no one at the aduana (vallarta airport) seems to know what to do with the information. I’m wondering if I should wait until I have the new card and then try going to them again, with a form letter like the one in your notes and see if that helps? Any advice is much appreciated. Reply

yucalandia says: October 4, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Christopher, Do you have an Aduana office that is not at an airport. Our local airport Aduana personnel also do not know the auto importation regulations, and airport Aduana offices do not accept these updates. Here in Merida, we too have to go to a different Aduana office to register the new INM visa approvals. The Banjercito office people also are not versed in these laws, and their computer databases simply show that your Aduana permission has expired with the old INM visa expiration date. You have to go in person to an ADUANA office, that is NOT at an airport to register the change. You still have time before your 15 day grace period expires to go to Aduana to register the new INM visa expiration date – unless you have not received your new INM approval and new expiration date. steve – Reply

christopher says: October 5, 2011 at 1:53 pm

Thanks Steve, I wondered about finding another aduana office here too but everyone I ask keeps pointing me to the airport. I’ll continue to look for one, thanks. On a side note, I was a little unclear about whether or not I should be able to obtain a multiple re-entry/exit permit at a different border crossing than Nogales. I do intend on leaving and coming back in, but Nogales will be way out of the way from my planned route. Thanks so much. Saludos, Christopher

yucalandia says: October 6, 2011 at 6:11 am

Christopher, All of the border crossing Aduana offices should offer the multiple re-entry/exit permits. steve –

William Resler says: October 7, 2011 at 7:30 pm

Greetings Steve, I have lived in Tlaxcala for seven years. I have a 1993 Mitsubishi and my friend has a 1990 Toyota. My friend has one more year on his FM2 and I have two more. From what I am reading we will not be able to keep our vehicles when we advance on from our FM2. Is that correct? Also as my operators license will be expiring next month can I drive my U.S. licensed car with a Mexican drivers license? Many thanks, Bill Only took me a year to find a up to date site that could give real info…I have sent your site onto other friends down here….Many thanks. Reply

yucalandia says: October 7, 2011 at 8:06 pm

Hi William, Are you convinced that you want to go on to a visa status that does not allow you to keep a car (e.g. Inmigrado or naturalized citizen) ? Instead, you could go back to the “equivalent” to a No Inmigrante/FM3 Rentista for 5 more years. But that’s a hypothetical, assuming that the new upcoming Inmigrante Temporal has a Rentista subcategory that allow expats to keep their foreign plated cars. Said another way: Most experts are expecting the new INM Regulacion to have a category or subcategory that allows expats to keep their cars with Temporary Import permits. OR maybe the new INM categories will have a subcategory in Residente Permanente that allows expats to keep foreign plated cars. We are all waiting to see the new Regulations, that are supposed to be issued before November 26. steve – Reply

Paulette O'Connor says: October 27, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Dear Bill, You have the best information out there. You need to write a book. I studied in Mexico for 5 years in Durango and every six months I had to drive back to the border to renew my permit. I was so excited when I read that foreign cars can remain legally in Mexico without having to return to the border by advising Aduana when you get your visa extended. My husband and I just got accepted to a 2-year school program in Leon.The school has advised us to enter as tourists and then change our status within 2 weeks of arriving. We are driving down from Canada with a small trailer to haul our things. My husband is Mexican and I am Canadian. The car we’re driving back to Mexico in is a mexican car, 2007, Altima, but the trailer it will pull is Canadian. Should I be the one temporarily importing the trailer? even though my husband’s mexican car is pulling it? We have another Canadian car, a 1993 Taurus, that is already in Ciudad Juarez. The car in Juarez(Taurus) is under my husband’s name. It is old and probably won’t be able to pull the trailer. Should I change the ownership of the car to my name? Can we do a change in status from tourist to student and then advise Aduana annually to keep the car and trailer in Mexico for 2 years and then return them to the border? Also, we will be taking dental equipment with us. How can we legally take it with us as we will be using this equipment for school? We are leaving next month and I will be anxiously waiting for any information. Thank you so much for all your advice. Sincerely, Paulette Reply

yucalandia says: October 27, 2011 at 3:40 pm

Paulette, Congratulations on being accepted by the program in Leon. You can certainly enter as tourists, and then apply for student status after you arrive. If you plan to keep the trailer in Mexico, then I would nationalize it, Either way, you could bring in the car and trailer together under a Temporary Import permit under your tourist visa. I would ask INM and Aduana when you enter if they are allowing students to use their Residente Temporal Estudiante visa to keep a Temporary Import permitted car in Mexico. The regulations for the new INM law are being written now, and none of us know what the categories will allow under the new rules (to be issued before Nov. 25?). You are allowed to bring in personal items and $50 of non-personal items when driving or walking across the border. Some people choose to make printed spreadsheet lists of everything named in Spanish and listed with prices, and to submit those lists as declarations to Aduana for assessing a 15% duty. Some other people choose to drive across the border declaring nothing, and hoping to get a green light and not get stopped. Some people cross easily with their trailers, never being inspected. Others get inspected, and have to pull out every single item. When we have crossed with trailers, Aduana has stopped us, looked at our lists, given us cursory inspections, and waved us through. There might be a “Paisano” program running when you enter Mexico, which means your husband can bring in many things duty-free under this program. Past “Paisano” programs have allowed up to $300 of goods to enter duty free. I wish I had a single answer to your questions, but your situation is a bit complex, and there is no way to know how Aduana will handle things for you and your jubbie, Once you are here, with your Temporary Permit for the vehicle, yes, you can notify Aduana of your new visa status & new expiration date, to protect your $400 cash deposit with Banjercito/Aduana. Safe Travels! steve Reply

Lesley Peter says: October 30, 2011 at 1:12 pm

Hello Steve, I would just like to run this past you for your take on the situation. We brought in a 2001 vehicle in June of 2011. We were on FMT’s at the time. In September we obtained out FM3’s. We did not know the exact process on what we should do for the vehicle, so we went to see Aduana. There, they told us that no action was necessary. So, now I am concerned that seeing these letter and document examples on the site here, and them not wanting anything from us do not jive. What would you do? Do you think we should just take the letter and documents back to them and try to get them to take them? They were adamant that they needed nothing from us. Also, the vehicle itself is a bit of a sticky situation. My Mom is living with us here. She is 90, has leg issues and needed a vehicle that allowed her a ramp to enter a vehicle, so instead of bringing our vehicle, she bought the 2001 van (only 40,000 miles) and used Wells Fargo to finance it. IT has only her name on the title. That cannot be changed until it is paid off. We were told by the authorities here that it was fine that my husband (son-in-law to my mom) was okay to drive it if she is in it or I am in it or he had the papers to connect him (marriage certificate) in the vehicle. IS this your understanding? And, my new concern is what will happen to the vehicle if my mom should pass away? And, if we were to pay this vehicle off, get one of our names on the title, how would that change the situation from the Aduana’s view point? If we were to change the vehicle title to my husband and myself, would that be an issue ? Which makes me wonder, if two foreigners, say two Americans, decided to make some kind of vehicle deal while here, say one bought a car from another, could that happen legally? Just curious on that one. I am kind of assuming it would be a nightmare! Thank you for any light you can shed on our issues. Lesley Reply

yucalandia says: October 30, 2011 at 1:51 pm

Hi Lesley, Does your mom have an FM3 Rentista ? If so, the rules say she is supposed to register any changes in INM visa status or renewals with Aduana, to preserve the deposit with Banjercito. – If she used a credit card to meet the “deposit” requirement, then it would seem to be ok. If you made a cash deposit, then it is good to get Aduana to register the change in visa status and the new (current) visa expiration date, so, Banjercito does not confiscate any cash deposit. If the deposit was secured as a CC, then just make sure you have a current FM3 for mom when you leave the country, and have Aduana remove the sticker when you leave – registering Mom’s new visa status when/if you leave Mexico. The most common situation with the police is that they might question if the driver is a family member (though this does not happen very often). I would keep a copy of Article 106 in Spanish in the car, along with a copy of her FM3 & passport, and copies of the driver(s)’ FM3’s & passports. A copy of your marriage certificate might help if the police got pushy. A copy of a letter (in Spanish) from your mother (with her FM3) stating that you and your husband (identifying both FM3’s and passport #’s) are her immediate family members and that she gives full permission for you and hubby to drive the vehicle (identify the vehicle and VIN and Temporary Import Permit number) in Mexico. These are not absolute 100% guarantees, but will satisfy almost all police requests (unless the driver has been drinking?). You might also check with your insurance agent, that they are in agreement that you 2 are covered when driving her car – a few insurance companies do not automatically recognize/authorize sons-in-law or daughters-in-law as permitted drivers. Your mom can sell you the vehicle, but then you are prohibited to drive it here, until you take it out of the country, return the sticker to Aduana/Banjercito, and then get a new title in your name, re-enter and pay the deposit and log the vehicle under the name & FM3 of the new owner (as listed on the new title). Hope that covers your questions. Give a shout if there’s more info needed, steve Reply

Lesley Peter says: October 30, 2011 at 4:02 pm

Hi Steve, Thanks for so much information, very helpful. I do have some confusion still though. We brought the van in through Lina, right on the dock in Progreso. So, you would think all the T’s and I’s would be crossed and dotted, but I am finding flaws. I was not there, just my husband and Mom went to pick it up. But, as far as I can tell, there was no fee ever charged in cash or as a possible future fee to a debit or credit card. I asked my husband about this and he insist they did not. He does say they paid around $300 pesos at the Army Bank. I just ran this past him again and he says the same thing. Didn’t take a credit card either. So, I am at a loss as to what happened. He tried to give them the change for the visa and they told him, no, it is good. You need to do nothing. He is not enthused about going back again! Mom has an FM3, we are all staying put here now. My glove box is stuffed with papers! I do have passport copies and a full compliment of other important documents (copies) including the Article 106 in Spanish and English. I do like the idea of a paper with my Mom’s permission, in Spanish, that is something I think would be very wise to have. Thank you! Our insurance is in all three of our names, specifically noting each one on the policy. Mom never drives (thank the Lord!) and I rarely drive (probably for the best too!). So we are good there. The last part on selling and vehicle ownership has some points that interest me. Now, if we paid off the vehicle, and added a name to the title, do you think that would change anything or make a difference to anyone. Just adding a name? We came in with just registration I believe, and permission from the financier, our state does not issue titles until the lien is removed. And the last question I have is this, since the car is a 2001, and ten years old, would it be better to nationalize it or could we even with the lien on it? Is it expensive to nationalize a vehicle? I am sure it is time consuming, no doubt, everything is! I guess I lied, and have one more question. I want to get this perfectly correct, now my husband has a US license, if he obtains a Mexican license, he is not allowed to drive the vehicle that is attached to my Mom’s FM3? Is that right or wrong? I won’t say it doesn’t make sense, because that is not germane. If he gets a Mexican license, he needs to have a Mexican plated vehicle? I have heard other claims that differ with this so I want to be clear. Thanks so much for indulging me and going over things that are addressed, I am such a rock head sometimes on this stuff. It is difficult sometimes to process the way it works because it seems so foreign. Thank you again! Lesley Reply

yucalandia says: October 30, 2011 at 4:30 pm

Hi Lesley, All seems good. The current pedimento and Temporary Import permit are in your mom’s name, so, even if you get the title issued under 2 names, you would still have to make a run to the border to get the van changed to your or hubby’s FM3. If you choose to hustle and get your van nationalized in mom’s name, I understand you would still need to go to the border to cancel out the Temporary Import permit and have Aduana/Banjercito remove the sticker. I mention hustling, because the 10 year old deadline for your vehicle ends TOMORROW, Oct. 31. Nov. 1, 2011 is the kick-off date for importing 2002 model year vehicles under the Aduana law’s rules. Since you have no clear title, then this option seems moot. Either way it is a 5 hour drive to the Chetumal/Belize border from Merida. I just realized that there’s a simple-er way to justify your hubby driving the van: ANY foreigner with the SAME INM visa category is permitted to drive the Temporary Import permitted vehicle. Since you, hubby, and mom all have FM3 Rentistas, then Article 106 clearly permits hubby or you to drive mom’s van. => NO LETTER NEEDED & No proof of relationship needed… This is one of several good reasons to keep a copy of Article 106 in the vehicle, (maybe with the key passages highlighted to make it easy for the police to find), since many officers do not know the Aduana laws and rules. I think we’ve got all the bases covered now, steve Reply

Kathleen says: October 30, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Great bunch of info in all these notes and your replies. I have another question regarding older vehicles. We have two vehicles here in Mexico: a 1991 and a 1997. Can we nationalize them? Kathleen Reply

yucalandia says: November 1, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Hi Kathleen, It seems that Aduana’s rules are in transition now, offering new services and changing some policies. Please check out our latest article: Mexican Custom’s New Importation Rules: Starting Nov. 1, 2011 at https://yucalandia.wordpress.com/2011/10/31/newaduanas-importation-rules-starting-nov-1-2011/ . Some Aduana web-sites say that you cannot permanently import older than 10 year old vehicles, unless they qualify as classic cars. As listed in our latest article, you could check out the Aduana VIN checker webpage and enter your information to get a report whether you are permitted to bring them in, and if they are allowed, get a report on the taxes & fees you would owe to import the vehicles. Our 1996 Ford Ranger is eligible, but would cost over $3,000 USD in taxes and fees – which is more than the truck is worth. It would be much cheaper to take the truck out of Mexico and sell it, and then use the $$$ to buy a better vehicle here. steve Reply

Lesley Peter says: October 30, 2011 at 6:20 pm

Steve, just so I am sure, are you saying he can have a Mexican license and because he is in the same FM3 Visa Category, he is okay? One more for you, if my Mom passed away, what would the circumstances be then? Thank you for all your time and answers! Lesley Reply

yucalandia says: October 30, 2011 at 8:43 pm

Lesley, “…he can have a Mexican license and because he is in the same FM3 Visa Category…” Exactly! (unless your state has some unusual state-specific special prescription against it in their Reglamentos de Transito??? – Each state can set it’s own driving requirements.) If Mom passes, then we understand you have to take the vehicle out of Mexico. You could either drive it out, and hope not to get in an accident or get stopped, or you could use the Safe Return program (described above) to drive it out legally, or you could have it loaded on a flat-bed and hauled out. All good, steve Reply

Lesley Peter says: October 30, 2011 at 8:53 pm

Thanks Steve, very clear now and very appreciative for your time and patience. Thank you so much! Lesley Reply

James Hart says: November 2, 2011 at 9:20 am

Wow! Great info here Steve. I have a question for your regarding the FMM. Here is the scenario. Back in February 2011 we crossed into baja and received our 180-day FMM. We had a blast down there and came back home, somewhere in my head I knew I had to return this FMM but it slipped my mind until this week! Now I am planning to return to Mexico on Dec. 1st. I am wondering what will happen with this expired FMM? Will I just be fined and issued another one? Will I be turned away since I already “spent” my 180-day visa up? I am kind of freaking out here, Mexico is the first leg of our Pan-American adventure! I need to get in! Also, I do not recall getting a vehicle import permit when we went to Baja, just want to confirm that this was not necessary even when traveling all the way to Cabo San Lucas. Now we plan to drive across Mexico and into Guatemala, Is there any difference in the vehicle import procedure when you plan to drive across instead of in and back out to the states? Here was my trip report back in March http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=51851 and here is our new blog for our PanAm trip! http://homeonthehighway.com Thank you sir, James Reply

yucalandia says: November 2, 2011 at 9:36 am

James, INM might nick you for $40 when you return to Mexico, but many people report re-entering with no problem. Re Car travel without a Temporary Import permit: The US State Dept gives a good description of the rules: “Tourists wishing to travel beyond the border zone with their vehicle must obtain a temporary import permit or risk having their vehicle confiscated by Mexican customs officials. At present the only exceptions to the requirement are for vehicles traveling in the Baja Peninsula and those vehicles covered by the “Only Sonora” program in Western Sonora. This program generally covers the area west of Mexican Federal Highway 15 between the Arizona border and the Gulf of California, ending in Impalme. ” As long you keep the vehicle in the Zona Frontera, Baja California, Western Sonora, etc, then you do not need a Temporary Import permit.(solicitud de importación temporal de vehículos). If you plan to drive outside these special areas, then you either have to drive back to the border, or better still: just get a Temporary Import permit when you cross the border. steve Reply

jamnkats says: January 15, 2012 at 3:47 pm

Actually La Paz, BCS will issue TIPs (when you take the ferry to the mainland).

Judson Omans says: November 2, 2011 at 10:27 pm

Great site, complicated topic. have just brought my boat to mexico on a 10 year temporary import. It was pulled by a car (that I will be returning to US shortly), but the boat has it’s own permit. I have only a 180 day FMM. I don’t know if any of the above discussion applies to boats, but the permit is eaxctly the same piece of paper/ window sticker, from Banjercito as a car temporary import. My question is if I apply for an FM2,can I just keep the boat there as long as I maintainmy FM2 ? And do I need to apply for the FM2 while my curret FMM is valid, or can I wait? I really want to avoid trailering the boat bck up to the border 10 years from now, and don’t wat to miss this window of oportunity. Kepup the good wrk. Reply

yucalandia says: November 3, 2011 at 2:29 pm

Judson, Sorry, we aren’t familiar with the rules on boats. I’d love for you to return here and write about what you find out for your situation, when you get it resolved. Best of luck, steve Reply

roy says: November 3, 2011 at 3:08 am

can i drive a Mexican number-plate car with my US driver license? I would like to borrow my mexican cousin’s car while I visit MX and do some traveling/driving on my own. Reply

yucalandia says: November 3, 2011 at 2:27 pm

Roy, Maybe yes, maybe no, because it depends on your state’s rules. Every Mexican state has its own Reglamento de Tránsito. Yucatan allows any licensed driver to drive a car with Yucatan plates, but Baja California requires that drivers of cars with BC plates also have a BC license. Read your state’s rules to find out, steve Reply

tobias says: November 4, 2011 at 7:30 pm

I have a question on your previous remarks “Leaving Mexico without your Vehicle Registered under an FMM: (Hint: Don’t).” I will be driving to Mexico from US in my car, and thereafter taking a return flight to Argentina and back to MexicoCity. I have tried to clarify from the aduana official over the phone if I will encounter any problem at the border while cancelling my vehicle-permit on my final return to US by road. I called aduana [[email protected]] 1 877 4488 728 from US, then click on option 7-2-2-1-1 to clarify the conflict of control-number between the first FMM (entry by car) AND the new FMM that I will be issued at the airport on my return from Argentina. THEY SAY THAT I SHOULDN’T HAVE ANY PROBLEM at the border while returning by car with the new FMM (entry by avion). Albeit, I somehow trust yucalandia’s opinion than the nice official who answered from the aduana. The toll free number to call the same aduana from Mexico is 1 800 46 36 728. Is Banjercito the final authority in such matters? Can I use a photocopy of my first FMM from the crossing-with-car to return the ‘permiso de importación temporal del vehiculo’? Can someone who has faced a similar circumstance please comment ? Thanks. Reply

yucalandia says: November 5, 2011 at 6:47 am

Tobias, Reports from people exiting Mexico over the past 6 months say that Aduana/Banjercito personnel have simply been removing stickers, and entering the sticker information into their databases to show that the person returned the sticker, without comparing the person’s current visa with the old sticker’s associated visa, so, the answer you got from Aduana makes sense with current procedures. steve Reply

robert leyva says: November 7, 2011 at 4:56 pm

I am a US citizen who has been living in mexico for about 20 years by using an FMM permit and renewing it and my car permit every 180 days. I live about 350 miles from the Nogales, AZ border and am getting tired of the trip to the border every 6 months and am thinking about upgrading to a FM3 permit but I’m not sure if the advantages outweigh the costs. I think the FMM costs about 20 USD per 180 days ($40 USD per year) and the car permit around $35 USD per 180 days ($70 USD per year). So about $110 per year plus the 2 trips. What would be the approx. cost per year with a FM3 including car permit? Also you mentioned “Exceptions to the rules: Cars over 29 years old also qualify for free importation as “classics”. The car i bring in is now 30 years old. I’ve never heard about that rule. Do you know where I can find more info about that? Thank you Robert Reply

yucalandia says: November 7, 2011 at 6:31 pm

Hi Robert, Check the Aduana site at http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_10175.html for info on importing classic vehicles. Use the Aduana VIN checker to determine your permanent import fees at http://paisano.prevalidadorcaaarem.org.mx/Cotizador/ . FM3’s cost $2801 pesos per year, but for FM3’s you must have an No Inmigrante Rentista visa to qualify to bring in a temporarily imported vehicle. See https://yucalandia.wordpress.com/living-inyucatan-mexico/moving-to-mexico-fmm-fm2-or-fm3/ for details on this. steve Reply

carol says: November 15, 2011 at 3:05 am

Awesome info Steve… thank you for summarizing it so well. I have read on other sites that on the tourist status entry, you are allowed to have a US plated vehicle only 180 days out of each year…. is that true? What do people do with their cars who go to the border to renew their tourist visa? Also… as an aside, I am curious… I am moving down next spring and will be working as an artist, selling locally and probably shipping some things back to US galleries as well What type of no inmigrante status would be best please? I understand there are many types of (former) FM3 visas. And as I understand it the maximum no. of yrs for a FM3 is 5 yrs? So what do people do then if they don’t have the income to qualify for an FM2? Thank you so much for your invaluable info. Reply

yucalandia says: November 15, 2011 at 10:47 pm

Carol, Thanks for the kind words. Since each FMM (tourist permit) are issued for 180 days maximum, an expat can only bring a car into Mexico for…. 180 days, because the expiration date for an auto Temporary Import permit from Aduana is their INM immigration permit expiration date. Change your immigration permit to FM3 No Inmigrante, extending your immigration expiration date by a year, and your car permit’s expiration date automatically gains a year – but you do have to notify Aduana of the change in INM expiration date. I am not an expert on the subcategories of No Inmigrante visas, but I would think that a working FM3: No Inmigrante Lucrativo would be appropriate. Ask at INM. At the end of a 5 years on a No Inmigrante permit, the current rules say to apply for a new No Inmigrante permit. Still, since the new regulations for the new law are due out at the end of November, check back to in December or January to find out what the new rules are. If you read our article on the new immigration law, your new category would likely be Residente Temporal, but we only know the general characteristics of this category for now; steve Reply

carol says: November 15, 2011 at 10:55 pm

Thanks Steve…. I wasn’t very clear in my question…. I had heard that the car permit for a tourist permit is only 180 days in any given year… so that if one exits and then gets ANOTHER tourist permit… they can then NOT get another car permit…. have you heard that? And… would really appreciate some input re the final question above: “And as I understand it the maximum no. of yrs for a FM3 is 5 yrs? So what do people do then if they don’t have the income to qualify for an FM2?” Thanks so much! Reply

yucalandia says: November 16, 2011 at 5:34 pm

Hi Carol, The answers to your questions are in my first reply – just not clear enough. 1. You are permitted to get a Temporary Import permit from Aduana for the time period of your INM permit. This means that if you choose to go to the border every 180 days, to get a new FMM, then your next new Temporary Import permit from Aduana is for the time period of your new FMM. and on and on and on. Sidelight: I’m not very interested in trying to understand, explain, or correct all the curious advice that is given to expats on the web, but I’ll respond this one time: I understand that some people on the web are telling expats that they can only get 1 FMM per year, but that’s just not correct. INM and Aduana have allowed foreigners to get serial FMMs and serial Temporary Import permits with each fresh FMM for at least 10 years. For every person (newbie?) who has recently read the letter of law for INM and Aduana (laws recently posted on the internet for everyone to interpret), and then they tell people their interpretations, there are also 5 who take the time to visit INM and Aduana offices and ask how the policies are actually implemented, and there are 10 more who have been traveling to the border and doing the FMM & Temporary Import dances successfully for years. 2. You asked: “And as I understand it the maximum no. of yrs for a FM3 is 5 yrs? So what do people do then if they don’t have the income to qualify for an FM2?” I replied: “At the end of a 5 years on a No Inmigrante permit, the current rules say to apply for a new No Inmigrante permit. Still, since the new regulations for the new law are due out at the end of November, check back to in December or January to find out what the new rules are. If you read our article on the new immigration law, your new category would likely be Residente Temporal, but we only know the general characteristics of this category for now.” I have bolded the key parts of my previous answer to you, to help them stand out. If these answers still don’t make sense, maybe you could re-phrase your question? Really, the old rules/law used to allow serial FM3/No Inmigrante permits, but NO ONE outside of INM officials know what the new rules will say – since they will not be issued until Nov. 25, 2011. You may find that it would be easier to apply for the new Residente Permanente under the new upcoming rules? Happy Trails, steve Reply

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david landry says: December 2, 2011 at 12:21 pm

hi , great info here, i do have a small problem in that i have lost my vehicle registration- i got a copy faxed from our authorities (ICBC) , but no original. – all other docs in order any thoughts on the chance of a successful temp import permit with only a copy of the reg? Reply

david landry says: December 5, 2011 at 11:11 pm

well i got the answer first hand – and sent back to the usa.:( orig docs only! Reply

yucalandia says: December 6, 2011 at 2:35 pm

Hey David, Thank you for writing back to describe that the Aduana/Banjhercito agents you worked with would NOT allow a copy of your car registration from the ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia ?). Sorry to hear that things did not work out… steve Reply

Gerald Wright says: December 9, 2011 at 11:40 am

Hi guy it’s great that your have this blog i can only hope that people learn from others experiances . We were the smart ones we left the country without turning in our 10 yr permit then sold the unit back in Canada . this year we were denied entry because of that act the paper chase started getting Canadian government documentation to prove the unit was sold in Canada. Then all that stuff plus request to have our oustanding permit cancelled in spanish were sent to Mexico City. Now after reading how long people have been waiting for the forgiveness of there sins we might as well give up and go home. So people take note if you break the Mexican laws you must pay the price. Reply

david landry says: December 11, 2011 at 4:38 pm

fyi – icbc will expresspost a new set original docs – took 4 days but we are now on the beach in mazatlan for a laugh – we removed the side view mirror of the ford expedition of the police chief in noajova with our rv awning! – there was some big police gathering and cars parked on the side of the road – his took up nearly half our lane and the guy in the next lane would not give – cops were awesome and super nice – they got the adjuster there in 10 min – and sent me on my way shortly after Reply

yucalandia says: December 11, 2011 at 5:20 pm

Hi David, Great news on both counts ! We hear so many stories of things not working well or going south, that it sure is good to hear your fine news. steve Reply

juan garcia says: December 12, 2011 at 7:41 pm

ok, so my import permit and fmm are due to expire on january 17th, now if i fly back to the border and get a new fmm visa does that mean that my car permit is still valid as long as my fmm visa is? or do i have to do something else to maintain the car permit valid? Reply

yucalandia says: December 13, 2011 at 12:48 pm

juan, ummmmmm, I think you may have a problem. How did you leave Mexico, and what did you do with your old FMM? When you drove or shipped the car into Mexico under a Temporary Import permit, you signed an agreement to take the car out of Mexico before your FMM expired. If you left Mexico without turning in your FMM, then your car is in limbo – and if you are stopped by the police, they could confiscate your vehicle permanently. When you left Mexico, you agreed to take the vehicle out with you. Your legal options are to get a 3-5 day permit from the Safe Returns program to drive the vehicle to the border (link listed above). You could continue to drive the car, illegally, since your old FMM is not valid, but you risk losing the vehicle permanently. There are reports from around the internet that some border crossings allow expats to re-enter Mexico using their old FMMs, while other crossings do not allow you to re-enter using your old FMM. If they let you in with your old FMM, then you can either file for a No Inmigrante/FM3 Rentista and then re-register the car with Aduana (in person) with your new FM3 and new expiration date, or… once back into Mexico with your old FMM, you would then take the car to a border, exit Mexico, and return under a new FMM and new import permit. If INM requires that you get a new FMM when you return, then your only legal option is the Safe Returns program – and a run to the border. Good luck, steve Reply

juan garcia says: December 13, 2011 at 5:35 pm

I am still in mexico but my fmm and car permit expire early next year, and i wish to stay here a couple more months, i was just wondering if i could fly back to tijuana(im in guadalajara jalisco) and renew or get a new fmm and keep my cars permit for a longer time without having to drive all the way back to the border.

yucalandia says: December 14, 2011 at 9:32 am

Juan, Having your FMM current in Mexico would allow you to file for a No Inmigrante Rentista FM3, which would allow you to keep the car in Mexico. Otherwise, you agreed to take the car out of Mexico when your FMM expires. steve

juan garcia says: December 14, 2011 at 3:49 pm

ok one more thing just to make sure, if i go back to the USA without the car, and come back right away with a new fmm visa(since supposedely your car permit is legal if you have a lagal tourist visa ) than would my car permit stay legal ? i just want to stay a couple of more months and i heard applying for an fm3 visa takes a lot of time and money Reply

Rick Beyer says: December 12, 2011 at 11:45 pm

Outstanding material! Thank you! My wife and I will be in Mexico for 3 months in early 2012. We are renting a condo and the owner has offered us the use of his USA plated vehicle. He has an FM3. We will be in country on FMM’s. In your opinion, is this saying we could have the vehicle confiscated when driving it without him? Reply

yucalandia says: December 13, 2011 at 1:17 pm

Hey Rick, The owner is very kind to loan you a vehicle. What he is offering is not legal, since you have a different classification of visa than his, so, he risks losing the vehicle if you drive it. He may have successfully loaned the vehicle many times, but not gotten caught. It would take a sequence of steps to get the vehicle confiscated. If the police stop you, they typically do not check the visa of the driver. If they check your visa, then they would also have to check the Temporary Import permit from Aduana, (which should be in the vehicle). Municipal and State police are not officially allowed to tow/confiscate the vehicle for Aduana Import Permit violations, but they do it anyway sometimes. Formally, the police are supposed to block-in (detain) your vehicle and you until Aduana officers arrive = sitting for hours(??). Then Aduana could permanently confiscate the vehicle, and you could be jailed (for days) for fraud, until your insurance agent makes a financial agreement to bail you out. If you got into an accident, then things could get very sticky, very fast. Some people report that some insurance companies would deny coverage for the accident when the car is being driven by an unauthorized driver. You would then typically sit in detention for 3-5 days (or indefinitely), with no food (unless youhave friends or family bringing you food), until someone made a financial arrangement with the police to pay for any and all damages claimed by the other party. => Unless someone could come up with a $10,000 – $50,000 US dollars or a bond, then you would sit in jail. His offer is kind, but if you had just a little bad luck: like someone turning left in front of you – coming from the right hand lane … – then you could be liable for all their damages and their injuries and any and all medical treatments etc – and if you have no insurance policy and no insurance agent coming to the accident site to represent you personally, then the police put drivers in indefinite detention until financial agreements are made. So, the car owner is likely protected by his insurance – so, he’s covered – with no worries – but you might find an ugly surprise for yourself if you had a little bad luck while driving. We’ve just had several gringos spend 4-5 days each in jail here in Yucatan because they were not covered for financial bonds to get out of detainment/jail. steve Reply

Kim Doland says: December 18, 2011 at 8:08 pm

Hi We are three couples who have set up a corporation in Progreso in order to purchase a property for a new Christian ministry. We plan to drive a 15 passenger Econoline down from Calgary, Canada and keep our Canadian plates on it. We just feel more comfortable purchasing a van from a reputable Canadian dealer plus we have a trailer full of equipment that we need to bring down with us.. We would like the flexibility to enable all 6 of us to drive this vehicle in the Progreso area. Will we all have to get our rentista FM2 or the FM3 visas prior to entering Mexico?. Should we register the vehicle in Canada under the name of our corporation? Would we all have to include our names on the vehicle’s registration papers from Canada? Would we all have to ensure that our FM’s had the same renewal dates on them? Are we dreaming or what….?? Reply

yucalandia says: December 18, 2011 at 8:44 pm

Hi Kim, 1. Authorized Drivers: If you get a Temporary Import permit at the border, then each driver has to have the same category of “visa” as the person who imports the vehicle. So you could all get FMM Tourist visas at the border for 180 days, or all apply for FM-3 Rentistas. Since you would be coming after Jan 1 2012, you will likely be covered by the new INM law => no FM3 – instead Residente Temporal. 2. Ownership Issues: I really don’t know the relative benefits or liabilities to having an individual or a corporation own the van. There might be insurance issues in having the Corp. own the van – etc – so I would talk with (pay) a professional to help advise you on the ramifications. (e.g. I could try to track down some of the information from our insurance agent, but that would likely take an hour of fooling-around to touch all the bases.) If you have the corporation own the van, then carry an official letter on Corporation letterhead stating exactly who is allowed to drive the van. Your choice of route through Mexico’s border states may actually be more important, due to the problems with gangs robbing people etc… The coast route is recommended by lots of expats at the beach, but that takes you through some of the most crime ridden states in Mexico – known for roadway robberies. The coast route is also slower due to 2-lane roads and lots of little towns with 1,000’s of topes. The routes through the center of Mexico only take you about 200 mile total out of your way – uses 4 lane expressways for most of the way – and makes for much safer driving and much faster travel and few topes. Overall, your plan seems reasonable, steve Reply

Kim Doland says: December 18, 2011 at 11:04 pm

Wow, Steve…a reply in less than an hour!! Thanks for the advice…..we will ask a professional in Canada who specializes in Mexican expat affairs. Now, what can you tell all of us about the new Residente Temporal – how is it different from the FM3 and/or FM2? Reply

yucalandia says: December 20, 2011 at 7:49 am

Kim, Check out our article on the New Immigration Law for details on Residente Temporal visas: https://yucalandia.wordpress.com/living-in-yucatan-mexico/new-immigration-law-published-for-mexico-the-article/ Our local INM office personnel were saying last week that the Reglamentos for the new law will be issued on Jan. 2, 2012 – kicking-off the beginning of using the new law. There are even reports of employee training being done to bring INM employees up to speed on all the changes. steve Reply

Ian Bourne says: January 2, 2012 at 12:16 pm

Hi Steve, I’m immensely impressed with your site and the trouble you go to, very kind of you. I have several questions. I have an FM3 and drove in my 1998 Lexus LX470 from El Paso about four years ago, getting the sticker in Cuidad Juarez at the auto stop on the way south ( a simple, quick and cheap process by the way) and we drove on down to our condo in Cancun. Now we would like to get the Lexus back to the US and sell it and bring in something newer. Can we hand in our sticker at aduana in Cancun and ship the vehicle back from Cancun to Miami and ship another vehicle in that way even though we drove it in from the northern border? Is there a difference in a sticker issued in Cancun from a ship importation to driving one in from the border, some people have told us that you can only drive in Q.Roo with the Cancun sticker ? Last question, we brought our 1998 Lexus into Mexico because there was no import tax on that year so we could always sell it in El Paso or Miami as it would be desirable to a Mexican citizen to import to Mexico. What is the current law about no import tax vehicles into Mexico, may be no longer an option. Thanks again, Ian. Reply

yucalandia says: January 4, 2012 at 5:43 pm

Hi Ian, You can have Aduana/Banjercito in Cancun remove the sticker, and issue you the document that proves you turned in your sticker, and that you have successfully cancelled your Temporary Import permit – when you take the vehicle out of Mexico. Let them remove the sticker. The Temporary Import permits work the same, whether you enter at Nogales, Matamoros, Chetumal, or Cancun. Same driving priviledges and responsibilities and restrictions where ever you drive in Mexico, regardless of what Aduana/Banjercito office issued the permit. Only 8 and 9 year old vehicles are being allowed in for permanent importation and nationalization at fees of roughly $1,500 – $3,000 USD per vehicle – based on the NADA Blue Book value. Classic cars more than 30 years old qualify. Other vehicles can be brought in, but at very high import duties. Hope this all helps, steve Reply

Ian Bourne says: January 4, 2012 at 6:50 pm

Hi Steve, Thank you so much for that information, so if I am getting that right I can book a shipping freight company for the Lexus out of Cancun, have the Aduana remove the sticker on departure and then ship in a replacement vehicle from Miami back to Cancun. I can then get a replacement sticker when the new (used) vehicle comes in at Cancun. The sticker and rules are then the same as before. Are you in Merida ? I owe you a dinner, we have a condo in Cancun and will be there Jan 17 to Feb 8. Thanks again, Ian. Reply

yucalandia says: January 5, 2012 at 12:08 pm

Ian, Thanks for kind offer. Give us a shout when/if you come over to Merida. Yes, you can have Cancun Aduana handle both the cancellation of the old permit and issuing a new permit. I understand that the Ports require the expat to hire a Customs Broker to handle to details. So, you may need to contact a Customs Broker, especially to import the replacement vehicle. steve Reply

Nathan says: January 30, 2017 at 3:07 pm

Hopefully this is still monitored… We entered Mexico via Baja California Jan 2016. We got our 180 days TIP in La Paz. We then went to Belize and renewed for 180 more days on a new TIP which expired Dec 18 2016. We flew from Cancun to Florida around then and are now back (leaving our vehicle here while we were gone). I called Banjercitos and Aduana, both of whom said we couldn’t get a permit for various reasons. Now we don’t know how to drive back to Texas legally… We went to immigration in Cancun (Puerto Juarez) which is right near Banjercito there too. Banjercito said they don’t do the TIP at all. Aduana near the airport said they only deal with shipping vehicles in. I saw the 5 day permit you can get in Mexico City…but we’re far from there. We also would never be able to make it out of Mexico from Cancun in 5 days anyway, as our vehicle is a 1978 Volkswagen Bus and it just doesn’t go that far, that fast. Any ideas? Reply

yucalandia says: January 30, 2017 at 8:12 pm

Hi, You understand parts of your situation correctly. You signed a vehicle Temporary Import Permit (TIP) contract, agreeing to take your vehicle out of Mexico BEFORE your tourist visa’s were expired or surrendered/cancelled. By flying out of Cancun, without previously cancelling your vehicle TIP, you broke your agreement with Aduana/Banjercito. … When we fly out, we have to surrender our 180 day visitante visas. Unfortunately … You broke the published rules, and… Your vehicle became immediately illegal to driven when you surrendered your visitor visa to fly out… potentially losing even insurance protection in the event of an accident. Read the section in the article above on RETORNO SEGURO permits … designed exactly for your problem. ~ What to Do If Your Car Becomes “Illegal” – The Retorno Seguro Program / Permit https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-in-mexico/#What to Do If Your Car Becomes Illegal ALTERNATELY… because you are in Q. Roo … an Aduana/SAT designated FREE ZONE (like Baja California) … you can (WITH CURRENT INSURANCE AND CURRENT LICENSE US PLATES & REGISTRATION) drive to Belize … at the Subteniente Lopez border crossing outside Chetumal… There: officially Surrender your old TIP. and apply for & get a new TIP to use to easily drive back to the USA within 180 days. https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/updates-to-aduana-inm-banjercito-procedures-for-visas-andimporting-cars-the-article/ Enjoy some truly duty free shopping in the Free Zone of Corazol … and motor your way back home with broad smiles, steve

Ian Bourne says: January 5, 2012 at 5:57 pm

Thanks Steve for all the advice, I’ll get you before we visit Merida the next time, best wishes for 2012, Ian. Reply

frode hovland says: January 6, 2012 at 10:54 pm

Hello! I am a Norwgian that want to import a vehicle from the states to mexico. Do anyone know if the import rules are the same for me as for the Americans? Reply

yucalandia says: January 7, 2012 at 8:54 am

Good Morning Frove, The rules say nothing about the nationality of the immigrant matching the nationality of the vehicle. Canadians buy US vehicles and import them, so, the rules are the same for you. steve Reply

David Glover says: January 25, 2012 at 10:12 am

Iam a canadian who has just purchased a 2006 toyota highlander in Houston, texas. In the process of applying for MF3 at the Mexican consulate in canada and moving to Mexico in February, 2012. The dealer will give me a 30 day tag/permit to transport the vehicle. The insurance company will cover me. How do i register the vehicle pryor to entry and get a plated vehicle. How have other canadians who have purchased a US vehicle done this so as to import one to Mexico. Since I am importing to Mexico do I have to pay Texas sales tax? I would appreciate your suggestions

yucalandia says: January 25, 2012 at 6:43 pm

Hi David, You can pre-register the car online at the Aduana website, or you might find it easier to do at the border crossing. At the border, INM will give you an FMM that is good for 6 months. You can use your FMM to qualify to temporarily import your car through Aduana. I am not familiar with how you could get a Texas tag, unless you get a Texas mailing address. Each Mexican state has different requirements for keeping your car’s registration current in future years. This means that you might have trouble driving on expired plates from Texas, depending on where you live or drive. If you go to a Mexican state that requires current US or Canadian registration for temporarily imported cars, you may need to register your vehicle in South Dakota. The Clay County DMV in South Dakota has a good reputation among expats for providing ongoing registrations, license plates, etc. for people who do not have US addresses. It’s all legal, they are very helpful, and I think it would be easiest if you got this done before you enter Mexico. Mexconnect has several very good discussions on how to do this. Check out this example: http://www.mexconnect.com/forums/General_C1/Living,_Working,_Retiring_F4/South_Dakota_car_plates_P165525/ Where are you headed in Mexico? All the best, and Happy Trails, steve

Kathleen says: January 13, 2012 at 1:20 pm

With reference to importing vehicles, I just heard about a Onapaffa Permit for foreign vehicles especially older vehicles. We have a 1997 and a 1991. Would having this permit cancel the records of their importation at Aduana and could we then sell them? One of them, the 1997, doesn’t run and no matter what mechanical work is done it won’t run and we therefore can’t drive it to the border to return it’s sticker. We would like to sell it for parts, but first it has to be removed from the system. Any comment? Kathleen Reply

yucalandia says: January 13, 2012 at 3:03 pm

Kathleen, We enjoy following the discussions on a number of expat boards around Mexico and the BajaNomad board had the best answer we’ve seen describing ONAPAFA, and I think it’s best to give credit – and not paraphrase things – and not just make citations of the web address, because so much content on the web disappears or changes over time. Anyway, here’s an unaltered set of pertinent quotations: “HaciendaCerritos – 11-5-2009 at 12:02 AM Wrote: A whole lot of Mexican’s use Onapaffa. Let me explain why. My truck was registered in the US and it was not eligible for importation yet because of it’s age, but my mexican husband could not legally drive it with US plates on it. Onapaffa allows Mexicans to drive vehicles with US plates during the process of importation (as long as it has an Onappaffa sticker on it and they have the Onappaffa ID card in their name in the vehicle)- which in some cases can take up to 5 years and you have to pay a fee every year at onapaffa to get a new annual sticker from them. My truck took almost 5 years to complete but he could drive it legally during that time with no problems. His uncle did the same thing with a car I brought down for him. The problem is that at the end of the 5 years, he was notified that the vehicle could not be imported because it was Japanese. He lost all the money he paid out. I have not known of Americans who use this process, that doesn’t mean they don’t use it – I am just personally unaware of any. I would think it a viable option. They say that you cannot cross back into the US with a vehicle that has a Onappaffa sticker on it, we proved that wrong with another of my vehicles which I did keep valid plates on and we did cross the border with no problem back into California at TJ. Once you have your vehicle legally imported, there may be some restirctions as to how far you can take it into the US – you may want to check that out if you do plan to return it to the US.” continuing from another poster: “Be careful of trying to import your vehicle through ONAPAFA. They do not have the legal authority to do this. They are a group formed by local Mexicans to protest annual license taxes on imported vehicles. (Imported vehicles are required to pay a higher annual license fee than Mexican manufactured vehicles are required to pay.) The “permit” that ONAPAFA issues is not an import permit. It is a membership fee to join the protest group and you are required to pay a monthly fee thereafter. You will be issued a sticker for your vehicle window and told that only the applicant for the permit may drive the vehicle. If you are stopped by the police for an infraction or inspection the police will ask to see your ONAPAFA papers and verify that you are the authorized driver of the vehicle. The ONAPAFA group is lobbying in Mexico City for a change in taxation laws so that imported vehicles are not required to pay higher annual license fees. The fees that are paid to ONAPAFA are not for the expense of an import permit, they are fees to support the expense of their lobbying effort. Vehicles displaying the ONAPAFA permit have not previously been issued tickets for invalid papers. The protest group has been tolerated by authorities because it is a “hot potato” political issue. Legally ONAPAFA members are in violation of state and federal laws and risk having their vehicles confiscated at any time that the government is no longer tolerant of their grassroots protest.” http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?fid=1&tid=42255&action=printable So, it seems that there is no real official ONAPAFA permit, especially for foreigners – but that there is a ONAPAFA sticker that Mexicans can buy and then pay a group annually to renew – and that this is not an official program – and that the Mex. Gob. might shut it down at any point??? But as an expat who has no opinions on politics or the government, I have no opinion on this matter. Reply

Kathleen says: January 15, 2012 at 12:37 am

Thank you for the very detailed answer. Obviously this won’t work for me. There’s got to be a way to get my undriveable vehicle off the system. Any idea how? Reply

yucalandia says: January 15, 2012 at 10:23 am

Kathleen, Turn it in (surrender it) to Aduana. Aduana is the issuer of the permit, and they have a program for accepting Temporarily Imported vehicles, where they cancel your old permit, freeing you to bring in another vehicle. Or have it hauled to the border and sell it. steve Reply

carol says: January 15, 2012 at 12:51 am

Someone on the SMA civil list said that in these types of situations you could just take your paperwork to the Mexican car permit people and explain the situation, and maybe pay a slight fine and they would terminate the permit. Worth a try. Reply

Kathleen says: January 15, 2012 at 2:00 pm

Thank you for this. For the Puerto Vallarta area do I go to the Aduana office at the Puerto Vallarta airport or is there another office that covers vehicles? This is definitely worth a try, thanks again, Kathleen Reply

carol says: January 15, 2012 at 2:04 pm

Sorry Kathleen… I really don’t know. One of the local expats should know? Or perhaps you can call a consulate in the US to get the info? Or perhaps search online? Good luck…. I’m sure you can do it once you find the right office. It may take going to the airport to find out if there is a different place. Carol Reply

Kathleen says: January 15, 2012 at 3:54 pm

Thanks again and when I find out where and what the procedure is I’ll post it. Wish me luck. Kathleen Reply

Judson Omans says: January 19, 2012 at 10:20 am

I need to obtain a pedimento for a trailer that is already in Q.Roo under a temporary permit. Does anybody know any contacts for Custom Brokers (Agente Aduanal) around Playa Del Carmen? I need email address. Prefer Broker that speaks English, Thank you, Jud Reply

Steve spick says: January 25, 2012 at 3:04 pm

Hey there Love your site , very informative . I am a canadian working in mexico on an Fm3 visa. I recently purchased a used 2001 suburban that has been nationalized. I went to transfer ownership to my name and was asked for a mexican drivers licence . I have been driving for two years with my canadian drivers licence but i have been stopped twice recently and the police told me also that i must obtain a mexican drivers licence. Question . Are there any special requirments for me to get a drivers licence??? Reply

yucalandia says: January 25, 2012 at 6:16 pm

Hey Steve, The rules for driver’s licenses are controlled by each State, so each State has their own requirements. Ask at your State’s version of the DMV. e.g. Here in Yucatan, there is no requirement for immigrants to get Mexican driver’s licenses, while I understand Baja California and other States require them for expats living there. steve Reply

Ian Bourne says: January 26, 2012 at 8:58 am

Hi Steve, I tried to send you an email on the home page but could not see a way, sorry, we are in Cancun until Feb 7 and we owe you a dinner (not coming to Merida this time) if you will be this way. I had no idea your web site had all this info about Mexico in general, fantastic site. Apologies for using this as communication, Ian. Reply

yucalandia says: January 26, 2012 at 3:46 pm

Ian, All Good! steve Reply

Rachel says: January 26, 2012 at 2:32 pm

Hi Steve, Am living in Tulum and looking at buying a car. If I buy a car here, can I then drive it out of the state and out of the country to return to Canada? I am getting mixed info here… From a friend who has questions, as well: if you drive an RV in on a 10 year permit, can you then fl home, buy a car from US or Canada and drive in with that car? Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: January 26, 2012 at 3:46 pm

Hi Rachel, Is the car plated in Mexico? If it was manufactured for the Mexican market, it may not meet emissions or safety standards for permanently importing to Canada??? If you are buying an expat’s car who originally imported it from Canada or the US then it should meet Canada’s requirements for safety and emissions standards. I know friends who temporarily imported a car on one trip, and an RV later on a second trip. steve Reply

Rachel says: January 26, 2012 at 7:12 pm

Cars I am looking to buy are plated in Mexico. Finding one plated from Canada or US much tougher… I just didn’t want to buy and then find out I can’t cross the border with it as I need to drive my dog and cat with me.

yucalandia says: January 27, 2012 at 7:43 am

Carol, Good thinking. You would be able to drive the car across the border, but you would have difficulty licensing it there. Obviously, cars can be upgraded to meet Canadian and US safety and emissions standards, but the cost of retrofitting most cars is just not worth it. If you had purchased a Mercedes for a very cheap price in Europe, it could be worth the expense of retrofitting it for importation as a “grey market” car, but Mexican cars cost so much that the added expense of retrofitting them make it cheaper just to buy a car in the US or Canada. steve

Rachel says: January 28, 2012 at 10:14 am

Thanks, Steve! Appreciate the advice and helps with my decision! Reply

Kim says: January 29, 2012 at 6:53 pm

Hey Steve We will be driving a truck AND utility trailer with Alberta plates on them, into Mexico in March. I am wondering if I will also have to register the “trailer” at customs on a temporary 180 day permit that is also linked to my 180 day tourist visa? Am I correct in assuming that when I leave Mexico, I will have to take BOTH the truck AND trailer with me? Alternatively, I will likely apply for my FM3 once we are in Mexico and then I can re-new the truck AND trailer permit on an annual basis at the same time as when I renew my FM3 – am I correct? Then I can leave BOTH the truck and trailer in Mexico, even when I have to fly home, right? I have also heard that when I cross the border, I should register the names of any person that I wish to give permission to drive our truck when we are in Mexico. Do you know if there is a limit to the number of names that are allowed? (We wish to allow many staff members of our ministry to drive it…) Please confirm my assumptions or set me on the right track…. Thanks a lot! Kim Reply

yucalandia says: January 29, 2012 at 7:43 pm

Hi Kim, Wow, you really have done your homework well. Correct, correct, correct, …OK… (Oll Korrect). If you only have the FMM, then you have to take both out. If you have an FM3 or FM2 Rentista, then you can keep them here as long as your visa does not expire – and you notify Aduana of your visa changes and renewals. One possible note to realize is: Temporary Import permit vehicles can be driven by any immigrant with the same visa category as the current INM visa holder => if you have an No Inmigrante(FM3) visa, then other FM3 holders can also drive it. Same with FMMs – which would seem to let everyone in the group who also has FMMs permission to drive it. Read Article 106 above if you are unsure – and keep Spanish and English copies of Article 106 in the vehicle if you are stopped. steve Reply

Angela says: February 3, 2012 at 1:46 pm

Steve, What a wonderful resource! Thanks for all the information you are sharing. My parents just drove their 2003 Ford to Mazatlan, where they own a condo. Unfortunately, they didn’t figure out in advance that they needed to pick up a sticker at the border and the border agent just waved them through. Now, 2 weeks into being in Mexico, they just learned that they need the sticker and that their vehicle could be impounded. Their options are to drive 600 miles, take a $500 ferry, or order the sticker online. I *think* I’ve found the correct website to fill out the application (banjercito, importacion temporal de vehiculos, right?) and we can get the sticker to them after it is sent to their home in the US. Will they still need to do something when they get it, though? Will they still need to drive to the border or anything? Any advice you can offer while we attempt to legitimize them would be appreciated! Reply

yucalandia says: February 4, 2012 at 7:56 am

Angela, Yes, the sticker must be recorded (in person) by Aduana/Banjercito personnel at the border and the Aduana/Banjercito personnel install the sticker on the windshield at the border, and enter the final registration information into their database. If your parents are concerned about having the vehicle permanently confiscated before they get to the border, they could apply for the Safe Returns program listed above. This program issues a special permission that gives the owner a 3-5 day window to drive to the border legally. Advice: Apply through the Safe Returns program. If they do not want to risk having the vehicle confiscated, then don’t drive it until they get the Safe Returns 3-5 day permit. steve Reply

Jack Mann says: February 28, 2012 at 1:40 pm

Steve, Thank you for all the great information. After I have my FM3 visa would you comment on which is better, to buy a car in Mexico or to bring from US. It would not matter to me, but from what I have read it appears buying in Mexico may have some advantages. Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: February 29, 2012 at 8:08 am

Hey Jack, You could try to find vehicles in the US that have counterparts here in Mexico: e.g. a Ford Ranger pickup or Nissan Sentra – (vehicles that meet NAFTA requirements if you want to do a permanent import), but even the Nissans do not use exactly the same parts. The Nissan brakes are similar, but need modifications, belts are different, alternators & starters are similar but need modifications, etc. For these reasons, I’d plan on finding a good used vehicle here, so that it’s easy to repair. If you live in a rural area in Mexico where it’s hard to find a good used car, instead I would plan to buy a US manufacturer vehicle back in the USA – because they don’t have the parts issues that the Japanese vehicles do. steve Reply

elizabeth says: March 4, 2012 at 12:50 pm

hello, i have an american friend that bought a car while in mexico, from another american. They were told that it was legal for an american to sell a car to another american in Mexico? The last time the vehicle was driven into the country by the original owner, they did not get a temporary permit sticker. However the title and registration was signed over to the new owner, legally in the US. The original owner now has a new and legally permitted car in Mexico. The old car and new owner are now trying to figure out how to drive the car back to the states on an FMM, and zero importation sticker , except they have an Onapafa sticker/mex insurance/valid drivers license and title. Will this car be seized at the boarder? If the original owner drives with the new owner back to the US, because their name is on the original title, will that work? or will the the original owner be punished bc they sold the car in mexico? Will the boarder police will check and know? thank you, i know this sounds confusing. Reply

yucalandia says: March 4, 2012 at 8:11 pm

Hello Elizabeth, Since they have no sticker from Aduana/Banjercito, they do not need to stop at Aduana as they leave Mexico. In theory if they were stopped by the Mexican police for an accident or traffic stop while inside Mexico, the car could be confiscated, because the Onapafa sticker does not officially replace Aduana stickers. Because of the potential hassles for the police to have to deal with Onapafa, the police tend to ignore the violation of Aduana rules (no TIP) for cars with Onapafa stickers. Your friend can simply drive to the border, and use their US title to get the car registered after they cross into the US – like in Texas. Texas used to issue temporary 30 day registrations to Americans entering Texas from Mexico while driving on expired plates from another US state. I do not know Texas current regulations on this. Give us a shout on how Texas does things now. Happy Trails, steve Reply

elizabeth says: March 4, 2012 at 10:04 pm

thank you Steve, this helps alot. I forgot to say, that there has been a problem with the title bc it is ‘signed over’ legally in the states , but the federales think it looks weird, bc the new owners name is on the back. and start to question. because I have heard from my friend that mainland mexico is more strict than Baja, could driving through baja be a better bet not to be hassled by the federales. ? (the car is a sporty and expensive looking for certain areas in Mexico, with tinted windows , so it does cause curiosity, which is very frustrating to my friend, who has been ‘accused’ of suspicious behavior, and fined only while trying to visit a mexican market!) So maybe Baja is better, but the US registration would have to be up to date? That would mean getting on the ferry in La Paz. Do you know if they check all car documents at the ferry point? Just an idea. I believe my friend is willing to tip whatever the officers ask , bc the confiscation of the car would be a much greater loss. Im assuming that crossing back into the US, a US car needs proof of US insurance? or will they take ‘international travel’ coverage. sorry for so many questions. thank you ! Reply

yucalandia says: March 5, 2012 at 8:22 am

elizabeth, As I wrote before, the car is actually not legal to drive in Mexico without the Aduana/Banjercito sticker. If your friend wants to take the safest route out of Mexico, use the method described above in the article: Safe Returns program. The Safe Returns document gives the owner 3-5 days to legally drive the car out of Mexico – no questions asked. They can get insurance at the border – or apply by phone or online first. I do not know what “international travel” coverage means for their company – so, it is up to them to contact their ins. co. & find out if their coverage continues in the USA. steve Reply

elizabeth says: March 5, 2012 at 10:01 am

hello, thank you for the information, i have heard about the safe returns program, but couldn’t find it in english on the banjercito website. do you have a link? im greatful for all your advise , this will help my friend alot. Will the banjercito recognize that the ‘owner’ is the new one signed over the american way on the back of the original title? Reply

yucalandia says: March 5, 2012 at 11:24 am

elizabeth, Did you read the Aduana / SAT site on Safe Returns? http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_10027.html I couldn’t find anything on the Banjercito website about Safe Returns. I think your friend has gotten themself deep into breaking Mexican laws, so we propose that the actual owner of the vehicle file for the Safe Return. We do not advocate lying or deception here at Yucalandia – and there are so many layers of broken rules in this case, that we think that that your friend should talk with an attorney about what legal options they have here in Mexico. Alternately, if you read the SAT – Aduana site on Safe Returns it clearly says that the legitimate cases for applying for a Safe Returns permit (Supuestos de aplicación) include your friend’s situation: “Propietarios de vehículos ilegales“. If your friend took the time now to legally register their purchase of the auto in the United States, and got an official title from their US state of residence, then your friend would clearly be the legal owner and could legitimately file for a Safe Returns permit. Without a title with your friend’s name printed on it, we do not know Mexican law on this dubious situation, so, we do not know who the official owner of the car is in the eyes of the Mexican Gob. A good lawyer may be able to help you determine who has proper legal standing as the owner to file for the Safe Returns program – or just register the sale of the car in the US and get a title listed in your friend’s name. Your friend will need a title anyway – so, we advise: apply for a title and kill multiple birds with one stone. Happy trails, steve Reply

Mark says: March 8, 2012 at 4:26 pm

Hi Steve I temporarily imported a car into Puerto Morelos from Miami 9 years ago on an FMT visa. As my my temporary import permit expired I renewed it every 180 days at the Banjercito office in Cancun. The car has not been used for 2 years and the permit expired in 2009. My residency status has not changed, but I now re-entered the country on an FMM a few days ago. A European friend recently offered to buy the car from me. Is there anything to prevent me from driving to Chetumal. carry out the cancelling of the temporary import under my name, cross the border out of Mexico, sign the title over to my friend and for him to then cross the border with car under his name into Mexico to carry out the temporary import under his name. The second part of the question is my only option of legally exiting the country with the car applying for the safe return permit? Thanks in advance for the abuse of your knowledge and time. Reply

yucalandia says: March 8, 2012 at 7:06 pm

Hi Mark, Thank you for the clear description of the specifics of your situation, and for your clear questions – plus, it shows that you have done your homework before asking for help – Much Appreciated! Your plan to go to Chetumal and transfer the car to your friend at the border appears very sound. Your friend’s case to bring the car back into Mexico could be aided by you providing a letter (in Spanish) describing your name, your friend’s name, key passport information for each of you, and further describing that you have have sold him the car (list the VIN and licensing / registration information) and that you give him your full permission to import the car into Mexico, drive the car in Mexico, and use the car as he chooses. Date the letter with the same date as the sale and title transfer. The issue of needing the Safe Returns permit is a bit murky for Quintana Roo. There is a good case to be made that Q, Roo is a special tourist zone (like Baja California), and that you do not need a TIP to drive a foreign plated car within Q. Roo, (especially within 20 km of the coast). Aduana, Banjercito, and police have given contradictory advice on this point – and there are many many expats reports that they drive their foreign plated cars in Q. Roo with no Temporary Import Permits. So, other than that, I have no other advice to give on this. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Mark says: March 9, 2012 at 8:15 am

Hi Steve Many thanks for the info and the prompt response. I’ll keep you updated on how it all goes. Mark

yucalandia says: March 9, 2012 at 6:06 pm

Great!

veronica says: March 10, 2012 at 12:22 pm

Hi, I have a temp car permit as Fmm, can it be renewed without going to the border, like in guadalajara, jalisco? Thanks for your time! Reply

yucalandia says: March 10, 2012 at 9:16 pm

Hi Veronica, You can either get an Inmigrante Rentista (FM2 with outside investment, pension or savings income) or No Inmigrante (FM3) permit from INM, and go to Aduana to get a letter certifying that you have extended your INM permit expiration date – or – go to the border and renew both your FMM and TIP. When you signed the paperwork for the Temporary Import Permit, you agreed to take the car out of Mexico before your INM permit expires. steve Reply

Mark says: March 12, 2012 at 8:25 am

Hi Steve To update you on my trip to the Belize border for anyone who wants to sell their car to another foreign passport holder. I drove to Subteniente Lopez (Chetumal / Belize) border town and crossed out of Mexico. Upon crossing the border there is a Banjercito office on your left with a car park. I removed the temporary import sticker from the windscreen and along with the remainder of the permit presented it at the Banjercito office. They took a foto of the VIN on the car and within 5 minutes gave me the receipt that my permit had been satisfactorily cancelled. My permit was 2 years out of date but they didn’t even question it. I went through at least 6 different police roadblocks along the way and they didn’t question it either. The person I was selling the car to went with me. I endorsed the title to him and he presented it along with his passport and immigration form to Barjercito and no problem at all, within 15 minutes he had his permit to reenter the car into Mexico under his name. They didn’t ask for any other documentation just the endorsed title. It was the same Banjercito person who completed the process and we told her in advance what we were going to do. My experience with Banjercito has varied according to the person you are dealing with but in this case it was easy and efficient. Thanks for the help and I hope this helps someone else in the future. Reply

yucalandia says: March 12, 2012 at 1:23 pm

Hi Mark, Thanks for the highly detailed and informative report. Your update is dandy ! steve Reply

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wkramer says: March 23, 2012 at 10:01 am

I bought a car in Mexico while I had a valid FM3. It was registered legally in Mexico City and all tenencias and inspections are up to date. My FM3 expired and I did not choose to renew it. Is my car still legally registered in Mexico? Reply

yucalandia says: March 23, 2012 at 6:33 pm

Hey wk, Nope. The car is not legal to drive, and it could be permanently confiscated at a reten, or routine traffic stop, or if you have an accident. steve Reply

Jarl Tom Lepisto says: March 29, 2012 at 7:14 pm

I live in Playa del Camen, Have had a FM3 rentista Visa and own a 2000Lexus, made in Japan, and can’t get Mexican Plates. I’ve been getting TIP’s in Chetumal. Because of health reasons I didn’t get a current TIP and am wondering what the penalty is when I renew the TIP. I have also heard that I do not need a TIP because Q. Roo is a free zone. Your help is greatly appreciated Reply

yucalandia says: March 30, 2012 at 7:50 am

Jarl, Since you kept your FM3 current, then your TIP automatically remained current. You are supposed to register the INM FM# renewals and your new expiration date with Aduanas every year. By not notifying Aduana of your renewed FM3, you may have lost any cash deposit you made with Banjercito for the TIP. If you used a credit card to hold your deposit, but no charge was made by Banjercito, then you likely have no loss of deposit. Go to Aduana, submit your letter describing your car and your new INM info. Aduana will give you a letter to carry in your car confirming your current TIP expiration date. We have heard no definitive ruling by Quintana Roo officials saying that foreign plated cars must have a TIP. Since you already have a TIP, you should keep it’s expiration date current by notifying Aduana every year, which allows you to drive the car outside of Q. Roo. steve Reply

Jarl Tom Lepisto says: March 29, 2012 at 7:15 pm

To clarify, I didn’t get a TIP for last year on my Lexus. Reply

Jarl Tom Lepisto says: March 30, 2012 at 12:32 pm

Thanks for th good news! You have a great, informative web site, I would also suspect that I need to keep my current car license plates up to date. Thanks again for everyting! Reply

Dean Rietz says: April 13, 2012 at 10:13 am

I have a 1999 Honda with MN plates in Acapulco. The car is legal under a FM3 and has been registered with the Aduana each year. I would like to ship the car back to the US or have someone legally drive it to the US. Is this possible and, if so, how can it be done? Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: April 13, 2012 at 12:27 pm

Hi Dean, If you use a shipper, they will provide the details of what they want. If you find a driver, they need to be either a family member or have a Mexican visa of the same category (FM3) as yours. Are you taking the car out of Mexico permanently or temporarily? Expats report that Aduana/Banjercito requires the original Aduana/Banjercito paperwork/document for any transactions/filings at the border – copies are not accepted, so, you might have to send the car with it’s original Aduana temporary import permit on its trip to the border. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Mark Sprague says: April 16, 2012 at 9:54 pm

My wife and I are attempting to ship our 2011 Subaru from Vancouver to Manzanilla. We were just informed that it may not be possible to import a car that is not new if it is less than 5 years old in order to protect the Mexican market. Since we will be completing our FM 3 when we arrive, is there something that would not allow us a temporary permit if the car is shipped along with our household goods, rather than driven into the country? As the shipper is now asking if we would like to cancel our plans, there is some urgency in this question. We will try to get information from the Vancouver consulate, but any clarification you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Mark Reply

yucalandia says: April 17, 2012 at 2:48 pm

Mark, Under Aduana rules, you can import the car under a Temporary Import Permit linked to your FM3. Each shipping company and each Mexican Customs Broker has their own rules about how to ship and import things – since they have some liability. Cars typically need to be shipped and imported in a separate manner or separate sub-transaction – with nothing stored in the car (other than original equipment like the spare tire and jack etc). Just 6 months ago, a friend had their household goods and 2 vehicles shipped into the port at Progreso using Linea Peninsular out of Florida. Each vehicle was handled separately from the household goods – where their household goods were released first, then one vehicle under the husband’s FM3, then the second vehicle under the son’s FM3. Do Canadian shipping companies have different rules? Lo no se… Give us a report when you get things settled with your shipper and Customs Broker. Individual seaports may have their own rules – where regional offices of Mexican Govt. organizations are given some lee-way for implementing the policies. steve Reply

John franz says: May 1, 2012 at 3:46 pm

Great information. Planning on retiring and moving to Mexico next year. I have a 2005 car so it will be 8 years old when we move. My wife is a Mexican citizen(I’m not), so would it make sense to title the car in her name to avoid some of these issues or would it create a whole different set of problems? John Reply

yucalandia says: May 2, 2012 at 6:23 am

John, Our situation is similar, and we chose to nationalize (permanently import) both of ours. Some Mexican states do have annual taxes (in the form of a tenencia like a personal property tax). This might mean that you would have to pay an annual tax by permanently importing it. Yucatan waives the tax for older vehicles. Since some US states require that licensed vehicles be insured, if you also live in a Mexican state that requires that your US license plates/registration be current (like Baja California), then to keep your Temporary Imported vehicle legal, you wind up paying US insurance just to keep the US license valid/current. Happy trails, steve Reply

Mike Bell says: May 11, 2012 at 9:49 am

Hi Steve: This is my second attempt to ask a question: the first attempt just disappeared. I hope it doesn’t show up again as a duplicate. Anyway, we paid the $300 US temp import fee with our VISA card when entering Mexico last October. Then, last month, we returned to the States, stopping at Aduana to remove the sticker, etc. They said the credit would show on our VISA the following day. Now, a month later, we still don’t have the credit, although Aduana says it was issued, and my bank says not. At the two phone numbers I have for Aduana in Matamoros, where we crossed, I can find no English-speakers, and my Spanish isn’t good enough to explain this somewhat complicated issue. Any thoughts on how I can get back my $300? Mike Reply

Randy Ore says: May 13, 2012 at 4:27 pm

Hi Steve, First of all thank you for all the great information and time you are taking to help everyone with their questions. My situation is the same as many others, but after reading many of the responses am trying to figure out the best possible solution for our dilemna. We brought in a 1995 Lexus SC 400 by ship into Progreso two years ago and with US plates. We have not upgraded to FM3 or FM2 because we are back and forth to the US every month, we live in Playa Del Carmen and plan on getting the FM3 sooner than later now that I am a little scared for the car. We were told before by the officials at Banjercito that we could let the temporary permit expire as long as you were in a state that bordered another country i.e., Belize and that we didn’t drive the car out of Q Roo. We were driving to Belize every six months to renew, but haven’t been in over a year so the car is illegal. My question is can we still go to the Belize border and get the sticker renewed until we obtain our FM3 then I am hoping we can make the car legal to stay with the over 10 year Nafta agreement. What are your suggestions or what is the best course of action? Does the old rule for Q Roo apply? We have heard from other friends that many proposed rule changes were either in effect as of recently or coming soon? We have decided not to drive anymore as we have had a few close calls being pulled over by policia municipal. Do you suggest we call Banjercito again at the Belize border? If we have to we will drive it out on the temporary permit to leave Mexico. Thanks for your input, Randy Reply

yucalandia says: May 13, 2012 at 5:21 pm

Hey Randy, It it were me, I would get the FM3 or FM2 (as the person who’s name is listed as owner on the title of the vehicle). I would then apply for a Safe Return permit with Aduana, that will give you 3-5 days to legally drive to the Belize border – with no hassles if the police stop you at one of the many retens (checkpoints) – or if you get into an accident. At the border, turn in the old permit to Banjercito/Aduana without saying anything. Go into the Free Zone and do a little shopping or gamble at a casino. Return to Banjercito/Aduana and request a Temporary Import permit with your new FM3/FM2 – and drive around the Yucatan Peninsula with confidence for a year. Risky folks could choose to drive to Belize with no Safe Return permit, and hope that the police do not inquire and hope for no accidents. If the police stop you and notice the discrepency, they can permanently confiscate your car => a long (expensive) walk home? If you consider trying to bring the car into Q.Roo without a permit, read the Q.Roo poster’s story (in the Comments above) about the problems that other expats are having taking this approach. All the best & happy motoring, steve Reply

Randy Ore says: May 13, 2012 at 5:31 pm

Steve, thank you were are going to go stand in line tomorrow for the FM3! Appreciate your help! Randy Reply

John franz says: June 3, 2012 at 3:20 pm

Hi Steve, Wife and I will be heading to Mexico very soon for retirement. My wife is a Mexican National and has a 2005 car that is titled, registered, and plated in her name here in the states. We plan on registering the car in Mexico once we have settled down. What are we facing when bringing her car into Mexico? Thanks! John Reply

Erin says: June 5, 2012 at 4:54 pm

hi- i have an FM2 rentista- i live in mazatlan- i have a truck and trailer attached to that FM2 rentista permit- question- can i cross over to the US border for a few days of shopping without my trailer attached to my vehicle and return back with the patrial return program? or does the trailer need to be attached??? ALSO question #2: my vehicle has been down in mazatlan for 2 years now and is obviously no longer “legally” registered or insured by the state or California or Arizona- it is a non- op in those states- any advice as to; after i re- register the car thru the dmv- can i get temporary insurance at the border on a vehicle with CA plates?? thanks ~ Erin Reply

yucalandia says: June 6, 2012 at 8:06 am

Erin, Other expats have found that they can drive in and out of Mexico with just the vehicle, (leaving the trailer in Mazatlan). Yes, you should be able to get US car insurance at border. Another alternative is to get Mexican car insurance that covers you in the USA. People on Mexconnect have said good things about Mexpro in the past: http://www.mexpro.com/mexico/short-termus-auto-insurance.html These policies can be purchased on-line, if you have any issues at the border. One caution: Will you be driving in Baja California or Baja Sur with you old plates? Both of these states require foreign-plated cars to keep their US or Canadian registrations current. For additional insights on the drive, there is an article on Yucatan Living describing details of crossing the border and various routes for driving from the USA to the Yucatan Peninsula: http://www.yucatanliving.com/destinations/driving-through-mexicoto-yucatan.htm . steve Reply

Cliff du Fresne says: June 6, 2012 at 12:13 pm

Steve, You advised against leaving a car in Mexico and flying home under an FMM because the original FMM is linked to the car import permit number through a control number. My question is do they really check? I drove home last April through Nogales and surrendered my car permit at the side of the highway. Then to surrender my FMM I had to park the car and walk across the highway to the immigration office – a separate facility. No one was checking or comparing documents so I don’t see how leaving Mexico by plane and then returning later to drive the car out would cause any problems. Please advise. Thanks, Cliff du Fresne Reply

yucalandia says: June 7, 2012 at 11:40 am

Cliff, Even if you leave Mexico by driving, without turning it in, you are forced you to get another FMM when you reenter. Since the data eventually get entered into the national INM and Aduana and Banjercito databases, your car’s temporary import permit is then cancelled, and Banjercito immediately confiscates your deposit. If you get in a wreck, get in an accident, get pulled over at a reten, or get stopped by the police, any of these events can trigger having your car permanently confiscated, with no recourse or solutions. When you leave by plane, the systems get even tighter. Before the airlines will let you board, you must surrender your FMM and they log that into the INM systems nearly immediately. Again, if anything happens with the car involving the police, they can confiscate the car on the spot. In your home country, do you tell people to break all the laws that are not tightly enforced? Most shops do not have completely tight systems to prevent shoplifting. Do you think it is OK to shoplift, just because you likely will not get caught? You signed a legal agreement to take the car out of Mexico before your visa expires. Do you routinely break legal contracts back home? ~ likely not ~ I mention these things, because many foreign visitors to Mexico think following the laws here is somehow optional, magically making it OK to break the laws, as long as they do not get caught. We here at Yucalandia encourage people to respect Mexican laws, at least as rigorously as they do in their home country. Further, we believe that if even 20% of the gringos start to broadly ignore the laws, it will cause a lot of future problems for the expat community if we are labeled as twits who ignore Mexico’s laws. e.g. Nobody benefits from a few individuals pee-ing in the community pool. We are guests here, steve Reply

Cliff du Fresne says: June 7, 2012 at 4:29 pm

I’m not peeing in any pools – I was only asking how tightly do they monitor the system? For example, last time my wife flew home she had forgotten her FMM in our condo, so the Mexican ticket agent at Alaska Airlines gave her another one when she checked in. That experience does not jive with the rules that we have been told. As for considering the rules optional – that seems to be the prevailing attitude of most Mexicans! All I wanted to know is, if my car import permit is turned in at one office, and my FMM turned in at a different location, do they eventually match them up? Given there is no number on the FMM I find it difficult to believe that they have a system to match them. Cliff du Fresne Reply

yucalandia says: June 7, 2012 at 5:49 pm

Hi Cliff, Disneyland view: The frequent attitude of many gringos that compliance (with Mexican laws and rules) is optional is a recurring theme we would like to see gone. I answered your question about how closely they enforce the law, thinking it was yet another request for how to get around the laws: My mistake. Since Mexico’s INM, Aduana, and Banjercito systems are now databases, I don’t think there is any manual “matching-up” going on. When INM’s database shows that an expat’s permit (visa) has been surrendered, or cancelled, or expired, that information is transferred electronically to the Aduana & Banjercito databases. Banjercito’s computers track the (old) expiration dates of the INM permits, and they confiscate the auto deposits on the expiration date, unless the owner has filed a new expiration date in their/Aduana’s system. Past reports have described that the systems use the person’s passport number to track/coordinate these things, so, even if your FMM has no control number, their databases still supposedly collate your INM, Aduana, & Banjercito data using your passport number and your name to automatically track the validity of Aduana temporary import permits and INM permits. I assume that your wife used her passport to document her status when leaving the country without her FMM, so, they used her passport number to cancel out her lost FMM. steve Reply

Rolly Brook says: June 7, 2012 at 5:33 pm

You are probably right, but who really knows? Reply

Bill Glenn says: June 8, 2012 at 10:12 am

I live in Mazatlan, and just renewed my FM3 and updated my vehicle permit. They have a new form for permit renewal, and I have posted a copy here: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=8d26d3ac1cb3ccbb#cid=8D26D3AC1CB3CCBB&id=8D26D3AC1CB3CCBB%21223 Reply

yucalandia says: June 8, 2012 at 5:14 pm

Nice. It shows that they are serious about having FM2 and FM3 holders annually update their temporary import car permit’s new expiration dates. Progreso’s Aduana also now have their own Progreso-specific form too. steve Reply

Rick says: June 14, 2012 at 12:58 pm

i bought a Toyota Sequoia in Cabo San Lucas 2 years ago. I have a FMM only. I had a concern at that time when buying without a FMM3. The broker I used took care of transfering title to myself and registration as well as getting me a drivers license. All of this was done at the police station in Cabo while I waited in the parking lot. There were extra fees involved of course with me only having a FMM. My registration renewal came up several months ago and as I thought was not able to renew without a FMM3 but got my friend to take care of it for a nominal fee. So I have a FMM, registration in my name and a valid Baja drivers license. First question is I have not been pulled over yet and what could happen? Second question is I am looking at buying a dune buggy in California and driving it across and down to Cabo with my FMM. The buggy is 40 years old so would come under the classic vehicles act but also I understand because of the free trade aggreement with Baja and some ares of Sonora that I would not have to get a TIP so will be able to leave it there and fly home…Canada?. Third question which probably is out of scope for your forum but may be able to help me with or one of your readers. If I buy a dune buggy in California or Arizona say what do I have to do to get it transfered to my name. I have addresses I can use in arizona as long as I do not need a US drivers license. I think I can get mexican insurance online for when I cross border but not sure what to do while driving to border for applicable insurance in California and if the insurance company would want to see a state drivers license. I am aware that there are special provisions in South Dakota for continue ongoing registration of a US vehicle. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Rick Reply

yucalandia says: June 14, 2012 at 5:24 pm

Rick, Keep the vehicle insured, keep the plates and registration current, keep your license current, follow whatever State rules exist for Baja, and it should all be OK. Re dunebuggy: Bring it in with NO TIP, but drive it only in approved border zones: Baja California, Baja California Sur, and the “free zone” within Sonora. Keep your US California plates or Arizona plates or South Dakota plates** legal and current, because Baja requires it. Some Mexican insurance policies also cover driving in the USA, so, you could insure the dunebuggy with a reliable agency like Mexpro ( http://www.mexpro.com/ ) **Clay County SD’s DMV people are very helpful, but you have to have your SD plates mailed to a US address. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Rick says: June 14, 2012 at 10:12 pm

Thanks for the info Steve.Plan on keeping everything current but sounds like I am illegal just by buying it without a FM3. Saw somewhere that you needed a FM3 to buy a vehicle in Mexico. Things are really confusing around the vehicle importation stuff and what you can and cannot do. Rick Reply

yucalandia says: June 15, 2012 at 3:42 pm

Rick, Each Mexican State has it’s own Rules of the Road for Car/Vehicle registration – which means a lot of effort for a single person to research and track all the changing requirements (and subtleties of how the rules are applied**) for 31 States (30 States and 1 Distrito Federal). The US has similar issues, where each US State sets its own rules on vehicles and other things like starting and operating a business. All of the Mexican States we know of allow FMM holders to buy Mexican cars. The rub comes in registering the car to drive it. All the States we know of require the person registering/licensing a Mexican car to either be a Mexican citizen or to have FM2, FM3, or Inmigrado status. Some foreigners have a friend own the car, and register it in the friend’s name, but that can lead to problems… Whose name is on the car registration? Why not get an FM3? All the best, steve **We’ve studied all 330 or so of Yucatan’s Rules of the Road, and I would guess that at least 30% of our rules are not enforced. Since many regs are never enforced or are unenforceable, should web-authors tell people what the myriad of regs say, or should they stick with what they know by experience? We don’t know what rules are unenforced in other Mexican States, so, we hesitate to offer advice on them. e.g. Our new Yucatan rules include requirements that vehicle owners get their vehicles tested annually for emissions and then prominently display the sticker, but: There is no emissions testing program, (never has been), there are no places that do testing, and there are no stickers… (Why? It looks to us like Yucatan’s Governor chose to update our Motor Vehicle regulations, so, their new manual looks exactly like they cut-and-pasted a standard Canadian or US state DMV manual, and translated it into Spanish, in an attempt to immediately bring Yucatan up to modern standards, even if there is no way to meet the new standards???) Reply

Rick says: June 15, 2012 at 4:51 pm

It is registered in my name as well as Mexican drivers license. I paid a premium(bribe)to get both of those….thus the issue I have. I will probably end up getting a FM3 just because of this issue…just did not like having to pay the yearly renewal and associated headaches. When I bought the vehicle 2 years ago I asked the dealer(used) about having a FM3 and he said not a problem and he would take care of it. When I paid more money then I thought I would to transfer title/registration and get license then the light bulb lit…deal was already done. FM3 here I come. Thanks Rick Reply

debra says: June 19, 2012 at 4:20 pm

In 2010 my mom entered Mexico on her FM2 visa with her car. In early 2011 she had a stroke and was airlifted to the U.S. She is still unable to drive and cannot travel to Mexico. Do you think that our best chance of getting the car back to the U.S. is to apply for the Retorno Segoro under her name and then for one of her children (same last name) to drive it back? Would love to hear any other suggestions for resolving this situation. Thanks, Debra Reply

yucalandia says: June 20, 2012 at 6:59 am

Debra, Based on what you wrote, we agree that Retorno Segoro seems like your best option. Our best wishes for your mother improving, steve Reply

Meir Gershenson says: June 22, 2012 at 10:11 am

High Steve. It is quite final, the car that I shipped in order to legalize it in Mexico cant be legalize because Florida doesn’t have pollution inspection and Merida pollution inspection isn’t good enough (that what they told my agent). I have to ship the car back. I am considering selling it in Belize. Do you have any how to handle it? Meir Reply

yucalandia says: June 22, 2012 at 7:36 pm

Hello Meir, A friend of ours knows a person who takes cars to the border at Chetumal, has contacts in Belize who buy cars, and then he brokers the deals. Is this what you were considering? steve Reply

john says: June 24, 2012 at 7:39 pm

hi Steve, Im in a bit of a mess and not sure what to do. My family and i came on fmm in feb. We drove our car from texas to veracruz. Then, we flew back to texas in march and then flew back to veracruz in june. Our temporary import permit expires in august. When we came from the airport we left a bag, one of about tweenty, on the bus and it was stolen. This bag contained our passports, our newly issued fmm visas, our car title, our temporary import permit papers, amongst other things. Now, we have a date set with the us embassy for new passports, which are going to have different numbers, but i dont know what to do about my car and fmm. I was planning to drive it to the border with a secure return permit, provided i can get one. Or try to apply for a rentista. what is your advice thanks john Reply

yucalandia says: June 25, 2012 at 8:09 am

Hi John, When you flew back to Texas – leaving the car in Veracruz, your Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for the car expired on the day you flew out. The expiration date of the TIP lasts only as long as you have a valid INM permit. By flying out, you surrendered your FMM and INM cancelled it – making the car illegal. When you signed for your TIP, you agreed to take the vehicle out of Mexico before your FMM expired. Your understandings about the Secure Returns permit are correct: To eliminate the chance that the Mexican Government will permanently confiscate your vehicle at some random stop or accident, you will need to not drive the car, apply for the Secure Returns permit, and then take the car out of the country during the 3-5 day period specified in your Secure Returns permit. Re lost FMMs: Your FMMs are tracked by your previous passport number. I think you have 2 options. ~ Option 1: Get the Secure Returns permit, and make a run for the border, hoping that you are not asked for a copy of the FMM. Keep copies of your lost FMMs and copies of the lost passports with you as you travel, in case you are stopped. Stop at Aduana as you leave Mexico to log your Secure Returns permit, finally cancelling out your old expired TIP, have them remove the sticker, and then you can immediately re-enter, getting new FMMs with your new passports – and use the new FMM to get a new TIP…. Costs you roughly $850 USD due to the costs of losing the previous TIP deposit + $50 for a new TIP deposit + $400 for a new deposit. ~ Option 2: Go to your INM office with a letter explaining what happened with the lost bag and that you need replacement FMMs. Take copies of your old FMMs and copies of the old passports and a copy of a comprabante to INM. They can use your old passport numbers to pull up your latest FMM information. (Or apply for an FM3? – to allow the vehicle to stay in Mexico during future trips back to the USA). With INM’s new permits in hand, apply-for and get the Secure Returns permit. Then make the run to the border. Keep copies of your lost passports with you as you travel, in case you are stopped, because the old TIP is tied to your old passport. Stop at Aduana as you leave Mexico to log your Secure Returns permit, finally cancelling out your old expired TIP, have them remove the sticker, and then you can immediately re-enter, getting new FMMs with your new passports – and use the new FMM to get a new TIP…. Aduana costs wiil be roughly $850 USD due to the costs of losing the previous TIP deposit + $50 for a new TIP deposit + $400 for a new deposit. Hope you made copies of everyone’s FMMs, TIP, passports, etc – and stored them in some special location as you traveled. As a cautious guy, during international travels, I used to carry a simple money belt with all these copies – including copies of credit cards (front & back) and some emergency cash – with the wallet positioned on the small of my back – making a nice little back cushion – for bus rides, plane rides, etc etc. Come back and tell us how it all turns out, Happy Trails, steve Reply

Christine says: June 25, 2012 at 5:40 am

The question is, if I apply for an FM2 with a work permit for teaching English (online or in classes), and I want to keep my 1994 Ford F150 in Mexico, can I simply go and apply for Guanajuato plates and a Guanajuato driver’s license. All of the writing says you cannot keep a foreign plated vehicle if you have an FM2 with a work permit, but none of it explains whether you can just get local plates, thus keep your truck and the FM2 with a work permit. Thanks, Christine Reply

yucalandia says: June 25, 2012 at 7:44 am

Hi Christine, You would need to do a permanent import of the vehicle. Since your vehicle is not 8, 9, or 10 years old, and not 30 or more, then it does not qualify to be permanently imported. As you agreed to do when you signed for your original temporary import permit, you’ll need to take your 1994 pickup out of Mexico if you change to a “working FM2”. If you really do not want the $$$ or hassles of taking it to a border, you could surrender it to a local Aduana office – and buy a local vehicle. All the best, steve Reply

Christine says: June 25, 2012 at 11:51 am

Thanks Steve. I really appreciate this information. I’ve been puzzling through health insurance, moving things in from Colorado, the vehicle and setting up my website and it helps to have your input. Christine

Rolly Brook says: June 25, 2012 at 8:16 am

May I add another thought? Christine are you really sure you want to get an FM2 with all the car problems? In a few months the present forms of No Inmigrante (FM3) and Inmigrante (FM2) will be merged into a new category called Residente Temporal. If you change to Inmigrante now, you’ll be spending extra money for something that is about to disappear. You can have a working permit and your car if you stay with an FM3. Reply

yucalandia says: June 25, 2012 at 9:57 am

Hey Rolly, Good insight on trying to wait for the release of el Reglamento for the hoped-for, long awaited “new” Immigration law. If the government decides to approve and release the new Reglamento, then Christine could qualify. If they instead continue the already 8-month-long delay the Reglamento, Christine may run out of time and be forced to do a rush – unscheduled – trip to the border, at the same time she would be trying to get INM approval – forcing two items into the same small window of time. What news have you heard on the final release date for the Reglamento? Our best sources are saying that the earliest it could be released is AFTER the new President takes power in Dec. 2012. Still, if the new President decides to study the issue, to hear and consider comments from the 30+ groups that are officially trying to change the content of the Reglamento, then the issuing of the final Reglamento could be delayed into mid 2013… Meaning that expats who are trying to wait to get into the “new” unapproved INM categories will have to revert to back-up plans using the current rules & laws. New Presidents often hesitate to give blanket approval to the unimplemented policies of the former President. If the new President simply approved the current version of the new proposed Reglamento, then the old President would get the credit for the policy change. This would mean that the new President will take office next December, then make their own changes (retool) to the new proposed Reglamento – waiting long enough for all perceived credit to Calderón to vaporize. By waiting well into 2013, and by making changes, the new President could then claim all the credit. If we assume AMLO gets elected, then his stated goals for CHANGE would seem to mean that he would not want to simply continue and approve the policies of Calderón – especially on the sensitive issues of human rights. This means that the bureaucrats at INM likely will continue to sit on any approval of the new Reglamento until the new boss gives them the goahead. (Few facts can make for a lot of speculation.) Our speculation results in the opinion that the new Reglamento may not be issued until the summer of 2013 or later. Under this scenario, Plan A could be to wait and take advantage of the possibility of a new INM category, paired with a backup Plan B to either stay with the FM3 or leave enough time take the car to the border. Your thoughts??? steve Reply

Christine says: June 25, 2012 at 11:52 am

Thanks Rolly. I appreciate your input too. No, I don’t want to buy extra trouble. I’ll take my time about this. Christine Reply

Rolly Brook says: June 25, 2012 at 10:36 am

PRI is going to win the election. Since the new immigration law was passed by a PRI dominated Congress, I don’t see that the new administration is likely to mix things up. The new law combines FM2 and FM3, but it seems to me that the actual effect is the abolishment of the FM2. I think getting an FM2 now is a waste of money. Reply

RICHARD GERLACH says: July 17, 2012 at 5:33 am

I MUST HAVE MISSED YOUR ANSWER, I LOST THE PERMIT THAT CAME WITH THE STICKER FOR MY CAR ABD I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE BORDER TO GET A NEW ONE CAN I GO TO GUAD AND FIND THIS SLIP OF PAPER OR WHAT. I NEED THIS ANSWER ASAP. DICK G. Reply

yucalandia says: July 17, 2012 at 9:11 am

Hi Richard, As described in our latest auto-permit article (https://yucalandia.wordpress.com/answers-to-common-questions/updates-toaduana-inm-banjercito-procedures-for-visas-and-importing-cars-the-article/ Updates to Aduana, INM & Banjercito Procedures for Visas and Importing Cars – The Article), both Banjercito and Aduana say that when you lose your paper permit for a Temporarily Import Permit, then you must honor the agreement you signed, and take the car out of the country. (It takes both a Banjercito office for car stuff and an Aduana office.) At the border, take the passport of the person who applied for the original permit to the Banjercito office, and they use that passport number to print out an official data page on the vehicle for the “old” permit. Take that Banjercito information along with your letter and the other documents to Aduana. After cancelling your permit, you then apply for a new Temporary Import Permit, paying the deposit and getting a new sticker & paper permit. steve Reply

John Garvin says: July 28, 2012 at 4:49 pm

Steve you comments on this appreciated regarding selling a foreign plated car in Mexico. Carta Responsiva My wife who is Mexican assists expats and this is what she was told by Aduana. Her contacts were: Aduana Dept of Donations Lic. Petit Salcido 01 55 58 02 0000 Aduana Dept. Juridico Lic. Lourdes del Fierro 01 55 58 02 1335 To donate a car it must be at the border or in another country. In a few rare cases one can write to Hacienda and get permission to donate but what they want are vehicles which can be used as an ambulance, for handicapped etc. They do not want the typical personal car of an expat or anyone for that matter. However, to sell a car at least 8 years old with foreign plates that is currently legally in Mexico the buyer has the responsibility for the car if done correctly. In doing so, the buyer and seller sign the vehicle Carta Responsiva. This you can get at paper / copy stores etc. Reply

Richard Silva says: July 29, 2012 at 7:45 pm

Hi Steve: This is great resource. My wife and I have FM3’s. We both live in Playa Del Carmen and both fly back and forth to the US frequently. I bought a 2002 Chrysler and will ship it via Hyde Shipping to Poerto Morales. I will consign to my wife for pick up. It currently is registered with US plates. Our intent is to get Mexican plates once there. My question is, will my wife be able to pick it up and drive it and what she will need to do. Any advice will be appreciated because I will be in big trouble if this is a huge problem! Richard Reply

yucalandia says: July 30, 2012 at 4:49 pm

Hi Richard, I understand that when you use a sea port to import a car, you must hire a Customs Broker. The Customs Broker will tell you what you must have to import the car. To import this 2002 vehicle permanently, you need to get it here before Nov 1, 2012, because that is the date when 2002 model year cars become 11 years old. Hyde Shipping should be the ones to tell you the requirements. You will likely need a clear original title and copies, plus copies of your passport. You may need “passing” emissions testing results. Our ports and some states have been requiring copies of the successful emissions testing, while others have not… Strangely, the Yucatecan dept of motor vehicles folks have not been accepting local testing station results – only US state testing results. We have 2 friends who must take their vehicles outside of the country, because of the snarled emissions testing results. I do not know how Puerto Morelos, Q. Roo officials are handling this. steve Reply

Peter Glass says: August 8, 2012 at 10:54 am

What happens when your car dies or is totaled in Mexico and you can’t get it back to the border? How do you get your name cleared so you can bring another vehicle into the country? Reply

yucalandia says: August 8, 2012 at 6:16 pm

Hi Peter, In theory, you are supposed to take the vehicle out of the country, or surrender (donate) the vehicle to Aduana. Taking the vehicle out of the country (as you agreed to do when you signed your auto permit application) can mean having the vehicle towed to the border. Alternately, there are Aduana rules on-the-books that say you can surrender a car to Aduana, and sign over the title to them. Unfortunately, many Aduana offices do not offer this service (possibly because they don’t know how), some Aduana’s offices direct the dead car owner to go to Hacienda (pass the buck?), and yet other Aduana offices only accept vehicles as viable “donations” ~ vehicles that are useful and function ~ . I think you need to go to your Aduana office with a letter explaining that you want to cancel / surrender your temporary import permit, and further explain that the car is totally wrecked (include fotos), and also say that you want to surrender the car and recover any deposit you made with Banjercito. Include your title as proof of ownership, and the original paper import permit. If your Aduana office accepts your proposal, you will need to give them the sticker off the windshield (even if it is attached to a hunk of broken windshield). Some Aduana offices have required an official letter from the police or the junkyard, certifying that the car has been wrecked beyond repair. Each regional Aduana office has some leeway in how they handle things, so, hopefully they will accept your letter and documentation, and let you give the car to a dehuesedero (boneyard). Please come back and tell us how your local Aduana office proposed to clear your (passport number associated) auto import permit record, allowing you to bring in another vehicle. … or just buy a good used car locally? steve Reply

Peter Glass says: August 8, 2012 at 6:38 pm

Steve, Thank you so much for your comprehensive answer to my question. I’ll follow your suggestions and let you know what happens. Again, many thanks. Peter Reply

awaterma2013 says: August 29, 2013 at 10:02 am

Hi Peter, I have the exact same problem. Could you please comment and let me know how you resolved this? best wishes, Andrew Reply

doctorgoodbody says: August 17, 2012 at 9:32 am

Hi Steve, I am a health care professional (chiropractor) preparing to move to the Lake Chapala area. I have two cars I want to use there, both are restored classics, a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible and a 1985 Jaguar sedan. My plan is to use the Jaguar as my daily driver, understanding that as a foreign non- NAFTA vehicle, I will only be able to annually renew this car for five years until my FM3 status will have to be replaced by FM2. I’m OK with that, I’ll just drive the car out and sell it, and probably just buy a second car in Mexico. I have several questions that fall into two categories: the cars and visas. Regarding the cars, I understand that nationalizing the Cadillac should be fairly inexpensive in that it is over 30 years old and is exempt from import duty, but that I first need FM3 status to be able to do this. So if I bring the car in on an FMM as a tourist and after establishing a residence apply for and receive the FM3, I understand I must notify Aduana within two weeks, but what I don’t understand and have not been able to find on the web is the step by step process of nationalizing this car. Would you address this please? So my plan is, once the Cadillac is adorned with Mexican plates, I would be free to bring in the 2nd car, the Jaguar, on a temporary permit, right? Regarding visas, I plan to work as a professional and I have learned that in addition to the FM3 visa, I will have to jump thru numerous hoops with the Dept. of Education, mostly about documentation going back to age 6 and first grade, all of which must be Apostilled, to receive a cedulla or license to practice. All well and good, but will my FM3 status change with the licensing process? Will I then again need to notify Aduana about any visa status change relative to my vehicles? I read somewhere that while the FM3 is being processed, it is unwise to leave the country, probably because your new visa coming back in would not match the dates on the original permit. True? Would that still apply in my case in that I will be in the process of nationalizing the Cadillac? I would assume that I cannot bring in the 2nd car until I actually have the plates in hand on the first. Any perspective on how fast the wheels turn, or don’t? I’m wondering how long I can expect to wait before I can bring in the second car, as I will have to store it in California which can be expensive. Dr. Lowell Reply

yucalandia says: August 17, 2012 at 10:47 am

Hi Dr. Lowell, First, your post included 23 full copies of what you wrote, so, I deleted 22 of them. Second, since you have to turn in the sticker at a Banjercito office at the border when you cancel a Temporary Import Permit (TIP), if you bring in the Caddie first under your FMM, then when you get your FM3, you would need to go to the border to turn in the permit and sticker, and then do the permanent import of the vehicle (Caddie) at the border (on the same stop). You would then need to drive the Caddie back to your Mexico home. And then go make a trip to get the Jag. Since you ultimately want the Jaguar in the country with a TIP “under” your FM3, then why not drive the Jag in first, get your WORKING FM3 (No Inmigrante lucrativo), keep the Jag’s permit continuous by logging your change from FMM to FM3 with Aduana. When you have your FM3, go back and get the Caddie and bring it in as a single step – applying for the Permanent Import permit (Importacion Definitiva – see http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/servicios/144_11273.html ) when you enter at the border. The second option means one less trip back and forth to the border, and one less permit process, plus it gives you a car (the Jag) that you can continue to drive if things don’t work in the ways or work out on the timetable you expect. Your local INM office will be in charge of deciding how they want to handle your working FM3 application while you are getting approved to practice as a chiropractor. All the best, steve ps You are a brave man, bringing an old Jag deep into Mexico. I have enjoyed working on cars the past 45 years, and Jags fall into a special class. Delightful to drive, beautiful, fun. but… they do need repairs a bit more often than other makes of cars. Do you do your own work, and do you have a good parts supplier that will ship parts to Mexico? (Aside: the import duties on parts might make me swallow-hard.) Reply

LOWELL BIRCH says: August 17, 2012 at 11:06 am

Hi, Thanks for your quick response. Your comments make perfect sense. The Jaguar has undergone a recent $20,000 complete restoration, so I do not anticipate needing repairs, but you never know what might pop up on an older car. My safety net is the Caddy which just completed a $30,000 complete restoration. Hopefully one of these car’s beauty will be more than skin deep and keep me on the road. If not, they are both beautiful enough to keep around as objects de art, and I’ll get around on my bicycle. I’m still not clear on who to see what to do, to start the importation of the Cadillac. Do I just stop at banercito and say “Here’s my car, here’s my title, here’s my proof of address, here’s my FM3, where do I sign, who do I pay”? Reply

yucalandia says: August 17, 2012 at 1:40 pm

Hi Doc, They both sound dandy! Yes, you stop at Banjercito with each vehicle. You get the TIP at Banjercito for the Jag. On the Caddie, you pay Banjercito/Aduana any duties, and they will give you paperwork that allows you to drive your car to your home state in Mexico. You will then go to your state’s DMV, where you will stand in various lines for most of a day. They will check your title and paperwork vs. the VIN, they will charge you for the annual state registration and plates, (called refrendo here in Yucatan), depending on the state’s individual rules you may have to pay an annual ownership tax (called tenencia across Mexico) – where your state may waive the tenencia. Sidelights: Keep every scrap of paper they give you – as it can cost you a trip back to the border if you lose or misplace the wrong one. Also, many expats are reporting problems with Banjercito’s system for returning (reimbursing) credit card payments for refunding the TIP deposits. Everyone who has paid the TIP deposit with cash, making reports on common expat websites, say that they get their cash back with no hassles. Happy Trails, steve ps Are you a Palmer guy? I really need a good chiropractor, but our best fellow here in Merida moved on. There are several remaining, but these individuals have been too rough for me – both actually causing fresh new injuries due to overly-enthusiastic adjustments. Reply

doctorgoodbody says: August 17, 2012 at 4:26 pm

Don’t get me started on rough chiropractors. Whenever I change locations or go to a new community, I have to suffer through about 5 hacks before I can find someone with finesse. Unfortunate but true. I would be happy to have you as a patient, but the airfare Merida to Guadalahara might make the cost of treatment give you pause, or as you like to say swallow hard. . .

yucalandia says: August 17, 2012 at 6:12 pm

too funny ! Fast, strong, and accurate adjustments – executed at a moment when the patient is not fighting or anticipating the adjustment – are exactly what I like.

doctorgoodbody says: August 20, 2012 at 10:10 pm

Hey, Maybe this is off topic a bit, but in that I will need to apply for a FM3 and have it in hand before I can leave the country to retrieve one of the classics, can you tell me about how long I will be waiting, unable to leave, for the paperwork to come thru? Probably varies from state to state, but I’ll be in Jalisco if that helps any. Since I will be wanting to work, would I be applying for a FM3 lucritivo,right,rather than rentista? And would that status affect my ability to import? Does the 30 year old rule apply to non-NAFTA vehicles, ie. the ’85 Jaguar? Could I import it once it hits the 30 year mark in 2015 under the FM3 visa? Or is it not qualified to be imported at all under the NAFTA ruling? ________________________________

yucalandia says: August 21, 2012 at 8:50 pm

Doc, Reports from around Mexico have quoted 10 days – 3 weeks to get an FM3 for people who submit the correct documents, can prove sufficient savings or income, and who submit the correct paperwork/letters quickly. FM3 Lucrativo, yes – and yes, this type of INM permit allows the holder to temporarily import a car. For the rules on classic vehicles, read the Aduana’s website on classic vehicles (at http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_10175.html) ” De conformidad con la fracción III, del artículo 12 del “Acuerdo que establece la clasificación y codificación de mercancías cuya importación y exportación está sujeta al requisito de permiso previo por parte de la Secretaría de Economía”, se exceptúan del requisito de permiso previo de importación por parte de la Secretaría de Economía establecido en los artículos 1o. y 6o., del presente Acuerdo, las importaciones de vehículos cuyo número de serie o año-modelo tenga una antigüedad igual o mayor a 30 años anterior al vigente, y siempre que tengan un peso bruto vehicular inferior o igual a 8,864 kilogramos. Por lo anterior si el vehículo que desea importar una antigüedad igual o mayor a 30 años anterior al vigente, podrá realizar la importación del mismo.” There is nothing listed there restricting classic car imports to only NAFTA vehicles. Further, a 1985 Jaguar turns 30 years old on Nov. 1, 2014, according to Aduana’s general rules on establishing the model year of cars. When you go through Aduana & Banjercito with the Caddie, you can talk with them about the particulars on the Jag. One translation of the above section points to using the serial number (VIN) to determine the vehicle age or using the model year, so, I suggest giving them the Jag’s VIN to confirm ahead of time that there would be no problems. Happy Trails, Doc Fry steve

Ryan says: August 27, 2012 at 3:28 pm

Hi Steve, Congrats on putting together this fantastic resource. I’d really appreciate your help with a couple of questions. Is it true that with an FM2 “cargo de confianza” I cannot temporarily import a vehicle? If I am able to temporarily import a vehicle, and if I later acquire Mexican citizenship, what implications would this have? Thank you in advance, Ryan Reply

yucalandia says: August 28, 2012 at 8:18 am

Hi Ryan, Agreed, the only FM2 category that is permitted to have a temporarily imported car is “Rentista“. If you get Mexican citizenship, then you are permitted to import a vehicle. steve Reply

Ryan says: August 28, 2012 at 8:24 am

Thanks, Steve. That’s helpful. I wonder if I could transfer ownership of the vehicle to my son, who is a Mexican national, and then have him import it? The issue is that he is not of driving age… Reply

yucalandia says: August 28, 2012 at 12:19 pm

Hey Ryan, Hmmm… I suspect not, but I really don’t know. If that were possible, the next hurdle would be trying to get the vehicle registered by your state DMV in Mexico. I know that only adult auto owners of majority age can register cars and get plates in Yucatán. e.g. It doesn’t seem to help much to import a car that ultimately cannot be driven until your son turns 18??? Happy Trails, steve Reply

draya says: August 28, 2012 at 9:39 pm

Sort of off topic except that it pertains to vehicle . . . I am desperately attempting to figure this out before buying a truck . . . Can dually be brought in on an FMM or FM3? I have seen that dual wheel trucks are questionable to import??? Is this true? We were planning to drive down our airstream in the next few weeks pulled by a 1990 F350 dually? I was planning to buy it tomorrow . . .so I want to clarify this? Can you help?? PLEASE AND Thanks . . . in advance for your time and input! Draya Reply

yucalandia says: August 29, 2012 at 7:13 am

draya, Until we hear back on the current Aduana rules, you could use the Mex. government’s VIN checker to see if your vehicle is allowed to be permitted for permanent importation: http://paisano.prevalidadorcaaarem.org.mx/Cotizador/ Further searching on the internet gives reports of expats in Chapala successfully temporarily importing a dual wheeled pickup and driving it around Mexico with NO PROBLEMS. The owners found that their dually would not fit on the narrow streets of the Chapala area, so they ultimately sold it to a local contractor, by taking it back to the border – where he permanently imported it. => good news for you? steve Reply

Tara says: August 30, 2012 at 3:09 pm

My three children and I are leaving for Mexico at the end of next month. We all have our passports and will be entering on a FMM tourist visa. I have two vehicles and understand I can only get a permit for one vehicle. My question is, can my son who is 16, get a permit for my other vehicle? Or, if that is not possible, due to his age, can my brother-in-law, who is a Mexican national living in the US (Texas) with a Residency card, get a permit for my other vehicle and drive it to our destination (Aguascalientes)? Reply

yucalandia says: August 30, 2012 at 9:31 pm

Tara, You can get a temporary import for one of the vehicles under your FMM. If one of the vehicles is 7 – 10 years old, and made in a NAFTA country (VIN begins with a number = made in Canada, US, or Mexico), then your brother-in-law could buy the car from you, and he could permanently import it, if the vehicle meets those requirements.* Happy Trails, steve *Edited Reply

LOWELL BIRCH says: August 30, 2012 at 10:29 pm

Steve, didn’t I read somewhere that you must have a FM3 status to be able to import a vehicle? Reply

yucalandia says: August 31, 2012 at 6:37 am

Hi Lowell, You are correct. I was overheated and drowsy when I answered. I corrected the reply. Thanks! steve Reply

Tara says: August 31, 2012 at 5:13 pm

One question I forgot to ask is can I bring a 6X10 enclosed trailer attached to the vehicle I will be getting a temporary permit for? Reply

yucalandia says: August 31, 2012 at 5:58 pm

Tara, Yes, the trailer gets a permit that is linked to the car’s permit. steve Reply

Connie says: September 4, 2012 at 10:10 am

Hi Steve Thanks for putting together this fantastic resource. I’d really appreciate your help with a couple of questions. About Us: We have been living in Baja Sur for 14 years. We are both have our Inmigrado. We have a business here. Our only home is here. This is where we live. We do need to travel to the US once a year as we both have aging mothers. Perhaps you could answer a couple of questions to point us in the right direction. We do have a Trooper imported/plated MX. When we wanted to take it across the boarder for a month we found it was not imported to be able to take it more than for 1 day and only after permission was requested and received. We never did understand if this was permission from Mexico or U.S. DMV. We are need to buy a second vehicle: Should we buy a car in the US and import it? I What kind of importation does it need to be able to be MX plated but be able to travel to the U.S. I understand there is a minimum/maximum age. What is the cost for importing a vehicle with this status? What are the requirements? Can this only be done in T.J. – Ensenada? Or could it be done in La Paz? Or should we buy a vehicle here on the Baja in La Paz, Constitution, Ensenada, or T.J? Do the plates have to be of a special issue to be able to drive it across the border for a month or longer? Thank for your help with these questions Connie Reply

Terry says: September 11, 2012 at 9:12 pm

Hi Steve, Thanks for this great resource. Sometimes this all gets very confusing. Last year I purchased a condo in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit and plan to move and retire there in 2 to 3 years. I visit as often as I can, two to three times a year, usually for two weeks at a time. The cost of renting a car for those visits is getting too costly. I recently purchased a 2003 Ford in the US with the intensions of permanently importing it into Mexico. I live in Oregon and don’t think that I would want to drive it back and forth so plan on leaving it at my condo. If I understand what you have said correctly, I will need to do this under an FM3. I am confused about the FM2 & 3 status. My current plans will be to stay in Mexico once I move there in several years. How do you think the best way to approach this is with the immigration laws changing and the need to have my car stay in Mexico? I want to drive the car down in February of 2013 and then fly home. Thank you for your time, Terry Reply

yucalandia says: September 12, 2012 at 7:36 am

Hi Terry, FM3’s work well for people who temporarily import cars. Your plan to permanently import the Ford allows you to have any visa. If you choose an Inmigrante (FM2) INM permit, then it needs to be a “Rentista” category to have a temporarily imported vehicle. FM2’s are for people who are planning to eventually stay permanently. The benefits and drawbacks of each type of visa are discussed in our article: Moving to Mexico: FMM, FM2, or FM3? (https://yucalandia.wordpress.com/living-in-yucatan-mexico/moving-to-mexico-fmm-fm2-or-fm3/). None of us know how INM will handle temporarily imported cars under the new law, but your plan to tramite / nationalize your Ford avoids all that. Happy trails, steve Reply

Terry says: September 14, 2012 at 8:43 pm

Hi Steve, Thanks for the info. It looks like I need to go for the FM3 for now. I will not be moving down for a few years. If I understand correctly I must live in Mexico 3.5 years out of the 5. That is not possible for me at the present time to do that. I guess for now I will do the FM3, and then convert later to the FM2. My fiancée is a Mexican national who also has US citizenship. We plan on getting married when we move to Mexico. Terry

yucalandia says: September 15, 2012 at 6:52 am

Terry, There are reports from some Mexican Embassies that INM will begin using the new law by Nov. 2012. Under the new law, FM2 & FM3 (Inmigrante and No Inmigrante), both go away, and instead they get bundled into a single category called Residente Temporal. Under the new law, after 4 years of Residente Temporal, one is eligible for permanent residency: Residente Permanente, which is much like the current Inmigrado status. Hopefully the new categories will fit your needs, steve

John Garvin says: September 15, 2012 at 7:03 am

My wife is Mexican and a facilitator here in San Miguel. She is at Immigration every few days and we are being told the same. With residente permanente we believe you can keep your foreign plated car. Hopefully, this is true. Reply

yucalandia says: September 18, 2012 at 11:58 am

Amen! Reply

john says: September 30, 2012 at 5:59 pm

Hi Steve, excellent info!! Quick question, how do i import my 1993 fith wheel rv here in Acapulco, so that i can resell it legally to a mexican national???? tks Reply

yucalandia says: September 30, 2012 at 10:10 pm

John, Did you import it permanently? If so, then it should be registered in Mexico, and can be sold here. If you imported it under a Temporary permit, then it can only stay here temporarily. You would then have to take it out of Mexico. We do not know the current regs for permanent imports, but I believe that you cannot import it permanently. steve Reply

Ian Bourne says: October 6, 2012 at 3:02 pm

Hi Steve, not sure I am doing this the right way. You helped me a while back when I brought a USA registered Lexus LX470 into Mexico on an FM3 visa, it’s been at our place in Cancun for about 4 years. We are going down there on the 14th October and my FM3 runs out on the 15th, next day. I’m not sure I want to renew it, it seems I am as well off just to get the normal tourist entry visa each time we visit. Do I need to do something about the car if I let the FM3 lapse ? Thanks for your kindness. If you get to Cancun between 14 October and 6 November we still want to buy you dinner, best wishes, Ian. Reply

yucalandia says: October 6, 2012 at 10:10 pm

Hi Ian, You have several options. 1. This is my personal favorite: Take the car to the Belize border crossing near Chetumal (see https://yucalandia.wordpress.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/updates-to-aduana-inm-banjercito-procedures-for-visas-andimporting-cars-the-article/ for our report on this Aduana/Banjercito & INM office group that allow you to do everything without leaving Mexico). Get an FMM (tourist visa). Go across the street to Banjercito and turn in your paper copy of your Temporary Import Permit (TIP) and let them scrape off the old sticker. Then do a u-turn and go back into Q. Roo under your new FMM. This option has several benefits: ~ It keeps you legal to drive the vehicle. ~ It preserves your right to get another TIP in the future, if you choose. ~ It preserves any deposit you made. This option has one drawback: Since you are driving the car in the free zone of Quintana Roo (like Baja California), you are prohibited from driving the car out of Q. Roo. The car can only be driven in Q. Roo. If you choose to get the new Residente Temporal, you can always return to the border and get a new TIP if you choose to drive outside of Q. Roo. 2. Drive the car with an expired permit, and take the risk of getting checked by the police or if in an accident, or possibly when crossing out of Q. Roo into Yucatan. We had to show our TIP the last time we entered Yucatan at the crossing west of Filipe Carrillo Puerto… They may permanently confiscate your car if they choose to. I’d love to have dinner in Cancun. My wife and I are flying in on Nov. 3, so I’ll talk with her about it. Thanks! steve Reply

Ian Bourne says: October 7, 2012 at 8:02 am

Hello Steve, Thanks so much for the info you sent, you go to an awful lot of trouble for us all. I think I may do option 2 and drive only in Q.Roo this visit until I have time to renew my FM3, cross my fingers. Does entering Mexico on an FMM change the status of my FM3 or can I still renew it in Cancun this visit if I wish to ? I also have a Brit passport I could use instead of my US one if that makes sense. If I decide to go with option 1 presumably I would have to drive the car out to Belize on the 15th, the day when my FM3 runs out ? Can the Aduana office at the port of Cancun do this same FM3 to FMM sticker change ? Let me know re dinner, we are completely flexible and can pick you up from the airport if needed, you’d be a good guy to have in the car if I get caught ! Best wishes, Ian. Reply

yucalandia says: October 7, 2012 at 10:01 am

Hi Ian, Many many people enter Mexico on FMM’s, without compromising either their TIP or FM3’s. Why not enter on the FM3? I suggest using the passport that was used to apply for the FM3, and use your FM3. Yes, you can renew your FM3 when you arrive, particularly using the grace period (30 days). The Cancun Aduana office does not handle auto permit issues. Permits can be turned in only at border crossings, while permits can be renewed at official sea-port port of entry Aduana offices. The inland and airport Aduana offices are limited in what they handle. Re Dinner: We arrive at 2:25 on Airtran on Nov. 3, and would take a bus over to Merida after meeting with you, if that works for your plans. All the best, steve Reply

Ian Bourne says: October 7, 2012 at 1:45 pm

Thanks Steve for another great response. I’ll go ahead and enter on my US passport with the FM3. We can pick you up at the airport if that suits and go to get a meal from there ? Then we can get you to the downtown bus station in Cancun if that works ? Where are you coming in from ? Cheers, Ian. Reply

L.B. says: October 18, 2012 at 3:02 pm

Hello! I was wondering what the regulations were for having a car shipped to Cozumel? My husband and I just bought a house there and have not yet applied for our FM3. Any help would be great! Reply

yucalandia says: October 19, 2012 at 5:20 pm

Hi LB, You are required to use a Customs Broker, and the car must be shipped empty – with no household or personal goods. Contact your shipper and your Customs Broker for their specific requirements. steve Reply

L.B says: October 20, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Thank you Steve! Do you know if we are required to have an FM3 in order to receive it? Reply

yucalandia says: October 20, 2012 at 8:39 pm

Hi LB, You should be able to receive it as a tourist with an FMM, but the car permit would be given an expiration date that matches your FMM expiration date. Since you may want to keep the car in Mexico, while flying back home(???), then you really should get an FM3 (or the new Residente Temporal – see our article on the new INM law and new categories at: https://yucalandia.wordpress.com/living-in-yucatan-mexico/new-immigration-law-published-for-mexico-the-article/), because if you fly out, INM cancels your FMM (tourist visa) at the airport, which then makes the car illegal because the car permit expires with the cancelling of the FMM. I did not mention it earlier, but you will need originals and copies of your passport, registration, title, and if you have a loan on the car, you must have a letter from the loan holder approving your taking the car into Mexico. steve Reply

L.B says: October 21, 2012 at 9:09 am

Thank you so much Steve! Your information has saved me a lot of headache and time! L.B Reply

crb says: November 19, 2012 at 8:42 am

Thanks for the great site…it’s appreciated because I am totally confused in my attempts of understanding what I am, or am not, supposed to do with my vehicle. I have a made in U.S. vehicle which was manufactured in May of 2002. I just applied for my new FM (permanent) visa. Now I realize that my vehicle is going to be an issue–it was fine under FM3. I think I have missed the 10 year period for importing a vehicle. Any advice? It is registered in Belize so I guess I could sell it there, but you know how it is with an old trustworthy friend you don’t want to say goodbye to. Reply

yucalandia says: November 19, 2012 at 9:20 am

Hi CRB, If you applied as an Inmigrante Rentista FM2 in the past, you qualified to keep the temporarily import permit (TIP) car. Aduana has NOT yet issued a policy statement on how they plan to handle TIPs for INM’s new Residente Permanente (or for Residente Temporal) permits. Yes, you missed the period to permanently import the vehicle, since the Model Years start on Nov1 of the preceding year, and end Oct 31 of the year of manufacture. e.g. All cars manufactured between Nov 1, 2001 and Oct 31 2002 are officially called “2002” models. What date did you officially apply for your new residency permit? If it was before Nov. 9, 2012, then you applied for an Inmigrante (FM2). The type of Inmigrante makes all the difference. If you did NOT have a work permit, or if you are NOT married to a Mexican, then most likely you applied as a Rentista living on pension or retirement income. Rentistas are allowed to have TIPs. If you applied after Nov, 8 (the official application date is the first day you go to your INM office, when they give you a NUT.), then NONE of us knows what the new Aduana rule will be on TIPs. steve Reply

Terry says: November 19, 2012 at 9:30 pm

Hi Steve, This brings up a point i had not considered. I bought a 2003 Ford that I want to import and had planned to take the car down in February or August of next year figuring I was still within the time frame . After reading this i checked the manufacturing date and found it was made in 9/2002. If i understand what you said correctly, that will be to late. would i have untill the end of this year to import? also is it possible to start the import process now and then take the car down later? Thanks again for this site! Terry Reply

chuck says: November 21, 2012 at 8:25 am

Good morning Steve. Thanks for this site. My story: I have just (last week) applied for my new immigration and my papers will change from FM3 to Permanent Resident. I was feeling great about that and called a custom’s broker to help me import my vehicle–manufactured in the U.S. in May 2002. 10 years old. I was told that only 8 or 9 year old cars could now be imported and plated in Mexico. I also had not known I was to visit the Aduana annually to renew…definitely my error. I just didn’t know I was supposed to do that, since I thought the car papers ran with my FM3. Any advice? I, like most people, try my best to live legally in Mexico, but sometimes it’s hard to know what the rules are. Reply

yucalandia says: November 21, 2012 at 10:46 am

Hi Chuck, Oooops, your car is NOT 10 years old under official Aduana rules. 10 year old cars are NOW 2003 models. As noted above: the 2003 current model year covers cars manufactured between Nov 1., 2002 – Oct. 31, 2003. You missed the window to import the car by 3 weeks. Bummer. I think you have to stick with a Temporary Import Permit. or take the car out of Mexico…. steve Reply

Bo says: November 23, 2012 at 12:41 pm

Hi….I have many different opinions who is allowed to drive my legally permitted Vehicle in Mexico. I have a current FM-3, a valid current vehicle permit. I have been advised “only my family members are allowed” to drive my vehicle in Mexico without me being in the vehicle, and anyone else other than my family members “are not allowed” to drive my vehicle without me being in the vehicle with my FM-3 card. I understand Mexican nationals are not allowed to drive my vehicle, how about my Canadian friends, can they drive my vehicle without me being in the vehicle. What is the ruling who or who can not drive my Alberta registered vehicle, (yes I have all the correct permits). Greatly appreciate your opinion…or anyone who has knowledge who is allowed to drive my vehicle. Bo Reply

yucalandia says: November 23, 2012 at 6:40 pm

Hi Bo, Opinions are fun, and everyone seems to have one, but in this case the Law is very specific and easy to understand. Your immediate family members may legally drive your car that has a Temporary Import Permit. Mexicans may legally drive your car if you are in the vehicle. OTHER FOREIGNERS who have the SAME TYPE of INM Permit may legally drive your car. This last clause means that foreigners/expats in Mexico on FM3’s, (No Inmigrante permits), or Residente Temporal permits may legally drive your car – since they are all legally equivalent to your FM3. Again, this is not an opinion, it is the Law. As we suggest above, carry a copy of Article 106 in your vehicle, in both English and Spanish, (an especially good practice since it includes this exact information). Happy Trails, steve Reply

Erdem Cavus says: November 24, 2012 at 7:42 am

Hi Steve, We have temporary imported our 2004 cadillac to playa del carmen mexico. We shipped it to proggresso then drive to PDC. That was back in 2009 with a tourist visa. We endup staying and getting Fm3 visas and got married in mexico but not legally just a ceromany because sime papers being missing and it wasnt important at the time. We drove our car under fm3 visas until november this year I have offered good job in las vegas decide to move. Car title is in my wife (common wife) name. We end up staying in usa ship all of our stuff except our car. We have been renting a car in vegas couple months now. We try to ship but it wasnt possible without my wife personally drop the car one of the port. I decide to drive the car all the way. First issue is i just realize after read your article that my wife fm3 expired yesterday and i am writing you this from airport on the way to pdc. Here is my question can I drive the car to usa without my wife being with me? Will it be safe? Can I get temp permit to leave the mexico in 3-5 days? Documents I have with me are: copy of her fm3, passport, original permit, notarized copy of the title, notarized permit stating she is allowing me drive her car to usa. I also have my passport fm3 ( not expired) Please help and thank you in advance-:) Reply

yucalandia says: November 24, 2012 at 10:14 am

Erdem, Yes, you can drive the car. Just explain that it is owned by your wife. Aduana gives a formal 2 week grace period on the TIPs expiring, and generally allows a month. You can drive it out. For a safe route, read our article on Driving from the USA to Yucatan at Yucatan Living. According to repeated, very current reports from reliable people living at the border, the Central Route, with a crossing at either Laredo or Piedras Negras, is still both a very safe route and is also the relative safest route, and is ironically also the fastest route (due to all the toll roads and few or no topes nor small towns). http://www.yucatanliving.com/destinations/driving-through-mexico-to-yucatan.htm One drawback to allowing the INM visa to expire before turning in the car Permit: you lose any deposit you made. All the best, steve Reply

Erdem Cavus says: November 24, 2012 at 4:02 pm

Thank you very much for your help I will keep you posted when I get back to the Las vegas.

gwen grafft says: November 29, 2012 at 8:07 pm

HI: does anybody know if there is a way to have my car shipped back to the US? I have to leave due to a family situation and can’t drive it back. Reply

yucalandia says: November 30, 2012 at 6:42 am

You could ship it by sea. There are several ports that handle this. Linea Peninsular ships cars out of Progreso for $600 USD one way (price 2 years ago – including broker fees, taxes, etc ), for delivery in Tampa, Florida. I understand that they were planning to make arrangements for Progreso – Houston shipments. There was once shipping out of Vera Cruz – Houston, and Vera Cruz – New Orleans, but I have no idea of its status. Reply

Erdem says: December 2, 2012 at 10:05 pm

Here is the summary of my trip: I start driving from Playa Del Carmen around 4 pm Nov. 24th. Drove about 4 hours and reach Chetumal road was mostly 2 way and lot of truckers on the road. Past trough several town with traffic lights and lot of topez. Best part is truckers let you know about upcoming traffic by their left turn signal so you dont have to stuck behind them. I stayed in downtown and felt pretty safe . Next day I drove all the way to Puebla took the toll roads ( Cuenta = toll road Libre= local roads) totally worth it. I did not go in to downtown and stayed in Holiday Inn . They have underground parking with security so slept pretty good. I always drove day time and some after dark until Puebla. After Puebla I knew I would be entering state of Durango and Chihuahua which are the most dangerous states in Mexico so I did not drive at dark anymore. I drive Black Cadillac escalade so it drove lot of attention from police and military. Almost everytime i got stopped by military and search . There are 5 military check point all the way to border and I was stopped every single one of them ask where am I going and coming from. I speak ok spanish so I did help me also I emptied my car completely had no suitcases or bag that saved me lot of time. Everytime they ask me where am I going my answer was next big town ( like first day was Puebla second day was chihuahua) it seems that help me for quick search. Second day woke up early because I wanted to drove to Chihuahua which is 17 hours drive. When it got dark I was at city of jimenez and I did not want to drive anymore so look for hotel. There are none. Stayed at most safe looking motel called Colonial right by the highway. They have parking inside so my car wasnt visible for outsiders. I did not felt safe because door was really looks like bathroom doors we have and i am sure with a small amount of force it would be open easily. End of the day nothing happened and as soon as sun was out I was on the road again. After 5-6 hours drive I was at the city of juarez( the most dangerous city) Of course it was day time and it looked like any city with hard working people trying to make living. You have to pass trough the city to get to border of texas. I had no problem. Waited about 25 minutes at the border all they ask was my passport and they search the car with some kind of machine and thats it. I was at El paso Texas. Took I-10 speed limit is 75 mph that made rest of the road to Las Vegas very easy. If I have to give you one advise for this kinda drive take the toll roads. It will cost you a few hundreds dollars but I will save you time and headache. I would like to thank to Steve for his help before I start this journey. His help gave me confidence to do it. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please just write it here so everyone can take advantage of it. Erdem Reply

Kathleen says: December 4, 2012 at 7:25 pm

Erdem, thank you for your very detailed report and that you arrived to Las Vegas unscathed. Reply

yucalandia says: December 4, 2012 at 7:26 pm

Amen… Reply

Kim Doland says: December 4, 2012 at 7:50 pm

Hi Steve I need to nationalize my van from Canada in order to make room on my FM3 for the temporary importation of my motorcycle. How do I go about this permanent importation of my van in Progreso, Yucatan? Do I have to go to Aduana on the pier to start the process? What kind of documentation will I need to bring with me? I have read in the past that the vehicle needs to be 10 years old in order to to do this. It just so happens that my van is a 2003 so I can hopefully do this in January! However, I have heard that they are only allowing 8 and 9 year old vehicles to be imported and I am worried that my van might be too old now. Do you happen to know which is correct? Finally, what about my motorcycle? Do I also go to Aduana to get it temporarily imported? Thanks for any advice…. Kim Reply

yucalandia says: December 4, 2012 at 8:05 pm

Hi Kim, Your 2003 Van is exactly 10 years old as of Nov 1, 2012, so, you might want to go in now, before the Aduana folks go on their Christmas/New Years holidays. Contact the folks at the pier (muelle). Stop by the little office before entering the road to the pier, and they will give you either a list of things needed, or give you authorization to go out to an Administration building (second group of buildings) about ½ way out from the end of the muelle. They should give you a list of what is needed. HOPEFULLY, they will not require an emissions test… There are brokers in Progreso who handle this. A few of the more talented folks on Yolisto have recommended Hiram Cervera: Hiram Cervera AGENCIA ADUANAL CERVERA http://www.cervera.com.mx PROGRESO (969) 935 3535 MERIDA (999) 946 2326 CANCUN (998) 882 0888 USA (302) 351 8212 [email protected] We have no experience with him, so, I can’t really say anything more than ChuckD and some other sharp local commentators recommended him. If you get stuck, I may now someone who has work-arounds… steve Reply

Kim Doland says: December 6, 2012 at 2:33 pm

Hi Steve We took your advice and contacted this broker. Without going into specifics, he estimated that it would cost around US$2000 to nationalize my 2003 Ford Econoline 15 passenger van!!! The darn thing is only worth about US$7000!! Does that sound a little expensive to you, given your experience with this sort of thing? As for the motorcycle, it is sitting here in our driveway with NO Aduana paperwork on it! Should I assume that this is OK as long as I don’t ride it until my wife can register it at Aduana under her FM3/temporal immigrante (or whatever they are calling it now)? Since there is no fee for renewing the temporary importation permits every year, I think that we will just renew the permits when we renew our temporal immigrante visa each year…at least the fee for the visa doesn’t cost too much….or does it? Does this sound like a good plan to you? Or, given that there is such a small window of opportunity to nationalize the van within it’s 10th year of existence, should I just pay the 2K and never have to worry about it again? Thanks for whatever advice you can suggest! Kim Reply

Larry Seminutin says: December 8, 2012 at 8:54 am

Hi Steve,I will be importing our household goods shortly (Menaje de Casa ) via my own cargo trailer towed by my own vehicle. Would lie to come an go from Mexico with same vehicle while leaving the trailer behind unless I decide to leave permanently. Is this a problem when I check out at the border? Reply

yucalandia says: December 8, 2012 at 8:01 pm

Hi Larry, Yes, 1,000’s of expats do this successfully. Just have Aduana issue a permit for the trailer, that becomes linked to the car permit. Note that if you want to cancel the car permit someday, you can decide if you want to deal with taking the trailer out at the same time, or later, to keep it all legal and untangled. steve Reply

Larry Seminutin says: December 9, 2012 at 11:24 am

Hi Steve. In keeping with legal and untangled, If I chose to replace the vehicle with another while back state-side , any ideas. Reply

yucalandia says: December 9, 2012 at 6:18 pm

Hi Larry, When you bring the first vehicle w/trailer, you will get Temporary Import Permits (TIP) for each. Many guys just leave the trailer in Mexico and come and go with other vehicles. When you leave with the first vehicle, be sure to stop at the Mexican side of the border, and turn in your original copy of your car/truck’s TIP, and then have Banjercito personnel remove the sticker from the windshield, and then they give you a receipt for your cancelled TIP. SAVE THIS DOCUMENT/RECEIPT. When you return with a different (or same) vehicle in the future, you can then get a new TIP on the next vehicle. You will likely not be allowed to bring in another trailer, until you take out the old one (turning in the old trailer’s TIP at Banjercito whenever it leaves the country). Keeping the document proving you surrendered your old/first TIP saves you from any future hassles in getting new TIPs. All simple and easy. Happy Trails, steve Reply

JRG says: January 4, 2013 at 6:15 pm

I called Aduana in QRO and talked with Juan Manuel de la Vega. His phone numbers are: 442-227-0013 and 442-227-0100 and extension 62343 for the second number. Once you have your temporary resident visa you have 15 working days to go to Aduana and show them your new visa. Your deposit is then protected for the duration of your visa be it 1, 2, 3 or 4 years. Even if you are pre-approved at a consulate, once you have your visa which you receive locally, go to Aduana to register your visa. For those receiving Permanent Resident visas, sometime this year you will be receiving a letter. They are tying INM and Aduana’s computer bases together so they will have your address. That letter will give you a date by which you are to remove your foreign plated vehicle from Mexico. This time frame has yet to be determined. Reply

Ian Bourne says: January 5, 2013 at 6:03 pm

Hi Steve, Please help me with an email address to get you, I can’t seem to find one on the home page, however, your site is incredible. It’s Ian, we are coming down again Jan 30 Feb 27 to Cancun, wondering if we can meet and what I can bring for your charity work from the US ? Best wishes, Ian. PS Sorry to get you on a reply space. Reply

Doug says: January 16, 2013 at 1:33 pm

OK. Here’s my problem. I went to renew my FM3 today (in Guadalajara) and was told I must change to Permanent Residence status – meaning a new ID Card. What do I do with my German Licensed car? If I am a permanent resident, will I be allowed to continue driving it as I was with my FM3? Since the car is less than 30 years old, I am not allowed to get Mexican Plates. I was told by Immigration, even if I have a Permanent Residency Card, I can drive to the Border, de-register my car, obtain a new Tourist Visa and re-import the car. I would have to do this each 6 months but am I allowed a Permanent Resident Card AND a Tourist Visa? This doesn’t seem right. Reply

yucalandia says: January 16, 2013 at 6:53 pm

Hi Doug, First, Aduana has not made a decision whether Residente Permanente permit holders will or will not be allowed to keep their imported cars. A few Aduana regional directors are saying you might be allowed to keep your imported foreign-plated car for a year, and then you will be sent a letter ordering you to take it out of Mexico. The final Aduana’s decision on foreign plated cars for Residente Permanentes is reported to be coming by the end of January. Cars like yours can be sold in Belize if as a Residente Permanente you cannot keep the car. Alternately, you can do a series of Visitor’s permits, and drive the car to the border every 6 months, turn in the old import permit, apply for a refund of your $200 – $400 USD deposit, and give Banjercito a fresh $200-$400 dollar deposit, and then do the dance all over again in 6 more months. Or sell the car at the border. You are correct in assuming that you cannot have a Visitor permit and a Permanente Residente Card at the same time, as the computer tracks them by your name and by your passport number. steve Reply

rubygeorgina says: February 7, 2013 at 9:18 am

That is good information. I was told the other day that IF one has working papers then you must remove your foreign plated vehicle.. but this is the rumor mill… have you heard anything to validate that rumor? Was interested to hear that they are tying Aduana with INM and that a letter will be issued indicating the date for removal of your vehicle. Thanks for all your great work in keeping us informed and legal. Georgina

yucalandia says: February 7, 2013 at 9:46 am

Hi RubyGeorgina, There have been zero / zip / nada official announcements by Aduana on the issue of foreign-plated cars (TIP cars) and the new INM residency permits. Even though there have been no rulings, no announcements, or not even comments, some enterprising (very cautious) Mexican lawyers are telling their clients that they MUST take out their foreign-plated cars. There are also equivalent numbers of Mexican lawyers saying you can keep your car (for now and likely permanently). Me? I recognize that Aduana has formally known about INM’s new Residente Permanente category since May 2011, and Aduana has taken ZERO actions to change their rules to write in prohibitions into the Ley Aduanero. When an agency does not issue prohibitions for 21 months, then why should these lawyers make their own ad hoc personal rulings, proclaiming things that Aduana officials clearly have NOT been willing to say? The current Aduana statutes say NOTHING about the status of Permisos de Importación Temporal de Vehículos for either Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente card holders. In the absence of a ruling, we are left with the Articulo 106 de la Ley Aduanero, that specifically states that if the auto permit holder maintains a valid INM permit, then the auto permit remains valid. Further, some sharp Mexican lawyers have pointed out the Mexican legal principle/right that the Mexican Gob. cannot arbitrarily take away an existing legal benefit from an individual, unless they first provide substantial justification for removing that benefit. So, we are all waiting to see what Aduana actually decides… ( making all the recent comments … ~ dust in the wind ~ … ) steve

John says: January 16, 2013 at 6:59 pm

You can also let your fm3 expire, go to office next day and pay fine then restart your fm3 for four more years. Instructions from jefe of ins Acapulco office. Reply

Don Saigle says: February 7, 2013 at 4:47 pm

My apologies, but I can’t find this specific item addressed. I obtained my FM3 in Feb. of 2012, leaving Mexico in April. I drove back into Mexico during Oct 2012 and obtained the TIP as I crosssed. I was given a piece of paper by the bank that stated: ” NOTE: EXTENSION PERMIT FOR TEPORARY IMPORT. 15 days prior to expiration date of original permit a FM3 form will have to be processed to Inmigration office (or in case of FM2 Rentista Category). After renewing your FM3 or FM2 you will have 15 days to go SAT for deposit processing in office. If this is not realized with in 15 days, the deposit will automatically transfer to the Federal Treasury (TESOFE)” I’ve just received my new residente temporal card issued. How do I notify Aduana of the renewal/change in status? I’m in Bucerias outside of Puerto Vallarata. Thanks Reply

yucalandia says: February 7, 2013 at 7:17 pm

Hi Don, “ How do I notify Aduana of the renewal/change in status? I’m in Bucerias outside of Puerto Vallarata.” The paper they gave you was a courtesy notice telling you about their standard policy since June 2010. Every time you update your INM permit, TIP holders must go in person to their local Aduana office, and register the new expiration date (of your renewed INM permit), so they can update their TIP databases with your new expiration date for your car’s permit. A quick check of the Map of Aduanas del Pais shows Aduqana offices in Manzanillo and Guadalajara. Happy Trails, steve Reply

John Faux says: February 7, 2013 at 6:04 pm

Hello all . This is a GREAT THREAD!!..however…I still can’t find my particular issue here. So hopefully my question will benefit other newbies to Mexico like myself. I drove my van via Nogales and arrived here in Mazatlan January 27. Aduane in Nogales issued my vehicle permit for just 30 days! My Temporary Resident application was made November 28 and after a huge mistake on migrations part my card should be ready around March 1. I have read that my vehicle permit is linked to the expiration of my visa status and my card. True? Is there ANY point in me going to aduane right now, to get my permit extended with no resident card in hand …only an application? In fact do I have to go there at all since the van permit expires with my one year temporary card?? Thanks for help offered. Cheers! Reply

yucalandia says: February 7, 2013 at 8:01 pm

Hi John, Do you care if you lose your $$$ deposit on the TIP ? If not, then things should ultimately work out fine. Re your deposit and requirements to notify Aduana of INM permit activities: Since June of 2010, You (and everyone else) must notify Aduana within 15 days after your TIP’s expiration date, notifying them in person of your INM permit’s actual (new or extended) expiration date. If you get your INM permit before current TIP’s 30 day expiration, (Jan. 27 + 30 = Feb 26). then it all works out. If you get your INM permit after your TIP expires, but notify Aduana of the new expiration date with 15 days (“grace period”) of the expiration date, (Feb 26 + 15 = March 13), then it likely works out, … but sometimes Aduana takes time to notify Banjercito and then Banjercito confiscates the deposit on Day 15 of the “grace period. If you exceed the original 30 days on your TIP, and exceed the 15 day grace period, then you definitely lose your $$$ deposit you made with Banjercito. Be sure to notify Aduana in person as soon as possible, (with your new INM permit expiration date), and if possible, do not go beyond the TIPs expiration date. Normally, when you notify Aduana of the actual expiration date (and prove the status) of your INM permit, Aduana issues you an official letter to carry in the car to show the police and Military to prove that your TIP has not expired. Still, with your unusual situation, Aduana will likely not issue you a letter until you get formal written notification of your INM permit’s new expiration date… or show them your new INM residency card. Fortunately, there is still time for you to get your new card from INM, and notify Aduana within the 15 day “grace period”. Happy Trails, steve Reply

John Faux says: February 8, 2013 at 3:19 am

Thanks so much for fast and detailed reply Steve !!

Don Saigle says: February 7, 2013 at 7:31 pm

Thanks – no way to do this via phone, email or mail/delivery? Reply

Don Saigle says: February 10, 2013 at 2:48 pm

Thanks Steve – I did a little research and outreach here. I stopped into the Aduana office at the PV airport. They provided me with a form letter to submitted to the Administradora de Operacion Aduanera “3” in Mexico City. Other then attaching the necessary copies of documents, there’s no need for anything else. I’ve since heard similar experiences in process from others on this side of the country and no formal letter being issued by Aduana. FYI. Reply

yucalandia says: February 11, 2013 at 11:08 am

Hi Don, Wow, your PV-airport Aduana office is the first one we have heard of that handles the car permit renewal issue. cool…. Unfortunately, the annual letter is being issued by many (but not all) regional and local Aduana offices, (it is also issued by the DF office). This means that police in a given state can be used to expecting their TIP holders to carry a current letter, but if you are from an area where the Aduana office does not issue a letter, maybe you just carry some receipt they gave you for that year??? steve Reply

fugawibill says: February 12, 2013 at 10:56 am

Both myself and my vehicle are approaching an age that neither of us belong on long road trips. I have seen references to a donation program to clear the permit, but can’t seem to locate them. Several of us expats are in a similar situation, and would like to know what your take is. Thanks Reply

yucalandia says: February 12, 2013 at 11:39 am

Hi Bill, There is an official plan “on the books”, but when we have gone to 2 different Aduana offices here in Yucatan peninsula, they have no idea how to do it. They sent us to Hacienda to ask more questions – which we have not followed up on yet. I would note that reliable reports from gringos in other parts of Mexico are saying that their Aduana offices no longer accept any vehicle: They only want good working, useful vehicles, like vans… Maybe your local Aduana office personnel know more than ours? To avoid this run-around, one other friend here asked their Notario what to do. He told them to have the vehicle disposed of locally (by a junkyard ~ dehuesadero ~ ), and he has written them a letter to have the junkyard sign, certifying that the vehicle has been destroyed and cut up for parts, and cannot and will not be used ever again. You turn in your windshield permit sticker, with the original TIP paper copy, and a copy of the Notario’s letter, and Aduana then accepts your surrendered permit, and clears the permit from their system and taking it off of you passport record and off your INM NUE number record. steve Reply

fugawibill says: February 12, 2013 at 1:16 pm

In my case, it is a perfectly usable van, which, I am sure, a local charity would be pleased to receive. According the Aduana here in Mazatlan, the cost to destroy, and clear the TIP, is between $300 and $400US. It appears from your coment above, that they may have a program similar to a “Kidney Car” NOB. Of course, you can always have someone else drive it out with a Retorno Seguro. Either one might also be a solution to the foreign vehicle problem when upgrading to Residante Permanente. Reply

yucalandia says: February 12, 2013 at 4:41 pm

Hi Bill, You mention the potential problems that MIGHT occur if an expat with a foreign plated car upgrades to Residente Permanente. This issue remains open/unresolved, and there are as many experts and lawyers saying that expats who already have cars here, will be allowed to keep their cars, as there are opinions that the TIP cars will have to go. I have added a section above to partly answer your questions – at: I Can’t Take My TIP Car to the Border and I Want to Donate It to Aduana. This section includes 3 possible Gob. references for more official information on your situation. When you get some resolution, can you please come back and give us a report? Thanks, steve Reply

Merlenna Higby says: February 12, 2013 at 9:10 pm

I have another question, is it possible to keep a foreign plated vehicle if we get a work visa? Or do we need to have it still leave the country every 6 months on a tourist visa, or sell it if we don’t want to have to drive it to the border every 6 months? Reply

yucalandia says: February 12, 2013 at 9:41 pm

Hi Merlenna, Just what INM permit type do you have (or are planning to have)? p(This affects your ability to have a TIP car more than your work status.) If you choose to get a Tourist permit (not a visa)**, then yes, you have to go to the border and cancel out both the Tourist permit and the Aduana temporarily imported auto permit every six months – or for whatever period up to 6 months INM authorizes. Have you considered a Residente Temporal INM permit (?) – which can be purchased for 1 to 4 years – and allows you to keep the car for the entire period, without trips to the border. You can read more about Residente Temporal permits at our main article on Immigration to Mexico at: New Rules and Procedures for Immigration, Visiting, and Staying in Mexico . steve Reply

Pingback: Temporary Opportunity to Permanently Import a Car Into Mexico | Surviving Yucatan

Cliff du Fresne says: February 13, 2013 at 8:37 am

I have lived in Mexico for 8 winters with a tourist visa. This January I acquired a Temporary Resident Visa in Vancouver that I must start to convert to a Temporary Resident Card within 30 days of entering Mexico. I wanted to purchase a 4 year temporary resident visa but INM in Mazatlan says I can only purchase a 1 year visa in the year that I convert. Is this true? Reply

yucalandia says: February 13, 2013 at 9:15 am

Since individual INM offices have broad latitude in deciding how to implement the policy, they have the right to issue only a 1 year visa. I would ask to pay for 4 years, and show them a copy of the official text describing the fees for 4 years of a Residente Temporal card, though. steve Reply

Don Saigle says: February 13, 2013 at 4:48 pm

Attended presentation today by INM and SAT in Nuevo Vallarta. IF I heard thing correctly, Aduana has totally disconnected the TIP issues from resident status ( temp and/or permenant ). Foreign plated vehicles can only be in the country for a max. of 180 days and only on a tourist visa status. Those that have foreign plated vehicle that wish to leave them in country, have to contact a customs broker to have the vehicle ‘naturalized’. Has anyone else heard this? Reply

yucalandia says: February 13, 2013 at 5:47 pm

I’m moving this up into a post, so anyone who enters the site reads it, and hopefully responds. steve Reply

Pingback: Aduana Proposal to Allow Existing Foreign-Plated “TIP” Cars to be Permanently Imported ? | Surviving Yucatan

Rob says: February 14, 2013 at 10:47 am

Hi Steve, So here is the thing….I did not know the rules and regualations…I came to Mexico two years ago….and I bought a vehicle (US$4800) off a couple here…..then later when I realized this was not alllowed I tried to contact the people who sold it to me….long gone….the vehicle has Arizona plates (I am from Canada) and does not appear to have any sticker…..they have not responded to my emails about my enquiry regarding how they brought the vehicle into Mexico….so I buried my head in the sand….for two years! I know , I know not smart but it is what it is…during that time I had an FM3 and then left and came back on a toursit visa….and have been driving the vehicle all of this time…..it is mine I do have the bill of sale etc..,.but it is still all registered in the previous owners name…the plates are expired…. I have enquired with the state of Arizona and can obtain a temporary permit once in the U.S. or online before I leave Mexico so I can drive it through the U.§. to Canada. But how do I get it out of here…..it is a great vehicle….of course I cannot legally sell it on although someone could just drive it the way I did……and I probably cannot legally drive it out of Mexico…cannot find a sticker anywhere on the windshield….maybe they only drove it in for a day with no sticker then stayed and later sold it to me. Anyhow here is the thing…what are the chances and where would be the best place for me to drive out of Mexico…do they always stop people or could I just drive…once I am on the U.§ side I am legal and then onto Canada…. Ah the complicated situations I create..it has been a great vehicle…if needs be…I would even consider giving it to one of my Mexican friends…but then they cannot legally use it anyway. So what are the chances of me driving right through…… Reply

yucalandia says: February 14, 2013 at 11:23 am

Hi Rob, Good story. Fun details. Your Current Options: 1. Continue driving it as you have for the past 2 years. Hope for continued good luck. Leave Mexico when you want, arranging for temporary AZ registration to allow you to drive legally in the USA/Canada. Will Arizona issue the temporary registration without also issuing you an AZ title? Will Canada give you plates, based on just a US title that has been signed over to you (no US title printed in your name)? 2. Use the Safe Returns program described in the article above, giving you a 3 to 5 day window to drive out of Mexico legally. I don’t know what state you are in, so, I cannot hazard a guess as to the chances of driving out without hassles. My best guess is that you would likely be able to drive out of Mexico without any Mex. officials or police questioning you. In the realm of risk, your risk of problems may be greater regarding getting in an accident. Many Mex. insurance companies use the excuse of your vehicle not having proper registration to disallow protection on accidents. If you got into an accident, you could find yourself indefinitely in a Mexican jail (no food, no water in many), until you can definitively prove that you can pay for any possible future medical problems related to accident-related injuries, plus damage to the other car. In the worst case, the current liability payment to dependents, ordained by the Mex. Gob. in case of accidental death, is over $300,000 USD. You could sit in jail a long time if you have no valid insurance protection. e.g. We know one fellow who sat in jail over him hitting a motorcycle rider who ducked in front of him, without phone calls, no food, no water, for 4 days, until his insurance agent finally resolved the financial bond issues. (the motorcyclist had a broken leg) Since we cannot control what the guys do on motorcycles here, we chose to get auto insurance. All the best, steve Reply

fugawibill says: February 14, 2013 at 10:53 am

A question I have not seen addressed yet is whether there have been any changes to the RV permit program. I, like some others, leave my RV in Mexico year around. Reply

yucalandia says: February 14, 2013 at 11:26 am

Hey Bill, Check out the Aduana ppt presentation listed in the comments on our latest first post: It says that RV permits remain in force for 10 years, and that they can be renewed for an additional 10 years. We have read nothing official on this. steve Reply

Chad says: February 21, 2013 at 12:27 pm

Hi Steve, So, there is a delay with getting our visa at the consulate in the states, but we want to go ahead and purchase a car before we return to start the process. Well, supposedly we can purchase a car without residency (except at a dealership), but can’t register it until residency has been obtained. There have been posts made that you can place the car in a third-party’s name and draw up a legal contract stating that you are technically the owner and have full power over the vehicle. Is this something you would recommend? Have you seen cases like this? I know another site pointed out that you simply say you just bought the car and haven’t registered it yet, but my fear would be that the license plates would change or something and that wouldn’t work for long. Any ideas on what we can do? We don’t want to pay for a rental car for a few months. Thanks so much… again… for your help. Reply

yucalandia says: February 21, 2013 at 4:07 pm

Hi Chad, Hmmmmm…. This is clearly an area where you know much more than we do. Sorry, we have no knowledge or experience in this area, and we have not heard anything from friends. If you find out definitively how this works (or not), please come back and tell us your experiences. steve Reply

Eliana says: February 24, 2013 at 6:14 am

Hi Steve, I am a 28 yr old British citizen with dual nationality (mother is Mexican). I am planning to live in Mexico for a few years, maybe permanently. I fly first into the US next week to visit friends, and I have an idea to purchase a used motorhome there, between 6-8 yrs old, drive it across the border and into Mexico. I wish to import it permanently, which would also require me to nationalise it. A motorhome will be cheaper long term than rental and give me the flexibility to move about until I settle down somewhere. Do you know the procedure for permanently importing a vehicle since I am a Mexican citizen? However I will be buying the vehicle in the US? Can I register it in the US in my name without being a US citizen? Since it would not be a temporary import permit I need, what kind of paperwork needs to be done before I reach the border? As I understand, I would need to go to a border office to file for both the permanent import and the nationalisation. I don’t know if I would get both done in a day and obviously am a little nervous about hanging around in a border town for too long. Do you think it is worth doing all this, given the nationalisation costs seem so high? Do you know what other costs like taxes and customs fees would be? I have done numerous web searches and it seems almost impossible to find good quality used motorhomes in Mexico. I have looked into shipping a motorhome over from Miami to Cancun, but was told the only place you can permanently import a motorhome would be through Laredo Texas. Is this true? I would appreciate any advice!! Also, what route would you suggest taking in terms of road travel? I will probably have one or two friends also with me in the motorhome who will be coming in as tourists. We plan to drive to San Cristobal de las Casas and thereafter stay in the central / south of Mexico. Thanks so much in advance! Eliana. Reply

yucalandia says: February 24, 2013 at 11:04 am

Elena, For the best route through Mexico to get to southern Mexcio, check out the Yucatan Living article: http://www.yucatanliving.com/destinations/driving-through-mexico-to-yucatan.htm Driving Through Mexico to Yucatan . We still think it was and still is the best route as when I originally wrote the article. It would take an entire article to describe the terms and conditions for permanently importing a motor home. Check out http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_11399.html “Importación temporal de casas rodantes” for all the current and official details. Because of the high value ($$$) of motor homes, you may be forced to use a Custom’s Broker. In that case, the Customs Broker will tell you exactly what they need for their particular border crossing’s procedures and policies. Only you can decide what choice is best for your personal style: All the conveniences and headaches of a house on wheels vs. hotels or short term rentals. Since we don’t know how you intend to stay or your lifestyle choices in Mexico, we really cannot say what is best for you. I can say that big motorhomes are prohibited from traveling through or around a number of city centers, except during certain hours (evening or night-time), because they just cannot be driven easily in heavy traffic on narrow streets. Will you park on friend’s or family property? The motorhome parks we have seen are all located on the outer edges of cities – necessitating either ~ bicycles (FUN) ~ or patience and knowledge of the bus systems … or taxis? Alternately, you may want to drag a small car behind the motor home, to have transportation once you get to San Cristobal and other destinations. Unless you have a partner to drive the small car, with all the limitations of towing front wheel drive vehicles, you would likely need to also buy a small 2 wheel trailer to haul the around-town car. The friends we know who have done this for years … LOVE IT… the pace is so different – it makes for much more leisurely travel . Sidelight: How are your repair skills? Every motor home or travel trailer we have been around have ongoing minor nuisance issues that crop up. I would really advise contacting Jonna at “Blah blah blah, GINGER”: baddog.com . She has done the motor-home travel life around Mexico for years, is a wonderfully-talented, highly-knowledgeable, and practical person, and she’s a hoot to talk with – now happily living in Merida. Tell her “hi” from us. Happy Trails, steve Reply

rubygeorgina says: February 25, 2013 at 8:44 am

I learned last week that there is a temporary AMPARO (amnesty) on foreign plated vehicles. Trying to find out more. But what I have been able to determine so far is that vehicles 5 years or older qualify with VINs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 AND now also J and W (so Japanese and German built vehicles). No idea how long the AMPARO might last or how much it will cost to legalize. Any information on your end of things? Reply

yucalandia says: February 25, 2013 at 9:30 am

Hi Ruby, We wrote a post on the Amparo** on Feb 12: Temporary Opportunity to Permanently Import a Car Into Mexico We have friends who live just a few blocks from Tiocorp, and they have been checking out the offer. The first reports say that Tiocorp seems ok, but we are waiting to hear a first-hand report of how well the importation worked and waiting for information (the reputation and reliability) on the Customs Broker that Tiocorp is using in Tijuana.

Please come back and tell us what you find out – using the Comments section for the post listed above. There is also a thread on this on the Mexconnect forums: http://www.mexconnect.com/forums/General_C1/Living%2C_Working%2C_Retiring_F4/Nationalize_Almost_Any_Vehicle_Incl._2013_P186669/ to read more(?) steve **Amparo’s are not amnesties. Amparos are a feature of Mexican law that are very similar to a US judge’s temporary restraining order (TRO) – where an individual judge or Federal official puts some Mexican Govt. program or rule on “temporary hold”. As temporary restraining orders, no-one knows how long it will be held open (they may cancel the Amparo today… or tommorrow – or it may last for years), and we do not know the exact scope of this one. Many of us expat legalbeagles have been digging to find a copy of this Amparo, but we have had zero success so far. steve Reply

Chad says: March 2, 2013 at 4:28 pm

Hi Steve, Regarding the clause in Article 106 about a foreigner other than the importer driving a NOB car. It spells out immediate family or a foreigner with ‘migratory status’. Does migratory status include a tourist visa? So, a friend who is in Mexico with me could drive my vehicle? Of course, the question remains if insurance would cover another driver. I have never understood those clauses with rental cars and some caution that you should contact individual insurance companies. However, the policy goes with the car, not the person. I have GNP Seguros for my NOB car and their customer service the couple times I have tried has been horrible. I can’t get an answer if I am the only driver allowed to drive for coverage. Do you know if this normal for NOB car policies with companies like AXA, GNP,etc.,etc. I can’t imagine being in an accident and the policy not being valid b/c an approved driver (according to the Mex. Gov’t) was driving. Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: March 2, 2013 at 8:07 pm

Hi Chad, The text of 106 Fracc IV actually says that any other gringo with the same category of INM permit is allowed to drive the car. If you import the car with a Tourist permit, then another gringo with a Tourist permit is allowed to drive it, according to INM law. You may be fine, or not? I have no idea what is in your rental car agreement or in your regular car insurance policy. Talk with your agent, as the help line representatives may not know the T’s & C’s of your specific policy, (since a bad/wrong answer from a phone rep may be worse than no answer). Happy Trails, steve Reply

Dorinda says: March 4, 2013 at 10:53 am

We will drive our Korean manufactured car back to Canada in mid-April as we realize that we can’t nationalize it as planned. Our TIP expired 2 years ago. We are applying for a Retorno Seguro (safe return permit) and wonder how soon we should apply. Will they date it for the date we plan on leaving or will it be when they receive the application? We want to be a little flexible on our departure date. Any advice is appreciated. I’m losing sleep over this! Reply

yucalandia says: March 4, 2013 at 2:16 pm

Hi Dorinda, I understand that Aduana specifies the travel dates for taking the car out of Mexico. You could certainly ask for a particular set of dates. You may want to also read the latest Yucalandia report from the SMA US Consular Agent Ed Clancy at March 4 Update about Contacting Aduana and Your Ambassador re TIP Cars. steve Reply

Mario says: March 4, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Customs Rep.(PVR CUSTOMS BROKER AGENCY) told me that the MX.Government plans to bring in new rules in July for vehicles with foreign plates.Did somebody heard about it?I was also told that ordinary Police should not seize your vehicle.Only Police from Tax Department!!!???? Mario Thanks!! Reply

J says: March 14, 2013 at 1:07 pm

Legalize vs pay the 40 + % tax on stolen vehicle?? My bike gets stolen and i have to pay 40% tax plus a bunch of other fees this one is killing me. I loose my bike the police local state and fed didnt lift a finger to apprehend when some locals gave good info and they had time to stop them. Anyway now they want $$ on top of that, which would come to around 2k usd. Ok to some no big deal, but for others it may be a lot of money.. Either way its 2 – 2500 bucks to pay tax and clear import permit, OR It would cost about 900- to 1200 to legalize it. Then the tax is not applicable. Why not legalize after its stolen and save about half?? Any Common sense in this law? Reply

yucalandia says: March 14, 2013 at 1:39 pm

Hey J, Common sense? Unfortunately yes. There is a history of some gringos lying to Aduana and gringos ignoring the rules/laws. Gringos in the past who did not want to take their TIP cars out of Mexico would sell the TIP car or bike to a Mexican, then claim the car or bike was stolen. The gringo gets the cash, maybe an insurance settlement, and then just files a stolen vehicle report with Aduana to clear the permit. The car/bike would then be used as a “chocolate” with foreign plates, or it would be parted-out. Remember that the “T” in TIP is for temporary. People with foreign-plated TIP vehicles have promised in writing to take the vehicle out of Mexico at some point. Without some penalty for not taking the vehicles out, then many gringos would not follow the laws. So, blame the portion of the gringo community who thinks Mexico is like Disneyland – that they don’t have to follow rules or laws – which has caused the Mex. Gob. to put penalties in place. *sigh* I suspect you saw our Article’s section on this: What Happens if Your Foreign Plated Car is Stolen …. SURPRISE ! @#%&***!! which you can see from the Section title , what we think about this policy… All around the world, a few bad apples do spoil things for the rest of the barrel. steve Reply

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Kathleen says: March 21, 2013 at 3:04 pm

I have a vehicle that I have taken off the road and want to have it destroyed as it is an accident waiting to happen. I’ve exhausted all repair avenues and it has to be destroyed. I don’t want anyone driving it. A while back you commented about “dead cars” in which a friend’s Notario wrote a letter to have a “junkyard (dehuesadero) sign, certifying that the vehicle has been destroyed and cut up for parts, and cannot and will not be used ever again. You turn in your windshield permit sticker, with the original TIP paper coo;py, and a copy of the Notario’s letter, and Aduana then accepts your surrendered permit, and clears the permit from their system and taking it off of you[r] passport record and off your INM NUE number record.” Did your friend get confirmation that ,indeed, the permit was cleared from the system? Reply

yucalandia says: March 21, 2013 at 4:12 pm

Hi Kathleen, I will give him a shout. steve Reply

Kathleen says: March 21, 2013 at 8:41 pm

Thanks. I hope it’s good news! Kathleen Cook says: April 10, 2013 at 12:07 pm

Hi Steve, Have you heard from your friend yet regarding “dead cars”? Kathleen

yucalandia says: April 10, 2013 at 4:08 pm

Waiting to hear. I talked with a Notario today. He asked me to draft a letter in Spanish for him to do this, and he will get back with a quote on how much he would want to formalize the letter, and then Notarize it when signed by the dehuesodero or mecanico. steve

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Kathleen says: April 12, 2013 at 11:44 am

Great Steve! Did your Notario confirm that when the letter is formalized and notarized then signed by the dehuesodero or mecanico that when Aduana receives it the vehicle will be taken off the affected passport? Kathleen Reply

yucalandia says: April 12, 2013 at 4:14 pm

Waiting to hear from him. steve Reply

Kathleen Cook says: May 23, 2013 at 4:21 pm

Did you ever hear back from your friend? Tony

Kim Doland says: April 12, 2013 at 6:45 pm

So here’s one that I don’t think I have seen before on this site: I have a TIP that has been attached to my FM3/temporale residente visa for just over a year. There is another staff member coming from Canada in July and he will be applying for his own temporale residente visa. I would like to transfer the TIP that is attached to my visa, to HIS visa because I no longer wish to possess a temporale residente visa. We need to keep our Canadian-plated ministry van legal so I’d like him to be responsible for renewing the TIP from now on. Can you tell me how we go about making this transfer happen? Will I need to sell him the van for a dollar/peso so that he can produce a bill of sale in his name? Thanks, Steve… kim Reply

yucalandia says: April 13, 2013 at 8:14 am

Hi Kim, 1. Who is the owner of the van? As a ministry, we had a variation of this question once before, and as long as the van is NOT titled/registered in your name, then yes… sort of…. 1.a. But the yes requires going to the border. You can cancel out the old TIP: ~ Surrender the paper TIP document using the following procedure: ~ Have Banjercito personnel take-off the old sticker ~ Take a solicitud letter addressed to the Aduana crossing you will go to: saying you want to surrender the existing TIP: (modify the letter at : https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-inmexico/#Example%20Letter%20Notifying%20Aduana%20of%20changes-in%20or%20renewals-to%20your%20INM%20Visa ) ~ Supply all the information and documents listed in the section of this article for renewing the expiration date of a TIP ~ Recover your TIP deposit from Banjercito 1.b. The other person (who is at the border with you) then uses their Residente Temporal to get a new TIP in their name. 2. If you are the owner of the van, then do everything listed in 1.a., then, 2.a. You sign the title of the van over to the other person, and maybe have a letter dated for that day that documents the sale. 2.b The other person (who is at the border with you) then uses their Residente Temporal to get a new TIP in their name on the vehicle that is now in their name. We know of at least 4 sets of people who have successfully done the vehicle sale at the border with Belize. steve Reply

Kim says: April 14, 2013 at 6:54 am

Actually, I am the owner of the van but I will NOT be able to go to the border to cancel my TIP. Do you think that a friend could take my place by cancelling the TIP at the border and driving the van into Belize, as long as I have previously completed a bill of sale which transfers the title to a third party who will also be travelling to the border? I am willing to part with my Banjercito deposit so it’s not like I would have to personally sign something, right? Once they are in Belize, how long before the new owner can turn around and drive back into Mexico with his new TIP? Thanks kim Reply

yucalandia says: April 14, 2013 at 7:22 am

Hi Kim, Yes, your proposed plan is possible. You would need to write a broad and effective Power of Attorney (Carte de Poder) permitting your friend to drive your car, to cancel your Permiso de Importación de vehiculo and to take the car out of the country. A second letter would describe the sale of the vehicle to you. Both letters should identify both of your passport numbers, picture IDs (copies of yours), INM IDs, and all of the other documents and items shown in the list of items for “Official list of documents for notifying Aduana of your new/changed INM visa information:” above: https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-inmexico/#Official%20list%20of%20documents%20for%20notifying%20Aduana%20of%20your%20new/changed%20INM%20visa%20information We successfully did this for a friend just 2 months ago at the Belize, Subteniente López/Santa Helena, Mexico-Free Zone of Corozal border crossing. His wife (a different last name from his) owned the car, so I wrote him a Carte de Poder for her to sign to allow him to act as her legal agent and legal representative in all matters involving the vehicle, including driving the vehicle, including surrendering the TIP, receiving the Banjercito deposit, selling the vehicle, etc. Aduana de Subteniente López and Banjercito read the letter, and did the cancellation just fine. We then sold that vehicle in Belize the next day. Your friend could opt to go into Belize for some truly Duty Free shopping OR they could stay in Mexico – parking in the little lot at the Banjercito window, and doing all their transactions without leaving Mexico. Did you read our article on this? Remember, that border crossing Aduana office 9for processing papers and permit requests) closes at 5:00 PM… steve Reply

Kim says: April 14, 2013 at 12:41 pm

No, Steve, I did not read your article that you are referring to about “doing all the transactions without leaving Mexico”. Can you help me to locate it? thanks kim

yucalandia says: April 14, 2013 at 9:55 pm

Ummmm…. This is one of those issues where as the site administrator, I read all the comments, intermingled, from many different articles and different posts on just one page. I was (goofily – mistakenly) referring to comments on this topic, that I made to a diffferent poster, in the comments section of a different thread. Here are the comments from the other article: “Gerard Uc in Chetumal is doing similar J car and German car imports, by paper-only, but Sr. Uc has the German (or American) car sold (on paper) to a legal Mexican car dealer, the Car dealer then uses his more liberal carbusiness privileges to import the car, he then sells the car back to you (on paper), and the dealer then issues you the new title/factura/bill of sale, pedimento, and Tamaulipas plates… 2 gringos have reported using Sr Uc successfully: Gerardo Uc [email protected] 983-732-3297 We just this week have two acquaintainces who are now sending Sr. Uc money and papers to do their cars. We will give reports/updates when we hear more.” Hope this helps, steve

kettenburgmex says: April 14, 2013 at 9:23 am

We have the new temporary resident visas and were told that only foreign-plated vehicles that were brought into Mexico before 2011 DO NOT have to have a TIP while traveling in Mexico or re-entering the country. Our vehicle was tied to our old FM2, but now do we need a TIP or not? We have never left a deposit while traveling to and from Mexico. Reply

kettenburgmex says: April 14, 2013 at 5:22 pm

What does “your comment is awaiting moderation” mean? Just checking because I posted this comment some time ago and I have not received a response. Are there certain comments you reject because of wording, etc.? Reply

yucalandia says: April 14, 2013 at 9:31 pm

Hi KBMex, All foreign-plated cars in Mexico** must have a valid, unexpired TIP. **If you only drive the car in the 25 km border zone or in Baja California or Baja California Sur, then foreign-plated cars do not need a TIP. Where is the car now? You describe an “old FM2”. What INM permit do you have now, and what is its expiration date? What does the “Refrendo #” on the back of your current/unexpired INM permit say? The answers to these questions are needed to determine your current options. steve Reply

kettenburgmex says: April 15, 2013 at 8:39 am

Hi Steve, Appreciate you getting back to us. As I mentioned we have the new temporary resident visas and we are in our 3rd Refrendo. We understand that the car permit is no longer tied to the visa. We cross the border every year both ways and the car was originally brought into Mexico before 2011. Several people have told us that for the next two years (4 years of temporary resident visas) we don’t need a TIP because the car entered Mexico before 2011. We are thinking differently. Which is correct? We need to return to the States again the last part of May. Any info will be helpful.

yucalandia says: April 15, 2013 at 12:58 pm

Hi KBMex, I asked you: ” What INM permit do you have now, and … what is its expiration date? ” Your reply uses generic terminology (“new temporary resident visa“) – so, we cannot interpret what card you have nor do we know the expiration date (crystal ball is cloudy today). The new temporary residente permits are Residente Temporal cards. The only “visas” that one gets for entering Mexico. There are no visas for living/residing in Mexico. Because you did not answer our previous requests for more (necessary) information, we cannot answer your questions. Next: I previously asked you where the car is now. You chose not to answer. Again, because you did not answer this request for more (necessary) information, we cannot answer your questions. Did you have any breaks, or expirations, or fines or penalties assessed to either your current or earlier INM permits? We really do need all of this specific information to answer your questions. Happy Trails, steve

Kim says: April 14, 2013 at 11:30 am

This is awesome, Steve…thank you so much for the detail in your response. It sounds like a slam-dunk….we just have to remember to stop on the Mexican side of the border to cancel our TIP and everything should work out fine…. thanks again for all of your efforts on behalf of us gringos who don’t have a clue! kim Reply

kettenburgmex says: April 14, 2013 at 5:07 pm

I left a comment earlier, it appeared on the site and now is gone and no reply. Can you give me a reason? Thank you. Reply

yucalandia says: April 14, 2013 at 9:47 pm

Yes, our daughter and grandson are in town for a few days from the USA. I do this site with only some help from my Mexican wife. I do all this for free. I agreed to help a friend today who needs to buy a car. He needed someone who knows the law and the permits and knows Spanish to inspect the legal paperwork on the prospective car. It turns out that the car had a salvage title, … , and the last 2 Mexican sales transactions for the vehicle had not been officially recorded… This took me away from being able to see your messages. Plus, my family scheduled a birthday party for me today, and we had to do a lot of prep work for the party, plus the time at the party. I apologize for taking 5 hours to get online and review what you wrote. We have had a number of pretty nasty and ugly things written by commentators, so, we moderate the first few things things that people write here, since we basically have a “G” rated site, and a few “G” rated readers. I hope these explanations are enough to meet your request for “why” I have not responded in the last 4 hours. Sorry, steve Reply

kettenburgmex says: April 15, 2013 at 2:06 pm

Wow, we really aren’t communicating. I don’t know how else I can say it so I’ll try again. We just received our Residente Temporal visas and the expiration date is 2 years from now since we paid for the next two years after which we will go for Residente Permanente. We are currently in our 3rd Refrendo- no breaks or fines in the current or former cards. I only said Temporary Resident visas in English, but I meant the Residente Temporal cards. Our car is in Mexico and we drive it back and forth to the States once every year. It is a 2006 Nissan Frontier. Several people we know have sworn that one doesn’t need a TIP if the vehicle was brought into Mexico before 2011. I just want to know if this is true or do we need to apply for a TIP regardless of when the car was brought to Mexico? I think I’ve answered all your questions.

yucalandia says: April 15, 2013 at 2:24 pm

Hi KBMex, You are correct about not communicating. In the first reply to you, I wrote: Hi KBMex, All foreign-plated cars in Mexico** must have a valid, unexpired TIP. How can I make this any clearer? All foreign-plated cars in Mexico must have a valid Temporary Import Permit that has not expired. Does you car have Mexican license plates? If it does not have Mexican plates, then, it must have a valid TIP. You write: “ Several people we know have sworn that one doesn’t need a TIP if the vehicle was brought into Mexico before 2011.” The law has been clear on this point for at least 22 years. It really does not matter what other people tell you, if your intent is to keep the vehicle legal. Accurate communication really can be difficult. At 5:07 pm yesterday, you wrote a post with questions, and then at 5:22 PM you wrote again: “What does “your comment is awaiting moderation” mean? Just checking because I posted this comment some time ago and I have not received a response.” Even though we are a free website, with no income coming in, we really do try to reply to readers questions in a reasonable amount of time. My apologies for such slow and inadequate responses, steve

kettenburgmex says: April 15, 2013 at 1:46 pm

Steve, This is my first time on Yucalandia and I didn’t realize how it was set up, that you did all this work voluntarily and also have a life. So… sorry for my impatience and I understand the system now. Thanks for all the work you do keeping us informed. Reply

kettenburgmex says: April 16, 2013 at 10:34 am

Thank you for your reply Steve. I will take you at your word and let those people who are misinformed know that it makes no difference when the car was brought into Mexico. If the vehicle has foreign plates and is no longer attached to a valid visa, it must have a TIP. This is the answer I was looking for. Also, if you will check your notes and times, I wrote the comment “What does “your comment is awaiting moderation” mean…….” on April 14 at 5:22 p.m. not yesterday 15 minutes after sending my email at 5:07. You already answered this email explaining the time frame and why it took you a bit to respond and I wrote back saying I was sorry and didn’t understand how the system worked. If you are doing all this on your own time for free and need to take time to review comments, of course it is going to take some time. No reason to apologize. Again, thank you for taking the time to respond. Reply

Gordon Jumonville says: April 28, 2013 at 6:38 pm

Hi Steve, An American friend has offered to drive my car back to Texas for me. Great! We both entered on FM 2’s back in mid January. Any problems with this? Thanks, Gordo Reply

yucalandia says: April 29, 2013 at 6:29 am

Hi Gordo, Good Plan. It can be helpful for him to have a Carta de Poder letter from you describing the rights you give him, but not necessary. A copy of Article 106 is also good (showing that he is allowed to drive it. steve Reply

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yostjd says: May 31, 2013 at 1:38 pm

So based on this comment below, from above, I can take my Japanese car to Chetumal and have Mr. Uc make it legal? (we have permanent visa’s) It would explain how a neighbor has the exact same car as I do, from the states/made in Japan, with Yucatan plates…….. yucalandia says: April 14, 2013 at 9:55 pm Ummmm…. This is one of those issues where as the site administrator, I read all the comments, intermingled, from many different articles and different posts on just one page. I was (goofily – mistakenly) referring to comments on this topic, that I made to a diffferent poster, in the comments section of a different thread. Here are the comments from the other article: “Gerard Uc in Chetumal is doing similar J car and German car imports, by paper-only, but Sr. Uc has the German (or American) car sold (on paper) to a legal Mexican car dealer, the Car dealer then uses his more liberal car-business privileges to import the car, he then sells the car back to you (on paper), and the dealer then issues you the new title/factura/bill of sale, pedimento, and Tamaulipas plates… 2 gringos have reported using Sr Uc successfully: Gerardo Uc [email protected] 983-732-3297 We just this week have two acquaintainces who are now sending Sr. Uc money and papers to do their cars. We will give reports/updates when we hear more.” Reply

Elizabeth Ferdinand says: October 8, 2013 at 10:36 am

Sending money and papers to someone I do not know makes me nervous. Did your acquaintances have any problems with using Sr. UC? Reply

Karina says: June 20, 2013 at 10:07 am

I have been told that it is possible to get a pedimento de importacion for one’s NAFTA vehicle at a Mexican Consulate in the U.S. when applying for a Residente Permanente visa. Then the customs broker at the border when entering Mexico is just a formality. Has anyone had any experience doing this or know anything about it? Reply

Bob Zeller says: July 1, 2013 at 3:03 pm

What about all the above as to how it applies to the entirety of the Baja Peninsula that is entirely “Free Zone”? It is my understanding, consistent with the goal of NAFTA to enable easier trade, that TIPs are not required in the Free Zone, also known as the Liberated Zone, Prohibited Zone, or Perimeter Zone or Free Trade Zone. Accordingly, the requirements for current or expired or non existent TIP for a given US plated vehicle in the Baja has to be a non-issue, not a factor, not a consideration and not a concern at play…in the Baja. Furthermore, as of this writing, it is my understanding that the FM3, FM2, Inmigrante, No-Inmigrante statuses have not been formally written and therefore not established formally in Mexican Law as exactly equivalent to Residente Permanente status AND Residente Permanente status has not been written in any formal Mexican Law as exactly equivalent to “Inmigrado” status either (keep in mind that “Inmigrante” and “Inmigrado” are not all the same either). Is there any written law or written regulations that exist and can therefore be formally cited that expressly states either literally or by actual implication that, in the Baja or in any other Mexican Free Zone, that foreigners with Residente Permanente status may not drive, on an ongoing basis, a US plated/registered vehicle that said foreigner owns in said Free Zone? Reply

yucalandia says: July 3, 2013 at 6:50 am

Hi Bob, Yes, all of the Baja Peninsula is a Free Zone, so TIPs are not required. This continues to be true under both the May 2011 INM law and the updated Aduana regs. Your wrote: “Furthermore, as of this writing, it is my understanding that the FM3, FM2, Inmigrante, No-Inmigrante statuses have not been formally written and therefore not established formally in Mexican Law as exactly equivalent to Residente Permanente status AND Residente Permanente status has not been written in any formal Mexican Law as exactly equivalent to “Inmigrado” status either (keep in mind that “Inmigrante” and “Inmigrado” are not all the same either).” “FM3, FM2, Inmigrante, No-Inmigrante statuses ” still exist and are legitimate for foreigners who received those 2012 permits before Nov. 8, 2012, but for ALL foreigners who have renewed or received new INM residency cards AFTER Nov. 8, 2012 – these categories are NO longer valid. As we have written in our immigration rule articles, INM started with 38 different categories before Nov. 8, 2012, and they reduced the number of immigration categories to just nine (9). When a system changes from 38 down to just 9, there intentionally are NO equivalencies between the old INM categories and the new ones. Re the Free Zone: Reference the Ley Aduanera… That is sufficient. steve Reply

Frank Homann says: July 3, 2013 at 11:59 pm

Hi, Today my common law wife was stopped by the federales here in Morelos state, alone, in my temporary imported car. I now have permanent residency after 9 years, and as it goes the car permit should follow my residency permit. I never wrote to Aduana about my prolonged stay, but don’t care about the deposit or not, and I guess this is the only downside, right? No potential multas or something? Anyway, today’s situation, after a lot of haggling the Federales and the Ministerio Publico are now arguing that spouse (conyuge) in the article 106 of the customs law means married in a formal manner and not common law (we have lived together for 9 years, and can prove it. She is a mexican national). After a day of haggling with the authorities I realize quite clearly that they are improvising. My lawyer says that “concubinato” is equal to spouse. Any precedents, ideas? Very negative experience of course, but seemed to take up half a work day for no less than five federales and a bunch of MPs. Made their day I suppose, so they can feel important even as kidnappings, assaults, armed robberies, murder is at an all time high. Dang, I feel bitter. Hope you can help :). Best, Frank Reply

yucalandia says: July 4, 2013 at 6:56 am

Hi Frank, If you follow and know the laws of Mexico , you might view things a little differently ? Consider: – Your vehicle is illegal to drive in Mexico, as you have no valid permit of any kind. – Your relationship with the “concubinato“, likely has not been formalized nor made official. – Until you formally establish your “concubinato” status, why should law enforcement personnel believe after-the-fact / roadside claims of “concubinato” relationships? – It is the police’s legal responsibility to detain people (in jail), until things are clearly resolved and proven, so your spouse could have been sitting in jail/detention for a few nights until you proved your claims. Do we really want the police to ignore their legal responsibilities – especially when you and spouse are breaking the law. – Should we each be allowed to pick and choose which laws to follow, as long as we are not committing “kidnappings, assaults, armed robberies, (or) murder” ? If so, society gets pretty messy very quickly: As a Lakota, I would be highly admired as an excellent thief, as long as I steal from other groups/other tribes… Under our code: to sneak into other tribes camps, and steal valued items from other tribes shows bravery, guile, discipline, intelligence, planning and courage. Should I be allowed to selectively practice our 1,000 year old cultural practice, because property theft is not “robbery”…. ? – Insurance companies can use your car’s illegal unregistered, un-approved status as justification to deny any future accident claims. – As an illegal vehicle, if involved in an accident (regardless of who caused the accident), the driver can be jailed indefinitely until the authorities are convinced you have sufficient $$ to pay any and all $$$ damages from the accident, including $3 million to $5 million pesos per person injured or killed. The owner of the car is also legally liable for all those damages also. – All of these things have been well known and well publicized. Which leads to the question of why your lawyer has not pointed them out to you? You commented that it “Made their day I suppose, so they can feel important…” . In light of the facts and the laws, I really think you may have gotten of easy. Legally: Your concubinata could be sitting in jail, waiting for you to prove your relationship status and the status of the vehicle, and the insurance protection status of the vehicle – …. I personally think we should follow the laws and rules of Mexico, regardless of the robberies, murders, and kidnappings committed by others. I would either take the vehicle out of Mexico legally using the Retorno Seguro program, or legally import it. Mexico really does function better when we follow the laws – and until the people of Mexico make a consistent effort to follow the laws, Mexico will not crack that top tier of nations…. Which side do we want to be on? Keeping Mexico a second-rate country in terms of laws, policing, and justice …? – Do we want to continue to be a country known for “road-side justice” and “road-side negotiations”; for bureaucrats arbitrarily levying unpublished “fines” and penalties – or doling out “favors”, and a country of citizens and guests who scurry about – skirting and openly breaking laws ??? … or do we prefer a government and first-rate society that is known for reliably applying and citizens who adhere to laws ?? Having the Rule of Law – and having a populace and government who follow it, really is a prescription for smoother better lives, in our view. Which Mexico do you want to live in? … so, maybe things really did turn out for the best for both of you … vs. your proposal that the police supposedly inappropriately abused you and her ??? Should your lawyer have known these legal and practical facts? Lo no se, ALL THE BEST ! steve Reply

Karina says: July 4, 2013 at 12:06 pm

How does one “formalize” or “make legal” the status of “concubinato”? This is an issue for both foreigners and Mexican nationals. In the area of Mexico in which I live many, many Mexicans do not get legally married because it costs money. They may or may not have a church wedding or they may just set up house. There are also many foreigners here who have long-term live-in relationships with partners to whom they are not legally married. According to what I understand you saying, if one has not “formalized” or “made legal” the status of their partner with whom they live, allowing the partner to drive your car (if they do not have the same immigration status) would be illegal (assuming your car is legally in the country). You would also not qualify as a “family” when crossing the border in order to consolidate the value of items being brought into the country. Is there some process one goes through to establish a “concubinato” relationship and with what agency does one do this? Karina

yucalandia says: July 5, 2013 at 7:07 am

Hi Karina, I really like your question. This issue splits the hair – and points out how the theory of the law is not always in harmony with the actual practice. In the absence of some published national policy, I think we need to hear how it is handled in different regions of Mexico. Based on the police’s roadside behavior, and based on the police’s right to indefinitely detain people after accidents, I personally would want some sort of written document that certifies the relationship status. In some areas of the law, a Notario’s formal certification would be enough. In other areas, you may have to file with the State Registro Civil??? This question really does require an answer (or answers) from a qualified attorney (or 2). *grin* steve

Frank Homann says: July 4, 2013 at 4:57 pm

Hi both, Thanks for the comments, guys, although the moralizing speech seems a bit off. The car is legal according to article 106. It has its temp import permit and then the legal staus of the vehicle should follow my immigration status which is by now permanent residency. My question really boils down to whether the expression “spouse” as an authorised driver in article 6 can be defined as a common law wife. Apparently the penal code defines spouse as a person married to you, where the civil law recognizes common law wifes as spouses. Confused? Well, I am slightly and obviously looking for a way to get around this because I think this is not fair. I I agree to following laws, they are the rules of the game, but we might want to do it with some criteria, not blindly and wo questioning. The spirit of the law is to avoid that you sell your foreign made car in Mexico, and apparently it is better for Mexico, according to the lawmakers, to have a whole set of complicated laws than to just facilitate that you pay some sort of import tax and make life easier for everyone. I am in the situation that my Infinity SUV has US plates but was assembled in Japan, hence I cannot legalize. I personally do not think that makes sense, but there is nothing I can do, I guess. Like most Mexicans I just roll over because we all never question the authorities. Back to the spirit of the law, not to sell. Therefore, only he closest family should be able to use the car, and you shouldn’ t be able to de facto sell it to smeone just claiming hat he is a friend. Here my logic tells me that a common law wife of the past 9 years IS in fact close family and that the interpretation of the article should allow for that. If not, I have actually committed the crime of contraband with a penalty of 3 months to 3 years in jail.so do anyone have any ideas about how to argue this one? To prove the concubinato you just have to provide witnesses and proof of common bank accounts, not that hard. Just not enough to be a spouse under the penal code. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. To all of you guys who may consider bringing you car into Mexico vs. Buying one in Mexico, o for the latter!!! Best, Frank Reply

yucalandia says: July 5, 2013 at 7:02 am

Hi Frank, These discussions seem to boil down to 5 basic issues: – Should we (foreigners) generally respect and follow Mexican Laws and rules? – Should we follow our own personal / individual sensibilities of what we feel is right and wrong, when our beliefs conflict with the actions & beliefs of local Mexicans or local Mexican govt. officials or police? – Are we guests here, or do we instead somehow have all the rights that we imagine exist back in Canada or the USA ? – Does it benefit Mexico and other foreigners to have a small-but-growing group of foreigners who intentionally are ignorant of … and ignore …. the laws and rules and ignore the direct instructions of police and govt. clerks, bureaucrats, and other officials? ( Just where do the “Disney-Land” view of Mexico – where Mexican rules “don’t apply to us / me” – “What happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico” attitudes … lead? ) – What kind of gringo community do you want to be associated with? Do we want to be known as people who are respectful, using behavior and personal codes that humbly mesh with local, regional, and national rules and laws – or Do we see ourselves as Patriots and Free Citizens, free to do what we think is “right”. The specific issues that triggered these dialogues were the supposed “rights” of Permanent Residents to keep and freely operate their Temporarily Imported Permit (TIP) vehicles in Mexico – along with our “rights” to have and legally assert Common Law (Concubinado) relationships in interactions with Mexican police and other Govt. officials… Here are parts of our responses to the questioner: Note that Article 106 DOES NOT APPLY to your situation. TIP vehicle owners who have gotten Residente Permanente cards are NOT allowed to keep their TIP vehicles in Mexico, and Residente Permanentes can only legally operate their TIP vehicles when they have a valid 5 day Retorno Seguro permit from Hacienda, to take the vehicle out of Mexico. This official final ruling came down in late February from Aduana Mexico City, and it has been supported 100% in every challenge since them. Your idea to “challenge” laws and rulings that you do not personally like, seems to be misplaced. Similarly, your lawyer has really not advised you well or properly about the specifics of either INM law, Aduana law, and the laws that govern police actions. Again: Is it time for you to find a new lawyer? – One who knows both the legal theory, the legal principles, the letter of the law, and how the laws are actually applied? Your lawyer seems to have helped create and support some very mistaken ideas in your thinking and understandings. The changes in Aduana rules have been simultaneously true but changed, due to the May 2011 INM changes. Unfortunately, there are many stubborn gringos who cling to the idea that if they continue to have some/ANY INM residency permit, that their Aduana TIP is somehow magically protected. The legal principle governing this is that the Aduana Law specifically says only Inmigrante No Lucrativa and No Inmigrante qualify to have TIPs. You NO LONGER have either INM permit. Since the Residente Permanente is a lucrativa visa, then there is NO equivalency between the old qualifying INM permits and Residente Permanente under Aduana’s rules. Gringos with Residente Permanentes have had their TIP cars confiscated since the late February 2012 Aduana rulings. When we drive our cars with a Residente Permanente, consider that we also put other people at risk significant harm, due to us not having legally required $$$ protection, since insurance companies can deny accident protection coverage due to driving an illegal vehicle. If we accidentally hit and killed a family of 4 Mexicans, we would owe $20 million pesos to that poor family. Do any of us have $20 million pesos? If not, then it seems to be irresponsible for any of us to ignore the laws, just to serve our personal beliefs. Since you (the questioner) opened the door to moralizing, when you incorrectly and non-factually moralized about how the police should not have stopped your spouse, I thought you were open to discussing moral behaviors. Should we remain silent about our peers ignoring and disobeying laws, especially when it puts them and others at risk – especially when the peers ask for advice? When we choose to ignore the laws, then a good working society uses the option of peer pressure to attempt to get scofflaws to follow the laws – hopefully before they get arrested and punished. Really, here at Yucalandia, we are faced with a basic choice: Should we tell people directly and clearly when they make mistakes – and tell them the consequences of not correcting the errors? or Should we hedge our answers – or sugar-coat things- Doling out “spoons full of sugar” so the “the medicine goes down” – simultaneously risking significant misunderstandings due to subtle, nuanced, read-between-the-lines types of communication? We choose the direct and frank route. Mexico is better when the Mexicans and gringos know Mexico’s laws and follow Mexico’s laws. You (the questioner) write what you think the spirit of the law is. Really, the spirit and letter of the Aduana law with TIP cars is straightforward and easy to understand: – Temporarily Imported Permit (TIP) vehicles are in Mexico only ** temporarily ** , – TIP vehicles are allowed only for foreigners with **temporary** visas, – ALL TIP cars must either be ultimately taken out of Mexico, or destroyed, – TIP holders agreed in a signed written contract to take the car out of Mexico when they do not meet the terms of the agreement you signed, – Unfortunately, you no longer meet the requirements of the agreement, because you chose to get a **permanent** visa, – You chose an INM status that does not meet the requirements that you signed-up for, – Since you did not keep your part of the legal agreement, you are now required to take the car out of Mexico. Re proof of undocumented concubinato status: How do you prove this during road-side stops? As such, people in your situation risk having one or both of you sitting in temporary police detention for several days, with no food and no water, until the police can determine your – marital status – and – proof of ability to pay for any and all $$ liabilities. Is it moralizing to simply answer your questions about legal realities and explain the directly related things about how it actually works with the police across Mexico? We have friends who have been “detained” this way, and they universally say that it is no fun – except for the one Yucatecan spouse who said she now has a whole group of new friends from her over-night happy-chat session with the other detainees. *grin* Hope this helps the dialogue move forward, on WHO gringos are, on WHO gringos want to be, and Do we have any personal responsibility for how we are treated and how we are perceived by our host country and her citizens…. Finally, we really do want to give you the correct and necessary information to keep you and your lovely spouse out of jail, and out of trouble. What seems like moralizing, really was written to try to help you get past the misconceptions of your attorney and your prior DIY (Do It Yourself) approach to already established legal rules/laws. All the best, steve Reply

Frank Homann says: July 5, 2013 at 9:49 am

Hi Steve, Thanks for your reply, it does clarify things for me. In reality I am mentalized for the confiscation of the car, the thing that scares me is the 3 months to 3 years of jail time under the fiscal code for “contrabanda”. Oh, and the car was insured. You are completely right and it serves as a good warning to all: Have insurance. Few Mexicans have, but I am not sure that they understand the implications either. While I certainly on a theoretical level understand and support your argumentation, that we should stop moaning and just follow the laws, I think you also have to do some serious reality checking if you want to live here. Estas en Mexico, cabron. Firstly, regarding my case at hand: I do not think it is reasonable at all that I am not allowed to legalize my car with Mexican plates just because it is made in Japan. Any other place in the world that I know of, offer you the possibility of paying a tax and registering your car. I think Mexico should to. In stead, I have been driving under rules that are to say the least, complicated. So complicated in fact, that neither the police nor the MP or the lawyers I have had involved in this, seem to have a clear understanding. You could say: Well you should educate yourself before entering. Believe me I did, Steve, and I acted according to what I learned on similar blogs like yours, back then. But I din’t hire lawyers for an in-depth study. I thought it was relatively straight-forward. The laws are still unclear to me, even after your helpful comment (thank you again). For example, there is also a clause in mexican law that says that you cannot be punished retroactively, i.e. if the car was imported 9 years ago, new rules today cannot apply to the car. At least this is a line of argument based on some statute that one of my lawyers came up with. Or does this apply? Dunno. I think it is important to warn foreigners who take their cars to Mexico about the severe risks they expose themselves to. To begin with, you are prone to be stopped frequently by cops who do not know the law. And to be blunt about it: Many if not all are looking for an easy bribe. Foreigner = fat cow. I simply do not drive in Mexico City, because I would be stopped at every other street corner. Some will say: Foreign car cannot drive in Mexico. You point out the permit. Some then say: Your temp visa has expired. You have to show them Article 106 and explain that it follows your stay (as rentista). Then they will try something else: That the car has to be verified for contamination in the state you are driving in — not so. That it today is “Hoy No Circula” (this happened in a forest in the State of Mexico) and you have to explain that you don’t believe it is so, and if the officer can show you where it says so. In this latter case, the heavily armed police officers kept going at it, then they asked for “something for the refresco”. I said no, I did nothing wrong. Finally they let me go with a menacing “next time you come by here, we will confiscate the car”. Thank you. So there is that risk. Then, apparently there is the risk of being accussed of “contraband” if someone not authorized drive the car. In my case, my common law wife. It could have been a friend, moving the car outside on the street. You run the risk of up to 3 years in jail. To take a risk like that is just out of proportion for anyone, I think. Steve, don’t you think someone should tell the authorities that it would be a good idea to provide immigrants with this info before they enter the country with their car? Like when you pay your deposit at banjercito, that there should be a one-pager that stipulated in clear language what your rights and responsibilities are, and that defined the fines and possible punishments for not adhering to the rules? Or that someone respectfully should propose a change to a simpler rule-set creating a win-win for foreigners as well as for the state? Secondly, Steve you live in Mexico. The laws are confusing and not transparent, in general. Everyone try to bend them to their advantage. The system can be brutal and corruption is endemic at all levels. Did you see documentary “Presunto Culpable”? How do you eventually change things? By speaking up, when things are not right. By stating: I think these laws are complicated and make little sense. I propose another, simpler and more just solution. Good citizenry in my opinion is to be an active and critical citizen, not afraid to speak up when things are not right. As expats we have the obligation, I think, to do so, because we have seen “best practice” in other places. It is misunderstood “cultural respect” if you think “Oh this is what the Mexicans have decided on, and I must not question things because I am just an expat”. Ordinary Mexicans want change to, but the system, the oligarchy and the corruption, makes it hard. Someday a “Mexican Spring” is needed, hopefully it comes with the younger, more educated generations (hereunder my kids and grandchildren). We probably agree, I suspect. Just blowing steam :). Thanks for the blog, I find it helpful to be able to exchange experiences in a friendly fashion with people who are in similar situations, not to “cheat the system” but to be able to navigate when things are not clear. So thanks for that effort, Steve. Reply

yucalandia says: July 5, 2013 at 3:07 pm

Hi Frank, Good conclusions ! You wrote: “Oh, and the car was insured. You are completely right and it serves as a good warning to all: Have insurance. Few Mexicans have, but I am not sure that they understand the implications either. ” Agreed, I believed you had and have insurance. I am questioning if your on-site at-the-accident insurance adjuster will deny coverage when they find out that your car is not legal to drive in Mexico. Regardless of what the insurance agents (salesmen) tell their customers, at least 2 big Mexican insurance agencies are cancelling coverage and denying claims when they find out that the owner of the TIP car has a Residente Permanente card. – this leaves both the owner and the driver “on-the-hook” for potentially $$ millions of damages. Fortunately, the Mexicans we know do have insurance. => All of of our Mexican family members and all of our friends also have insurance, following the Rules of the Road for Yucatan. Maybe we are lucky to know a lot of honest folks? You wrote: “The laws are still unclear to me, even after your helpful comment (thank you again). For example, there is also a clause in mexican law that says that you cannot be punished retroactively, i.e. if the car was imported 9 years ago, new rules today cannot apply to the car. At least this is a line of argument based on some statute that one of my lawyers came up with. Or does this apply? Dunno. ” Fortunately, as of late February 2013, the laws and rules are clear in this area: (repeating from prior emails) Residente Permanente card holders CANNOT LEGALLY OWN NOR DRIVE TEMPORARILY Imported (TIP) CARS. You chose to leave the INM’s Temporary visa category, and as a result, you chose to break your written agreement with Auana to keep a TEMPORARY INM visa. Since you just now violated the terms of your prior contract, there is NO RETROACTIVITY issue… Your problem was created by you changing to PERMANENT residency in the “here and now” – so there is no retroactive punishment. This is like signing a lease agreement to lease your home to renters who agree in writing to NEVER have pets in the home. 7 years later, when the renters go back on their written NO PETS agreement, you as the landlord have the right to tell them: THE PETS MUST GO… Aduana is telling you that since you broke the terms of your Temporary Import Permit contract, that now: Your CAR MUST GO… … You also wrote: ” I think it is important to warn foreigners who take their cars to Mexico about the severe risks they expose themselves to. To begin with, you are prone to be stopped frequently by cops who do not know the law. And to be blunt about it: Many if not all are looking for an easy bribe. Foreigner = fat cow. ” Fortunately, your experiences do not fit everyone else’s, meaning there are far fewer “fat cows” than you imagine – since many of us have never been polled. e.g. I have driven off and on in Mexico since 1985, and I can say that I have only been stopped by police trolling for bribes only 3 times. Have you read our “Dame Mi Multa” https://yucalandia.com/2010/04/26/please-give-memy-ticket/ article on dealing with police??? Really, knowledgeable people – who speak some Spanish do NOT have to pay bribes. Education and a calm firm attitude, and quick wits, go a long way in these situations. … You wrote: “Steve, don’t you think someone should tell the authorities that it would be a good idea to provide immigrants with this info before they enter the country with their car? Like when you pay your deposit at banjercito, that there should be a one-pager that stipulated in clear language what your rights and responsibilities are, and that defined the fines and possible punishments for not adhering to the rules?” Fortunately, many of these things are published on Aduana and INM websites – but just like in Canada and the USA, you have to be able to read the Lingua Franca of where you are living. Also, when you got your TIP, NO ONE could know the future. Even the brightest government officials could not know what changes the CAMARA DE DIPUTADOS (Legislature) would make to future INM laws, so you have asked the govt. officials to be able to magically predict the future, and to advise gringos of what legal changes will occur in the coming decade… Considering how Harper and Co. have been changing Canadian laws and regs, and how Clinton, Bush the 2’nd, and Obama have been chainging laws and regs Fast and Furious(ly), do we really expect Mexicans and Mexico to keep the same rules and laws for 20 to 50 year periods? Why doesn’t the IRS tell me what the tax rules will be in 2017, so I know what choices to make now??? And just why did the EPA write more pages of rules in their first 12 years, than written by the entire US government in the previous 200 years??? … You wrote: “Secondly, Steve you live in Mexico. The laws are confusing and not transparent, in general. Everyone try to bend them to their advantage. The system can be brutal and corruption is endemic at all levels. Fortunately, these observations are yet more of your personal experiences and personal perceptions than they are reality. If you have followed RollyBrook.com and Yucalandia.com over the years, you hopefully have found clear explanations of the laws and rules for taxes, for immigration, for importing goods and cars, for driving rules, etc. Almost all of this stuff and the Mexican laws and regulations have been published on the web and in the DOF – but it means someone has to take some time to read it… to keep current. We personally have been reading all this stuff, and published summaries within 2-3 days – even when we had to plow through 200-450 pages of inter-related Spanish-Language Mexican-government legalese, to sort it out. We also have worked with 5 separate talented notarios and abogados to arrive at consensus understandings of the details… We also make regular trips to the INM and Aduana offices to ask clarifying questions, and runs to the border to find out first-hand how things actually work. This all takes effort, but it means that RollyBrook and us tend to have far better quality, and far more accurate information than Mexican lawyers and Mexican Notarios, who tend to learn something once, and then they assume that the rules have not changed, even 10 or 20 years later. Further, the Immigration and Aduana “facilitators” who gringos pay to do these things have also been notoriously uninformed, especially during the 6 – 9 months that follow the rule and law changes. Ironically, the experts who charge for their services in these areas have been notoriously the poorest informed groups… This all points to the need for gringos to stop all the misinformation and gossip that they pass between each other, and to instead find good, well-referenced sources – to limit their confusion, to stop the telephone-game of bad-advice passed from person to person as if it were true, and to instead make good choices based on the facts and the rules. Read the regs for yourself, and make your own choices…. (We offer citations of almost every law and rule – so readers can decide for themselves.) I will note that Mexican tax law is very dense, and like US IRS laws & rules, paying a good expert can save you more money over the long run, than the bills they send you. Re corruption: It depends on the part of the country you have chosen to live in. Fortunately, we do not really pay bribes to get things done down here in our poor and backwards – country-bumpkin – Yucatan state – and just like in the USA – City folk often think that their experiences are the norms for the rest of the country… This means that Detroit, NY City, the corrupt parts of Chicago, Louisiana, New Mexico, etc (like Q. Roo and Mexico City) are not representative of the rest of the USA… Similarly, Montreal, Quebec, Ontario, Vancouver et al are not like Calgary, Winnepeg, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the rural parts of BC… *grin* steve Reply

yucalandia says: July 6, 2013 at 7:20 am

Effervescence… Hope this helps the dialogue move forward, on WHO gringos are, … on WHO gringos want to be, … and Do we have any personal responsibility for how we are treated and how we are perceived by our host country and her citizens…. ? As a general rule-of-thumb, while in Mexico, if we start to feel like we are in Disneyland – a place where reality is somewhat-suspended – a place with almost no rules – no restrictions – a place where we get to do whatever we want – , or if we are feeling like “What happens in Mexico, stays in Mexico“, then, …. it may be time to pause, and remember: … We are guests here. There are rules, even though a policeman is not in sight. Mexicans may seem to tolerate rude, arrogant, “I know better” (a.k.a. disrespectful) attitudes. Mexicans (especially in rural areas) are generally very modest and traditional people, … people who value polite and humble behavior, … people who do not welcome public drunkenness regardless of the time of day, … people who prefer smiles over conflict (be patient, gently smile, … nod-and-smile, nod-and-smile, nod-and-smile… and this annoying gringo will ultimately go away if I wait long enough), … people who enjoy whatever tasty or fun thing that presents itself in that moment, (frequently making us late for promised “commitments”), … people who recognize that a simple shrug and “oh well” look on the face, goes a long way to being content, (there is nothing that can be done about many of the nuisances/obstructions in life ~ ni modo ~ ), … people who value, and even treasure, their pasts and their families, and … people living with enough hope & trust to know that tomorrow will be OK (and it may be even better than today)**. All the best, steve **… Worrying about the future … or World Politics … or How should we change the world to some more ideal state, … and other Germanic, Teutonic, British, American, and Canadian internal ruminations … do not seem to be a central features of Mexicans … or Mexican culture. … The Mexicans we know and love, do not sit around having ad nauseum discussions about “solving the problems of the world”. … Can anything be learned here? *grin*

doncricri says: July 8, 2013 at 9:20 pm

Your latest writings about NOBs coming to Mexico and acting like we’re in Disneyland serve to ground me because the confusing information about bringing and driving our vehicles in Mexico kinda makes a person want to take the law in his own hands in the light of the recent allegation that the new prohibitive laws have more to do with downward pressure from Mexican automobile lobbies than with rule of law. But then again, so what if they do? Admittedly, there is a tendency for us to not respect inconsistent enforcement of the laws here. Everything is so arbitrary. Meanwhile, recommended brokers are saying “we can import it” at the same time the expat forums caution against broker fraud, inconsistency in state licensing, and insurance coverage invalidation. I dunno, is it too much to ask to be able to drive a car in Mexico after having served diligently as a teacher for 3 years ? Now suddenly, FM3s with Residente Temporal con Permiso para Trabajar can neither drive foreign-plated TIP cars nor legally import cars ?

yucalandia says: July 9, 2013 at 1:24 pm

Hi Don CC, You wrote: “Now suddenly, FM3s with Residente Temporal con Permiso para Trabajar can neither drive foreign-plated TIP cars nor legally import cars ? …” None of this is true, to our understandings: 1. Residente Temporal card holders can have Temporary Import Permit vehicles, but you must notify Aduana that you have officially applied for a new/renewed INM permit BEFORE your old INM permit expires. Since June 2010, Aduana rules say to notify Aduana of INM permit renewals before the INM permit expiration date. … 2. BOTH Residente Temporal and Residente Permanentes can legally import 6 year old and older cars, at the border. … Pay the duties, pay the annual registration fees, pay the taxes, and enjoy your car – just like the requirements for every Mexican car owner. 3. If a TEMPORARY Resident decides/chooses to change to PERMANENT category, they have violated the terms of any Aduana TIP agreements they signed to TEMPORARILY import a car – without paying duties. So, if you want to keep your TEMPORARY TIP car as a PERMANENT resident, take the car out of Mexico, or permanently import it. Re brokers: Some have been crooks. Others have provided fully-legal options. We have only recommended legitimate brokers in our articles on cars and importation: (see above). Caveat emptor, steve

Roger Blair says: August 1, 2013 at 2:21 pm

Hey Steve, You mention that 2 major insurance companies in Mexico are canceling insurance coverage and denying claims to Permanent Residents with foreign plates. Could you specify which companies you are referring to? Thanks, Roger Roger Blair says: August 2, 2013 at 9:07 am

Dear Steve, You state above, “at least 2 big Mexican insurance agencies are cancelling coverage and denying claims when they find out that the owner of the TIP car has a Residente Permanente card.” I have asked for the names of these 2 companies, but you have not replied. My insurance contract says nothing whatsoever about this question. I’ve read every last page of my contract, thus I wonder what companies you are talking about. Thanks for your kind assistance, Roger

yucalandia says: August 3, 2013 at 6:15 am

Hi Roger, RollyBrook had mentioned them several months ago. I will go look for his quote on this – buried in Mexconnect. steve

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Ian Bourne says: July 6, 2013 at 11:28 am

Hi Steve, Lovely stuff and very fair, maybe we could learn from the Mexican people rather than thinking the reverse. It would do us well to respect this wonderful country and tread lightly if we can, otherwise New York is always available for those that cannot adjust. Reply

Sherry says: July 10, 2013 at 12:29 pm

This may be a bit long, but it is fairly detailed about our recent border and TIP experience, and I thought that some might benefit from it. Thank you so much for your work on this site! Due to my husband’s Inmigrante Rentista (FM2) being changed to Residente Permanente in April 2013 (was automatic), the temporary importation permit (TIP) in his name would no longer be valid. Since my Inmigrante Rentista doesn’t expire until August 9, 2013, and it also was be changed to Residente Permanente (said we had no choice, don’t know if that is due to fact that we have a Mexican daughter), we decided to turn in my Inmigrante Rentista and have me come back in as a Turista, so that the car could have the TIP in my name. As we live in San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas, the Guatemala border is the closest to us. I did a lot of reading on the Internet, especially Yucalandia’s site, but there were still things that we could not be sure of until we actually did it. We left San Cristobal at 7 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, 2013, and after an uneventful drive to Ciudad Cuauhtemoc, we first went into the Banercito office to ask about the TIP for the car. He looked at all our documents and said there would be no problem, except that we needed to pay the guaranty deposit and importation permission in U.S. dollars. We didn’t have any of those with us! He said there would be exchange places at the border on the Guatemala side, and that we didn’t have to take the car over the border. Next stop was the Immigration office next door to the bank. She said that I would need an exit stamp from Guatemala to be able to get a Turista qualification, and then she could receive and cancel out my Inmigrante Rentista. She said I didn’t need to stay out of the country any specified time. Good news! So, we drove a little closer to the actual border and parked in a muddy parking lot and walked over the border into Guatemala. We went to their immigration office where they wanted 300 pesos for them to stamp an entry and an exit in my passport. We were glad that our Mexican friend had come with us since he was able to explain things to them better than we could have. They said that normally if you stayed for a few days, you didn’t have to pay anything. They did verify with us that we would not be going beyond the border area before he went ahead and put an exit stamp. Now, the next problem was the US dollars. The people at Guatemala immigration said the banks would exchange pesos for quetzals and then the quetzals for the US dollars. That sounded like a mess. They then said that sometimes the money exchangers walking around close to the border crossing would have dollars. We found someone that said he could get them, and we waited about 15 minutes while he rounded up the $400 USD. Their exchange rate was 13 pesos for a dollar. Returned to the muddy parking lot and drove back to Mexican Immigration. There, she had me fill out a form that looked a lot like the FMM and put my Inmigrante Rentista number and the phrase that I had turned in the original. She then gave me another FMM form to fill out and said that I needed to wait a little bit before she could actually process it due to having to process the other part first. She finished processing me about 20 minutes later. It was nice that we could wait in the air conditioned office. Back to Banjercito where we canceled the old TIP in my husband’s name. The bank official didn’t say anything about it being really old (we had originally brought it into Mexico in 2006) or invalid due to the Residente Permanente status, which had been a concern of mine that we would have to prove the continuity of my husband’s immigration status. We did have copies of his FM3 with the prórrogas/renewals and his previous Inmigrante Rentista, but nothing from Aduana about extending the TIP to match his immigration status, so that was a relief that we were not asked anything about that. Then, we paid our US dollars that he inspected very carefully and rejected 2 of the $20 bills as they were torn a tiny bit. He wanted copies of the car title, my passport information page, my driver’s license, and the new FMM that immigration had given me. After he verified that all the information matched, he gave us our new TIP sticker to put on the car. At that point, we asked regarding what would happen if I left Mexico by plane, at which point I would have to turn in my FMM, and get a new FMM when I came back to Mexico, if that would be a problem having a different FMM. He said no; the important thing was for me to return with the car by the expiration date on the TIP if we wanted to get our guaranty deposit back, and we would do the same process we had just done. More good news. Back on the road by 1 p.m. to return to San Cristobal with everything done! Reply

yucalandia says: July 10, 2013 at 1:45 pm

Hi Sherry, What a totally excellent report ! Everything you described fits our understandings – including that they expect us to pay in US dollars (though at the US-Mexico border and at the Belize-Mexico border Banjercito offices accept credit cards)… There is one very minor item that seems suspect. In the era of national computerized database records, Aduana and the police and insurance companies ALL can check our INM records to see if we still have a valid INM permit that is associated with the TIP (yes, I saw my insurance agent pull up the information using a VIN)…. This means that when you fly out of Mexico, you surrender your Visitante permit, and INM cancels that INM Visitante permit. Under the letter of the Ley Aduanera, when your INM permit is cancelled, your TIP automatically expires. … and you vehicle is in Mexico illegally. … This generally is not an issue, unless: ~ You get stopped by a policeman checking TIPs, or ~ You drive from one Mexican state into another – and the state border checking police check on your TIP – which is formally and officially expired… This is not a good situation, where the Yucatan police (legitimately) threatened to permanently confiscate a friend’s vehicle as we returned from Q.Roo, because they thought we were driving the vehicle illegally. Fortunately, we found the paper TIP, and they checked it versus the computer records – and we were on our way… ~ You get in an accident and either the police or YOUR insurance adjustor or the other guy’s insurance adjustor… checks the status of your TIP. Since the TIP would be expired due to flying out, your insurance can deny coverage on the accident, and you can be on the hook for all liabilities. The possibility of insurance companies using your vehicle’s illegal status (due to flying out of Mexico without taking the car out), as an excuse to cancel coverage is very troubling: Since the Feb. 5 2013 changes in legally required liability coverages, each accidental death triggers up to $3 million to $5 million in payments owed. This means that accidentally killing a family of 4 in a car wreck can leave the (illegal) car owner &/or driver on the hook for a $20 million peso bill. The driver (and owner?) can be forced to sit in jail indefinitely, with no food and no water detention, until you can prove that you have enough $$ assets to pay for all liablilites. … In this light, the advice the Aduana clerk gave you, may not take account of these very real risks of vehicle confiscation and loss/denial of insurance coverage. Since Aduana is not involved in these items, their clerks are likely not aware of the liabilities. 2 big Mexican insurance companies have publicly announced that if they find out we are driving illegal vehicles (with expired TIPs), they do deny accident coverage for accidents that occur when driving with an expired TIP… and no, the agents (aka salespeople) of the insurance companies are often unaware of the fine print escape clauses buried in their policies. THANKS AGAIN for a REALLY FINE report ! steve Reply

Sherry says: July 10, 2013 at 11:21 pm

Steve, Thank you for your response. Yes, the Banjercito at the Ciudad Cuauhtemoc and Guatemala border does take credit cards also, but ours had expired at the end of June and the new cards are still in the states!! We were stopped twice by federales within 30 minutes of leaving the border on our way back home. Both wanted to see the TIP paperwork and identification. I showed them my Colorado driver’s license. They didn’t ask to see the FMM, so that made me feel better about what the guy at Banjercito said regarding having a different FMM than what I had when I received the TIP. We didn’t have to cross any state lines, but still, it does sound kind of scary, and I do need to check with our insurance company. Thank you!

yucalandia says: July 11, 2013 at 6:00 am

Hi Sherry, Yes, for practical purposes, you should be fine with the different FMM, but there are those very small chances of getting caught – so, no accidents… *grin* Oh, and Banjercito does have 2 checks of your records that would cause you to lose your $300 deposit. First Check: The Banjercito computer tracks your TIP expiration date, and if you do NOT have a Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente on file in the database within 2 weeks of your 6 month FMM Visitante expiration date, the computer automatically confiscates your deposit. The only way to avoid this is to take the car across the border. The Second Check: When you take the car out at the border, a Banjercito employee checks your INM records, TIP expiration date, etc. If the Banjercito employee notices that you have a different FMM, or if the Banjercito computer flags your TIP record for having the prior FMM cancelled (due to flying out) then you lose your deposit. All the Best, steve

doncricri says: July 10, 2013 at 1:57 pm

Thank you for taking the time, Sherry. Reply

doncricri says: July 10, 2013 at 8:32 pm

In reading Sherry’s reply, it appears that the work-permit FM3 may have to be turned in or renounced in order to trade off for the FMM with TIP, because according to the scuttlebutt on the Chapala web board and according to the reknowned resident lawyer, ‘NO FM3s with permiso to trabajar can import cars, permanently or temporarily.’ However, FM3s who don’t works and are classified as “rentistas” classification can import cars from NOB. This recent prohibition aimed specifically at FM3s with permission to work has been cited all over the Chapala.com/weboard as “Buletin 1000” addendum to the aduanal code, at least according to several English-speaking expats. The chat board as well as this website defer to Licenciada Karen Villasenor, in Mexico City as the expert at the number given above 01 55 5802 0000 x 46889. Other websites also list her and she may be overwhelmed by volume of calls these days because she hasn’t been picking up her phone. Meanwhile, everybody else I’ve been able to talk to in government or quasi-govt offices, eg, the Banjercito, and the recommended border town customs brokers, the Licenciada at the SAT office in GDL, and the insurance companies at the border seem to know nothing about the recent FM3 worker exclusionary caveat. Rather, they all say, “come ahead” — “sure, you’re eligible” — “just bring this sum ________” in order to buy a nationalization for my little old Toyota. And regarding the second temporary import option, in fact, the INM pre-authorizes my TIP application, Banjercito accepts my application and will even take the money for the TIP sticker online, plus sell me the 180-day TIP insurance policy. But why would I want want to do these transactions online if what I’m doing really not legal? What if the Chapala people are right, and I get in a wreck and the insurance is no good, just like the man on this page has just cautioned ? Rather frustrating and not feeling quite like a drive through Disneyland. Any feedback is welcome at this point, because my time is near . . . Reply

Kathleen says: July 13, 2013 at 2:37 pm

In a previous reply you mentiioned that one of the ways to remove a vehicle from your record was to “destroy” it. I was wondering if you had any follow-up information from your friend’s Notario regarding this procedure. My 1991 vehicle cannot be driven and I’d like to get it cut into pieces and have its record removed from my Passport. Reply

yucalandia says: July 13, 2013 at 5:03 pm

Hi Kathleen, The Notario I spoke with said that the letter needs to specifically certify that the vehicle does not work and cannot work: “no sirve”. He also said the letter needs to certify/document that the vehicle cannot and will not ever be driven again. Finally, he said it needs to certify that the vehicle is “chatarra” (junk/scrap metal), and cannot be driven out of Mexico. Those items are in addition to your: official name (as on your passport), your VIN number, your vehicle plate number, your passport number, the effective date of the destruction of the vehicle, and the year, make and model of the vehicle. The Notario suggested that fotos could also be helpful. Since Aduana has NO formal procedures or forms for this, the burden of effort shifts to us to document that the vehicle cannot be taken out of Mexico and cannot ever be driven again. Hope that helps, steve Reply

Kathleen says: July 14, 2013 at 4:12 pm

Excellent! Thank you so much for all time and effort. I now can finally start the process, which I’m sure will take some time, but at least I have a place to start. Thank you again, Kathleen Reply

Nancy Thorpe says: July 19, 2013 at 4:34 pm

In June 2006, my husband, John, drove our 1994 Ford Explorer to our home in San Francisco (aka San Pancho), Nayarit. He entered at Nogales on his FM3 issued in 12/2005 but the car was brought in on a 180-day TIP ($345.US) (not knowing the regulations) and he then flew back to the U.S. In December 2006 we returned to Mexico by air and drove the vehicle back to Nogales to bring it back imported on John’s FM3 at a cost of $327 US. The vehicle’s TIP status has been renewed annually with his FM3 renewals over the past 8 years. When he received his last “No Inmigrante” card on 11/ 2012 it only had “Prorroga 1” on the back so assume he can renew as a Residente Temporal for another 2 years. It is my understanding from the information on your site, that since the car was imported prior to June 2011, it is not necessary to register the vehicle with the Aduana when he renews his INM permit in November. And that one only needs to carry a copy of an Aduana letter which you had furnished on your site, indicating that the car was imported prior to June 2011.. Please advise if my understanding is correct. We will probably return the vehicle to the U.S. within the next two years replacing it with a Mexican vehicle before having to renew the INM permit with a Residente Permanente. Reply

yucalandia says: July 20, 2013 at 6:19 am

Hi Nancy, Under Aduana’s official decision out of DF, in Feb. 2013, yes, you do need to register your vehicle’s new expiration date (tied to the new INM Residente Temporal) – the letter on Article 106 is no longer sufficient, since you no longer have Inmigrante Rentista or No Inmigrante status (the ones approved by the Ley Aduanera). Apply with Aduana to extend your expiration date, and hopefully preserve your $$ deposit, and your plan to return the vehicle the USA withing 2 years makes good sense, steve Reply

Nancy Thorpe says: July 20, 2013 at 8:21 am

Hi Steve, Can application be made with the Aduana office in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco which is closer for us rather than the office in Tepic, Nayarit (our house is in Nayarit)? Is there a form letter which should be used for registration and what additional paperwork might be needed? Thanks for your helpful information. Nancy Reply

yucalandia says: July 20, 2013 at 9:30 am

Hi Nancy, I think you can make the application to extend the expiration of your TIP at any full-service Aduana office – which means you cannot do these things at airport Aduana office… and yes, it also means (to our best understandings) you can apply at either of the two full-service Aduana offices. Please come back and give us a shout about how it works out, steve Reply

Nancy Thorpe says: July 21, 2013 at 2:52 pm

Hi Steve, Do you know the locations of the full-service Aduana offices? I have been unable to find any locations on line except for those located either at the border or in major cities i.e. Guadalahara or Mexico City. I had hoped there might be one in either Puerto Vallarta or Tepic. thanks. Nancy Reply

yucalandia says: July 21, 2013 at 7:14 pm

We have a link to them in the lists of Aduana offices in our article on how Mexican Customs works: What Can I Bring into Mexico: Mexican Customs Rules https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/what-can-ibring-into-mexico-mexican-customs-rules-the-article/ Map of Aduanas del Pais: http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2010/mapa/nuevo_mapa.htm Enjoy, steve Reply

Roger Blair says: August 1, 2013 at 2:32 pm

Dear Steve, In one of your posts you suggest that foreign plated cars of Residente Permanente are now being confiscated by police. Do you know of actual cases of this? I have only heard of the threat, but have not heard of it actually happening. Roger Reply

yucalandia says: August 2, 2013 at 6:25 am

2 reported in the PV area. Spencer McMullin (a very reliable lawyer) reports multiple illegal TIP cars, driven by Residente Permanentes, confiscated for “tax law (Aduana) violations” in the northern Mexican states. So, the numbers of confiscations has been small, relative to the number of cars involved. The scarier prospect is getting in an accident caused by someone else, and having 2 insurance adjustors inspecting your documents, and police inspecting your documents and …. being sent to jail because they discover you are driving an illegal unregistered car. All 4 parties (your insurance company, their insurance company, the Police, and the other driver) benefit by finding out that you are illegally driving the car. Since we GO TO JAIL, until the police are satisfied that we can pay any and all imagined damages, possible future medical bills for injuries, etc, then your insurance company can use the illegality of the vehicle as an excuse to deny insurance coverage on the accident – leaving you to prove sufficient $$ to pay for all damages and liabilities: e.g. If a family of 4 is accidentally killed, then you owe $20 million pesos in liability…. and you sit in jail indefinitely no food no water except for what your family or friends bring you – ~ until you can prove that you have sufficient $$ to cover all liabilities…. not a pretty thought, steve Reply

doncricri says: August 2, 2013 at 7:32 am

S. McMullin is highly respected and the final word for most expats in Chapala. Lots of discussion regarding cars and I’ve been advised not to bring mine due to my particular FM3 status (residente temporal con permiso para trabajar). Most people, including the highly touted custom’s brokers in Nogales, El Paso, and N. Laredo said, “Sure. Bienvenidos. Come ahead! Bring your old Toyota. No problema.” Curiously, border broker’s estimates (all brokers recommended on the Chapala.com chat board) to import my pristine 93 Toyota are from $850 low in Nogales to $1260 median in El Paso and up to Nuevo Laredo to 32000mn in N. Laredo. And despite all the negative signs, I’d have still done it, driven that little Toyota across the border full of my legal “maneje de casa” household goods, except for that that bottom line caveat first revealed by Spencer. That is, they can invalidate your insurance on a technicality. Not a very expat friendly proposition. I’ll continue to ride my bike, or buy an overprice already-nationalized car. Thanks for this fine informational site. Reply

yucalandia says: August 2, 2013 at 8:04 am

Hi Don Cri Cri, Welcome back! I think you might have a misunderstanding: If you use a customs broker, and permanently import your much-loved Toyota, (getting a pedimento from Aduana), then you can register your Toyota in your home Mexican state, and IT IS FULLY LEGAL – with no threat of having insurance coverage lost…. there are no “technicalities” when you permanently import the vehicle. The “technicalities” arise when you do a TEMPORARY auto import and then later change your INM status to Permanent. You are correct in knowing that WORKING (lucrativo) INM temporary residency permisos, are NOT allowed to have a temporarily imported (TIP) vehicle. steve Reply

don cri cri says: August 2, 2013 at 9:30 am

So, you’re saying that “lucrativos” can indeed import cars from the US to MX. My apparent confusion arose from various protracted discussion on the Chapala web board where I was firmly advised not to do it (import car) due to my lucrativo status and possible insurance issues. Too bad the laws are unclear and ever-changing, but in this case of FM3 Residente Temporal con Permiso para Trabajar not being able to legally import cars anymore, Mrs Karen Villasenor at Mexico City aduana was cited. Incidentally, the car is sentimental as it belonged to my Mom and has sat in storage for a decade. Reply

yucalandia says: August 3, 2013 at 6:13 am

Hi Don CC, Correct about the permanent import. Fortunately, the laws are clear on this. The Chapala board folk simply confused the RP Lucrativa’s inability/prohibition to use the Temporary Import Permit option. Happy Motoring! steve Reply

Peter G says: August 2, 2013 at 9:30 am

Steve, Thanks for your column, it answers a lot of questions. I’m changing to permanent status as of this writing. I know that I cannot (should not) drive a foreign plated car at this point. My question has to do with insurance. If I am driving a friend’s car (with Mexican tags) do I need a separate insurance policy just for me as the driver or am I covered by the insurance policy that my friend has in place on their Mexican plated car? Reply

yucalandia says: August 3, 2013 at 6:10 am

Hi Peter, You are fine driving the friend’s car. steve Reply

Tom Williams says: September 7, 2013 at 3:46 pm

Hola Steve, Great job on this board. My situation, drove back to the US from Merida last Nov 2012, returned and got a new TIP on my FM3 that was going to expire Feb 2013. received a new Residente Temp Visa con permiso para trabajar valid for three years till Feb 2016. Haven’t gone up to Aduana Progreso to try to get a letter because I didn’t receive the visa till almost a month after applying and didn’t realize I needed to get it before so understand my deposit is long gone. Now I Read that a Temp Res. with permission to work can’t have a TIP permit. Has this been confirmed because or course our Immigation lawyer here never mentioned it. If so what is my best course of action. My car is 2006 Honda made in US. Can I permanently import it now or do I have to wait till 2014, how do I figure out when it was manufactured. I checked the link with the VIN number and it says the fees are only $4000 pesos, but it sounds like using a broker will cost approx $2000 US. an the process be done without by going to the pier and getting the list of documents needed. Thanks in advance for your help and insight Tom Reply

yucalandia says: September 7, 2013 at 4:25 pm

Hi Tom, First, know that I like to play the odds when the odds are in my favor. Second, the police are generally not aware of this subtle change in the rules, so carry a copy of Article 106 in your car (in Spanish) to show them that as long as you maintain the equivalent of the old FM3 No Inmigrante, your Aduana permit is still valid. Third, we don’t have enough data to make a final solid choice yet for your situation. There are a group of expats, their attorneys, and INM directors who are arguing that all Residente Temporales should have the same rights, unless the Legislature decides otherwise in the meantime. A reliable immigration attorney, Lic. Spencer McMullin has been told by highly placed Aduana officials that Aduana DF is currently re-considering their decision to ban foreign-plated TIP cars for Residente Temporal Lucrativo (y Con permiso de trabajar). Lawyer McMullin is advising his clients that he has been told Aduana DF will likely decide that all Residente Temporales have equivalent rights, and that they should announce a final decision reasonably soon (1 – 3 months?). There is an underlying Mexican legal position/precedents that Mexican regulators cannot arbitrarily take away previous legal rights. Previous No Inmigrante Lucrativo permit holders had the right to keep foreign-plated TIP cars. INM policy is that those No Inmigrantes are RENEWING their permits as Residente Temporal. IF Aduana tries to cancel a previously acceptable TIP permit because someone renewed their INM permit, the renewed permit continues to have all the same legal rights. This means that if Aduana decides that renewing No Inmigrante/Residente Temporal Lucrativos somehow lose their right to have a foreignplated TIP car, then Aduana is improperly taking away an existing “right”, without legislative approval. In light of this “inside” information possibly overturning the ban, and in light that the police are not enforcing this latest tweak to Aduana policies: I would keep my car inside Mexico, drive confidently, keep a Spanish language version of Articulo 106 of the Ley Aduanera with me in the car, be prepared to show police your Feb. 2016 INM temporary residency permit’s expiration date, and drive safely ~ while waiting for a final decision out of Aduana DF…. Remember, everything we say about Immigration and Customs policies are for educational, informational, and humorous purposes, as we are not lawyers, and we do not give advice on any legal matters. steve Reply

Amy B. says: September 14, 2013 at 9:24 am

Hi Steve. Wish I’d read through all your great information sooner. Here’s my problem. Drove into Mexico Feb. 2012 on a tourist visa, obtained a TIP, then immediately applied for an FM3. When it was close to expiring in April 2013, renewed that for the Residente Temporal good for 3 years, rentista status. Just recently I surrendered that card to change status to ‘con permiso para trabajar.’ Based on information from my lawyer, as long as my INM paperwork was in good standing, the vehicle would be also. Now I see that I was supposed to be advising them each time there was a change so I am definitely offside. My concern isn’t the deposit so much as the idea that my car could be seized or that my insurance could be denied. What’s my best course of action at this point? Advise Aduana of the change now and hope to get approval? I see there’s an office in Cancun I could go to. Get the safe return papers, drive to Belize, get a new TIP to bring it back? Import the vehicle permanently? (which I had planned to do at some point) The car is a 2007 Ford Edge and qualifies under the NAFTA rules, VIN starts with a 2. I have not left Mexico since I arrived, if that makes a difference. I’d sure appreciate any advice you could give me, thank you! Reply

yucalandia says: September 14, 2013 at 9:38 am

Hi Amy, Right now, the police are not taking any actions against Residente Temporals con permiso para trabajar with TIP cars. Have you talked with your insurance agent? When you got the RT for 3 years, did you notify Aduana in April 2013 of your new 2016 expiration date – and get a letter from Aduana identifying the new, extended expiration date? There may be help on the way, from some proposed changes out of Aduana DF. steve Reply

Amy B. says: September 17, 2013 at 3:12 pm

Hi Steve. No, I did not notify Aduana this spring when I got the RT for 3 years – didn’t realize I was supposed to – so I have no letter from Aduana with the new expiration date. I’ve really messed it up now as my next card (when I eventually get it) will show another change in status from rentista to con permiso para trabajar. Darn! If I understand everything I’ve been reading above, this would mean I would not be able to get an approval letter, as things stand at this point, period. Do I have this right? and I would not be able to take the car to Belize and bring it back on a new TIP either. ? How long away is the possible help you refer to out of Aduana DF, do you think? I’ve found out I can’t permanently import the car until Nov. 2014, so that option is out. Help! Wonder if it’s too late to get my rentista RT card back from INM. I’m not sure what the heck I should do now. Any words of wisdom for me please? Thanks, Amy

yucalandia says: September 18, 2013 at 6:45 am

Hi Amy, You are correct on all points. Assuming that Aduana would follow their rules in processing applications from you, they will not issue you a letter extending the expiration date of the TIP, nor issue you a new TIP at a border. There is no word yet from Aduana on re-evaluating their choice to prohibit working Temporary Residents to have TIP cars. None of us have any insight on when they might decide. I assume that INM could change you back to a non-working rentista status – which may be more palatable to you than driving to the border to sell your car in Belize or USA. Its a difficult spot to be in. Other than contacting Gerardo Uc to ask how much he would charge to import your car now, using a special paper-only process, I am stuck. Gerardo Uc [email protected] 983-732-3297 steve

Catherine says: September 15, 2013 at 7:16 am

Hello, I have a renewed temporary resident card. I attempted to renew my TIP and they aduana in Progreso told me they had to send my application to Mexico City for final approval. I never heard anything back. My fm3 was “rentista”. I do not have work authorization. I think my biggest concern is making sure my mexican insurance still covers my car even though I haven’t received any notification from the Mexico City aduana, etc. thanks!! Reply

yucalandia says: September 15, 2013 at 8:01 am

Hi Catherine, Since you have maintained a non-working temporary resident visa, going from “No Imigrante FM3 Rentista” to ” Residente Temporal ” – RENEWING your FM3, you have maintained the INM status continuously that keeps your Aduana TIP valid, under Article 106 of the Ley Aduanera. Keep a copy of Articulo 106 of the Ley Aduanera in your car, and you will be fine. steve Reply

Chris says: September 16, 2013 at 8:07 pm

Steve, awesome work on your website! Thanks for the all the help. I have read everything I can find everywhere until my eyes bleed but I still have not found a definitive answer to our unique situation. My wife and I are soon moving to the Playa Del Carmen area (free zone) to start a business (s). We have been in the area for a week or two at a time for the last 25yrs but never had the need for an FM3 / FM2, Temp, / Perm. Res. before now. As for our vehicles….I had thought that because the new rules state that Permanent Residents must remove their TIP’s we would have to permanently import and plate our vehicles. But with the new knowledge of our area, Q. Roo, being a free zone I think it may be possible to maybe get them there with TIP’s and tourist permits, run them down to Belize and surrender the TIP’s, drive them back up and leave them at our place in Playa, Then leave and re-enter when our Permanent Residency takes effect? Have I got this right? Is there an easier way? I wish there was a five day vehicle ENTRY permit! Thanks for the help. Chris Reply

yucalandia says: September 17, 2013 at 9:04 am

Hi Chris, You understand the current situation well. There is one loose end that we are waiting to tie up: How do the police across Q. Roo react? A friend who now lives in the Lake Chapala area has told us that he has friends back in Q. Roo that have been hassled by both Federal and municipal police for driving their foreign plated cars in Q. Roo without a TIP. This friend describes how an acquaintance of his had their car confiscated at Cancun airport for not having a TIP. ??? steve Reply

Chris says: September 17, 2013 at 4:13 pm

Steve, Sounds like I have it all figured, just maybe not the same way the local Policia or Feds do! Wonderful. A couple of our possible vehicles to move down are currently in the magical 9 to 10 years from manufacture. In the long run maybe it would be better to pay our way in now and not have to worry about possible hassles in the future. Can you recommend an honest, English speaking broker for me to use? Thanks again, Chris

yucalandia says: September 18, 2013 at 6:56 am

Hi Chris, Hiram Cervera is honest, speaks English, runs a large Customs Brokerage with locations in Q. Roo, and he does handle selected permanent imports at the seaports of just 8 and 9 year old vehicles. He is however selective in whom he chooses to accept as a client. I suspect that there is very little profit in handling these private car imports, so he only accepts car imports at his convenience (when the profitable sides of their business is slow?) – and he also seem to accept people for whom he has done done prior larger import jobs. Check out the requirements and details here: Options for Foreign-Plated “TIP” Car Owners in Mexico, esp for Permanent Residentshttps://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/options-for-foreign-plated-tip-car-ownersin-mexico-esp-for-permanent-residents/ steve

Doug says: September 17, 2013 at 12:46 pm

The beginning of this year, I was forced to get a Residente Permanente card which I received just prior to leaving Mexico. I’ll be returning in October but now I have a car with foreign plates which I can’t drive – driving it back to Germany is not an option. How stupid am I? My neighbour has a bank account, two homes, a foreign plated car and HAD an FM3 for only one year – 7 years ago. He does it by staying on a Tourist Visa and after 5-6 months, leaves the Country for a few days and returns on a new one. He finds it quite comical I did everything by the book and now have a car I can’t move. On top of that, next Summer, I can’t ship my German registered VW T5 to Veracruz and drive to Grand Teton. How do I get rid of this Residente Permanente? Reply

yucalandia says: September 17, 2013 at 2:37 pm

Hi Doug, Have you considered using a car dealer at the border to do the import? They are able to import Japanese and German made cars. You have not said how old the car is, but you might find that it can be imported for $25,000 pesos? Have you contacted Gerardo Uc? https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/options-for-foreign-plated-tip-car-owners-in-mexico-esp-forpermanent-residents/ Gerardo Uc [email protected] 983-732-3297 You could also take your car to Belize and sell it there. Or, you could drive the car to the US border, at a crossing that has a Mexican Consulate – like Nuevo Laredo/Laredo and surrender your Residente Permanente, get a Residente Temporal, and reimport the car with an Aduana TIP. After your first year on the Residente Temporal, you could apply for 3 more years. That would resolve both car and visa problems for a total of 4 years. The Mexican Consulate in Laredo has processed the Residente Temporal applications in under 3 hours lately. If you want to drive the car legally to a border, you get a 5 business day Retorno Seguro permit from Hacienda/SAT: https://yucalandia.com/?s=retorno+seguro steve Reply

Doug says: September 17, 2013 at 3:19 pm

Thank you for the information. The car is 19 years old and heavily modified (ca. 250PS and 700Kg). Nobody in Belize would buy a car stripped to 2 seats, 5 point belts and so noisy one has to wear earplugs at 4000RPM’s. And I can’t legally import it into the States. Driving to Nuevo Laredo is a very good idea however. After 4 years, things may change but how do I get the car to the Mexican Consulate in NL? Can I get a special permit to drive it there with my RP? Why should I not do what my neighbour does? I can visit my Uncle in Arizona for a few days, return to Mexico and be legal for another 6 months. Reply

yucalandia says: September 18, 2013 at 6:49 am

Hi Doug, Yes you can drive to the border on a 5 business day Retorno Seguro, as I described in the prior reply. The Mexican COnsulate is in Laredo (the USA). Yes, you could drive to visit your uncle in arizona, surrender your Permanent Resident card at the border, and do the dance, taking the car out of Mexico every 6 months and get a new TIP and new INM permit every trip. If you drive to the border, why not permanently import the vehicle into Mexico? Am I missing something? steve Reply

Doug says: September 18, 2013 at 9:17 am

Thanks for the information. I would like to permanently import the vehicle but it is not 30 years old and not built in a NAFTA Country. Are you saying, I can permanently import anything? If so, that would solve my problem regarding the T5 – 2011 van, built in Germany and converted for camping. Reply

yucalandia says: September 18, 2013 at 10:50 am

Hi Doug, Did you contact Sr. Uc as I proposed in an earlier reply? Only he can tell you about your van, but as I wrote above, they have imported both German made and Japanese made cars. Modified vans? It may depend on the size. My last reading of the Ley Aduanera limited imports of 18 or 19 (or more) passenger vans, but there was nothing about modifications – except that private individuals were supposed to get their vehicles emissions certified in CA, AZ, NM, or TX prior to permanent imports. The licensed Mexican car dealers do not seem to be bound by these restrictions. You do have several options. steve Reply

Doug says: September 18, 2013 at 1:34 pm

Sorry to keep this up but maybe I didn’t make myself clear. The T5 is a VW van and it is in Germany with German license plates. I would import it through Veracruz. It has an emissions certificate which must be renewed every two years along with a safety inspection. However, this brings up another thing. Next year, I am going to buy a new car in Guadalajara. Rather than do this, can I bring in my 2001 Audi S3 which is also in Germany with German plates? If so, I can forget about bringing in the T5. The money I can save by bringing in the S3 and not buying a new car would more than offset any camping/touring experience I can get with the T5 and also pay for a lot of really nice hotels. I shall contact Mr. Uc when I return to GDL in two weeks. Right now, I’m in Germany. Thanks Again. Reply

yucalandia says: September 18, 2013 at 3:11 pm

Hi Doug, You currently have no car in Mexico, now? Correct? The previous answers I gave were all based on you having the vehicle already in Mexico. Here are the basics: ~ As a Residente Permanente you cannot bring in a car with a TIP. ~ You can personally permanently import only NAFTA vehicles. ~ Car dealers can import vehicles that individuals are not allowed to import. ~ The sea ports have different rules for permanent importing vehicles than US-Mexico borders. ~ By coming into Vera Cruz, your Customs Broker holds all the cards. Typically, sea ports only allow private individual foreigners to bring in 8 & 9 year old NAFTA vehicles. Check with your Customs Broker. I understand that there are no legal options for you personally to bring in a German made vehicle. Hope that clears things up, steve Reply

Doug says: September 18, 2013 at 4:04 pm

Thanks you for your information. Yes, I have a car in Mexico now with German plates but if I were to bring in my S3, I could take this car to my Mother’s home in Vegas, change a few things and, well, anyway – that doesn’t matter. I guess the thing to do is get rid of my permanent resident card which will give me the freedom to drive a vehicle which I can’t get in Mexico or North America. Thanks again.

Amy B. says: September 18, 2013 at 8:26 pm

Hi Steve. No, I did not notify Aduana this spring when I got the RT for 3 years – didn’t realize I was supposed to – so I have no letter from Aduana with the new expiration date. I’ve really messed it up now as my next card (when I eventually get it) will show another change in status from rentista to con permiso para trabajar. Darn! If I understand everything I’ve been reading above, this would mean I would not be able to get an approval letter, as things stand at this point, period. Do I have this right? and I would not be able to take the car to Belize and bring it back on a new TIP either. ? How long away is the possible help you refer to out of Aduana DF, do you think? I’ve found out I can’t permanently import the car until Nov. 2014, so that option is out. Any words of wisdom for me please? Thanks, Amy Reply

yucalandia says: September 19, 2013 at 7:13 am

Hi Amy, With the permission to work, Aduana will not extend the TIP, nor will they allow you to get a new TIP at the border. None of us know when the Aduana might make a ruling to fix this problem, and we don’t know for sure that they will. One report from one Aduana manager said they are considering changing the policy. You could contact Sr. Uc and ask what he charges to import the car now, using a paper-only process. Gerardo Uc [email protected] 983-732-3297 steve Reply

yucalandia says: September 21, 2013 at 3:03 pm

Amy, As we proposed last week, the Aduana Law has just been changed. Based on our best readings/understandings: The new version published by the Camara de Diputados allows all Residente Temporal permit holders to have TIP cars. https://yucalandia.com/2013/09/21/mexicos-customs-law-updated-to-allow-temporary-residents-to-have-tip-cars/ Hope this helps, steve

güerainmexico says: October 8, 2013 at 11:23 am

Hola Steve and greeting to your Yucalandia readers. After reading through all this great information, I believe I’ve gotten myself into a very big mess. I started a business in Playa del Carmen and used a local attorney (I have a Mexican corporation). I am legally able to work for myself under my corporation. In March 2012, my lawyer was able to apply and obtain an FM2 instead of an FM3 (because if some of the recent changes in the law). This was my first time applying and I went straight to an FM2. The reason that he did so was because I own a home that I was contemplating selling and he said that having a FM2 would benefit me tax-wise, At that meeting, I had also told him that as soon as I received my card from Immigration, I would be returning to the US, picking up my car and driving it back into Mexico and back to Playa. He did NOT inform me that there would be any issues bringing the car back in with an FM2. I own a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder (Made in the US/VIN and starts with a number). Imagine my shock and dismay when I drive across the Mexican border into Nuevo Laredo, paid my import fees for items I was bringing in, and then over to Aduana to pay my TIP, only to be told that I cannot do so! I was pretty upset. I was a woman traveling alone and my plan was to meet a Mexican friend in Monterrey who would accompany me on the drive to Playa del Carmen. There I was, stranded in Nuevo Loredo with the clock ticking and told I could not bring in my car. There was no way I could turn around and drive back 1500 miles. I was visibly upset and a Mexican/American man talked to me outside and I told him what was going on. He said he had his American and Mexican passports and he helps people move. (He was there helping an American couple bring their car in and they were getting ready to make the drive the next day, and spend the night in Nuevo Loredo to rest.) He told me that the Aduana people worked 24 hour shifts and if I stayed the night there, I could return the next morning and there would be a new staff working. He said I could walk up to the window, show them my US passport, fill out an FMM and simply apply for the TIP under the FMM. That is exactly what I did and received the TIP under my FMM. He explained that I would either have to drive back in six months or simply let the FMM expire and lose my deposit. Terrible advice but I had no choice at the time, so that is exactly what I did and was issued the TIP under my FMM. Fast forward to the six month expiration date and I have now moved to Cozumel and set up my business along with bringing my car there. (I rented a house and still have my home in Playa.) I am told I need to drive to Chetumal but I am also told that they cannot and will not renew the TIP because it is attached to my FMM. I let the FMM expire at the 6 month mark. I started asking questions to several experienced expats living and running businesses in Cozumel. I am told that Quintana Roo is a free state and after talking to at least 20 locals driving cars with US plates and expired TIPS, I decide to wait it out and see what happens when the laws change and I have to apply for me new card with Immigration. I had to travel within Mexico by air, and put in my application for my Temporal resident card (they issued me a letter and i traveled with that. My Immigration application got tied up for a couple of months (because I was traveling and not available to come to Immigration for my interview), so through the lawyer, Immigration allowed me to reschedule the appointment. I was finally issues a Temporal Residente card in June. (Note: they did make my expiration for March even though it was not issued until June.) There was no issue with the expired FMM so apparently they did not see it on their system or my lawyer was able to answer to Immigration. I do not know but I consider myself lucky because there are fines involved and i could have had my right to work taken away as one of the provisions to work under my corporation is to be legally compliant with Immigration laws! Also note: I had informed my lawyer fully of this situation. Now, because of a death in my family, I need to return to the US for several months. I want to drive my car back into the US and sell it. Then when I return to Mexico, I will purchase a Mexican plated car. I have obviously lost my deposit on the car by now, as it is 11 months expired. I DO still have the TIPP sticker on the windshield of the car and I have my papers from Aduana. Is my only choice to apply for the 5 day “Safe Returns” (Retorno Seguro) program? I assume I have to go to Cancun, apply and wait there in Cancun until the permit letter is ready and then I make the drive, correct? (I cannot believe they only give you 5 days. That is a very difficult thing to do when you have to drive through the entire country!!) Also, If I decide I do not want to sell my car in the US because I cannot get enough for it, I can turn in my sticker and paper, and then bring the car back into Mexico with me when I return under my Residente Temporal, is that correct? Of course, I realize that I would have to pay another fee. (My Immigration card does not indicate in any way that I work in Mexico.) I apologize for such a long-winded question, but it appears the laws or the way they enforce regulations are a bit different in Quintanna Roo. I cannot locate where it says that it is a “free zone”. By the way, I know many American business owners living and working here for many years that drive US plated vehicles with expired TIPS. The only issues I have heard of recently, was when someone got their US plated vehicle impounded when they went to the airport, because they were driving on Federal property and that changes the rules for them. Muchas gracias so very much for any advice you can give to me! It is truly appreciated! Sincerely, Guera in Mexico Reply

guerainmexico says: October 8, 2013 at 11:45 am

CORRECTION: I looked at my Immigration card and it DOES say: Permisa para trabajar, so it does show that I work here in Mexico. Reply

yucalandia says: October 8, 2013 at 11:48 am

Hi Guera, A few realities: 1. Under current rules, a Residente Temporal with permission to work CANNOT have a foreign plated car in Mexico, except for the Free Zones. (There are plans to allow Temporales to have foreign plated cars in the future, but the law has not been passed or approved.) 2. If you drive your car out of Mexico soon, they will not let you bring the car back in. 3. The Retorno Seguro permit is issued 3 or 4 business days after you apply. The permit is good for 5 business days (1 calendar week). 4. The new INM computer system now checks to see if you already have a Residency Permit, and if you come in on a tourist visa, (trying to game the system), INM is now issuing heavy fines, confiscating some Residency Cards, and kicking some people out of Mexico. I would not try that. 5. If you really want the foreign plated car here in Q. Roo, then you can go to the Belize border, turn in the TIP, (without leaving Mexico), and then quarantine your car to driving only inside Q.Roo – but you must keep your American license plate and registration current (just like Baja). 6. If you drive out of the country with the car, you currently cannot bring it back in, unless you permanently import it. Please read through the comments here, focusing on those by Rabbi Spiegel – who has thoroughly researched and documented how and why we are allowed to keep fully licensed foreign plated vehicles in Q. Roo. You seem to be getting a better understanding of the Aduana and INM rules, so things should go more smoothly. By the way, you do know that it is the SELLER’s Notario that must approve any homeowner’s exemption for avoiding capital gains taxes on property sales. Just like your “lawyer”s opinions were wrong on the Aduana and INM issues, he is wrong about the gains taxes on property. It is currently very difficult for foreigners to qualify for the exemption – but still possible – but you MUST have the approval of the Notario handling the sale, and since the buyer typically picks the Notario, you and your “lawyer” have no control over whether the exemption will be awarded by the Notario…. Since each Notario is personally fiscally liable for any taxes you (incorrectly) do not pay, Notarios are not eager to risk their own monies $$$ to grant exemptions to gringos – regardless of what your lawyer says. For details, read the article at: https://yucalandia.com/2010/04/26/capital-gains-taxes-on-mexican-properties-2/ You must find a Notario that approves of it fully for your situation, steve Reply

don cri cri says: October 8, 2013 at 12:03 pm

If this is of help to anyone, I just crossed near El Paso yesterday with an FM3 con permiso para trabajar. I have the car loaded with personal possessions which cost me nothing because I had a list and had consulted with the Consulate in El Paso. My total cost for the TIP 250 usd. The new crossing at Santa Teresa New Mexico is very laid back. Reply

yucalandia says: October 8, 2013 at 2:32 pm

Good news to travelers ! Thanks for the update, steve Reply

guerainmexico says: October 8, 2013 at 1:21 pm

Muchas gracias for the replies Steve! At least I am not totally screwed and it appears I do have options. So the entire state of Quintana Roo is a “free state”? I assumed it was just along the coast or tourist areas. I could not locate a link that refers to that. According to your statement (#5), “5. If you really want the foreign plated car here in Q. Roo, then you can go to the Belize border, turn in the TIP, (without leaving Mexico), and then quarantine your car to driving only inside Q.Roo – but you must keep your American license plate and registration current (just like Baja).” So, I can do this even if my TIP is expired? I would assume the Aduana at the Belize border will give me a paper that shows I am allowed to drive my vehicle in Q. Roo. If no, then is there some mention of this legality on the aduana site? I would also assume, that when it came time to drive my car out and back to the US, that I would still need to apply for the Retorno Seguro, that allows me to leave the country with my car. Gracias for the advice concerning the taxes and a property sale and the link!! Muchas gracias. Sincerely, güera Reply

yucalandia says: October 8, 2013 at 2:51 pm

Hi güera, Yes, foreigners who are Residente Permanente or Residente Temporal can keep a currently licensed foreign plated car in the whole state of Quintana Roo. As I wrote above, you drive to the Belize border, and turn in your old TIP without exiting Mexico. (there is a special small parking lot that you make a U turn to get into – before crossing the bridge). You then drive back into Subteniente Lopéz… It’s odd, but the WordPress search engine available to the public gives no results for Speigel, while the Site Administrator’s search engine (for comments) finds them easily. ??? Here are some excerpts: Read the comments on this at ” https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/current-aduana-car-import-rules-made-obsolete-by-inms-new-residencycategories/ CIITEV_Aduana Mexico Wed 7/31/2013 Good morning Mr. Spiegel, Thanks for contact us. Effectively, Quintana Roo is considered a Free Zone, so as long as you won’t drive out of there you won’t have any problems. On the other hand, you cannot request for a new temporary import permit because of your stay condition (Residente Permanente is not allow to have a foreign car here in Mexico). If you want to drive out of Quintana Roo, we recommend you to consider nationalizing your car. I let you some information bellow: Final Importation You need to get in contact with a customs broker, he is the one in charge to make the final import of any car, he will classify the Id of the car, make the import request, identify regulations, restrictions, and taxes of the foreign trade. You can find one in the Confederación de Asociaciones de Agentes Aduanales de la República Mexicana (CAAAREM), the telephone number is: 01 (55) 33 00 75 00, in Mexico, D.F., and the website is: http://www.caaarem.org.mx Another option is to contact with the Confederación Latinoamericana de Agentes Aduanales (CLAA) in its website: http://www.claa.org,mx, the telephone number is: 01 (800) 702 04 22. We extend you an invitation to visit the Customs General Administration website: http://www.aduanas.gob.mx, where you can find more information about customs and foreign trade. I hope this information can clear your mind. Best regards. For more information please call the following toll-free numbers: • In Mexico 01 800 4636 728 7-2-2-1-1 options. • From the U.S. and Canada 1 877 4488728 7-2-2-1-1 options. CIITEV ADUANA MEXICO =========================== ” Also read our comments on the Aduana link, like: “Drilling into the history: Pres. Echeverria made Q Roo a Free Zone in 1972. This status was further elaborated in the Jul. 1, 1980 DOF publishing of a decreto presidential ( http://biblio.juridicas.unam.mx/libros/5/2351/10.pdf ) … In the crudest of analogies, the 20 km rule from the border does not apply to the special zone in Sonora, nor Baja Caifornia, nor California Sur, so, I understand that Q. Roo’s free zone designation falls under the “whole state” type of designation that Baja California y California Sur enjoy. (? though I have not dug out a specific reference) One SAT page related to the Free Zone issue, has clearly called out Q. Roo as a Free Zone for several years – in the same category as Baja California and California Sur. Here is an example of a SAT page referencing Q Roo as a state similar to the Californias and parts of Sonora – areas with special rules and special Aduana priviledges: http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_10128.html “Franja y región fronterizas Franja fronteriza norte Es el territorio comprendido entre la línea divisoria internacional del norte del país y la línea paralela a una distancia de 20 kilómetros hacia el interior del país en el tramo comprendido entre el límite de la región parcial del estado de Sonora y el golfo de México, así como el municipio fronterizo de Cananea, Sonora. Región fronteriza Los estados de Baja California, Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo y la región parcial de Sonora; la franja fronteriza sur colindante con Guatemala y los municipios de Caborca, Sonora, Comitán de Domínguez, Chiapas, y Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. ” Is this enough documentation for you? steve Rabbi Stephen Spiegel wrote: “If you are addressing Rabbi Steve, you got me. If you were looking for Moderator Steve, re-post. I have gotten e-mails and have spoken twice with Aduana, not heresay. I must take both Aduana sources at their word. Q Roo is treated as a Free Zone. What it means re cars, as I understand it; (1) A tourista, 180 days still gets T.I.P. and can drive in Mexico (2) A Residente Temporal (non working) gets a T.I.P. for a year and can drive in Mexico (3) A Residente Permanente living in Quintana Roo has two choices; (A) No permit and can drive only in Q Roo, and no Mexican citizen can drive the car. US Tag must be current, US Drivers License must stay current, Mexican Insurance. (B) Nationalize the car and drive in Mexico, anywhere A few other details, but that is how I understand it, and how I am planning to deal with it. Right now, I must drive to Chetumal and cancel existing TIP, even though it is expired. I may just leave it at that and rent a car should I want to travel around the country.” Further: Banjercito experts say the same thing: Erik Fernandez Carranza [email protected] wrote: “ Regarding your email, we confirm you the information received from Aduanas (that Q. Roo is a Free Zone).” Since then, Rabbi Speigel has made at least 3 additional formal contacts with the State and Federal police (and Aduana management) in Q. Roo offices, meeting with groups of officers, who all confirmed this information – that they will not ticket nor impound foreigners with valid Residente cards, driving properly licensed foreign plated cars. The people who lost their car at the airport may not have kept their US or Canadian car registration/licenses current. Hope this helps, steve Reply

Cliff du Fresne says: October 9, 2013 at 10:37 pm

Steve, I will be: – flying to Mazatlan on November 6. – then flying home to Vancouver on December 6. – then flying back to Mazatlan on December 31 for 4 months. My 1st year Temporary Resident Visa expires on January 13, 2014. I have a TIP vehicle that I leave in Mazatlan. My immigration consultant says she needs to start the renewal process on December 14, after I have gone home. She says if she waits to start the process on January 2, after I return to Mazatlan, there will not be enough time to renew it before the original visa expires. And as she needs to keep my Temporary Resident Card for the renewal process, she has advised me to enter Mexico on November 6 on a Tourist Visa, so I can use it to exit Mexico on December 6. I thought her advice made sense, however your advice to Guera was to not enter Mexico on a Tourist visa when you already have a Temporary Resident visa. Do you have any suggestions? Cliff du Fresne Reply

guerainmexico says: October 10, 2013 at 12:40 am

Hello Cliff, I just wanted to mention to you that I only entered the country on a tourist visa out of sheer desperation because I was somewhat stranded in Nueveo Laredo and could not bring my car in. I was extremely lucky that it worked out for me but keep in mind that it was before the new computer system went into place. To be honest, I am really surprised that any “immigration consultant” would even think of advising you to enter on a tourist visa and put your Temporary Resident status at risk of being revoked. From my personal experience renewing my card this year and having to travel, I had to turn my passport into my lawyer, who was my immigration consultant, and then I had to wait for the application process to start. (I did, of course, have to be in Mexico). My passport was returned to me in 1-2 days. I also had my paperwork started about 10 days before my FM2 was supposed to expire. (I cut it close and that is not recommended) My process to get my approval took longer than expected with Immigration having a large backlog, and my lawyer told me if I needed to leave the country, Immigration could issue me a letter that would allow me to travel to the US while I was waiting for my paperwork to be approved. (It ended up taking about 10 weeks!) My personal experience and according to my lawyer, was that as long as you submit your paperwork to Immigration before your card expires, it is considered to be “in process” and it does not matter if your card has expires after your paperwork is with Immigration. Immigration issued me a letter to carry with me stating that my paperwork was in process. Granted, I had a FM2 and not a resident temporal but I would not think that would change things. Also, remember that it will be during the holidays and they always close up for about a week or so, so there is going to be a backlog. You should be able to leave the country on a travel letter. (Don’t know the name for it.) If they call your immigration consultant to tell you to come in for your fingerprinting while you are out of the country, he or she should be able to postpone your appointment until your return. IMHO, in that short period of time, I would be truly surprised if they were able to process it that quickly right after the holidays. I was able to postpone my Immigration appointment. I do realize that it all depends on where you are located and how good a relationship your Immigration consultant has with the immigration office. I used an attorney to do all my paperwork and I am glad I did. The cost was nominal, about $2300 pesos, probably about the same that you would pay your consultant. Please keep in mind that I am just sharing my personal experiences and my experiences have been with the Immigration offices in Cancun and in Cozumel. Buena suerte! Reply

Ong says: October 11, 2013 at 2:53 pm

We are Americans who drove out American rv into Mexico a month ago. We have a TIP. We were planning on driving it back home to states in a month, but it just died and can’t be fixed. (It’s very old.) What do we do? Give it to junkyard/mechanic? Someone prove its broken and worth nothing…? Then take plates and sticker off and fly home? Thanks. Reply

Debra Vincent says: November 20, 2013 at 1:43 pm

I have a quote from Gerardo Uc for importing my van. There are many reference made to contact Gerardo Uc but I have not seen any specific comments from people that have used him successfully. How trustworthy is he? Can I send him money and trust that the import will be completed? Any comments would be helpful. Thank you. Debbie Reply

yucalandia says: November 22, 2013 at 10:38 am

Hi Debra, Some people have been happy with Uc’s results. One fellow got some peculiar type of pedimento (legal but not what is accepted by the State of Yucatan), and Uc is having to re-do the process. I have heard no reports of anyone losing their money. Ask how long the Tamaulipas license plate/registration is good for, and ask if the pedimento you get allows you to re-register the car in Q. Roo or Yucatan (or whatever state you live in). steve Reply

Joy van Ede says: November 22, 2013 at 4:11 pm

Hola, We are people from the Netherlands and we transported our Canadian RV TripleE(10 years old) from Belgium to Baltimore(usa). We drove with it to Mexico, got a TIP for 10 years at the border, 3 okt 2013, Matamoros. Now, I look at the TIP papers and see that the wrong number is on the TIP papers. A long Number, not the VIN number!!! Who can help us with this problem?? We will get next week our Temporal Residence Card here in Progreso, Yucatan. We need to import our RV because, Cars from Europe have to be imported or otherwise back to Europe within 1 year! We want to stay here at this side of the Ocean so importing is required. (Or you must have an other solution? We don’t want to import but we think there is no other option) Who can help us with this problem?? Reply

yucalandia says: November 23, 2013 at 7:19 am

Hi Joy, I think that you should check with Aduana in Progreso to see what can be done locally. In a worst case, you would need to make the 5 hour trip to the Belize/Mexico border near Chetumal (Santa Helena – Subteniente López crossing), and get the error resolved there. In any case you qualify for using a 10 year TIP for the motor home. steve Reply

Joy van Ede says: November 23, 2013 at 9:51 am

Hi Steve, I’m happy with your answer we will try Progreso first. Do you also have an answer on my second question? We need to import our RV because, Cars from Europe have to be imported or otherwise back to Europe within 1 year! We want to stay here at this side of the Ocean so importing is required. (Or you must have an other solution? We don’t want to import but we think there is no other option) Who can help us with this problem?? joy Reply

yucalandia says: November 23, 2013 at 8:26 pm

Hi Joy, Since you already have a 10 year permit for the RV, what else is needed? I must misunderstand your previous explanation. Aduana has consistently ruled (since the rule changes last Feb. 2013) that the Temporary Import permits are good until their expiration date, as long as you maintain some legal immigrant status with INM. The problem with the old FM2, FM3, Inmigrante, No Inmigrante based INM permits was that they expired every year – causing the Aduana Temporary Import Permit (TIP) to expire with them. Maybe the rules have changed again, since the Feb. 2013 decisions/rulings from Aduana Distrito Federal, but we have read nothing saying that. Every single first hand report we have read (since Feb) from people with Aduana TIPs with longer expiration dates, all say that “when push comes to shove” the Aduana offices ultimately honor the TIP permit’s expiration date, even for people with Residente Permanentes. ??? steve Reply

Joy van Ede says: November 24, 2013 at 9:48 am

Hola Steve, You are right what about driving in Mexico. But you forget one important thing. Offcourse we are happy with the 10 years TIP. And if we should drive only in Mexico, it should be oke, I think. But we want to travel throught usa, Canada and than we still have our Spanish plates(we lived in spain before coming to here). That means, we still have to go back to Europe within 1 year!! Or getting a big, big fine.. So the point you are mistaken(I believe) is that we have to send back the RV to Europe within 1 year(means before end of august 2014) when we still have our Spanish license in usa and Canada in 2015..for example. All cars traveling from Europe to oversea must get back within 1 year to Europe. that’s our problem. Do you know someone we can talk to and explain? Here in Merida, Progreso or nearby?It is a big problem for us. joy

yucalandia says: November 24, 2013 at 10:03 am

Hi Joy, I will check and look for someone who might know. steve

Joy van Ede says: November 24, 2013 at 10:46 am

Thank you so much, Steve. Reply

Kathleen says: November 25, 2013 at 4:48 pm

Hi Steve, One last step. I’m finally getting rid of my two cars that don`t work. I’ve taken your advice and taken them to a junkyard. All the paperwork is done as per your notario’s instructions. I just need the address of the Aduana office I should send the paperwork to. I am in Nayarit and I think I’m supposed to send them to Mexico, DF but there are a lot of offices there. Do you have the specific address that I need regarding vehicles that will never be driven again so I can get them off our passports? Kathleen Reply

yucalandia says: November 26, 2013 at 7:24 am

Hi Kathleen, Here is the address of the Aduana office that handles TIPs: Administración Central de Planeación Aduanera Av. Hidalgo No.77 Modulo IV primer piso Col. Guerrero, Delegación Cuauhtémoc Código Postal 06300, México D.F. Best of Luck, steve Reply

Kathleen says: November 27, 2013 at 12:18 pm

Thank you! I’ll let you know how all this works out. This may a good solution for many others with the same problem! Kathleen Reply

Wendy Dahlgren says: November 27, 2013 at 1:14 pm

Hi Steve My name is Wendy I am Canadian and I brought my 2007 car into Mexico in 2008. At the time I had an FM3 and was permitted to keep the car here for 5 years. In march 2013 my immigration status changed to Residente Permanente, so I was no longer allowed to keep my car in Mexico. I live in Progreso, Yucatan for 6 months every year, and have been advised that the only way I can legally drive my car is to go to Belize transfer ownership to another Canadian with a tourist status, and temporarily import the car. Once it is in I can drive it to Canada in six months when the permit expires. Are there any other options? I would like to keep the car in Mexico. I would appreciate your early response. Thank you! Wendy Reply

yucalandia says: November 27, 2013 at 5:31 pm

Hi Wendy, You could do a permanent import of the car, using a broker like Sonia Diaz. She operates out of San Miguel, offers paper-only import process with a money-back guarantee, and imports both NAFTA and non-NAFTA vehicles. Sonia is on Mexconnect.com ‘s forums. You could also import it yourself (using a broker) at the Mexico US border. You could also take the car to the Mexico/Belize border, and sell it to a Residente Temporal foreign resident, and have them get a Temporary Import Permit that lasts as long as they keep their INM visa current. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ” SMAcoolist: Mon Dec 9, 2013 7:36 am (PST) . Posted by: soniangel32 This week we received several pedimentos and facturas of cars we nationalized from as far away as Ixtapa and Manzanillo. All were done without the cars leaving their property and no driving to the border. Please note if you want to nationalize a non-NAFTA vehicle this is the last week to do so as after this week the cost will likely rule out doing so. A non-NAFTA vehicle is one made outside of North America and the VIN starts with a letter. Some pedimentos are slow and others are coming in 3 weeks. Hopefully, in the future they will all be faster. Happy Holidays Sonia SONIANGEL32 AT hotmail.com cell: 044-415-106- 1499 ” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ??? steve Happy Trails, steve Reply

WENDY DAHLGREN says: November 28, 2013 at 9:14 am

Thank you so much for that Steve. I definitely will follow up on your suggestions. Wendy

Christine says: December 5, 2013 at 7:32 am

Steve, after getting my RT visa, I went to the Aduana in Queretaro for a TIP as advised by the “expediter” that I had hired. The Aduana said they couldn’t issue the “letter” that I needed to keep in the truck, but that the letter would come from the DF in a week and that, in the meantime, I should keep the form the clerk gave me (a paper with my RT number and stamped with the date of the visit) and it would be legal for me to drive for a month. The clerk also gave me a strange (in that I had to go through something like 5 options to get nowhere) phone number in the DF to call if there was a problem. Needless to say, the letter didn’t materialize. I still have the 30 day temporary permit on the truck that was put on it at Banjercito in Laredo when I went up to get my financial documentation verified so I could start the RT process at the end of August. Meanwhile, I am planning to cross the border in mid January for a medical process and to get some of my things out of storage. As far as I can tell, I am going with a valid RT, an invalid Banjercito and no TIP letter saying I’m legal. Do I need to be worried? What will happen at the border? Will they refund my deposit? Will I have to pay an new deposit on the way back two weeks later. How do I get the “letter” that I think verifies my TIP situation out of the DF? Lost, Christine Reply

yucalandia says: December 5, 2013 at 7:39 am

Hi Christine, Good questions. I don’t think anyone except Aduana and Banjercito can tell you the exact status of your deposit. Keep the documentation from Queretaro Aduana with you, and stop by the Banjercito office on the way out of Mexico as you leave to find out the status of your TIP. They can tell you whether you can continue driving the car on your current TIP, or if you need to surrender your old TIP and get a new one. Carry your original TIP document with you as you travel. steve Reply

Christine says: December 5, 2013 at 10:31 am

Steve, thanks. So strange. Christine Reply

Dan says: December 17, 2013 at 6:09 am

Hello, and thanks for all the excellent info!… I do have some questions tho… my wife and I plan on moving to the Progreso area in Sept 2014. We plan on driving our non nafta hyundai minivan from Canada and pulling a small cargo trailer with household items. We are also travelling with our two large dogs. If we enter mexico on 6 month visitor visas and get the corresponding temporary import permit for the van and the trailer, my understanding is that we must then leave mexico with the van and trailer at the end of the 6 month visa. My question is… if we say drive out of mexico into Belize, can we then just turn around and go back in by obtaining new visitor visas and temporary import permit? Can we do this over and over again? or is it better to apply for a temporary residence visa? thanks so much! Dan & Brenda Reply

yucalandia says: December 17, 2013 at 4:53 pm

Hi Dan, Yes, you can go to the Belize border crossing outside Chetumal (Subteniente López) and cancel one TIP permit, and get another one, AND get new visitors visas, all without leaving Mexico. Or, you can also go shopping in the Free Zone of Corazol, getting honest Duty Free bargains and then return to Mexico and get your TIP and visitors visas. See our article on the border crossing and TIPs at: https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/updates-to-aduana-inm-banjercito-procedures-for-visas-andimporting-cars-the-article/ Re getting a Residente Temporal: That’s a really personal decision. Some people choose the more expensive Residente Temporal route (but less hassles – because once you have it, you can get a 3 year renewal, and be set without doing the Visitor Visa dances – and you get your Aduana TIP for the car for the same expiration date as the RT visa). Other people prefer visitors visas and renewing TIPs every time. Still, if you have the RT visa, you can bring in a trailer load (or more) of personal household goods: duty free and tax free. Read this article for details on getting a Resident Temporal visa: https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/new-rules-and-procedures-for-immigration-visiting-and-staying-inmexico/ Happy Trails, steve Reply

David says: December 18, 2013 at 12:40 pm

Your response to Dan’s question brings up another somewhat similar question. We are electing to dump our FM-3 ( residente Temporal ) status this year and from here on out go with 6 month visitors visas and a new TIP on or NON-Nafta car. We calculated that for the cost of getting FM-2 ( residente permanente ) visa for both of us, we could do the visitors visa thing for about 10 years for the same price AND we could continue to bring in our NON-nafta vehicle, which we are not allowed to import as residente permanente. We do exactly 6 months in Mexico and 6 months in the U.S. so this works out well for us and although we have to pay the deposit for the TIP each 6 months, we get it back again when we return to the U./S., so it is not really a cost to us ( we just lose interest on what we could have earned on that money in a bank account … whoop whoop,, a whole 2,5 of 1% ) Anyway given all this the question is,… is there someway to just make a one time deposit to Banjercito and leave it on deposit with them semi-permanently until we no longer wish to live in Mexico at all and then claim back the deposit ? They would get to keep the money all year long and earn interest on it and we wouldn’t have the hassle of paying and reclaiming every 6 months. Reply

yucalandia says: December 18, 2013 at 2:08 pm

Hi David, No, there is no way to leave a deposit on file with Banjercito. They confiscate the $$ when we exceed the expiration date. Good proposal, though. steve Reply

Dan says: December 18, 2013 at 6:05 pm

a two part question for you…. as I mentioned above, i’ll be driving to mexico pulling a cargo trailer with my household goods… Am i better off getting my TIP in advance (online or at the Calgary Mexican Consulate) or just getting it when I cross into mexico? Also, I’ll likely just be going in on a visitor visa… regarding the household goods in the trailer… what exactly will I be charged duty on??? is it very expensive? exemptions??? Also, when it comes to the TIP… will my cargo trailer be “attached” to my minivan TIP?… or can the trailer have its on TIP? Reason for asking is if I have to go to the Belize border area to renew my visitor visa and TIP… it would be nicer if I didn’t have to drag the cargo trailer with me every time! Also… can you tell me what the cost of a TIP is for my 2008 Hyundai minivan and cargo trailer? I’ve read that the TIP deposit for my minivan is $400 USD… (which I’ll use a credit card for)… but is there a fee for the TIP itself? thanks so much…. Dan Reply

yucalandia says: December 18, 2013 at 7:01 pm

Hi Dan, Trailer’s do not get their own TIP. Aduana always attaches them to the vehicle towing them. Gotta drag the trailer out to the border when you cancel the vehicle TIP. This is one reason some people find it easier/better to get a Residente Temporal, and maintain the TIP for years – and take out the trailer at their convenience.

If you read the TIP deposit costs above: https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-inmexico/#Temporary%20Import%20Permits%20for%20Residente%20Temporal%20and%20Visitante%20%28visitor/tourist%29%20INM%20Permit you find that a 2008 vehicle would have a $400 deposit in 2014. Duties for visitors: You are allowed $300 per person of non-personal goods duty and tax free when driving in. You would pay duties of around 15% on other non-personal items and possibly 16% IVA… https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-commonquestions/what-can-i-bring-into-mexico-mexican-customs-rules-the-article/ Reality? Most gringos pulling trailers are waved through without paying any duties, and only brief simple inspections of their goods. Per the advice in our Mexico Customs Rules article, make a nice spread sheet (Menaje de Casa style) of the contents of every numbered box, and all non-personal items. Include serial numbers, makes, and models, especially of electronics, computer gear, etc. Make several copies of the spreadsheet, and plan to give the Customs officer a copy for them to inspect and put into their files (nice CYA in case the boss asks them what was in the load). Note that your list should match your load’s content, since you are certifying the load’s contents. You use the extra copies of the list to show Aduana at the 25 km checkpoint, and at state border crossings, police and military inspections, etc. When you order the TIP is up to you… Some people believe it saves time, and makes the border crossings very smooth if you get the TIP in advance. Some people report that the Aduana officers smile warmly and wave people through when they have their TIPs and unofficial Menaje de Casa lists in-hand. Getting a Menaje de Casa list pre-approved by a Mexican Consulate does not seem to help, according to peoples first person reports. steve Reply

Dan says: December 21, 2013 at 9:59 am

Hi again Steve…. and again.. thank you for the wealth of quality info!! I have yet another concern about driving into Mexico pulling a cargo trailer with my household stuff… (by the way, our preferred plan is to drive to Florida and take a ferry across the Gulf of Mexico. Its a new service supposed to be starting up in the summer 2014). Anyway, I was just on the Calgary Mexican Consulate website when I came across a page on the importation of household goods. If I’m reading it correctly, It sure seems like you can only do this on either a temporary or permanent resident visa?? Since we are planning on going into Mexico on 6 month tourist visas, this is concerning! Would sure hate to drive all the way there and not be allowed in with our stuff! Here’s the article (translated by Google). Would you be able to comment on this and hopefully dispel our fears?…. thanks again… Dan & Brenda Household Goods Imprimir A person holding a temporary resident and temporary student visa or Card may bring, temporarily, his or her household goods to Mexico duty free. Also, holders of permanent resident card or visa may bring permanently his or her household goods to Mexico duty free. In these instances, you can obtain a certificate from the nearest Consulate. Household goods include: furniture, linens, books, clothes, scientific and art work (as long as these are not collections for exhibitions or galleries), etc. A vehicle is not considered a household good . To obtain a household import certificate the following documents must be submitted: 1. Temporary or Permanent Resident visa issued by a Consular Office or Temporary or Permanent Resident card issued by the National Migration Institute (INM). 2. Valid Canadian Passport 3. A typed letter addressed to the nearest Mexican Consulate Office providing the current address in Canada and complete address of residence in Mexico. 4. A typed list in Spanish of all of the household goods specifying quantity and description of each item, as well as the brand, model and serial numbers of electronic appliances. The letter and household list mentioned above should be signed in four original sets. 5. Payment of consular fee (cash only). Important: • The import of household goods of Temporary Resident and Temporary Student is temporary and only for the period that your immigration card remains valid. You must maintain updated your immigration status in Mexico and notify the customs authorities in case of change of address while in Mexico. You must also bring back your household goods when returning to Canada. • This household certificate allows you to bring into Mexico your household goods only when these items are imported no later than six months after your first entry. • Mexican customs will require a copy of your Migratory Form (FMM stamped by the Mexican migratory authorities) or your Temporary or Permanent Mexican Resident Card. • It is required to hire a custom broker at the port of entry. • You may import your household goods only once. Reply

Catherine says: January 9, 2014 at 9:18 am

Can you sell your temporarily imported car to another temporary resident? Reply

yucalandia says: January 9, 2014 at 10:32 am

Hi Catherine, Not inside Mexico. You can take the TIP car out of Mexico and make the sale there, surrendering your TIP at the border, briefly entering the USA, Belize, or Guatemala, make the transfer/sale, and then the new owner re-imports the car and gets their own new TIP. steve Reply

Mike says: January 24, 2014 at 4:46 pm

Steve…I am concerned for friends who brought their foreign plated vehicle into Mexico on an FM3 TIP that is now expired. They have now sold the car to someone else in Mexico without having nationalized it. What are the RISKS in doing that, so I can warn them? Reply

yucalandia says: January 24, 2014 at 5:46 pm

Hi Mike, It potentially prevents them from ever getting permanent residency (Residente Permanente), because any check of Aduana records by a Consulate or INM will show the old moldy TIP. It can take over a year to try to get an old TIP off your Aduana/INM record – where they would have to PROVE with official documentation that the car was wrecked, stolen or taken out of Mexico – Which means the only clean way is to present the car at a border, with the sticker intact and with the original TIP paperwork – and surrender the TIP. SRE may also check, which means they could have problems if they ever want to become citizens. If the other driver (or one of their mystery driver friends) wrecks the car – or kills some people in an accident, current state liability laws prescribe fines/damage awards of up to $5 million a person. Since the gringo sold their car illegally, the car cannot be legally licensed, and only other gringos of the same INM visa type can drive it: NOT Mexicans, then sharp lawyers could figure out who the REAL owner of the car is (your friends) and come back onto them for big $$ damages. Since the car is completely illegal, sharp insurance company reps could note that, and deny coverage for any claims that happen in an accident => a big surprise: No insurance protection in an accident. The police can confiscate the car permanently at any time. Attorney Spencer McMullen had written something once about the possibility of being charged with fraud and smuggling due to illegally selling a TIP car => meaning damages/fines of 40% of the car’s value when it was imported – and whatever jail time comes for fraud/smuggling convictions…. Fortunately, I know of no cases where these things have happened, except for confiscation of the car. Spencer referred to one case of fraud charges. ??? Me? I don’t like being at the mercy of the cops, the govt., or insurance companies – especially when the stakes can be high, steve Reply

Mike says: January 25, 2014 at 9:51 am

Steve..thanks much for that reply…I neglected to mention in my query that they already have their Permanente and have now sold the car….I don’t know yet if to a Mexican or Gringo…can that “illegal” sale affect their Permanente status? Reply

yucalandia says: January 25, 2014 at 11:55 am

Hi Mike, Good that they have their Permanente status. The “illegal” sale should not affect their INM status. steve Reply

Bill says: January 30, 2014 at 11:57 am

Steve, Need help unraveling this vehicle issue. Thanks in advance for your help! OK, here goes. We shipped a 1994 GMC pickup along with our household goods to Progreso. We were told by our customs broker that we could import the vehicle with our new Residente Permanente. Of course when we went to retrieve our goods and pickup we were told that we could not import the truck. Our customs broker suggested that we have an American friend import the truck for us under the 180 day temporary import. We did that. The 180 day temporary permit is soon to expire. Any ideas on what we can do to avoid having to renew this temporary permit every six months from now on would be welcome. Reply

yucalandia says: January 30, 2014 at 12:54 pm

Hi Bill, There is no magic/easy work-around. You could drive the vehicle to the US border, and permanently import it there. You could sell the vehicle in Belize. (Outside Chetumal) You could have a friend with a Residente Temporal import it for you at the Belize border (in their name). Or you could contact a good agent who imports vehicles doing a paper-only processes, like Sonia Diaz in San Miguel Allende – but the amparos that were used for this may now be dis-allowed/expired. Agents like Sonia charge $20,000 – $25,000 pesos for the import: SONIANGEL32 AT hotmail.com cell: 044-415-106- 1499 ??? steve Reply

Dan says: January 30, 2014 at 3:55 pm

Hi Bill… sorry but I don’t have any answers for you re your truck. However, i do have a question for you if you don’t mind… my wife and I are planning to move to the Progreso area in September and we are thinking of shipping our household goods instead of pulling a cargo trailer (we are driving there from Canada). Can you tell us how or who you used to ship your stuff, how much stuff you shipped and what the cost was? Much appreciated neighbour! Reply

Bill says: February 2, 2014 at 11:07 am

Dan, We used Linea Peninsular to ship our goods to Progreso. They ship from Panama City FL across the Gulf of Mexico. We shipped our household goods including furniture, appliances, and a GMC pickup for about $2500 US. That was a container full. I think they charge about $100 per cubic meter for less than container (LTL). We used Quattro Global as our Mexican customs broker. Jose was our contact at Quattro. I highly recommend both companies. Reply

Mercy Stepp says: March 13, 2015 at 11:06 am

Bill, I take it you live close to Panama. We will be moving to Chelem from Missouri so I am wondering how we could get our goods to Panama to ship this way. Maybe take the stuff there in our own trailer, if so should we go ahead and make a Menaje de casa for the broker. Also what year was your GMC? No problems. I have a 2012 Jeep or a 2002 Ford F150 we would like to ship. One more question, how did you pick it up once in Progreso? Reply

Dan says: February 2, 2014 at 4:27 pm

thanks for all the info Bill…. sure helps! Reply

Lauren says: February 13, 2014 at 8:07 pm

Hi, My husband and I recently bought a house near Puerto Vallarta. We are hoping to come down there from October 2014 – May 2015 (8 months) and would like to drive our beater car down there (from San Francisco) and keep it on our property for good. What are our options? The car is a 2004 Scion that is worth about $4000 US. We want to do this the cheapest and least hassle free way possible. We are happy to drive it down there but don’t want to have to do the 30 hour drive back and forth across the border every 6 months. Any insight you can provide would be helpful! Thanks, Lauren Reply

yucalandia says: February 14, 2014 at 8:56 am

Hi Lauren, As described above, you could get a Residente Temporal visa from INM ( see https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-commonquestions/new-rules-and-procedures-for-immigration-visiting-and-staying-in-mexico/ ). As long as you keep your Residente Temporal visa valid, then you can keep the car in Mexico. At the end of 4 years, you might have to make a run to the border to renew the TIP when you get a new Residente Temporal. You pay a $300 USD deposit when you get your TIP. Since Scions are not NAFTA cars, you cannot permanently import the car. steve Reply

yolotraveller says: February 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm

For what it’s worth. January 2013 I imported two vehicles into Quintana Roo by sea – a 1993 Ford Ranger with a HD Vrod in the back of truck. The P/U was imported on a T.I.P, the motorcycle was permanently imported – all on tourist visa. I did the T.I.P myself at Puerto Juarez and then retrieved the truck from the Aduana in Puerto Morelos. The motorcycle was imported through a broker out of Cancun and took about six working days. I was then able to register and get plates for the bike in Playa – on my Canadian DL. January 2014 I drove the truck to Belize to deal with my expired T.I.P. At the new crossing into Belize, the Banjercito sits in the strip of land between Mexico and Belize – so you never really leave Mexico. As such you don’t surrender your visa or have to renew a visa to return. You do encounter a border inspection on the way back but when you tell them you just came from the Banjercito and they let you through with very little scrutiny. The young lady at the Banjercito counter informed me that this was the only crossing I could renew/cancel at – Puerto Juarez was only for original sea entry. I was given the option to renew or as in my case I chose to cancel ( gave/sold the truck to my Mexican friend ) – which was a five minute procedure and I received a cancellation form. Of course I forfeited my deposit and would have had to post another if I had chosen to renew. She also informed me that if I wished to permanently import the truck I would have to deal with a northern entry point – but now that could be done by email. My truck was covered by NAFTA and the emission testing was already done in Cancun. She also informed my that even though the permit was expired in relation to my deposit I could still legally drive on it – as long as I never left Quintana Roo. Reply

yucalandia says: February 16, 2014 at 1:26 pm

Hey yolo, What a good report. I believe that everything you describe is covered above, except for using email to do a permanent import at the US Mexican border. The new 2014 SAT rules include descriptions dropping requirements for using Custom’s Brokers, but the sea-port Aduana offices have often taken slightly different takes on the rules than the drive-in border crossings. e.g. A vehicle can be imported at a seaport, but in the past it had to be completely unloaded/empty – while at the drive-in border crossings we load our vehicles up to the gunnels. THANKS, steve Reply

yolotraveller says: February 18, 2014 at 8:53 pm

Hey Steve Nothing has changed for importing by sea – the vehicle is/was to be empty. The staff at the Aduana in Puerto Morelos were very good about it and did allow me to bring in some of my junk – but I did wind up with a pile sitting inside the warehouse. Over the next couple of days the Staff helped me put together the paperwork to import my miscellaneous garbage. Then I paid about 30 pesos in duty and the rest of my stuff was released. My Spanish is minimal at best and that was the biggest challenge but everyone was very nice, patient and immensely helpful. It was a major learning experience and many of my friends shared their opinions beforehand on my chance of success for both my truck and bike – which is why I share my experience now – what comes around goes around. The last piece of the puzzle will importing via email through a northern entry point. I guess we will see. Reply

yucalandia says: February 18, 2014 at 9:49 pm

Reply

yucalandia says: March 7, 2014 at 4:49 pm

Submitted on 2014/03/07 at 4:22 pm by Brian Gross.of Mexico City I just want to follow up and tell you all I applied for the Retorno Seguro permit and it was a success! The list of documents required as posted online by SAT (at http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_10027.html) is not complete; I also had to provide proof of residence. Also the permit is not processed by the Grandes Contribuidores section of SAT on Ave. Hidalgo but rather (after some waiting) the receptionist there sent me to the local SAT office for Cuauhtémoc delegación which is in the Torre Caballito nearby. After precisely four business days I got a polite and friendly phone call from the lady who had prepared my permit (it looks like a long business contract actually) and an invitation to visit her office to wait a bit longer and pick it up. With a little patience and a lot of Spanish it certainly gets done… but what a vastly different experience from any kind of administrative procedure in the USA. I blogged about the experience here: http://bit.ly/1npgCft Reply

Peter Harrison says: March 28, 2014 at 1:05 pm

Steve, I enjoy the info you share. I have a question regarding a car. In 11/2008 my wife drove a car into Mexico under a Temporary Visa. She left the country by air and returned some six months later. Before leaving again she lost her passport and had to be issued an new temporary one by the US consulate and was eventually given a new passport. The car she originally brought in stopped running and is junk. She wishes to bring another car into the country next month and contends that since she has a new passport that there is no way for the border office to know that she has a car already here. I disagree. Can you comment on this as I believe that the TIP is not tied to your passport. Thank you. Reply

yucalandia says: March 29, 2014 at 8:07 am

Hi Peter, I don’t know what a temporary visa was in 2008. There was no such thing. There were visitor/tourist permits (up to temporary 6 months per permit). There were also Inmigrante and No Inmigrante permits that lasted a temporary period of 1 year. The rules were/are very different for the different types of permits. Under the old systems, Aduana tracked vehicles by the passport number – but that has not been true for the past 3 years. I have personally watched a Banjercito tech search their Aduana database using VIN, NAME and PASSPORT – … It’s all there. She needs to get a 5 day Retorno Seguro permit and take the car out of the country. She did sign a contract agreeing to take the car out of Mexico before her INM permit expired. Is it good to break our agreements? Is it good to sign contracts and intentionally break them? I’m not scolding, but what happens to a society and a culture when people ignore their personal agreements and break contracts at a whim? Why break laws? – especially when you can get a FREE 5 day permit to legally remove the vehicle from Mexico…. Do we encourage illegal aliens in the USA to break US laws? She must take out her old car before she brings in another one (unless she wants to permanently import the next car). There are only a few reports of gringos being prosecuted for fraud and smuggling for doing exactly what she proposes – with charges later filed when the Aduana found the multiple Temporary Import Permits. It’s easy to get the Retorno Seguro permit – taking just 2 to 4 days – and take it out in a fully legal manner. Happy Trails, steve Reply

family dollar careers says: April 16, 2014 at 8:28 am

When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thank you! Reply

yucalandia says: April 16, 2014 at 11:02 am

I am working on that now. Reply

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samantha says: May 5, 2014 at 9:06 pm

Hi! Thanks so much for your hard work developing this wonderful treasure trove of info. I was in Mexico for several months, then returned to the US; I’m now planning to go back to live in Mexico indefinitely and am thinking to take my car with me. I will be on a 180-day tourist visa. My question is: when I need to renew my temporary car permit every 6 months, would it be possible to do so by removing my car from Mexico by crossing the border to Guatemala and then reentering (as many foreigners in SE Mexico do to renew their tourist visas without vehicles), or would I have to actually return the car only to the US every 6 months? (advanced apologies if this has already been answered–I tried to skim all the info & Q’s & A’s but it’s copious!). Thank you! -samantha Reply

yucalandia says: May 6, 2014 at 9:51 am

Hi Samantha, Yes, in theory you can go out of Mexico every 6 months, surrendering the INM Visitante visa & Aduana TIP permit, and getting fresh ones. People do this regularly and successfully at the US-Mexico and US-Belize border – without even leaving Mexico (all done inside the crossing point) I understand you can also do this at the Guatemala border crossings, but there was one report from 2 years ago by a fellow that said the Mexican border agents forced him to stay in Guatemala for at least one night. … We have had no reports of problems at the Guatemala-Mexico Aduana/INM offices since then. steve Reply

samantha says: May 6, 2014 at 10:31 am

Thanks for the timely and informative response, Steve! Yes, I have heard mixed reports in general from folks (without vehicles) either paying the police at the Guatemalan border so that they can just turn around and reenter Mexico without staying overnight, or having to stay overnight (I believe 72 hours outside of Mexico are technically required). Whatever the border negotiation adventures that lie ahead, as long as it’d be possible to have them much closer to SE Mexico rather than having to schlep back up North, I’d be a happy camper. All my best! Reply

Connie Leslie says: May 9, 2014 at 10:38 am

Hello, I have a TIP that expires in July 3, 2014. We plan to go to the border in June 2014. The TIP is register in my name on a 180 day visitor permit. Once we get to the border and surrender the TIP, can my husband register the Vehicle in his name and get a TIP as he has a Temporary Residente card? Both of us a registered on the vehicle’s ownership. And from what I gather from the previous Q/A we don’t even have to leave Mexico for one night? And to just renew and return to our city? He is in the process of getting his Temporary Residente card renewed. Thanks, Connie Reply

yucalandia says: May 9, 2014 at 12:21 pm

Hi Connie, You seem to understand things really well. Only Guatemala-Mexico crossings have had reports of having to exit Mexico and stay out for a night or so. All of the US and Belize crossings allow you to surrender the old TIP, and have hubby apply for a fresh TIP, without even exiting Mexico (just looping around inside the INM/Aduana border crossing area). steve Reply

Connie Leslie says: May 12, 2014 at 9:28 am

Thanks, Steve: Now I have another question. If we decide to cross over to Laredo for a night (Saturday). Do I surrender my TIP at the customs office, then leave? And on Sunday when we come back in get the TIP put in his name? Or can we do it all on Saturday and still cross the border?? I read that the TIP sticker needs to be removed, and also read that the car can get a temporary exit form of some kind? Please advise. Also, reading the declaration card, can we leave for 1 night and still get the Duty Free Allowance? We were thinking of buying a BBQ and bringing it back, because BBQ’s are pretty expensive here? Thanks, again, Connie Leslie

melissa says: May 13, 2014 at 9:17 pm

Hi, I feel I have been reading for hours and I appreciate this blog and wish I had seen something of this sooner. I entered mexico with my car may 2012 with my FM3 working visa and as of october 2012 I have a temp residence working visa. I am not clear if a temp residence working visa is allowed a TIP. (yes i do work and make an income in mexico) The law that I read just states temp residence but a conversation above states there is something different for a working temp residence. please help as I have been told im ok, but I read on this blog otherwise. thank you Reply

melissa says: May 14, 2014 at 11:09 am

http://www.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/vehiculos/importacion_temporal/Paginas/automoviles_ingles.aspx “In the case of foreigners with a visitor’s permit, temporary resident and student temporary resident may temporarily import a single vehicle, having to present for such permit their valid passport or passport card and the official document issued by the customs authority.” as you see it is hard for me to find anything that states working or non working difference on a temporary resident visa Reply

Stephen says: May 14, 2014 at 5:36 pm

Hello Steve, I wish I had read your informative site before purchasing a new van which was solely bought for Mexico. Although I have read much of the excellent info from your site, please help me with these queries: I am a Canadian citizen. Presently I have FM3/FM2 Temporal immigration status for Mexico which will expire in May 2015. I have just bought a 2014 Dodge Caravan. This December 2014, I am planning to drive to my place in Progreso, Yucatan in my van which has Canadian license plates and stay in Progreso for a month. During my stay in Progreso, I am planning to change my Immigration status from Temporal to Permanent as I have been holding FM3/FM2 since the last nine years. Given the above, my questions are: 1. Since I will be entering Mexico with FM2 Temporal, can I drive back to Canada as Permanent? 2. Although I will be leaving Mexico before the specified period expires, will I lose my US $400 Vehicle deposit? 3. While in Yucatan, can/should I opt for Mexican license plates? 4. Is there an alternate solution please? 5. Could I take my 1982 Yamaha Seca Motorcycle to Progreso and leave it there. Because I may not be able to drive the Van with Canadian plates into Mexico with Permanent Status, and am not able to get Mexican plates for the next 5 to 8? years, I was thinking of continuing with Temporal status. But this leads me into another question that I just learnt from your site. In Progreso, I own a house bought eight years ago and a Condo bought three years ago, From your informative site I gather that for Tax exemptions it is better to have Permanent Status in Mexico. So considering the two scenarios, please advise on my options. Sincerely, Stephen Reply

yucalandia says: May 15, 2014 at 9:32 pm

Hi Stephen, You wrote: “Given the above, my questions are: 1. Since I will be entering Mexico with FM2 Temporal, can I drive back to Canada as Permanent? Yes, with limits. The day you get your Residente Permanente, your vehicle’s Aduana temporary permit (TIP) becomes invalid, and you risk vehicle confiscation if the police catch it, or if you get into an accident. You can get a free Retorno Seguro permit (see above), where SAT/Aduana gives you 5 business days to legally drive the vehicle out of the country. . . 2. Although I will be leaving Mexico before the specified period expires, will I lose my US $400 Vehicle deposit? Yes. When you get your TIP, you are signing papers agreeing to keep a valid INM permit that allows you to have a TIP vehicle or to take the vehicle out of Mexico before your valid INM permit expires. When your Residente Temporal permit expires or is surrendered, your Aduana TIP simultaneously expires – and Bancomer’s computer confiscates the deposit. . . 3. While in Yucatan, can/should I opt for Mexican license plates? There is no way to get Mexican license plates, unless you permanently import your “new” vehicle, and pay a 45% (of original value) permanent import tax for importing a car that is less than 6 years old. . . 4. Is there an alternate solution please? ~Bring a 6 year old or older NAFTA made vehicle that you can permanently import. ~Stay on Residente Temporal. ~Buy a good used Mexican car. ~Take your “new” car to the border, and sell it before your Residente Temporal expires. ~Get a wife, and have her get a Residente Temporal and put the new van in her name on her TIP. . . 5. Could I take my 1982 Yamaha Seca Motorcycle to Progreso and leave it there. I’m rusty on motorbike rules… The simple version: To stay legal, you’d have to permanently import it. . . Because I may not be able to drive the Van with Canadian plates into Mexico with Permanent Status, and am not able to get Mexican plates for the next 5 to 8? years, I was thinking of continuing with Temporal status. But this leads me into another question that I just learnt from your site. In Progreso, I own a house bought eight years ago and a Condo bought three years ago, From your informative site I gather that for Tax exemptions it is better to have Permanent Status in Mexico.” Talk with the Notario who will handle the sale of your house. The decision is up to them. Many of them only approve the 5-yr Homeowners Exemption to permanent residents. I cannot say what yours will decide. . . Hope that helps a little with your choices, steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: May 23, 2014 at 6:01 pm

When I got my Temporary Residency Family Unity on 24 April, I took a taxi directly to Aduanas Puebla out by the big soccer stadium, and applied to extend my car importation (based on my 180 day tourist permit.) I had written up the form, bases on modifications of the form on Rolly’s URL. They took it, gave me a copy, and said they would send it to Mexico City, and that I needed to call up eventually to see what progress there was, and it would either come to the puebla office or to my house. We were going to call on Monday. Today, we walked down the hill up (If you don’t live in a mountain town that phrase won’t mean much, heh, heh) to buy eggs and talk to an uncle. On the way back walking up the hill down, a big pickup pulled alongside and a woman in uniform asked if I were Bruce McGovern They had been driving up and down looking for my house. This man, the driver, and the woman work every day, covering the entire state of Puebla and Tlaxcala, delivering documents for the Aduanas. They had just been to Tehuacan and then came here, then would go back to Puebla for the night. They cover a different region every day. Considering the size of the state, that is a lot of miles every week. They had me make a photocopy of my resident card, then had me sign many pages, mostly to certify they had deliverd my documents. The documents are basically only a letter which states they have received my application for extension of car import papers and it is in process. It was dated 25 April. We gave them something to drink, and my wife gave them each an apple with napkin. I chatted with the driver, and he said, yes, they drive all day every day, and one just has to (my translation, chill out and keep driving.) I asked if I had to do this all over again next year, and the woman said she did not think so. We will see. They were fascinated when I told them there are 53 topes between my house and Sam’s Club in Tehuacan, and it is 52 miles. They just drove that route, but probably did not count topes. So, more of the import papers saga, in Puebla you apply at the local office, they forward the documents to Mexico City, not far from our house there, and eventually two employees seek you out and appear at your door to let you know application received. I will update when something else happens. Now to copy this posting where it really belongs, on the car thread. Reply

pigdenmike says: May 25, 2014 at 2:43 pm

My wife and I plan on starting the process for our Permanente residente visa’s this summer in Canada. We would then complete them when we get to Mazatlan. My question is can we still arrange to nationalize our car at the border EVEN THOUGH WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR COMPLETED PERMANENTE VISA YET? Reply

yucalandia says: May 25, 2014 at 6:30 pm

Hi Mike, What visa will you have when you try to arrange to nationalize your car? The owner importing the car is required to be a citizen or have a Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente visa. Visitante/tourist visa is not allowed to do a permanent import – just a 6 month temporary import. steve Reply

pigdenmike says: May 25, 2014 at 9:29 pm

We won’t have anything yet. We will have started the process for our permanente visa and will be completing it when we get to Mazatlan but we wish to nationalize our car also. Reply

pigdenmike says: June 5, 2014 at 2:43 pm

Steve – any idea on this ? As I said we will have started the immigration process here in Canada but it will not be completed untill we get to Mazatlan. Can we still import a car during the immigration process? Reply

Dave says: June 8, 2014 at 11:30 am

Hello All, Left Mexico about 2 months ago and surrendered our TIP at the border and the official removed the sticker from the windshield. Filled out a form changing the credit card number to which the refund was supposed to be credited to ( because the original card used for the deposit had been stolen and replaced by a new one ). Was advised we should expect the refund to show up on the credit card within a week. That was 2 months ago and still no refund ? Does anyone know who to contact to start an inquiry ? …. e-mail address or a phone number.along with the name of an official is the preferable method As a last resort a physical address although from past experience this is almost a waste of time because they never reply. Any help is appreciated Reply

yucalandia says: June 8, 2014 at 3:09 pm

Hi Dave, I would start at SAT website to check the status of your permiso de importación temporal (TIP) https://portalsat.plataforma.sat.gob.mx/aduanas_cpitv_internet/index.aspx I believe that SAT website has contact information once you have used your TIP number to enter the site. Otherwise, contact the main Aduana office at the link listed in the article above in the section called “Whom to Call With Permit Problems“: https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-inmexico/#Whom%20to%20Call%20With%20Permit%20Problems steve Reply

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Dina Aloi says: June 11, 2014 at 11:43 pm

Hello Steve, Thank you for the information. I keep reading that the “owner” of the vehicle must purchase the TIP and must leave Mexico with the vehicle. We have been asked to drive our friend’s car to Guaymas in September 2014 when we return to our sailboat. They are sailing to Mexico (arriving November 2014, getting their visas and sailboat TIP in Ensenada) from Vancouver. They plan to leave their sailboat in Guaymas in April 2015 and drive home to Vancouver. We plan to sail from Mexico to the South Pacific and will not be in Mexico in April 2015. Will we be able to bring their car into Mexico for them? Thank you very much! Dina Reply

yucalandia says: June 12, 2014 at 10:19 am

Hi Dina, ~ TIP vehicles must be taken out of Mexico before the TIP expires. ~ Anyone can take the TIP vehicle out of Mexico, and surrender the TIP. It’s best to have a Carta de Poder (Power of Attorney) letter signed by the owner, giving specific permission to the “driver” to operate the vehicle and surrender/cancel the permit. Because Mexican husbands have different names than their wives, Mexican officials & police are not so uptight as Americans and Canadians about people with very different names operating cars etc when the item is listed in a different name – but you might get one who wants to dot “i’s” and cross “t’s”. There is a potential problem with you trying to bring their car into Mexico, if the foreign-plated car does not already have the TIP in place – and you try to do it for them at the border, because: The TIP is linked to their Visa… The easy way to handle that is for them to use their Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente visa to pre-order the TIP online first. Mexico sends them the TIP to their Canadian address by express mail – and then you have a valid TIP + Carta de Poder letter to use to enter Mexico easily. Have fun with all the travels, steve Reply

Kathleen says: June 20, 2014 at 8:15 pm

Hi Steve, The Saga Continues for the removal from our passports our two destroyed for parts vehicles.. On December 9, 2013 I sent, via PakMail/Estafeta, all the forms, documents, etc. to the address you gave for Aduana in Mexico, DF. as: Administración Central de Planeación Aduanera Av. Hidalgo No.77 Modulo IV primer piso Col. Guerrero, Delegación Cuauhtémoc Código Postal 06300, México D.F. Everything was returned, unopened, to PakMail on February 26, 2014 as undeliverablea with the notation “Fatta de datos o domicillo incorrecto”. Help! Do you have an updated address for Aduana in Mexico, DF? Kathleen Reply

yucalandia says: June 21, 2014 at 11:15 am

I’ll check… am busy for a few days at a virology – tropical diseases conference in the USA. steve Reply

Catherine Borgman-Arboleda says: June 23, 2014 at 1:49 pm

Hello, I’ve looked around and am wondering how I export a car (to sell in the US) that is still “legal” under my temporary residence visa? I’m sure it is discussed here somewhere (sorry!) but I can’t find it…Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: June 23, 2014 at 4:11 pm

Hi Catherine, Is the car in Mexico on a Temporary Import Permit (TIP)? or is it licensed and plated in Mexico? Where was the car originally purchased? If it was made for sale in the USA, and if it is in Mexico with US plates (on a TIP), then you just drive the car to cross the border, surrender the TIP, and go back into the USA and sell it. steve Reply

Catherine says: June 23, 2014 at 4:25 pm

Hi! It has a TIP and was purchased in the US (Volvo). So I can just export from Progreso? Thanks!’ Reply

yucalandia says: June 24, 2014 at 7:58 am

Hi Catherine, I just realized the source of my confusion. When you wrote “export”, I was thinking of it in formal legal terms. You are asking about shipping your car back to the USA, because the car was never formally exported from the USA (because you never formally imported the car to Mexico nor formally exported the car from the USA – no special CBP export checks and special forms at the US-Mexico border). There should be no restrictions or requirements on returning your US car to the USA – as long as you still have a legal title. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Ben says: June 30, 2014 at 4:18 pm

Have a US plated Cali van we are looking to sell either down in the yucatan peninsula of Mexico or Belize any help would be greatly appreciated it’s a dodge van 96 model Reply

vupora says: June 30, 2014 at 4:30 pm

Hello! I have recently come across your page yucalandia.com, and all the information you have collection on driving in Mexico has been soooo enlightening. Many kudos to you, sir! Here’s my situation: I am a canadian living in Puebla, and I am the owner of a car with plates from Texas. This car was imported temporally (Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos de Banjercito) in July 2011 in Nuevo Laredo. The permiso shows that my “Calidad Migratoria” was Turista, and my characteristic as “no migrante”. In november of 2013, I got married and my FM3 status changed to Residente Temporal. My goal is to sell this car, but my problem is that the VIN starts with a “W”. It’s a 2008 Mercedes Benz made in Germany. I have asked several customs brokers and they all have told me that it is impossible to nationalize it, though they have offered to “regulate” it. So I was very glad to find on your site information on selling in Belize! I had no idea of the free zone, and I want to pursue this venture very much, although at the same time it has got me nervous! I had a few questions concerning the sale that you say can be done: 1) If I sell the car in the Free Zone of Corazol, are there any fees/taxes to be paid? Not even for entering and exiting the zone? 2) Does the buyer have to be a gringo with the Residente Temporal permit? Can it be, for example, a german with an FM3? 3) You stated that after the sale of the car in Corazol, the car title had to signed over to the new owner. Do I sign on top of the original title like in Mexico: “Cedo y traspaso los derechos de la present factor a —-buyers name— con domicilio en —-buyers address—.” Date and my signature. Would I have to include a copy of my passport for the buyer? 4) Do you recommend I get an extension on my TIP from Aduana in order to drive down to Belize? Or carrying a copy of Article 160 is sufficient? If not, would you have an example of the letter for Aduana to request this extension? 5) Is there a website that you’d recommend to find a buyer? I have already enlisted the car in yolisto.com, been up for 2 months now and I haven’t had any responses. I also have it on mercadolibre but I have been contacted only by mexicans! Sorry for throwing so many questions at you, any help is much appreciated! Reply

vupora says: June 30, 2014 at 4:33 pm

Sorry, in point 3 it’s “Cedo y traspaso los derechos de la PRESENTE FACTURA —” Could you confirm if a mexican citizen can or cannot buy the car from me in Belize? Please and thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: July 1, 2014 at 8:25 am

Hi Vupora, You wrote: (My answers are ~ in normal font) “1) If I sell the car in the Free Zone of Corazol, are there any fees/taxes to be paid? Not even for entering and exiting the zone? ~ No fees or taxes owed – you just have to find a buyer with enough cash to meet your price. 2) Does the buyer have to be a gringo with the Residente Temporal permit? Can it be, for example, a german with an FM3? Any buyer with cash is fine. (We found our past buyers in the business owners of the shops in the Free Zone.) If the buyer is foreigner who wants to take the car back into Mexico, they must either have a Visitors visa or a Residente Temporal (nonworking) – or if a foreigner, they could drive it only in Quintana Roo (as long as they keep the Texas registration current – or get current South Dakota registration from Clay County). ~ You could also drive north, and sell it in Texas to anyone… 3) You stated that after the sale of the car in Corazol, the car title had to signed over to the new owner. Do I sign on top of the original title like in Mexico: “Cedo y traspaso los derechos de la present factor a —-buyers name— con domicilio en —-buyers address—.” Date and my signature. Would I have to include a copy of my passport for the buyer? ~ With a Texas title, I believe you just sign the back. It’s good to also give the buyer a bill of sale that includes the statements and information you describe, plus VIN, make and model, and buyer’s passport number – or if Mexican buyer: IFE card copy (front and back). The buyer can carry the bill of sale in the car… 4) Do you recommend I get an extension on my TIP from Aduana in order to drive down to Belize? Or carrying a copy of Article 160 is sufficient? If not, would you have an example of the letter for Aduana to request this extension? ~ All foreign-plated cars that were brought into Mexico after June, 2010 are supposed to have gotten the annual extension letters from Aduana. Article 106 is not sufficient. You may have already lost any deposit you paid if you have not sent in written annual extension requests to Aduana. I would make the request to Aduana, with proofs that you kept your INM visa continuously, with no breaks and no penalties or fines. … or get a free 5 business-day Retorno Seguro permit. You can see our main article on Driving In Mexico for examples of the Aduana TIP permit extension letter, and Retorno Seguro permits at: ~ https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-in-mexico/ ~ https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-inmexico/#Example%20Letter%20Notifying%20Aduana%20of%20changes-in%20or%20renewals-to%20your%20INM%20Visa and ~ https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-inmexico/#What%20to%20Do%20If%20Your%20Car%20Becomes%20Illegal 5) Is there a website that you’d recommend to find a buyer? I have already enlisted the car in yolisto.com, been up for 2 months now and I haven’t had any responses. I also have it on mercadolibre but I have been contacted only by mexicans! (And they can’t buy the car in Belize right?) ~ ??? Excellent question. Do you have Craigs List site for your area? or Craigslist for a Texas border town? or try Merida, Yucatan’s Craigslist. Mexconnect.com may have an area for selling things – or logon and ask a question there and list the car and its details to quietly troll for buyers while asking legitimate questions. Hope these answers help, steve Reply

gabrielheiser says: July 3, 2014 at 5:25 pm

I went to the site you gave (http://paisano.prevalidadorcaaarem.org.mx/Cotizador/Cotizacion) to check the VIN of a 2007 Honda Pilot and one of the options was a checkbox next to “Importación al interior del país”; next to that box was “En caso de no seleccionar la opción se entiende que la importación es a la frontera.” I noticed that if I checked the box, the “Total a pagar en Pesos” was cut in half. Also, that number changed with the value I entered on the prior page. Does this mean that if I drive in the car on my Residente Temporal and then nationalize it later (in San Miguel de Allende), it is cheaper than paying to import it at the border when I first drive in to Mexico? Reply

yucalandia says: July 3, 2014 at 7:01 pm

Hi gabriel, No, as a resident of San Miguel Allende, you have to pay the “interior of Mexico” import price, unless you chose to live in the frontera area, and only use the car in the approved frontera/free zone areas. steve Reply

gabrielheiser says: July 3, 2014 at 11:01 pm

That’s actually good news, since the cost to nationalize is lower, in that case! I wonder why they charge you more to nationalize a car at the border? Maybe it’s to discourage people from doing so up there, where it’s more convenient for the U.S. citizens to do that. I think one of the reasons for the law only allowing you to nationalize 2008 and older vehicles is to reduce competition with the Mexican auto dealerships. Reply

yucalandia says: July 4, 2014 at 8:09 am

Hi Gabriel, You are misreading or misunderstanding the law, and misunderstand what is happening in reality. It is not more expensive to nationalize a car at the border. The law sets one price for importing to USE the car in the interior of the country. In our current temporary reality, there are 2 quirks running due to: a. Some car dealers deep inside Mexico are using their special dealer (commercial) status to buy people’s foreign-plated cars (on paper), the dealer then files a paper-only import at the border, once the dealer has the final import paperwork for your car, the dealer sells the car back to you – all without a trip to the border. The dealers add at least $10,000 peso fees for doing this, plus some buyers also get stuck paying 16% IVA taxes for “buying” the car from the dealer. b. There are amparos in place (Temporary Restraining Orders) that some customs brokers are using to import cars in paper only imports, costing $25,000 pesos or so to do paper-only imports from inside the country. These amparos can be cancelled at any time by a higher court. Hope this helps you understand your options, steve Reply

gabrielheiser says: July 3, 2014 at 11:40 pm

Is there a chance that in 2 years Mexico will permit 2010 and earlier U.S. cars to be nationalized? In other words, does the law say that 6year-old or older vehicles may be nationalized (hence the current 2008 cut-off point) or is the law fixed on the actual year of 2008? Reply

yucalandia says: July 4, 2014 at 8:01 am

Hi Gabriel, As written above, the permanent import rule is that the car be 6 years old or older for importing at the US-Mexico border. That means that in 2016, 2 years from now, 6 year old cars will be 2010 models. The law for seaport importations is only 8 and 9 year old models. Because of the two different import policies, some Aduana websites say only 8 nad 9 years old, while other Aduana sources say 6 years and older. steve Reply

Mercy Stepp says: March 13, 2015 at 11:11 am

Yucalandia, Does this mean the vehicle cannot be newer than that age range? For example, by sea could I import my 2002 because it is older than 9 yrs?

yucalandia says: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am

Hi Mercy, Since the Mexican Govt. crackdown on cheating/corruption involving permanent imports of US vehicles last fall (customs brokers arrested, Aduana officials arrested, and Mexican Judges arrested), the process of permanently importing vehicles has been messy and slow. Really, only your shipper and importer (customs broker) can tell you what rules they are following. Historically, seaport Aduana offices have only allowed 8 and 9 year old imports – which happens to violate NAFTA rules. Border Aduana offices instead followed NAFTA rules, allowing 6 year old and older NAFTA/foreign vehicles to be imported since 2012. According to NAFTA, Mexico is supposed to start allowing 4 year old and older vehicles to be imported for 2015, but the reality at the border this past month has been that Aduana at the border has become more restrictive, by only allowing 8 & 9 year old vehicles. For these reasons, we advise you to not trust any internet advice, and instead trust only the advice of your shipper/importer, because they are the ones who have to make the import work, during this time while Aduana’s compliance with the rules is in such a mess. Wish I had better news, steve

yucalandia says: March 13, 2015 at 2:14 pm

Hi Mercy, As I wrote earlier, contact your shipper if using a seaport, as they have only allowed 8 & 9 year old vehicles for past years. The situation at the border is a whole other ball of wax: Contact the licensed customs broker you plan to use to enter Mexico. US-titled cars are first required to go through a 72 hr official export process, conducted by Homeland Security/Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) (as described above). You could try to do the CBP export paperwork by yourself, but many people find it’s easier to use a licensed customs broker. The customs broker you would use at the border can make the application to export the car BEFORE you get to the border, reducing the 72 hr wait, down to several hours – by allowing CBP to complete their background checks on your vehicle. Since you would likely need a licensed customs broker for either a land entry or seaport entry, it really is best to talk with the customs broker who actually has to do the paperwork, to tell you what options you have. Current Status: In a reversal of past policies, this past month, Mexican Aduana has only allowed 8 and 9 NAFTA vehicles to be permanently imported. What will the Aduana policy be when you want to enter Mexico? Will Aduana policy change (yet again) to meet the current NAFTA requirements? (4 years old and older?) No one knows – which is why I repeat that you should not trust any internet website advice, and only trust what a licensed customs broker tells you. Best of luck, steve

yucalandia says: March 13, 2015 at 5:06 pm

Mercy, In a new twist, as of today, a broker at the border reports he can import an 11 year old Cadillac. … for an import fee of $4,900 US dollars. … *sigh* steve

Bruce McGovern says: July 4, 2014 at 7:37 am

I am not an expert, but some months ago, aduanas in Puebla told me 2006 or 2007, I forget. Though that is not a certain thing, I take it that way, that it’s a rolling date. I have been wrong before and expect to be wrong again, but I think it’s rolling date. Reply

yucalandia says: July 4, 2014 at 12:05 pm

Hey Bruce, You’ve got the right idea. For US-Mexico border vehicle imports, 6 year old and older vehicles are eligible for permanent importation – so this year 2008 model year cars and older are allowed. In 2015, 2009 model year vehicles will be eligible. (and so on) steve Reply

gabrielheiser says: July 4, 2014 at 8:08 am

Ah, I see it now. But you also say that it can be imported only “at the US-Mexico border crossings.” So if I drive my 2010 car down now (under a Residente Temporal (which I plan to apply for here at a local Mexican Consulate), then in 2 years I would have to drive to the border to nationalize/import it? What about your comment above that explained that the checkbox was to indicate importation other than at the frontera? I thought that meant I would be able to nationalize it once I am in San Miguel. Reply

gabrielheiser says: July 4, 2014 at 10:13 pm

To avoid worrying about having to drive back to the border when Nov. 2015 rolls around and I can finally nationalize/import my current 2010 Camry, wouldn’t I be better off just selling the 2010 and buying a 2008 or older “NAFTA car” up here and then simply importing it on my way down to San Miguel de Allende? Since I will also be entering the country with my temporary permit from the Mexican Consulate in the U.S. (i.e., I will not have yet received my Residente Temporal), will I still be able to import the 2008 vehicle on my way down that first time? Sheesh, this is complicated!! Thanks, Steven. Reply

yucalandia says: July 5, 2014 at 10:14 am

Hi Gabriel, Re selling car or not: That’s exactly what we did: sold our Nissan Maxima (was not eligible for permanent import) and bought a Sentra that was easily imported. Re the required visa type: We have read first-person accounts going either way on importing with just the Consular-approved visa: Some Aduana clerks allowed the “in-process” Residente Temporal to permanently import a vehicle, while others have denied the request. I would contact a broker at the border crossing you intend to use to get better advice. Contact Oscar Angulo (in Nogales – see contact info in the article above) to get his help and advice. Complicated? By comparison, the US and Canadian rules for both imports and immigration visas are far far more nasty and much messier. Similarly much uglier in Europe, too. steve Reply

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Jim says: July 7, 2014 at 4:30 am

Is there any easy way for me to purchase my neighbors car in Mazatlan , Mexico? He is a temporary resident with a TIP and I’m a permanent resident without a car. As I understand it, he must surrender his TIP at the border, then we can complete the sale of the car, then retitle/register the car in my name and then obtain a PIP upon re-entry to Mexico. Assumming the broker has advance notice, can all this happen in a day or are we talking weeks. Reply

yucalandia says: July 7, 2014 at 7:52 am

Hi Jim, You understand the process perfectly. It can all happen in a day. Your proposal to re-title and re-register the car would mean you two would take the car to a (border) state where his title is registered(?) or plan ½ a day to go to a US state DMV office, get a new title, and get a fresh temporary residency(?) I’ve never heard of anyone doing it this way, but it’s a workable legal route. Because Mexican used cars are bought and sold with NO title, where the current owner just writes the short bill of sale on the back of the original dealer factura, like we write on the backs of US titles describing the details of our car sales – because of this, Mexican Aduana officials are not troubled by seeing a US car with one name on the front, as long as the back of the title properly transfers ownership to the NEW owner – just like a Mexican auto factura is used to document their ongoing used car sales. As such, I don’t believe you need a title with your name printed on the front – just a valid title with the sale recorded on the back, signed by the previous owner. Aduana keeps your title (anyway), and issues your replacement documents, which become your new ownership docs. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Jim says: July 11, 2014 at 1:51 pm

For a permanent import do the mexican officials care if the title status is “salvage”? Reply

yucalandia says: July 11, 2014 at 6:17 pm

Similar successful results for 2 other US (Texas) salvage titled vehicles we have seen that were easily imported into Mexico. steve Reply

Roger Blair says: July 11, 2014 at 5:53 pm

Dear Jim, They didn’t for my car with a salvage title that I successfully imported November 2013. Roger Reply

Roger Blair says: August 8, 2014 at 3:39 pm

Dear Steve, A close friend of mine from the USA with current Mexico Temporary Resident status had his 2006 PT Cruiser with a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) and USA plates impounded by the police 2 weeks ago. He left his car with a Mexican friend while he flew back to the USA on vacation. He gave the Mexican friend a letter giving permission to drive the car. However, when his friend was stopped the police didn’t accept the letter because they said his TIP had expired. Of course the Mexican friend could not prove that the car’s owner had current residency status, thus it appeared to the police that the TIP had expired. My American friend had failed to notify Aduana when he updated his residency each year, thus he lost his deposit, and so did not have a letter from Aduana confirming the TIP was current. ** However, I am aware that that really isn’t needed as long as the residency is up-todate, then the TIP regardless of its issue date remains legal. He will not be returning to Mexico until August 20, so in the meantime storage charges are accruing. However, he assumes when he gets back that he can show the police his current Temporary Residency card, and get his car back. Nonetheless, I believe the problem may be greater than that. It is my understanding that a Temporary Resident in Mexico whose car has a TIP can not legally allow anyone to drive his vehicle, other than another Temporary Resident, and even then possibly if he, the owner, is present in the car. If that is true, he may have greater difficulty getting his car back. On the otherhand, it appears the police do not know that part of the law, and have impounded the car only on the assumption the TIP has expired. What are your thoughts on this situation? Any suggestions on what he can do to retrieve his car? Thanks, Roger Blair **Bold and italics added by editor. Reply

yucalandia says: August 8, 2014 at 4:23 pm

Hi Roger, Thank you so much for a very good news update. We have been waiting for news of: “the other shoe to drop”, since Aduana changed their rules and INM changed their rules on Temporary Import Permit (TIP) foreign-plated cars. 1,000’s of Americans & Canadians have illegally driven their foreign-plated vehicles in Mexico over the past 3 years, but there have been almost no reports of these illegal vehicles being confiscated – so your report may mark a sea-change in the previous liberal policy of Mexican police ignoring foreigners illegal TIP cars. Roger wrote: …. ” However, I am aware that that really isn’t needed as long as the residency is up-to-date, then the TIP regardless of its issue date remains legal. ” Since June of 2010, this has not been correct. Some people on the internet keep repeating this myth , over & over – which explains why it persists. Aduana and the police have simply not enforced the law since that June, 2010 change. As noted repeatedly above: Every single foreigner driving a foreign-plated TIP car must notify Aduana in writing every time they renew their associated INM permit. Aduana then gives the car owners a letter (to carry in the car) re-authorizing the TIP to be driven until the next expiration date. Police who know, ask to see TIP to check the expiration date, and if the TIP is expired they then check for a letter from Aduana extending the expiration date. On the other issue, as reported above: Mexicans have never been allowed to drive a TIP car, unless the owner is present in the car … or unless the owner gets a special Retorno Seguro permit to drive the car to the border and creates a Carta de Poder authorizing the Mexican to drive the car to the border. Our thoughts? Hire a very good lawyer and work hard to get the car out of police impound. Hint: the police impound lot on Jacinto Canek is jokingly called “the car graveyard” here in Merida, since confiscated vehicles rarely escape – so we hope this has not happened to him. Best of luck – using a good attorney to try to pay some fine or fee – ??? – to get the car retrieved. Please come back and tell us how it works out, steve Reply

Roger Blair says: August 22, 2014 at 5:15 pm

Dear Steve, As I mentioned previously the American car owner didn’t return to Mexico until August 20, but went to Aduana today in Leon regarding the car that was impounded by the Policia Federales. Here’s the update of what he was told today: “Car impound went well, the issue was not the car they agreed that the fm3 was connected to the usa car, no problem, in view of article 106 as you gave me both in English and Spanish that I showed to them along with my Residente Temporal card. The issue is that I was not in the car. They said Sergio (a Mexican native who my friend had allowed to use the car while he was in the USA) could drive if I had been in the car with him. The fact that I was not made it not legal for him to be driving, so the procedure has been started and 2 to 4 months maybe I get the car back, I go back on ,Monday to present the papers they want. They said for me to get a lawyer, and if everything was in order likely I could get the car back, but it would take time” Of course in the meantime storage charges acrue at about 150 pesos a day. Ouch! So the point was not what you suspected: that he hadn’t got the letter from Aduana each year when his residency was renewed, but rather that the Mexican driver could not legally drive the car. However, I should add that that is not what they told Sergio when they took the car. The policia told him they had no prove that the TIP was current. They also said he was not legally authorized to drive the car, but that was not their main concern. Of course today when my friend showed Aduana that his residency was current it seems they shifted to the secondary issue.

yucalandia says: August 22, 2014 at 6:06 pm

Hi Roger, bummer… but, Thanks for the updates. Your explanations make perfect sense, and just as you had worried, they discovered & used the issue of the owner not being in the car. Bleah…. Did he get an attorney – who could offer to pay “a multa” (some special fine or “special fee”)? steve

Roger Blair says: August 23, 2014 at 9:15 am

Dear Steve, I don’t think he has an attorney yet, but that is what they advised him to get, so will keep you posted. Apparently also they asked for some documentation that he didn’t have with him the other day, thus he is returning with it to Aduana on Monday. Thanks, Roger Roger Blair says: October 14, 2014 at 5:51 pm

A WARNING TO ALL TEMPORARY RESIDENTS IN MEXICO WITH VEHICLES WITH TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMITS! DO NOT LET OTHERS DRIVE YOUR CAR UNLESS YOU ARE IN THE CAR! Dear Steve, This is an update on my post of August 8, 2014, with regard to my American friend who kindly loaned his car to a Mexican neighbor & friend while he was away in the USA. As stated in August the car was impounded when the Federales stopped the Mexican driver. The owner upon returning to Mexico on August 20 has sought legal help and contacted various officials in an effort to get his car back. Finally yesterday after many delays he was informed regardless of any effort to get the car back he must pay a fine of 3,000 plus pesos for breaking the law. Additionally he was told by government officials that in order to try to get the car back he would have to go to court which might result in a trial as far out as one year, and that if he did so, his chanCes of retrieving the car via the court hearing would be 1 in 100. My friend has decided to give up on retrieving the car, and buy a new car. Regardless, he still was required to pay the fine. Regards, Roger Roger

yucalandia says: October 15, 2014 at 6:43 am

Hi Roger, Good update. Sorry to hear that things worked out so badly for your friend, steve

edward boddy says: August 13, 2014 at 10:10 am

I am planning on driving my sister’s vehicle to her from Michigan to San Carlos, Mexico.My sister is retired and lives there. As I’ve been reading what papers are needed for crossing the border, I thought I read that the Owner of the vehicle has to be in the car. Please. Clear thus up for me. Thank you Reply

Fred Daniel says: August 15, 2014 at 10:45 pm

Okay, I have seen it stated many times on this page that you can import NAFTA vehicles that are older than six years old. I missing something, because when I go to the page “http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/vehiculos/141_10038.html” I can only find that it is okay to import vehicles that are 8 or 9. I am really hoping that I am missing something because I have a 99 Toyota sitting in Texas that I really want to bring to the interior (Jalisco). Any help or direction that you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Reply

yucalandia says: August 16, 2014 at 7:29 am

Hi Fred, The Aduana webpage you are reading is not the “final word”. The Aduana webpage rules you are reading applies to only to importing a car at a sea port (as described above). The Aduana vehicle import rules for drive-in imports at the US-Mexico border are different (far more lenient) than sea port rules. Have fun bringing in your ’99 Toyota, (as long as it is a NAFTA made vehicle), steve Reply

yucalandia says: August 16, 2014 at 9:32 am

Hi Fred, I forgot to mention, contact a good Customs Broker to find the actual costs for importing your Toyota into Mexico – and they will tell you all their specific requirements. steve Reply

Fred Daniel says: August 16, 2014 at 9:51 am

Thanks for that info. Having never attempted to do this before, I was doing as much research as I could. I just wasn’t finding anything encouraging until I found this site. I know that there are two completely different things that we deal with here: the law and then what is actually enforced. I just wanted to see if anyone was having actually crossing older cars or not. Do you have any suggestions when it comes to Customs Brokers? I imagine if I can find pirate taxis in the town I live in there will be fake brokers at the border too. I don’t mind a little adventure, but I don’t want to waste what funds I do have. Haha Again, thank you for the information. It is music to my ears.

Bruce McGovern says: August 16, 2014 at 8:20 am

I agree. I read the same thing on-line, and assumed I could not import my 2002 Sienna. But, in April I went to Aduanas in Puebla, and the woman told me I could import it, but would have to do it in Reynosa, not in Puebla. And, she definitely repeated the 26 year figure. Mine is 2002 Toyota so it will be in the limit on both ends. Do be aware you may not be able to easily find repair parts for an older Toyota. They started making Toyotas in 2003 as I remember it. AutoZone may be able to order common maintenance parts, but that is a guess on my part. Reply

gabrielheiser says: August 16, 2014 at 8:24 am

So it is currently true that to import you MUST do it at the border? Reply

Bruce McGovern says: August 16, 2014 at 9:37 pm

I don’t want to make a rash statement. I do believe that is what she told me in the Puebla Aduanas. To apply at the border.

yucalandia says: August 17, 2014 at 8:00 am

Hi gabriel, If you have an 8 or 9 year old NAFTA vehicle – in theory – you can import them at a sea-port if you can also find a Customs Broker and meet their conditions. If you have a 6 year old or older NAFTA vehicle, you can import them at the Mexico USA border – or you could try some Brokers who are inside Mexico: ~ There are a few brokers at the Guadalajara airport who use Aduana’s services there to import vehicles older than 5 years old, but the process is expensive ($20,000 – $30,000 pesos) and you have to also pay additional IVA taxes of 16.5% on top of that. ~ There are some dealers and “facilitators” inside Mexico who do “paper-only” imports using special temporary amparos (similar to a Temporary Restraining Order), but know that sometimes these processes work and other times “not” – so use only a reputable facilitator to do this because some just keep your money when their process amparo expires. Sonia in San Miguel Allende seems to keep her process running and legal, but be sure that whoever you use can get you a legal pedimento that allows you to register your car in your state to get license and registration later. Note that the last 2 processes do NOT get you a legal export from the USA. Note that you likely should never take a “Guadalajara airport import” car or a “paper only import car” back to the USA, because if US Customs or CBP checks your VIN on your Mexican plated (former US) car – you can be liable for penalties for not properly exporting the car from the USA. We are required by law (since 2003) to first export our US vehicle in a 3 day CBP process at the border – where they check our VIN against US databases to prove the car is not stolen. If you use a licensed Customs Broker to import the car into Mexico at the border, these Brokers submit your paperwork to US CBP in advance for the CBP checks – meaning there is no 3 day wait when using a good professional and supplying your paperwork/documentation in advance… Happy Trails, steve

Fred Daniel says: August 16, 2014 at 9:59 am

Thank you for that info. It is exactly what I wanted to hear. So, there was no issue whatsoever as long as you were at a crossing that handled imports. As for the parts, I had the van down here for six months on a tourist permit when I first moved down. The few, small things that I needed in that time were readily available at the Auto Zone… probably at the little mom-and-pop stores too. Even when the Auto Zone doesn’t have things on hand, they have offered to order them for me. I don’t think it should be too much trouble though. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: August 16, 2014 at 9:45 pm

I have had no luck at the mom-n-pop stores for mine. Battery, yes. Today i went looking in my village for 7443 bulbos, combo stop, rear driving bulbs. No luck. They asked me to show them what it looked like. I told them if it doesn’t say 7443 it will not work. I also had a 9003 headlight burn out. We looked all over. Finally, I discovered the H4 will work. For highly technical reasons, the H4 is not permitted in all states in the US. But, the H4 will work perfectly in Mexico, and you can easily change it to a 9003 if your state looks for that bulb on your car. I did have an old one I kept when I replaced them all 110,000 miles ago. I will be going to Tehuacan tomorrow. I have teen-age students who have never been there and we agreed to take a trip. Their father who is nearly 50 has also never been there, but he has to work in his orchard tomorrow. I will buy my 7443’s there, and maybe pick up an H4 headlight as a spare.

yucalandia says: August 17, 2014 at 8:08 am

Bruce and Fred, You are thinking clearly about Toyota** parts. Auto Zones may have common parts, or may be able to bring them in from faroff but large Auto Zones (like Vera Cruz or Mexico City), but some parts***… . Toyota does not service nor stock parts for older Toyotas, and only keep up with newer Toyotas that they have sold here (since opening dealerships between 2003 – 2007). Really, for them to have techs go back to school to learn certified ways to fix the older Toyotas would cost way more than they could ever expect to recoup from a few gringos who import their old Toyotas. e.g. I repeatedly muled parts for a friends 1988 Toyota Four runner, because even though the Fourrunner was still running, it had many exotic parts – esp in the brakes and motor. When a proportioning valve on the rear brakes fails, not even Toyota dealers in bigger US cities had the part on the shelf… ***Moral: If you want to bring a Subaru or an older Toyota etc, buy a supply of parts you expect to wear out with you: brake pads, belts, maybe some specialty hoses, strange bulbs, timing chain or timing belt, water pump, etc. – and make good friendships here with a few good gringos to get things muled-down from the USA. Happy Trails, steve **For context: I brought down a 1996 Ford Ranger – and even though it has a US motor and Japanese transmission, (while Mexican Rangers use a drive train from Argentina), the American Ranger has been really easy to find lots of cheap parts – while, oddly – the two 2004-2006 Mexican Rangers of my wife’s laboratory have some weird very expensive exotic starter motors that had to be rebuilt here (or shipped in from Vera Cruz for over $5,000 pesos each). My American Ranger is running great with almost 210.000 miles trouble-free miles. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: August 17, 2014 at 7:38 pm

Ford Ranger seems to be just about the most commonly imported agricultural pickup under that provision of the law. And, yes, family and neighbors who have them seem to be able to get almost every part they need to keep those beasts running. Thanks for tip on the old Toyotas. Actually, if I can get the parts there is talent to replace almost anything. My left sliding door would not open a year ago. My builder is a man of extreme talents. He got the liner thingie off the door; I didn’t know how. I spent quite a while looking at the lock assembly, and finally realized it has an adjustment. There were quite a few folks on Sienna Chat who had the same problem and when I posted the adjustment, they were very happy. The back hatch also broke, and my wife brought a special all-metal after-market part zi ordered on-line which solves the problem which lets it break. My builder also helped me out with that problem. There is a man in my town who has a frieght drop in Puebla. If you Fedex something to that address (neither Fedex nor DHL deliver to small villages like this one) he brings it on his trip, for a modest fee. Also, once a year I go back to McAllen, and in most cases, problems have not stopped the car from driving back to the border. I got thumped a few weeks ago, Minor damage to the rear end, the rear hatch, and the bumper cover. A man who worked on body repair in Arizona for 15 years said he will fix it for 2,880 pesos, most of that is for the paint. He takes them the gas hatch and they make the paint to match. I think Autozone can order things like motor and transmission for my car, but after driving today don’t have the ambition to look it up again.

yucalandia says: August 18, 2014 at 8:38 am

wonderful

Roger Blair says: August 17, 2014 at 4:24 pm

Dear Steve, Another interesting situation has arisen with Immigration in San Miguel de Allende. A friend of ours applied and paid for 2 years temporary residency in late January 2014. When she went back to pick up her card she was told it was not processed, because she could not apply for 2 years, but only 1 year. I assume this is because she had been here 3 years at the time as a temporary resident and apparently the rule is after 4 years you must either apply for permanent residency or leave. Thus, it appears that’s why they wouldn’t allow her to have 2 more years as a temporary. However, that in order to get the 1 year temporary residency started she would then have to pay for one year. She asked them to apply the 2 year payment she had made and refund her the difference. They said they could do that. She would have to pay for the one year, then later after the refund of her original deposit for 2 years was processed she would get the refund of that payment. She has been trying to get her original 2 year payment back ever since, but with no success. Most recently they finally told her “they don’t do that,” understood by her to mean “too bad, but we are not going to give you back your original 2 year payment.” Any suggestions on what she can do to get her money back? Thanks, Roger Reply

yucalandia says: August 17, 2014 at 5:51 pm

Hi Roger, Has she applied for the refund with INM or did she go to Hacienda? Over here in Yucatan, when INM has made $$ errors or the foreigner makes a $$ error, we’ve had to go to Hacienda. One fellow accidentally paid $1 peso extra – and the same thing happened: They could not credit just the $1 peso – He had to make an additional payment for the correct total amount, and get a refund from Hacienda. Supposedly, INM is legally not allowed to take or hand-out cash – because that responsibility belongs only to SAT/Hacienda. steve Reply

Roger Blair says: August 23, 2014 at 9:12 am

Dear Steve, Thanks for your input. Our friend tried SAT in Guanajuato and got the “sorry, we don’t do that reply” there, but now has went to SAT in Leon who did give her a receipt saying she would get her refund in 40 days. Thanks, Roger

yucalandia says: August 23, 2014 at 11:02 am

Hi Roger, HOORAY ! I love it when our efforts make a difference, steve

Roger Blair says: August 18, 2014 at 8:11 am

Dear Steve, I personally don’t know what Hacienda is. Please advise. I do remember SAT as being the place I had to go to in Leon (We live in Guanajuato) to get my 5 day permit to take my car to the border to get it nationalized after becoming a Permanent Resident. Is Hacienda the same as SAT? We will likely be seeing our friend today and ask if she applied with Hacienda. I know she has been working on this for over 6 months, but am not sure just what steps she took, but will ask her. One thing is clear: INM did not tell her she had to go to another place to get the refund, nor tell her where to go. They just said, “We don’t do that.” Thanks, Roger Reply

yucalandia says: August 18, 2014 at 8:36 am

Hi Roger, Hacienda is a sub-organization of SAT. The relationship is the same as the US IRS and US Treasury. US Treasury is the “parent” of the US IRS. Hacienda is like the US IRS (tax collection), while Hacienda also acts as the official “cashier” for the Mex. Gob. Yes, she would (likely) go to the same office where you got your Retorno Seguro permit. In our city (Merida) Hacienda and SAT are in the same office – and it is the SAT website that has the place to make appointments with Hacienda. Our friends who have had to get INM refunds were successful (they had all their documents), but it took time. steve Reply

Stephen says: August 18, 2014 at 8:55 am

Dear Steve, This December I will be getting my Residente Permanente. I have a place in Progreso for the last few years. Can you be contacted in Merida? Anyway, after I received my Residente Permanente, can I drive my sons Canadian plated van in and out of Mexico? Stephen. Reply

yucalandia says: August 18, 2014 at 11:00 am

Hi Stephen, Yes, per Article 106 of Aduana law, family members are allowed to drive foreign-plated TIP cars. Going in and out of Mexico can be more straightforward if you maintain the TIP – don’t surrender it when you leave Mexico – keep both the sticker and the paper document to for Aduana to inspect when you re-enter Mexico. One friend who exits and enters with other people’s cars finds it very helpful to explain to Aduana agents that you plan to return to Mexico, at that same crossing, in a few days (or however long you will be out of Mexico). Be sure that your son’s INM permit stays current, and be sure that when your son renews his INM permit, he notifies Aduana in writing of the new expiration date, so Aduana can keep the vehicle’s TIP current – and you can carry the Aduana expiration date renewal confirmation letter in the van. If you are concerned, carry a letter from your son that certifies that you are his father with full permission to drive the car. I think that about covers it all, steve Reply

KLM says: August 21, 2014 at 3:39 pm

Perhaps this is the wrong area to ask about this…I have a Mexican plated vehicle I purchased in Nayarit a few years back. It was nationalized from the U.S. before I bought it. When I went to buy car insurance on it I think I remember the agent saying something about I could not buy collision insurance on a nationalized vehicle. I did buy the liability without any problem. Next year I will be moving to my home in Nayarit under the permanent visa. I would like to nationalize my pickup. It is a 2008 model and since there is some value in it I want to have full coverage. Do you have any knowledge of vehicle insurance rules? Maybe it was just that company (don’t remember the name right now, but I bought it thru Bancomer) that wouldn’t insure nationalized vehicles. Or is there some law or regulation in Mexico that governs this? Thanks, Kirk Reply

Roger Blair says: August 22, 2014 at 9:52 am

Dear Kirk, I just got a quote on my 2008 Buick Lacrosse from Qualitas. I asked for full collision and theft coverage. The car was nationalized last November, and Mapfre allowed me to keep the Tourist policy enforce until it expired, but then I would have to buy Mexican insurance. Qualitas told me their policy only will cover me 70% of book value, because it was a nationaized car. I don’t understand that, but that is their policy. I got the same information from 2 different agents that use Qualitas. Roger Reply

KLM says: August 28, 2014 at 10:45 am

Thanks for info Rodger. Sounds like I might be better off just buying another vehicle there. Reply

KLM says: August 28, 2014 at 10:46 am

Sorry Roger. Sometimes my fingers don’t type what my mind tells ’em to!

Doug says: August 24, 2014 at 11:12 am

Perhaps I missed it but I cannot find any information on importing a new vehicle from Germany. I have been told, new vehicles with less than 1000km can be imported and used vehicles which carry 6 or more people do not have to meet the 10 year NAFTA vehicle regulation. I would like to import a VW T5 camper. The handlers in Mexico do not sell this vehicle and finding someone to special-order one has not been successful. The T5’s in Mexico are classified as Commercial Vehicles and are either cargo vans or shuttles. If I purchase new, what are the requirements and costs to import it? I would rather import a used T5 since it would be cheaper and if it qualifies as a commercial vehicle, what are the requirements and costs for this? Reply

yucalandia says: August 24, 2014 at 11:52 am

Hi Doug, You are correct that commercial vehicles (buses) for hauling people have different rules than imports of personal vehicles. You would need to talk with the licensed Customs Broker whom you would use to get the van/bus imported through Customs at a seaport. The Customs Broker can tell you the requirements – as this is a very narrow specialized area – and different seaports Aduana offices do have different local variations of requirements – so find a Customs Broker who knows how Aduana does things at the sea port you would use to import the vehicle. steve Reply

Doug says: August 25, 2014 at 6:51 am

Thank you for your input. What about new cars with less than 1000Km? This would also be a German import. Reply

yucalandia says: August 25, 2014 at 7:01 am

Hi Doug, New cars with less than 1000 km can be imported, but you pay stiff duties (45% more or less). steve Reply

Doug says: August 26, 2014 at 3:58 pm

Thank you for your answer. Reply

yucalandia says: August 26, 2014 at 6:38 pm

Glad it helped. Reply

Kristi Draper says: August 27, 2014 at 8:02 pm

Just so I am clear on this… I currently live in Quintana Roo and have permanent resident status. My vehicle’s TIP was removed by Banjercito last month. As long as I do not drive outside Q.R. (a frontera state) am I still able to legally drive my 2007 Nissan Frontier Florida-plated pickup truck? Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: August 28, 2014 at 5:58 am

Hi Kristi, According to SAT/Aduana law on the Free Zones of Baja California, Baja Californa Sur, and Q. Roo, yes, foreigners can drive their foreign plated cars in these special Free Zones with no Temporary Import Permit (TIP) as long as they maintain current valid foreign registrations and plates and maintain Mexican insurance. (I specify Free Zone, because not all border/Frontera states are Free Zones.) One friend of ours carries a letter from Aduana Distrito Federal headquarters confirming this to show to Q. Roo police. The police sometimes get cranky, especially the ones who want a bribe, but you have the law on your side. You may want to stay out of the Q. Roo airport, because one particularly nasty Federale there towed and confiscated the car of a friend of a friend about 3 years ago – ignoring the law. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Kristi Draper says: August 28, 2014 at 7:17 pm

Thanks, Steve. Now I can sleep better at night and not have to be so anxious at every police checkpoint along Hwy 307. Where can I find the actual text of the SAT/Aduana law on Free Zones so I can print it out and carry it with me? Just in case. Kristi Draper says: August 28, 2014 at 7:22 pm

Even though I’m a permanent resident?

Doug says: August 28, 2014 at 8:35 am

Not to beat this thing to death but I think you are wrong about the ca. 45% importation fee for new vehicles with less than 1000Km. From what I understand, new vehicles from NAFTA or the EU are allowed to be imported by paying the 16% VAT + whatever other costs are involved. I believe the tax you mentioned applies only to vehicles which do not meet the age or kilometer rules. Reply

gabrielheiser says: August 28, 2014 at 11:42 am

I know you cannot sell a car that has not been imported/nationalized in Mexico, but what about disposing of it as a trade-in at a Mexican car dealership? I understand they have different rules than the public at large. Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: August 28, 2014 at 5:04 pm

Hi Gabriel, Ummmm…. That’s a really good question. Some dealerships have had special “work-arounds” that used mysterious secret routes to get a vehicle permanently imported – as we have heard stories from PV, Jalisco, and other locations around Mexico where the dealers got non-NAFTA cars permanently imported, and then sold them back to the original owner for serious $$ – but since the temporary amparos that dealers use are temporary: get approved and work for a while, and then get shut down by other federal judges – those dealer-only routes may not be available anymore… or maybe there is yet another temporary new amparo they are using. Dealers and the lawyers & Customs Brokers who pay to file and get the temporary amparo (Temporary Restraining Order) approved are hence very selective/cagey about letting others use their amparo or to even know about their amparo. So: lo no se. Sometimes the answer is no – a dealer cannot do that, while other times, the answer briefly becomes “yes” for some months. Be careful, because there are people in that racket who take your car or take your money (and your car’s title) – and you never get them back… steve Reply

Kristi Draper says: August 28, 2014 at 7:20 pm

Gabriel, that strategy certainly doesn’t work with the Nissan dealer in Playa del Carmen. We asked the sales rep if he would take our Nissan pickup truck in trade. At first he seemed pretty eager, but when we told him it had Florida plates he sadly shook his head and explained they couldn’t do that. Reply

Rick King says: August 28, 2014 at 4:02 pm

Steve I have a foreign plated vehicle in Baja sur that I keep registration an insurance current on. I have a tourist visa. Am I also allowed to legally drive there. I leave the car there off the street when I am gone. Rick Reply

yucalandia says: August 28, 2014 at 4:58 pm

Hi Rich, As long as you keep the foreign plates, foreign (state) registration, and keep Mexican insurance current, (as you say you have), then, yes, you can keep the car and drive it in Baja Sur or Baja California – but drive only in those states, steve Reply

Rick King says: August 28, 2014 at 5:51 pm

Thanks Steve. Yes current Mexican insurance and foreign registration. Reply

gabrielheiser says: September 3, 2014 at 9:28 am

Steve: I will be applying for the pre-Residente Temporal at the local Mexican Consulate here in the U.S. I understand that my TIP will be valid for the period of the Residente Temporal, including renewals, but when I went to the website to get my pre-authorization number, it only showed a maximum of 180 days on the drop-down menu! I clicked that and completed that application and received an electronic preauthorization number and then started on the banjercito site but I’m afraid to complete that form, since I don’t want to be locked into the 180 day limit. Did I go to the wrong site? Thanks!! Reply

yucalandia says: September 3, 2014 at 9:59 am

Hi Gabriel, You did just fine. You apply for the 180 day permit – get that at the border when you enter with your Mexican Consulate approved Canje – and then when your local Mexican INM office issues you your RT permit, you send a copy of that permit with a written letter/application to Aduana, requesting that Aduana extend the date of your TIP to match the expiration date of your new RT permit. Well Done, steve Reply

gabrielheiser says: September 3, 2014 at 11:54 am

Ah! Excellent! That explains another mystery. Thanks! gabrielheiser says: December 31, 2014 at 7:54 pm

I didn’t realize that the letter/application must be sent within 15 days of receiving the Residente Temporal. That’s what I read at the top of this forum. Is that correct, in this context? Thanks!

yucalandia says: January 1, 2015 at 3:07 pm

Yes, that is correct. (15 days) Happy New Year, steve

gabrielheiser says: January 1, 2015 at 3:51 pm

… and what does one do if one has missed the 15-day window? Thanks.

yucalandia says: January 1, 2015 at 9:59 pm

Hi Gabriel, Get the written notification to Aduana anyway. They have been extending TIP permits for late applicants for the last 2 years, but realize that Banjercito has likely confiscated any deposit you made on the TIP. steve

gabrielheiser says: January 1, 2015 at 10:08 pm

But they can’t confiscate the deposit prior to the expiration in March of the original 180-day period I got when I entered Mexico on Sept. 21, 2014, right? So isn’t there something I can do before then to preserve the deposit? Reply

yucalandia says: January 2, 2015 at 6:15 pm

Correct. Be sure to send your notification to Aduana as soon as possible of your new INM card’s expiration date, because Aduana needs processing time to decide whether to approve it, and then time for Aduana to notify Banjercito that Aduana has approved a new extended expiration date on the TIP. steve

Bruce McGovern says: September 3, 2014 at 9:40 pm

I did just that, as you say in April. After I got my temporary Family Unity resident card we took a taxi to Aduanas Puebla by the stadium and they had me supply the same form I used for an extension of my FM-3 in the past. The wording only changed in that I was not requesting an annual extension, but a change from FMM to Temporary resident family unity. They said they would send it to Mexico City, but had nothing more to do with it. Over a month later, a new pickup occupied by a man and a woman came to my house out here in the country with a letter which basically said they had received my application for change from tourist permit to Temporary resident. I had to sign a bunch of papers for them. Since then, nothing. I keep both the original aduanas paper, as in the past, and the multi-page acknowledgement of application in my car, and will show it when I am checked. About September 20 I will be going back to the border and will talk to Banjercito to see if I can turn in the TIP and get a new one in late October when I come back. Or if I should get a temporary leaving Mexico paper for my existing TIP for that month.. I do worry in case they say I cannot take care of this at the border, and I have to come back by bus and buy a Mexican car or something. This is all new and no one seems to have any idea what is supposed to be happening except of course this blog. And, y’all only learn stuff as it comes at you. I do plan on nationalizing the car, next year or when ever I cannot qualify for a TIP. The disadvantage of that is I will have to use Mexican plates. I could take it into the US, but would have to rent a car for trips farther in. The big shot interdiction cops would be stopping me every state at least once with Mexican plates. It has been bad enough with Texas plates. I did get a rear end smash several months ago. I was the first of 4 cars. A man fell out of a transport van (combi) and we all had to stop. An ex-con (15 years for murder) was the 4th and he had no license and no insurance. The traffic investigator, (I assume they called him because the ex-cons mother got injured) ordered everyone to pay the person ahead of them but me. They told the kid behind me who was totally not at fault to give me 600 pesos. My wife and I agreed we would just pay the difference, it wasn’t his fault at all. My rear hatch was caved in. It cost me around $280. So, it actually only cost me a bit over $200. Since my insurance from Lewis and Lewis has a $500 deductible, I didn’t even call them. A man who worked body repair 15 years in Arizona fixed it and it looks like brand new back there. That man is an artist! I think the hatch opens and shuts better than when it was new. He even patched up the holes in the bumper cover so they are not visible and repainted it as well. He took the gas fill cover to the paint shop a two hour round trip away to get the paint. A perfect match! I told him I was not going to give him the key because if they catch him driving it they can confiscate it. He said okay. I did give him the remote so he could lock and unlock the doors. I was nervous about what would happen if my car got really clobbered. What I would do? As long as Sr. Filiberto is here, I am not worrying unless a truck runs into me. In which case getting my car repaired will not be on my short list of worries. I guess the reason I blathered on is so you know it is possible to get reasonable body repairs in Mexico. With a sample of one I guess. In my case, an illegal came back after 15 years of body repair experience. Reply

yucalandia says: September 4, 2014 at 6:50 am

Hi Bruce, Glad you are OK from the accident. Glad you got the damage repaired well at a great price. Our body guys do the same thing here – taking the gas filler cap to a little paint shop to hand-tint a pint of paint to match your car’s color. Glad things went mostly well with Aduana on the renewal. At the border: I think you may need to decide what to do when you get there. If Banjercito has not confiscated the prior deposit, I think I would turn in the current TIP, get the refund, and then when you return either do the permanent import or continue with a new TIP. Why? Aduana may have lost your application with Aduana to extend the current TIP’s expiration date. ??? With a new fresh TIP, you’d have the TIP paperwork with you if ever hassled by the Mexican police. All the best, steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 4, 2014 at 7:35 am

That was sort of my thought, too. But, we have no real experience in TIP after changing FMM to Family Unity Temporary Resident. So, how do I know how they have interpreted the regulations? I am pretty well decided to just go for it, try it for reasons you have stated, then take what comes. To have to buy a Mexican car and leave mine in the USA would be a real pain but not be financially lethal or anything. This 2002 Sienna is such a great car! I do hope to nationalize it in the future. In any case, I will keep you posted in case of any developments. Thanks for this blog. Reply

yucalandia says: September 4, 2014 at 12:52 pm

travel safe – and good luck with all of it. Stay patient if things get sticky – and stay pleasant with Aduana and INM. steve Reply

Kristi draper says: September 4, 2014 at 2:52 pm

Can foreigners with permanent resident status drive their foreign plated cars in Q.R. as long as they maintain current valid foreign registrations and plates and maintain Mexican insurance? Reply

yucalandia says: September 5, 2014 at 7:48 am

Hi Kristi, Yes, that is the Ley Aduanera law and the official ruling from the Distrito Federal office of Aduana. … plus a valid driver’s license … steve Reply

Kristi Draper says: September 5, 2014 at 3:50 pm

Thanks heaps, Steve. Do you have a link to the Ley Aduanera webpage where this info is found? Or a code / ruling reference so I can print it out and carry it with my in the car? Again, thanks for all you do to help gringos become locals.

yucalandia says: September 5, 2014 at 5:37 pm

Hi Kristi: http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_10128.html clearly identifies Q. Roo as an official free zone.

Fiona says: September 10, 2014 at 1:33 pm

Hi Steve, I am about to leave Mexico for the USA with my three dogs in a California licence plated car. I am a New Zealander with a temporary residency permit. Am I okay to buy and drive a USA plated car in Mexico and over the border into the USA. I will travel with a friend who is an American citizen who will share the driving. I will take the car to Belize border and back into Mexico and put me as the owner at that point. Thanks, Fiona Reply

yucalandia says: September 10, 2014 at 2:59 pm

Hi Fiona, To the best of knowledge, as long as you have the same visa type as the owner of the California plated car (or are a family member of the owner), and have valid car insurance for the car, and as long as the car has valid California registration, and that the car still has a valid TIP, and you have a valid driver’s license, then you can drive the car at will in Mexico. steve Reply

Fiona says: September 10, 2014 at 3:54 pm

HI , I have a few more facts about my car sitution. The California plated car came in to Mexico in 2008 under the owners fm3. They have a sticker on the shield to prove this. They say it was authomatically renewed every year with the fm3. If I buy it , I will go to Belize and bring it back across the border on my current temporary residency permit. Does this mean i can drive it with no problems in all of Mexico? The car will not come back to Mexico after it gets to the USA – will I have any surprises at the border crossing? Do you know what they will want to see at the border?? I find all this so confusing. Thanks , Fiona Reply

yucalandia says: September 10, 2014 at 4:23 pm

Hi Fiona, You are asking about the difference between the law and real world practice. The Aduana law governing their TIP since June 2010 requires that they file annual letters, every year when they renew their INM permit, requesting that Aduana update/renew their TIP expiration date to match the new expiration date of their INM permit. Aduana provides a new letter every year to carry in the car describing the new current TIP expiration date. Did they do this? Do they have a current Aduana letter showing an expiration date that has not already passed? You would also need the original paper copy of the TIP to carry in the car as you travel across Mexico – as we have been asked to show that document at the Yucatan-Q. Roo border at times. Do they have their original paper copy of the TIP? Reality, many gringos have ignored the law for years, and for the most part, the police and border agents don’t prosecute violations for not formally renewing the TIP expiration date. If you got into an accident with their car, a sharp insurance agent for the other company could have you arrested and jailed because insurance protection can be considered invalid if the car is not legal – (meaning you need to have the Aduana letter documenting the latest expiration date to be fully legal) – but that is very unlikely. If you decide you want to keep it simple and fully legal, just before you leave to go to the Belize border, the owners could go to a SAT office and get a free Retorno Seguro permit that names the driver who will drive the car to the border within 5 business days (1 week). Read about Retorno Seguro permits above if you are interested. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Fiona says: September 10, 2014 at 4:27 pm

HI Steve …. many many thanks!!!! Yep real world vs law – ain’t it fun. Best, Fiona Reply

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Craig says: September 12, 2014 at 9:56 am

Regarding not having to go to the border to permanently import a foreign plated vehicle. We have a 2003 Chev Blazer that has been in Mexico since 2009. Canadain plated. In Dec our Residente Temporal comes to the end of its term and we are ( told must) to change to Residente Permanente. So the car will then have to be removed or nationalized. My questions: a) Any idea of how much time we have or can get after we become permanent residents before we have to nationalize the vehicle? b) how safe are local brokers who say you don’t have to drive to the border? We have our condo in Manzanillo, Colima. If it is correct that you do not have to drive to the border, then do you per chance know how to find these local brokers? Is it through a local govt agency? A website? ( we have heard so many horror stories of fake brokers) Everyone we have asked here seems to know of someone, but no concrete 1st hand results thank you CP Berke Reply

yucalandia says: September 12, 2014 at 6:04 pm

Hi Craig, Starting with b) brokers doing paper-only imports (without going to the border): You could start by talking with Sonia out of SMA, as past customers have said her permanent imports have worked well. There is one current report of Sonia’s process not working for one client, who has waited 7 months, and still no resolution. Oscar Angulo has also had very good reports from his clients, and we know of zero reports of problems with Oscar’s process. Both of their phone numbers and contact information are listed above. Note that there are internet reports from yesterday (Sept 11) that there was a crackdown by the Mexican Federal Govt. on suspected illegal permanent imports of US cars at the US Mexico border – so be sure that whatever route you choose to do the import is guaranteed to work (or full money back right away). Really, any “paper only” deals depend on some temporary legal action (called an amparo) that temporarily nullifies a part of the Aduana law, as described in this mini*article by Oscar Angulo: Update on “Paper-Only” Permanent Car Imports into Mexico: Import from the comfort of your couch. at https://yucalandia.com/2014/08/18/update-on-paper-only-permanent-carimports-into-mexico-import-from-the-comfort-of-your-couch/ So, if a broker’s amparo gets cancelled, then things get messy. While the amparo remains in place, the imports can continue. We make ZERO recommendations and give no advice here at Yucalandia about whose amparos are working or which other broker’s amparos are working – so the buyers have to take their own cautions and research. Re time for Residente Permanentes to nationalize their vehicles: The official Aduana policy is that the day you get your Residente Permanente card, your TIP car becomes illegal to drive. Currently, reality says that’s a messy issue, because we have neither heard nor read reports this past year of any TIP cars being confiscated for being driven by their Residente Permanente owners. Under the letter of the Ley Aduanera, Residente Permanents are only legally allowed to drive their foreign plated cars using a Retorno Seguro permit (described above) for the “Safe Returns” permit’s 5 business day period of a trip to the border. NOTE that internet reports from the last 24 hours says that some Mexico-USA border crossings have just temporarily stopped all permanent imports of cars into Mexico, until they resolve a number of Mexican federal govt charges of illegal imports being done at the US-Mexico border: “…”the vehicle importation into Mexico it’s stopped since last week, there happened several things, first: the Customs Mexican Broker Local Administrator was removed, and the new Administrator has new rules; second: the vehicle needs to be exported from the country of origin with the stamp on title “EXPORTED”; so for the moment I we can’t Import vehicles until new advise, we are thinking the situation will normalized on next week,” was supplied by one Yucalandia reader. Wish I had more positive news on these things, steve Reply

Craig says: September 12, 2014 at 6:52 pm

Hi Steve, Thanks so much for the enlightenment. We will do some more inquiries to the brokers and if can avoid the border trip. If we could we would remain temporary residents Best Craig

playaright says: September 12, 2014 at 4:22 pm

Hello Steve, do you or anyone else know anything about this? We are getting ready to leave Canada for the Mexican border to permanently import our truck, and cargo trailer (with menaje) and have been working with a broker in Nogales for almost 8 months. He just sent me this email— WOW, hoping someone can shed some light on this? …”the vehicle importation into Mexico it’s stopped since last week, there happened several things, first: the Customs Mexican Broker Local Administrator was removed, and the new Administrator has new rules; second: the vehicle needs to be exported from the country of origin with the stamp on title “EXPORTED”; so for the moment I we can’t Import vehicles until new advise, we are thinking the situation will normalized on next week,” Reply

yucalandia says: September 12, 2014 at 6:16 pm

Hi playaright, “It sounds like it’s finally happened” A number of folks have read the US Customs Law to clearly say: ~ ALL US titled used- cars being permanently imported into Mexico, MUST FIRST BE officially EXPORTED by US CBP – BEFORE they are legal to permanently import into Mexico. ~ This US law has been on the books since at least 2003, but it has not been enforced, because the US CBP supervisors at the border were previously convinced that Mexico was checking US citizens paperwork to prove that the US citizen had gone through the official 3 day CBP checks, and CBP supervisors previously believed that Mexican officials would not allow permanent imports without the formal US CBP export documentation. Your report (along with a similar first person report from a person on Chapala.com ‘s forums) are indicating that the US CBP may now be enforcing US law on this – for the first time in about 11 years. After-the-fact-editor’s note: US laws on permanently exporting US-titled used cars should not apply to Canadian vehicles. I don’t know Canadian law. The email you got from the broker makes it sound like he has incorrectly tried to apply US law to your Canadian vehicle ?? The second part of your report about Aduana/Customs at Nogales being removed, and imports being on hold, fit a report yesterday in the newspaper Reforma describing how a number of Mexican judges, magistrates, police, Aduana personnel, and a bunch of “auto import brokers” being charged by the Mexican Federal Government with doing illegal imports. Messy times for permanent imports, steve Reply

playaright says: September 12, 2014 at 9:12 pm

So Steve thanks yet again for your prompt AND very informative response. Question, this is a Canadian vehicle, do I need to export it from Canada, import it in the US, and then export it from the US? Oh my God, I just don’t know what to do? Does the law mention anything about Canadian vehicles? Perhaps we have a “export” process that I am not aware of, but I will call our local auto association and see what I can find out.

yucalandia says: September 13, 2014 at 6:47 am

Hi playaright, No, as a Canadian vehicle the US law on this does not apply, because this US laws is for American-titled used cars that are permanently leaving the USA. I don’t know of any Canadian rules on this. I think the Mexican Aduana there at that border crossing is in great turmoil, due to ~ the Federal charges against some of their agents ~ Federal charges against their former top local administrator, ~ a new replacement top administrator and ~ new rules just put in place to stop cheating. I suspect you we advised about the “export requirement” because they mistakenly caught your Canadian vehicle in their net newly-designed for catching US used vehicles that have not been formally exported by the USA. All the best, steve

Bruce McGovern says: September 12, 2014 at 6:44 pm

Hopefully with around 18 months before I expect to have Permanent residence, things will be smoothed out. I will need to look for a broker in Reynosa and find out exactlly what I need to do then get my 2002 Sienna exported by the US, right? But, one question. Once it is nationalized will I be allowed to drive it back across temporarily with the temporary insurance as the Mexicans do every day with cars originally sold in Mexico? We have a mobile home in McAllen and it would be nice to be able to go there with the newly nationalized car. We already know if we drive farther inland we will rent a car. As much as we get harassed with Texas plates in other states, I would not even think of taking Mexican plates across the USA. Plus of course if the car needs repairs there is a Toyota dealer in Pharr next to McAllen. Reply

playaright says: September 13, 2014 at 12:05 pm

Thanks again Steven. So the backup plan. We drive to the border, we import the household goods AND cargo trailer (if we can do this?), we do a TIP for the truck, drive to Q.R with foreign plates/registration. Do you think this is legal and a possible alternative? We are res.perm, but I think because Q.R is a free zone we can truck the truck in that state- but can we drive all the way there, and do the menaje de casa/trailer import is the big question. I did read in one of your other responses that a res/perm can drive a foreign plated vehicle in free zones:) Reply

yucalandia says: September 13, 2014 at 4:47 pm

Hi playa, Yes, you understand things well. You can freely drive the combination of trailer & truck around Mexico until the TIP expires. You can get a TIP for the truck you own. The trailer is also temporarily imported (with it’s own paperwork), but you only get 1 TIP sticker – and that goes on the truck windshield. The trailer’s permit is “attached” / “associated” with the truck’s TIP – which leads to 1 quirk. You will have to give a $200 – $400 deposit for the truck TIP when you get it. When there is a trailer attached to the vehicle TIP, later, when you go to cancel/surrender the truck’s TIP (to recover the deposit as you leave Mexico), you must also have the trailer with the truck (at the border) as you exit, or Aduana does not allow you to cancel the truck TIP without also seeing the trailer and cancelling out the trailer’s papers. and yes, because Q. Roo is an official Free Zone like the Baja California states, foreigners can drive their foreign plated vehicles in Q. Roo Happy Trails, steve Reply

playaright says: September 25, 2014 at 5:54 pm

Hello Steve, Just been told the border is open again- our broker seems confident that we (given our truck has maple leafs on it-giggle) can import the trailer and cargo/menaje de casa etc without too much hassle. We leave in about a week for the borders; first we will tackle the USA/Can border, then we will move on down to the USA/Mex border at Nogales. Our broker is Adrian Ruiz/Val Verde, and he has been very attentive- I am hoping that I will be able to refer him to others if all works out. Will keep you posted if you like:) ?

yucalandia says: September 25, 2014 at 6:16 pm

Hi playa, Yes, we’d love to hear how it goes, steve

Kristi Draper says: September 13, 2014 at 5:11 pm

Playaright, I am still skeptical that permanent residents can legally drive foreign-plated anywhere in Mexico, even in free zones like QR. I truly appreciate the service Steve is providing to expats like you and me, but on this subject he hasn’t provided enough supporting Aduana law or regs to prove his case. Steve says permanent resident visa holders can drive foreign-plated cars only in free zones such as QR and sites Ley Aduana (http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_10128.html) as the reason for his assurance. But in this ruling Aduana only says that QR is a free zone and no TIP is needed. It doesn’t say anything about permanent residents getting a free pass on driving foreign-plated vehicles. So far I haven’t found anything from Aduana that permits us to do that in the law. On page 54 of Mexico On My Mind’s 2014 Relocation Guide for Mexico, the author Ron Burdine ([email protected]) flatly states: “Your TIP is only valid for ‘Visitante’ and ‘Resident Temporal’ Visas. Resident Permanente Visa holders may not have a foreign plated car in Mexico.” Clearly there is some confusion regarding this issue. However, as a new Mexican permanent resident visa holder I’ve come to learn that what’s in the law is one thing. What’s regularly enforced is another. I know several other PR Visa holders here in QR that are driving foreign-plated cars. We all careful to avoid Cancun, drive only in QR (if you cross into Yucatan you can kiss your car goodbye for sure), and religiously obey all the traffic laws. We just hope we don’t get caught by Aduana or the Federales. My advice? Find a good customs broker who will legally get you a pedimento or ditch your car in the US and buy something else down here. It is a HUGE hassle to get a car imported once you are in Mexico. Good luck! Reply

Kristi Draper says: September 13, 2014 at 5:41 pm

Steve, In your comment on 9/12 to Craig you say: “Under the letter of the Ley Aduanera, Residente Permanents are only legally allowed to drive their foreign plated cars using a Retorno Seguro permit (described above) for the “Safe Returns” permit’s 5 business day period of a trip to the border.” But you are also telling us that (to playaright on 9/13) “because Q. Roo is an official Free Zone like the Baja California states, foreigners can drive their foreign plated vehicles in Q. Roo”. The Ley Aduana you site as support for your advice (http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_10128.html) only defines “Free Zone” but does not say anything about foreign-plated vehicles driven in Free Zones. I am hugely confused and earnestly trying to sort this out. Do you have any other government regulations or websites that clarifies this issue? Thanks for all you do. I really appreciate your service to the expat community. Reply

yucalandia says: September 14, 2014 at 3:05 pm

Hi Kristi, We’ve checked with the main Aduana offices DF, and we have formal mail from them on SAT letterhead confirming that Q. Roo is a Free Zone, with all the same rights and privileges as Baja Caifornia and Baja California Sur with specific instructions from Aduana DF that legal foreigners are fully allowed to drive their foreign-plated cars in the Free Zones with no permits required from Aduana, as long as: 1. They only drive within the Free Zone (no entering Yucatan state or Campeche state or Tabasco); 2. The driver has a valid driver’s license; 3. The car has appropriate insurance; and 4. The car has valid/current US or Canadian or Belizian plates, sticker, => current valid registration back in their home country. Re references: Know that you only have to prove that Q.Roo is a special Free Zone (which is why we only cite the one reference) because the Free Zones have the same rights. Ironically, these requirements apply to foreign-plated cars that DO NOT HAVE A TIP. If your car has a TIP, then the owner has to follow Aduana TIP rules, which say that Residente Permanentes cannot have a TIP car. So, Residente Permanentes would need a Retorno Seguro permit to go to the border (Belize), cancel their TIP, and then re-enter Q. Roo with no TIP. If people continue to doubt, have fun reading the entire Ley Aduanera and the entire SAT manual (see links in the article above) to find the specific regs on operating cars in Free Zones, but I think it’s easier to realize/remember that Americans have been enjoying driving in and around the “Californias” for decades without worrying about Aduana permits. Oddly, the issue really did not arise until INM changed the rules in Nov. 2012 regarding Temporary and Permanent residency – which triggered our queries (and a good Rabbi’s requests) to Aduana DF for a formal clarification to help the gringos who were going to Permanente status. The Aduana big-wigs in Mexico City gave that interpretation of the law, a big thumbs up… (ignoring prior local Q.Roo provincial police policies) Happy Trails, steve Reply

Kristi Draper says: September 14, 2014 at 5:09 pm

Once again, Steve, thank you for going the extra mile for me and the rest of the expat community here. And thanks for clarifying this enormously confusing issue. Reply

gabrielheiser says: September 15, 2014 at 6:00 pm

Re “no front license plate” hassles at Retens discussed above: I scanned my rear plate and uploaded the file to BuildASign.com. For under $16 they made and then shipped to me a very convincing aluminum replica of my rear license plate, which I will mount once I am out of the state. Thanks for the tip!! Reply

yucalandia says: September 15, 2014 at 8:42 pm

Hi Gabriel, That works well. If the police ask, explain that it is a copy, and that you are not trying to commit any fraud. Some cops can be really picky about copies – where a few royal PITAS have actually accused Americans of fraud when they make a laminated copy of their INM card to carry, (because some people are afraid of all the hassles if they lose the original card). Happy Trails, steve Reply

gabrielheiser says: September 15, 2014 at 8:50 pm

I’d be very surprised if they can ascertain it’s NOT the real thing, but OK, I’ll keep that in mind! (Tennessee’s plates do not have raised letters, so it’s as flat as the copy.)

gabrielheiser says: September 15, 2014 at 6:24 pm

I just paid the TIP car fee for my 2006 Ford Escape and sent a scanned copy of the passport and car title to aduana’s email address, per their instructions using the same Internet Reference Number they provided after I paid the deposit online. Today I received via DHL express delivery the official Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos and dutifully signed the enclosed “Promise to return the temporary imported vehicle” to the same email address using the same Internet Reference Number. I assume and hope they will aggregate all three required documents. On the back of that official Permiso is the blue import sticker. Looks like you mount it behind the rear-view mirror although the drawing shows it mounted to one side (thus partially blocking the view). Do I put that on just before I cross the border or after I check in with aduana in Mexico? Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: September 15, 2014 at 8:40 pm

Hi Gabriel, We mounted ours behind the mirror, in a position where it does not block the driver’s view. We put ours on at the border, but since you received your’s early, there’s no harm in installing it before you get to the border. steve Reply

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Doug says: September 25, 2014 at 12:30 pm

Next year, I wish to import a new VW T5 Camper from Germany. I have E-mailed the Brokers listed but the they either do not bother with vehicles not from the US or Canada or the mail comes back as Undeliveralble. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: October 2, 2014 at 10:24 am

In December, I went into Mexico to obtain temporary residency for family unity. My wife is Mexican. I obtained the import permit based on my FMM at the border. In March, I applied in Puebla for temporary residency, which was granted. I applied at Aduanas Puebla for change of TIP to family residency. They gave me a paper the same as in the past, but told me I would need to wait for my application to go into Mexico City to headquarters. A month later a pickup with a male and female official, came to our house in rural Puebla, and gave us a receipt for the application. We wondered what would come next. By September, nothing more happened, and we had to come back to the States. When I got to the Anzalduas bridge just west of Reynosa, I showed our paperwork and asked if I could cancel the TIP and then re-apply when I go back in a month. The officials said yes. I did cancel, but it will be a month before I verify I can apply for a new TIP. AT this time I am convinced that the notice of application from Mexico City is all that is needed to implement the change from FMM TIP to family unity temporary residence TIP. I will report if there are any new developments. Reply

Mike Fields says: October 2, 2014 at 11:19 am

Maybe I skip it, but I don’t think there’s was a thinkg about a car insurance, because when importing a car it’s really important this step, since if something happened to the car, the authorities in Mexico are really special, so get a car insurance before importing a car, I recommend BestMex Reply

Roger Blair says: October 2, 2014 at 8:40 pm

Dear Mike, Are you recommending BestMex insurance for Temporary Imports or Permanent Imports (needed for Permanent Residents?) From their website it appears BestMex issues Tourist insurance not regular car insurance for Mexican plated cars. Roger Reply

yucalandia says: October 3, 2014 at 8:05 am

Hi Roger, These references are simply the names of firms that received very good recommendations from past reliable internet posters, so, we haven’t tracked what products they currently offer. It is possible that they only issue policies to tourists, but at least 3 of the companies they represent do offer polices for coverage to Mexican citizens and permanent residents, so, it would seem odd that they do not offer these policies to BestMex customers. The reference to cancellation policies for only tourist policies may be an artifact that ONLY tourist policies can be cancelled early to get a rebate – with other policies not offering rebates for early cancellations. If you are concerned, give them a call, steve Reply

bethany says: October 7, 2014 at 10:08 pm

I am buying a car from a dealer tomorrow. I will have temporary paper plates along with a bill of sale and a permission letter from my bank which holds the lien. Will I be fine to obtain a TIP and drive through mexico with paper plates? I cannot wait the 1 month it takes to get actual plates! Reply

yucalandia says: October 8, 2014 at 8:36 am

yes. Reply

Bethany Jakubik says: October 7, 2014 at 10:17 pm

Can I get a TIP with temporary paper plates? I cannot wait several weeks to get actual plates from the dmv. Reply

yucalandia says: October 8, 2014 at 8:35 am

Hi Bethany, Yes, as long as you have the official car registration papers, proving registration. steve Reply

playaright says: October 14, 2014 at 11:28 am

Hola Steve, so we are sitting in Vegas with still no update on when we can import the truck/cargo trailer. We have been in contact with our broker several times, and he has told us he has attended many meetings, but still no resolution. I am wondering if you have heard anything for any other folks/members out there about this? Is there anyone that has imported a vehicle in the last few days? We have an Canadian vehicle, but it doesn’t seem to matter, whether it’s USA/or Canadian. ughhhhhh… not sure when/if this is ever going to get resolved. Oh well, having fun here anyway. ciao Reply

yucalandia says: October 15, 2014 at 7:31 am

Hi Playaright, We have read that the Nogales crossing is open, but there is a huge backlog of “over 1000 cars” (?) waiting for processing. We have read that Nuevo Laredo is also open – but have no report on backlogs. Wish I had better news for you. The cheating by a number of brokers, including a flood of illegal “paper-only” imports that did not include the US law required car-export by CBP (a 3 day process), have caused a crackdown on both sides of the border…. so, I wouldn’t blame the governments, I would blame the years of gringo’s past cheating & breaking of US customs law, and Mexican “facilitators” cheating & intentional breaking US law, that triggered the current crackdown. The 3 day CBP required formal export process for US-titled used cars has been reported publicly for years, yet 1,000’s of US gringos ignored the law every year – causing the current changes … and current backlogs. steve Reply

playaright says: October 22, 2014 at 9:24 pm

Hey Steve, so we are being told by our broker that Nogales is still closed. Is there someone, or somewhere that we can confirm if Nogales is open? We are sitting in a campground north of Tucson just waiting this out. We will consider driving to N. Laredo – is there anyone that could recommend a broker there to help us? Thanks to all that are tuned in!

Roger Blair says: October 15, 2014 at 5:48 pm

Dear Steve, A further note on this: Today my friend said he has been advised to contact the US Consulate about this matter, so it appears he will do so as a final effort to get his car back. He was told the Consulate could put pressure on the Mexican authorities to take a more reasonable position. His argument is “though he broke the letter of the law in ignorance (not realizing he wasn’t allowed to allow others to drive his vehicle), his act was not criminal, but an unselfish gesture of goodwill to a friend and neighbor who was without transportation at the time.” I am not so sure this will help, but it appears he will give this one last try. Thanks, Roger Reply

Lara says: October 18, 2014 at 3:39 pm

Hi Steve! I want to thank you for this incredibly informative site. I have been looking for this information for a long time. Here is our situation; maybe you can help… We have a 2004 Nissan Xterra we brought into Mexico in 2006. Our TIP expired in 2006. We have valid working FM3s (or whatever an FM3 now is) and have had valid work visas since 2006. However we never renewed the TIP so I am pretty positive that there is nothing we can do to update our TIP. We now live in DF and are tired of getting pulled over all the time and worried about having our car confiscated because it is definitely NOT legal. We would like to legally import the car and have spoken to Los Hermanos Cuevas in Laredo, TX about this. They say to send them the paperwork and then drive the car to the border in December. We have no current US registration either and have been driving around with Oklahoma tags that expired in 2007. My fear is that we are going to get to the border and when we turn in our sticker that expired in 2006, they will confiscate the car or not let us import it. I am also unclear about a few things: 1-Since the car is already in Mexico and is not legal, do we go to Banjercito first and return the expired TIP? 2-Should we then leave the country and do the paperwork for importation in Laredo, TX? 3-Or do we stay in country and do the paperwork in Nuevo Laredo and then head to aduana even if our plan is to drive to OK for Christmas and then return to Mexico after the holidays? 4-Is our situation such a mess that we should consider ourselves lucky if we get the car out of Mexico without a problem? Thanks so much for any insights! Reply

yucalandia says: October 18, 2014 at 5:08 pm

Hi Lara, Your situation may not be as bad as you think, because you got your TIP before the Aduana rule changes of June 2010. If you can prove that you have had your INM temporary residency status continuously since getting the TIP, with no breaks, no lapses, and no fines/penalties for your INM permit, there is a chance that Aduana – Distrito Federal would approve a new expiration date, based on the expiration date of your current INM Residente Temporal permit. There is a section above describing how to request a renewal of your TIP expiration date to match your current RT permit. I would send Aduana DF a letter (as shown above) requesting the renewal of your TIP expiration date. ** Also: Read Articulo 106 above – and carry a copy in the car. If you do not want to try this approach, you could make arrangements with Cuevas in Laredo, and drive up to the border when they say your paperwork is ready, surrender the TIP to Banjercito, and get your Aduana pedimento and Baja from Cuevas. If your car has an American title, then US CPB also requires that you formally export the car from the USA before you are allowed to import the car into Mexico. Cuevas may handle this for you, making only a short visit with the car to the USA – otherwise, CBP requires having the car 3 days to finish their background checks to prove the car is not stolen. Hope this information helps, steve **We know people in similar situations who got their years-old TIP’s expiration dates renewed in early 2014, and they now happily drive around Mexico with an official letter from Aduana DF certifying that their car is legit to drive until their INM RT permit’s expiration date. After getting the TIP’s expiration date renewed the first time, it is easy to do every year afterwards. Reply

Ian Bourne says: October 19, 2014 at 9:29 am

Hi Steve, This is your Brit pal Ian in Cancun, I agree that you provide a fantastic free advice service, hats off to your kindness. Last October (a year ago) I paid $2500 to legalise our 1998 Lexus 470 from Oregon to our recommended attorney here, we have driven it down here for four years with Oregon plates and a TIP however TIP expired two years ago. We just got Mexican plates yesterday through Gerardo Uc in Chetumal in the name of our attorney helper in Cancun, they are Michoacan plates but the car shows tax paid and legal. I want to get Q Roo plates ASAP, do I need a work/res visa or will a home bill or driving license do ? If you are in Cancun before the 23rd I have that Spanish Rosetta Stone for you or I can leave it with a friend. Very best wishes, you are one of my few heroes ! Ian.

yucalandia says: October 19, 2014 at 9:49 am

Hi Ian, So good to hear from you! Glad that it all worked out with the car. For Q. Roo plates, I understand that a comprabante (like CFE bill) is sufficient. I’ll be in touch about the Rosetta Stone. All the best, steve

Lara says: October 19, 2014 at 2:02 pm

Thanks, Steve. I am going to give Aduana DF a call tomorrow and see if we can renew our TIF. I will let you know. Do you have any idea if Andres Aguilar is still there? Is he the person to ask? Thanks!

Ian Bourne says: October 19, 2014 at 11:43 am

Thanks Steve, we can leave the English rosetta with friends in Cancun. Bigger question, can we finally register our condo here with a UK or US passport without residency of any sort, they are ready to do it but only until November. Prefer the UK one ! Ian. Reply

yucalandia says: October 19, 2014 at 12:21 pm

Hi Ian, My best understanding is that the Notarios are now legally required to ask for both an RFC number and CURP number to register a property, to ensure that tax law requirements are met (as of Sept. 2014). We get our CURPz when we get a residency visa. Do you have a CURP from any past Mexican residency visas? Do you have an RFC? (from Hacienda/SAT)? If you don’t have the RFC (registration with the Mexican tax authority), then you can get one assigned to you online from SAT/Hacienda by using your CURP. Check with your notario for his requirements, steve Reply

Doug says: October 21, 2014 at 6:26 pm

Hello. My Friend here in Mexico wants to register his VW Golf (which came in from GB) but cannot because the car was built in 1991. Through an attorney, he was offered a deal which would give him Michoacan or DF plates. Further investigation showed this was not totally legal and he could lose his car if caught. If you have all the paper-work and are able to get Quintana Roo plates, please post here. Thank You Doug Reply

Ian Bourne says: October 23, 2014 at 9:09 am

Hi Doug (and Steve), This sounds a lot like we have been through. We drove our 1998 Lexus LX470 down here from the USA about five years ago (so not a NAFTA car), got a TIP at the border as I had a Temporary Resident Permit. Cost about $32 and we drove around in Q Roo for three years on Oregon plates. Then my Resident permit expired which invalidated the TIP and we still drove around Cancun and Yucatan for a couple of years. We were recommended to a local attorney Fidel (Fiddle?) and I paid $2500 to get our car legalised here on 10/22/2013. The attorney is a friend of Gerardo Uc in Chetumal who is an import agent and handled the deal. We just got Michoacan plates a week ago in the name of Fidel (he lives in Playa Del Carmen), so a year later. We are waiting for the title/paperwork to register a sale from him to us and register finally in Q Roo. I will let you know of the next ‘happening’. Trailblazing for you Doug ! Best wishes, Ian. Doug says: October 23, 2014 at 9:48 am

Hi Ian Is it possible I can get your Telephone Number or E-mail so we can speak more about this? Thanks Doug Ian Bourne says: October 24, 2014 at 1:26 am

Hi Doug, Steven is sending you my contact information to your email, to keep from posting it publicly on the internet.** Steve has sent the email, so, if you do not see it, be sure to check your spam or junk mail file. Ian. **Edited by editor.

KLM says: October 21, 2014 at 9:19 am

Hi Steve, Maybe the answer to my question is here… but I just can’t find it. I know that I do not want to have a current TIP before applying at the consulate for either a Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente visa. But after getting that approval and before getting everything done at INM including the issuance of the plastic visa card, can I get a TIP at the border? I thought maybe online but it appears to want one to be pre-approved for the tourist visa. I intend to get all the stateside stuff done and then drive myself (w/household items) to my home in Nayarit. I plan on getting the RP and my wife getting the RT so we can keep our US plated vehicle in Mexico until her RT expires. My truck is in both of our names so I thought we could get the TIP issued in her name. Your thoughts, comments, and advice would be appreciated! Kirk Reply

yucalandia says: October 21, 2014 at 1:57 pm

Hi KLM, Good plans. When you get your Residente Temporal pre-approval (and temporary visa from the Consulate to allow you to enter Mexico to complete the Residency process at your INM office), you can apply online with Aduana/Banjercito for a TIP. By applying online, and getting your TIP delivered in the mail BEFORE you go to the border, then Aduana gives you a 6 month (180 day) TIP. If you instead wait to get the TIP at the border, then Aduana only gives you a 30 day TIP – which makes it really hard to get the Residency permit from INM and then get an extension of the 30 day TIP. Here’s the website: https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/ The details on applying online are listed above at: https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-inmexico/#How%20to%20get%20a%20Temporary%20Import%20Permit%20for%20your%20Car Good Luck! steve Reply

Doug says: October 21, 2014 at 6:03 pm

Hello. I am trying to find a Broker who will help me import a new vehicle from Germany (less than 1000Km) into Mexico. The Brokers I have found only deal with NAFTA stuff. I understand a Broker is no longer required for auto importation so maybe someone can explain the procedure and paper-work required to bring the car in by myself. I have imported three cars into the States and it is a very simple process (as long as one is not a resident) and maybe Mexico is the same however, I have a Residency Card so it could be a problem. Please, before anyone says, new cars cannot be imported – they can. The Aduana Website is quite clear about this. As long as the vehicle has less than 1000km when entering Mexico, the importer pays the same required taxes which are due on any new car sold in Mexico. If the car has more than 1000Km, this is not the case. Reply

Mike Bell says: October 22, 2014 at 9:46 am

Hi Steve: Many thanks for all the good info you provide. In a recent reply to KLM you said that “If you instead wait to get the TIP at the border, then Aduana gives you a 30-day TIP.” This would really mess us up, as we are planning on crossing soon and getting both FMT and 180-day T.I.P. at the border. So, I called Aduana, talked to a very helpful man there, bilingual, and he said that we can get both our FMT and a 180-day TIP at the border. He said nothing about any pre-authorizations for an FMT or TIP. Am I missing something? Reply

yucalandia says: October 22, 2014 at 11:31 am

Hi Mike, ~ Different situations, different rules. ~ Yes, you are missing that I wrote that statement in the sole context of coming to Mexico to finish a Residente Temporal visa process. People who want Residente Temporal visas, apply at a Consulate, and they get a 30 day special visa – which locks Aduana into giving them a 30 day TIP if they go to the border to get their TIP. Since you will be applying for a 180 day VISTANTE visa – using an FMM form – (FMT has not existed for the past 2 years) your TIP expiration date will match your 180 day INM Visitane visa. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Lara says: October 22, 2014 at 1:59 pm

Hi again Steve, I have another question I am wondering if you can help me with. After calling and emailing Aduana in D.F. we have decided to buy a Mexican plated car and return our car to the US to sell it. We are planning to cross the border in Laredo in December and then drive on to Oklahoma to sell the car there. Here’s the problem…our car is not legally registered anywhere. We have OK tags that expired in 2007. I know I can get a temporary registration in Texas but they require proof of insurance and my Mexican insurance does not cover me in the U.S. I have called 10 insurance brokers and no one will provide temporary coverage. Mexican insurance companies do provide temporary insurance for Mexican residents who cross the border and drive in the U.S. but only for Mexican plated cars registered in Mexico. Have you had or know anyone who has had any experience with this? Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: October 22, 2014 at 4:22 pm

Hi Lara, Did you check with Mexpro or Lewis and Lewis? People on Mexconnect have said good things about Lewis & Lewis and Mexpro in the past: http://www.mexpro.com/mexico/short-term-us-auto-insurance.html These policies were available to be purchased on-line, before you get to the the border. They are only for Liability Coverage. You then get a temporary permit when you enter Texas. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Cate Poe says: October 22, 2014 at 5:33 pm

Steve — Thanks for all the work youve done here. MAssive amount of info to summarize and synthesieze. I keep looking for one site that spells out clearly the import duties on non-NAFTA cars — once theyŕe eligible (so, for us a 2009 Toyota that NAFTA seems to clear January 2015). Is it 10% of blue book value? And can you give me a source for this? I’ve been skimming your links, though can’t pretend to have done this thoroughly. I am about to post on my partner’s decision not to go for permanent residency due to the costs of nationalizing a U.S. car, which we were told will come to around $2,000 USD. I assume this is the combined cost of duties and permits. Please let me know if I am on track with this understanding. Thanks, Cate Reply

yucalandia says: October 22, 2014 at 7:54 pm

Hi Cate, Up in the body of the article above is a link to the official spreadsheet that Aduana used in the past to determine the rough value of an imported car. Just 2 sections below the Table of Contents, there are these listings: ~ ~ “Check an estimate of your import duties and check your VIN and manufacture date at this Banjercito website: http://paisano.prevalidadorcaaarem.org.mx/Cotizador/ and you can also check this official spreadsheet of “Reference Values” published by the Secretary of the Treasury (Hacienda y Credito Publica) here: http://www.aduanas-mexico.com.mx/claa/ctar/leyes/mec_precios_estimados.html#ane2 Invoice values are not accepted. One Aduana website says that import duties are 10% of the “Reference Values”. ” ~ ~ $2,000 US for nationalizing a car is typical for using a broker at some of the more expensive Texas border crossing points. The Arizona crossing points can cost just 1/3’rd to ½ of the Texas prices – with posters describing $700 – $1,200 prices for Nogales etc. Hope this helps your decisions, steve Reply

Roger Blair says: October 22, 2014 at 7:39 pm

I am thinking of driving my nationalized Mexican plated car into the USA in the future. However, I am a little disappointed to find such small coverage from Mexpro Insurance that you recommend. Limited liability, low medical coverage and no collision. It makes it legal to drive, but one must hope he doesn’t have a serious accident. Is this the best available? Second, you say you can get temporary registration when crossing the border. Is that necessary for a Mexican plated car? It would seem not. Thanks, Roger Reply

yucalandia says: October 22, 2014 at 7:50 pm

Hi Roger, Your comments fit years of other posters past experiences. Liability protects you from paying for damage to others, but leaves other risks unprotected. The temporary registration is only for US-titled cars with no current US state registration. Mexican plated cars are eligible to stay in the USA for up to 1 year. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Lara says: October 22, 2014 at 7:47 pm

Hi Steve, I checked with Mexpro and Lewis and they only cover Mexican plated cars driving in the U.S. You mentioned that I can get a temporary registration with crossing the border, but my understanding is that in order to get the temporary registration, I need proof of insurance. Does anyone know if you can buy temporary insurance at the border or if I can find an insurer to cover me with a temporary registration? Thanks, Reply

sdibaja says: October 30, 2014 at 7:43 am

interesting “event” I just read on Facebook ————– WARNING TO TRAVELERS: By Steve Wormald 8 hrs · Creel, Mexico Ex-military trucks beware. I am currently in Mexico with my mercedes Unimog camper, but I nearly didn’t get into the country. The Banjercerto clerk at Nogales decided that the mog looked too much like a military vehicle and refused to give me a temporary import permit. The customs person (a young lady younger than the mog!) backed him up on this. I have managed to get the required document by driving on 400km to another office but would warn anyone with a vehicle that might remotely resemble anything military to take care. Perhaps avoid or bypass Nogales. There is a bunch of very helpful people at the permit office on highway 15, km 95, South of Guaymas. ———— I advised: it is best to do all of your paperwork in advance, on line, before you get to the border. I also provided a link to the TIP section on this page Reply

yucalandia says: October 30, 2014 at 8:21 am

A big thumbs up for this one… good advice. This is yet ANOTHER reason to apply for your TIP online, before getting to the border. steve Reply

sdibaja says: October 30, 2014 at 8:29 am

I am quite surprised that he got so far South without a TIP. I have not driven that route in a non-mexican plated car in many years (I live in Ensenada). I would assume he would have been turned back much sooner, or fined. Is Nogales a problem spot to cross? David says: October 30, 2014 at 9:12 am

Besides the fact that you had trouble getting a Unimog into the country because it looks too much like a military vehicle, did you not even consider that you are ” prime ” candidate to get robbed and/or car-jacked. ? To the drug bandidos a Unimog is a gift from heaven …. even better than a big dual-wheel pickup. Normally I would refrain from dissing someone, but you are just asking for trouble with that kind of vehicle unless you have an armed escort Reply

sdibaja says: October 30, 2014 at 9:52 am

David: from my personal experiences, and of others in the Unimog community that live in Mexico and regularly travel here… your fears are unfounded. Zero reports of “bandidos”.

playaright says: November 10, 2014 at 8:48 pm

Hello Steve, Playaright here on the continued saga of our permanent importation of our Ford 2006 F150SuperCab, a 16 ft cargo trailer and a menaje de casa. So, paid the fees TODAY finally for everything: Here is the rundown, 2006 Truck $1575 2013 Trailer $1206 (though this may be incorrect given the style- will know more later) Menaje $300 Plus we are paying $1700 in brokerage fees. We are told that the trailer could be higher, because the quote was for an open trailer, not closed in. It has taken 2 weeks to get all the paperwork done, and this is since the border opened again to “imports”. Now, we are being told that because the November 1st day has passed, the new tariffs apply, and that it will take 2 days to reconcile this. Steve, I am adding all this to the site because we are ‘DIYers” and we research very carefully, but nothing prepared us for this amazing, and very frustrating experience. Getting the R.P Visa was crazy, and the menaje that we had done at the Consulate in Calgary was done incorrectly; they did not stamp every page of the 3 originals, only the first page. We had to courier the menaje back to Canada, have it sent back to the USA, and a Mexican Consulate, for pick up. There is no way that our ‘goods’ are worth what we are paying to import them, (re fees), or the hassle. I suppose we could argue that the truck is worth it, but that is it. Just a note of caution to anyone that is considering this- I would only do this if you household goods have huge value to you. I paint and have paintings that are worth a lot to my husband and I, but if I didn’t, we would replace everything by buying in Mexico. We speak and understand a reasonable amount of Spanish, but there is no way in hell we could have done it ourselves. We are using Stevens International, they come recommended, but even Ramses is frustrated with the new and “improved” system. We would love to hear if anyone else has done this lately. We are 32 days and counting since we left Canada for the border and we are not across yet. Reply

playaright says: November 10, 2014 at 8:49 pm

No yes Steve, this is in Nogales, no longer cheaper than Texas crossings Reply

yucalandia says: November 11, 2014 at 7:39 am

Thanks for the good updates! steve

yucalandia says: November 11, 2014 at 7:39 am

Wow…. Difficult stuff – especially with the changes in enforcement of the US CBP export rules, and tightening of Aduana processes. For people who use a Broker, Aduana charges pretty much full duties on our things we’re moving that are not covered by a formal Menaje de Casa rule/list. For people who do not use a Broker, Aduana often just waved us through with a trailerload of household things after showing them a list of the contents of the trailer – or sometimes charged token duties, like $300 – $ 500 USD. Have things changed with Aduana and people not using a Customs Broker to bring in a personal trailerload of furniture? I think we will have to hear how things are now working under Aduana’s new processes. steve Reply

David says: November 11, 2014 at 9:55 am

Haven’t read the whole background of this story but sounds like maybe you were trying to do the whole R.P. thing from Canada rather than having gone through the 4 or 5 years of R.T. while living in Mexico ?? We have a different reason for not going R.P. ( problem with cars and we feel the cost is too prohibitive ) but it is much simpler just to do your time as R.T. first and gradually bring in whatever stuff you need bit by bit and then when the R. T. expires, go back to the consulate and get another one and continue bringing in whatever you need. When you reach the point where an extension on your R.R. is no longer available, from there on just get a tourist ( 180 day ) permit and go to the border every six months and renew it. To avoid the hassle with TIP’s for your Canadian ( if you intend to live in Mexico permanently year round ) buy a Mexican car instead. If you do the math, you can renew your 180 day permits for many many years before you will amortize the cost of fees etc, to go through the R.P. process. Some may not agree but what really is the point of following the path top Mexican citizenship ( nowadays you can own property even as a tourist in Mexico and enjoy all the other rights ….except to vote …. , unless you really dislike your home country. Even lioving in Mexico as a tourist you are still paying all the taxes and fees if you own a home and a car so you ARE contributing to the economy way more than even most Mexicans so don’t buy the argument that you are freeloading off the system. Wish I could say the same thing for Mexican in the U.S. Reply

CeeZee says: November 11, 2014 at 10:14 am

We are just in the process of becoming Resident Permanente after 4 years Temporal. There are several basic advantages to being RT or RP such as some discounts etc which may mean little to many but of high importance is the relief from Capital Gains tax on the sale of your property here. Now some folks won’t care as they will intend to stay in one house until they have to leave and then manybe the loss won’t matter to them. Most will care. Last week we attended a seminar on owning property with a local Notario and as of spring 2014 it is the law where there are exemptions to Cap Gains tax with RP status. Some Notarios will allow this for RT status but not necessarily. For an example we are selling our condo after 7 years and moving to a different city and buying a house. The difference on whether we pay the CG tax or not is between $15-20,000 in our case. Certainly justifes going through the process. As well if one is 2-3 days away from the border, then extremely inconvenient to run back and forth every 6 months. I would suggest the cost of that is not much different that the immigration process. Once you are RP no more fees at all. CeeZee Manzanillo Reply

playaright says: November 11, 2014 at 6:17 pm

Exactamente! Reply

gabrielheiser says: November 11, 2014 at 7:12 pm

Makes perfect sense UNLESS you own a U.S.-plated car and want to hold off on paying the nationalization fee (it will decrease as the car ages), driving to the border to do this, etc. Also, if you own a non-NAFTA car then the choice is more stark, since a RP cannot own such a car and would have to drive it n.o.b. to sell it, then purchase a Mexican car. Reply

CeeZee says: November 11, 2014 at 9:30 pm

We are in the process of nationalizing a Canadian plated 2003 trail blazer as well. It will cost approx $1400.00 US. Sticker value of SUV if NOB is probably only 5k but has new brakes,new tires,lower miles, no dents, no rust, good windshield so decided it is worth it to us to go thru the hassle. To buy here reasonable vehicle is more than $10,000 and I know my car . The only hitch is the delay right now getting it thru. We are using a local guy here in Manzanillo who has a good rep and good references. Took us a while to decide whether to chance having it done without going to the border. As there seemed to be delays and hassles either way, we choose to stay here. I will let you know the outcome.

yucalandia says: November 12, 2014 at 11:21 am

Interesting approach. Some brokers around Mexico are saying that there are new Aduana permanent import rules in the pipe that take effect on Jan. 1, 2015. They claim they will no longer allow the import of all vehicles 6 years old and older – and will instead prohibit imports of vehicles over 10 years old. Rumor? Fact? We’re looking for confirmation or clarifications, if anyone else is digging into this, steve

playaright says: November 11, 2014 at 1:43 pm

Hi there all. So just an update and comment. We did have our R.T for 4 years, but because of the date of expiry (the exact day the new changes came in) we were not able to renew/change to the FM2/now R.P. Printer was down the day we came to p.u the cards- had to leave, no way to come p.u 30 days later- soooooooo, long story short, we had to get our Residente Permanente in Canada, and the menaje as well. We are being charged $300 for the menaje, and of course our broker is charging an additional $400 to hold our hand during the process- and trust me, given what we have recently seen at the border, we are OK with that. Yesterday there must have been 7 + vehicles on the side, their loads being “inspected” and several heated discussions on the values of the cargo. One truck in particular had a treadmill and elliptical trainer in the back- seems he was claiming a cost of only $500 which I believe, heck you can’t give that stuff away, but the border guy was NOT buying it! Steve, I am not sure what the norm is, but all 3 brokers I contacted quoted me a “fee” that aduana or someone charges, for a menaje de casa. It shocked me, but the amount was the same, or close to it, from each broker- $300-400. Because the trailer is a 2013- basically new and worth ~ $6,000 they are charging duty to bring the trailer up to the cost of purchasing this trailer in Mexico- again we are ok with that and did research the cost of this exact trailer. Now for the truck, it has value to us; we bought it for a great price, has very low miles, so even with the $1575 in duty- well worth it. Just making sure everyone understands that you need to think the whole process and cost through before you do this. It was extremely important to us to great our permanent residency, for a few reasons. Number one was the capital gains exemptions that will now only be extended to R.P, and not to temporal or tourist visas. This is significant if you plan to live for a long time in Mexico:) David, we don’t feel what we would have been, or have in the past, been a burden on the Mexican system, but the renewal of our old FM3’s was something we dreaded every year, not to mention the new costs. Lastly, it may in the future be beneficial to be taxable in Mexico- it is not at this time, but you never know. With permanent status we have a choice. UPDATE: Our import is still in limbo as we speak or type– hahaha. Our broker just told us that the head customs guys has a meeting with the top ‘guy’ to see what the hold up is. I suspect it is because the vehicle is registered in Canada and has not been formally exported, but they deny this, and suggest it is the tariff changes as of November 1st. In this case, we should receive a refund- but I am guessing this will not happen. Will keep you’all posted. Reply

playaright says: November 11, 2014 at 10:10 pm

Evening UPDATE; just been told that our broker had planned to import our CDN vehicle under an Amparo, but like he said, our truck is ‘dual nationality’- NAFTA built in the USA, but registered in Canada. They are all chatting about it as we speak, and as you might have guessed it is caught up in the USA/export/CBP issue (like Steve said, the export procedure doesn’t apply to Cdn vehicles…but it just doesn’t matter). The Mexican computers have 2 boxes to fill in, country of manufacture and country of origin. Seems if they are different, the computer blows up scattering Mexican customs officials all over the place like piñata beaten by 4 year olds- not good. We wait on pins and needles hoping for good news tomorrow. Our poor broker is muy estresado! Reply

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playaright says: November 23, 2014 at 12:05 pm

Alright, we are finally here. We have imported SUCCESSFULLY a 2006 Ford F150 Megacab and a 2013 Mirage 16 x 8 ft cargo trailer. It was not easy, and the drive just about killed us. Launched the trailer with 9000 pounds of stuff in it twice, we are talking totally airborne. Once on a pothole and once on a tope (speed bump the that looks like a VW beetle buried under the pavement). We were able to double check the pedimentos online, they are both there and in good order. Hauling the trailer with the federal padlocks ON was the best thing ever. We pretty much were stopped about every second toll (by the federales) and asked to “abrir” or open the trailer- ‘can’t do’, and they looked at the locks and said, all is good. We did have a very positive interaction with a group of federales outside of Mexico City. They stopped us, wanted to look in the trailer, we threw our hands up and said, “we can’t”. We explained the situations, and told them we were now residente permanente, and they clapped and congratulated us- with real enthusiasm for our new ‘status’. Gave us the warm-fuzzies. All-in-all it took over 53 days to get from Canada to Playa del Carmen, with most of the holdup in Nogales at the border. We had spent almost 1 year getting a broker, organising, and arranging for our R.P, and it all seemed for naught. We had to arrange for a new broker because they one we had worked with for a year dropped us like a hot rock after running into roadblocks (a Canadian vehicle vs. USA), went through 2 more guys before we got Stevens International to helps us. I had spoken with Ramses Stevens probably 2 years ago, he was listed on the Rollybrook site. We should have just gone with him right from the beginning. He made it happen!! Reply

yucalandia says: November 23, 2014 at 1:50 pm

Hooray! and Congratulations! Reply

playaright says: November 23, 2014 at 8:27 pm

Grassy Ass… jijijiji Bruce McGovern says: November 24, 2014 at 3:18 pm

I have a year or two before changing to Permanent Resident Family Unity, and will be evaluating the probability of simply buying an older used Mexican Toyota Sienna. Reading all these tales, it sounds like the costs and hassle involved in importing our 2002 with nearly 213,000 miles might allow for a good start on a lower mileage Mexican vehicle. Though my wife’s view of things will be involved. At 200,000 miles, including nearly 50,000 miles in Mexico, she told me if I had tried harder, it would still be as good as new. Jijiji. So for family peace, I may be pressured to keep the one we have no matter how much fuss it will be to import. Reply

playaright says: November 24, 2014 at 7:36 pm

Hello Bruce, OH MY, now I do not want to cause you a divorce (jiji) but in my opinion it would not be worth it, and perhaps it will be taken out of your hands, because the potentially new NAFTA/Mexico rules indicate that only cars 10 years old and NEWER my be imported. You can read more details here on Yucalandia, but I am not sure how to direct you to that area. If was very stressful, and right now more so given the ‘crackdown’ at the USA/MEX border on importation of vehicles. Seems they have not been following the rules of formal EXPORTATION prior to importation and this has caused some very serious issues and changes. Bruce McGovern says: November 25, 2014 at 11:38 pm

Yes, if those Newer than ten years rules actually go into effect, I will have no choice. And, if there is no choice my wife will accept it of course. that actually makes things easier for me.

Karen says: November 24, 2014 at 5:43 pm

Playaright, I obviously missed something along the way so could you please explain the federal locks on the trailer you imported? Who, what, where, when, why, how much??? Obviously I’m asking because we plan to bring in a trailer in the near future. Reply

playaright says: November 24, 2014 at 7:59 pm

Hello Karen, if you look higher up under playaright, you might find a few more juicy tidbits:) When you cross in with a trailer (cargo) and a menaje de casa- that was our situation, aduanas does an inspection on the goods and trailer. Once they are satisfied, again in our case they didn’t check a single thing, they lock it up with very solid, numbered/registered steel locks, and locking pin style, and can only be cut off with large bolt cutters. We found ourselves in a very awkward, not to mention frustrating situation. We had our truck full of personal items, like toiletries, clothing, food, cookware and a full set of camping gear, which we used on the way through the USA and had planned to use in Mexico. At the time of import, the truck had to be empty, so we took everything we had, and put it in the trailer. And yes, that is where it stayed for another 3700 kms. We had to buy new EVERYTHING. So, first thing, don’t do what we did, secondly, the locks being on was the best thing that every happened to us, and lastly, not sure we would do this again- at least not the way the system is now. It was insanity. Our broker/forwarded had to work miracles, because at one point we had or trailer (not imported yet) sitting on the USA side of the border, and our truck, which was just minutes into being newly imported on the other side, and the gate was closing. They only allow importation for 3 hours. Our “guy” Ramses (Stevens International) had a guy borrow a truck to haul OUR trailer ACROSS the border to meet up with me on the other side- my husband was with the trailer and the menaje. There must of been over 50 vehicles, some in complete disrepair, all trying to go through the import process in 3 hours. It was scary, intimidating and dare right crazy- even with a professional helping us. He even commented that this just can’t continue like this… On the cost, it is super expensive. Our trailer is used, but still a 2013, 16 ft X 8 ft, and cost us $7000 CDN. The duty is huge, because they want to bring the trailer up to a similar trailer in value in Mexico. It was valued with IVA at almost $96,000, so you end up paying around $3000+ in import fees. Our agent gave us a package price, because we did 3 pedimentos, 1 for the truck, 1 for the trailer, and 1 for the menaje de casa. Lots of info I know, hope it helps. Reply

Karen says: November 24, 2014 at 9:43 pm

Thanks for the info, Playaright. It will probably be some months before we bring in our household goods in our trailer with a menaje de casa . By then…who knows…everything could be different. I’m glad it all worked out for you. Reply

Andre Massicotte says: December 3, 2014 at 2:49 pm

Hi Steve … The more I read, the more I get confused, I hope you’ll help me clarify my situation. A friend of mine (from Canada) rent an apartment in Puerto Vallarta area (Bucerias) and he’s been going around 2 months every year for about 10 years. He would like me to drive down a Volks Jetta 1988 (not NFTA) from Canada, and leave it there to use there. The car is in great shape He would also like his girlfriend (mexican res.) to be able to use the car and even thinking of putting the car to her name. From what I could see … not being a NAFTA car … I guess that’s ruling out importing in any way? Is the TIP permit, with driving down to the border every 6 months to renew the permit, the only way ? Can different persons (other then the owner) do the renewal ? With a TIP … can other persons drive the car ? Is it better to get the TIP permit before leaving Canada ? Is there some other way ? How much can it cost ? Excuse me if I ask questions that you have already answered, if you did You’re doing great work, very helpfull Thank you in advance Andre Massicotte Reply

yucalandia says: December 4, 2014 at 12:02 pm

Hi, There is no good way to accomplish all the things you want. The non-NAFTA car could be temporarily imported using a TIP, registered under a person’s Residente Temporal INM permit – which may be for up to 4 years, but when the Residente Temporal visa expires – the vehicle must leave Mexico. Mexicans are NOT allowed to drive the TIP vehicle, unless the owner is present in the vehicle. It is generally better to order the TIP online before coming to Mexico – where the expiration date of the TIP matches the type of INM permit: Visitante = 6 months. RT = 1 year, etc. TIP Costs are listed above. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Andre Massicotte says: December 4, 2014 at 12:16 pm

Thank you Steve … and we’ll definetly enjoy Mexico … with or without the car

Chelsea says: December 8, 2014 at 2:38 pm

Thanks for all of this useful information! I currently live in Guanajuato and I’m here on a tourist visa. However, I’m planning on applying for a temporary resident visa. I have a temporary import permit for my car that expires in May, but I’d rather fly back to the states to apply for the temporary resident visa rather than drive back to the border, and I just want to verify what you wrote in your update. From what you wrote, it sounds like I can apply for an extension of my 180 day temporary import permit if my visa status has changed so that I don’t lose my deposit, and then I can go to the Aduana office/Banjercito in Queretaro or DF to get the updated paperwork. Is that correct? It would be so nice to avoid that 20-hour round-trip ride to the border. Thanks for all of your help! Reply

yucalandia says: December 8, 2014 at 3:44 pm

Hi Chelsea, I think you misunderstand: You need to keep the same continuous visa in place (including renewals) to keep the vehicle TIP valid. When you surrender or cancel your visitante visa or allow your visitante visa to expire, then the TIP simutaneously expires on that date. You cannot change status from Visitante to Residente Temporal and keep the same TIP. You would have to take the car to a border, and get a new TIP ~ attached to your new Residente Temporal visa ~ when you cancel/surrender your Visitante visa. For better or worse, when you signed the contract / legal-agreement for your TIP permit with Aduana, you agreed in writing to take the vehicle out of the country before the Visitante visa expires or is cancelled/surrendered. Oh well, steve Reply

Chelsea says: December 8, 2014 at 4:34 pm

I understand what my obligations are and don’t really need to be lectured on them, thanks. What you wrote wasn’t clear, which is why I asked for clarification.

yucalandia says: December 8, 2014 at 6:59 pm

Hi Chelsea, What section or sentence of the article was unclear to you, so we can fix it? Thanks, steve

[email protected] says: December 8, 2014 at 8:54 pm

how can i stop being notified of new comments please? thank you

yucalandia says: December 9, 2014 at 7:26 am

Hi, The notification system is a part of our site’s host: WordPress’s function. I don’t know how, so, you could check the WordPress help – and search Google. Google describes entering your WordPress acccount and: “Look under: Settings > Discussion > E-mail me whenever — untick the box ” Hope this helps, steve

Bruce McGovern says: December 9, 2014 at 4:47 pm

Just a reminder here that if you come in on a FMM with 180 day TIP, and apply at the local INM office for a Temporary Resident Family Unity, you do not need to take the car to the border to extend the TIP. You take the TRFU when you get it, to the aduanas office and make up the extension form for you to keep in the car and they send a copy to Mexico City. Here in Puebla, a man and woman in an Aduanas pickup came to our house to give us the signed documents extending the TIP. I had to sign a number of documents sitting on my pretil. But as far as I know that is the only exception to the “go to the border” rule.

yucalandia says: December 9, 2014 at 6:09 pm

Hi Bruce, Nice. Aduana was not doing that back in 2013, so this is a nice change in policy. Your report confirms a similar report from people using Queretaro’s Aduana office. Thanks! steve

playaright says: December 8, 2014 at 7:34 pm

Nice reply Steve, mine would not have been. OUCH! Reply

Yolotraveller says: December 8, 2014 at 7:50 pm

Wow … Good thing you get paid so much for doing this thread …eh(CTDIU) Steve Reply

yucalandia says: December 9, 2014 at 9:54 am

funny! love it! Reply

KLM says: December 9, 2014 at 10:23 am

Hi Steve, I am several months out from relocating to Nayarit. Still in the planning phase of my move, but I’d like to run this thought out there and see if it floats. I already own a home and Mexican plated vehicle (which is in my Mexican friends name). I thought about buying a trailer in Mexico, having my friend drive it to my house in AZ, load it up with my household goods and driving it back. I would follow him in my US plated truck w/TIP (under my wife’s RT). Am I OK to assume that Aduana would not even bother him because of the MX plates and he is a citizen? I don’t think he’d even have to stop there. I wouldn’t want to draw any attention to him because I will need to stop and start my RP visa at the 20km checkpoint. (Nogales) Maybe have him drive ahead to the next town and catch-up with him there? Maybe a crazy enough plan? Do you see any pitfalls in such a plan? Oh yeah, the trailer I was looking at has Idaho plate but I figured that I’d just remove the plate because someone told be that such trailers don’t need plates… correct? Your thoughts or comments would be appreciated! Kirk Reply

KLM says: December 12, 2014 at 11:24 am

Hummm… I was hoping to hear from someone/anyone before I head down there next week. If this had been done before, bad idea, good idea, anything. Reply

playaright says: December 12, 2014 at 1:03 pm

Hi Kirk, I thought I would put my ‘two-bits’ in. The only thing we have to go on is our experience with crossing the border/doing a menaje de casa and importing our truck and trailer. Firstly, I have to say there is nothing (IMO) that is more intimidating than crossing an international border anyway. Now add into the mix a rather ‘unusual’ method and I think you increase the stress 10-fold. We saw numerous, by numerous I mean probably 50+ Mexicans with “stuff,’ being told to unload their trailer completely for inspection, or their loads were being scrutinized. An example was a guy with a 3 pieces of exercise equipment (treadmill, elliptical etc.). There is no doubt in my mind that you can buy that stuff in the USA at garage sales for cheap; he was only claiming $500 for all of it, and from what I could tell Aduanas was thinking more on the line of $500 EACH! A Mexican can’t import/bring into Mexico unlimited amount of stuff, and I think your friend would run into trouble- again I really don’t know, my that is what I gleaned off of this . On the trailer, as far as I know you need plates. We have now Mexican plates, insurance (liability) and registration for our newly Mexican trailer. Pretty sure taking them off is not a good idea. Ok, hope that helps, again going strictly from our experience, which was 3 weeks ago!!

yucalandia says: December 13, 2014 at 7:48 am

Hi Kirk, As a Mexican, he would likely have to pay Aduana duties on bringing your household stuff into Mexico. If you were the person driving the load, you likely would not have to pay any duties on household goods (see our article on Aduana/moving at https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/what-can-i-bring-into-mexico-mexican-customs-rules-the-article/ ) unless you bring in commercial quantities of stuff – enough for a business – or lots of tools and/or electronics. The Menaje de Casa rule was written to allow Americans to bring in their household goods as a part of NAFTA – esp. as a part of the 1990’s NAFTA push to open maquiladores – allowing American managers to easily move (temporarily) into Mexico. If you are going to try to use a Mexican to bring in your household goods, then you likely really need to be there personally with the load – both vehicles crossing together – and try to argue that it’s all your stuff. Since “your” Mexican-plated car is legally owned by the friend (registered in his name), I think you may have trouble convincing Aduana that it’s really “your” stuff – and even more trouble convincing them that it’s “your” car. ??? steve Reply

KLM says: December 16, 2014 at 12:46 pm

I appreciate the responses from playaright and Steve. Both replies made me rethink my plan and I have decided to just do it the right way. I’ll buy a trailer and just move it myself. I certainly don’t want to put my friend in any sort of hassle with Aduana. My plan is back to flying my friend up from the PV area and he will ride back with me. Main reason for that is my Spanish may not be good enough to deal with Aduana or others on my trip loaded down with household goods. The biggest hassle will be taking my truck and trailer back to the U.S. and cancel my TIP. But when I do I will just sell them and fly back. I have decided to just buy a Mexican vehicle vs going thru all the hassle of re-plating my vehicles. Again, thanks to playaright and Steve for your input. Kirk William Mann says: December 16, 2014 at 3:10 pm

Hi Steve, I have a friend in Mexico that I would “sell” my USA plated car to him. It is a 1999 Crown Victoria. Could I drive this car when I was there staying in my condo near Akumal. I only go 3-5 times a year for very short periods of time. Thanks for your help, Jack Mann

yucalandia says: December 16, 2014 at 4:37 pm

Hi William, Since the car is on your TIP, that TIP would expire when your Residente Temporal (or Visitante) expires, … correct? How would your friend (or you) keep a legal TIP on it? … or do you plan to use Q. Roo’s special status as a free zone (like Baja) where foreigners can continue to drive their US plated cars inside Q. Roo, with no TIP, as long as the US registration and plates are current? steve

William Jack Mann says: December 16, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Thanks Steve! I was not aware of the special rule for Q. Roo. That sounds like the best way to keep it at our condo. I do not have a TIP nor did I think it would work. Understand I am a novice at all of this. The only reason for me to sell(actually give)to my Mexican friend was to be able to have a car there but was not certain if he owned it could I drive it legally. If I did it this way he would be the owner and have local plates. I hope I am not causing confusion with my explanation. Thanks again, William Sent from my iPhone >

yucalandia says: December 17, 2014 at 8:05 am

Hi William, The new details of your situation help clarify things. Only a foreigner can drive the no-TIP foreign-plated car in the free zone of Q. Roo – so it might not work to go that way (because your Mexican friend could not legally drive it). Really, there’s no way for him to drive it, unless you take it to the US border and get it permanently imported into Mexico. The cost of driving a 15 year old vehicle to the US border and back (including the USA’s required 3 day CBP export process), plus the import costs may not be worth it.

Your best legal options are for you to cancel/surrender your TIP at the Belize/Chetumal border and bring it back in – while keeping current US license plates – for just foreigners to drive it – OR you keep your Residente Temporal current and keep the TIP current with Aduana through annual renewals – OR you take it to the free zone of Corazol and sell it there to a Belize-an business owner – OR sell it to a gringo-friend who can drive it https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/options-for-foreignplated-tip-car-owners-in-mexico-esp-for-permanentresidents/#Option%205%20%20Take%20your%20car%20to%20Belize%20to%20sell%20it%20to%20a%20gringo%20friend%20who%20h OR Option 6: Take your car to the Belize-Mexico border, and Sell it in Belize https://yucalandia.com/driving-inmexico-issues-fun/options-for-foreign-plated-tip-car-owners-in-mexico-esp-for-permanentresidents/#Option%206%20Take%20your%20car%20to%20the%20BelizeMexico%20border%20and%20sell%20it%20in%20Belize steve

Ian Bourne says: December 9, 2014 at 10:31 am

Steve, Why don’t you charge each of us scroungers $5 per request and help to go to the orphanage that you and your good lady support ? Do any of these good burgers know that you do that ? In the meantime, your patience is beyond belief. Hugs to you and your lady, Ian. PS Chelsea should pay at least $20 per time for her previously FREE service. Seriously Steve, let’s make a volunteer or whatever payment to the charity work in the orphanage that you do in Merida. I say make it compulsory. Reply

yucalandia says: December 9, 2014 at 11:02 am

Ian, You are gem…. Love it! If people want to donate, the (poor) girls school is called “Hogar Nueva Vida” – and supports 26 girls on the south side of Merida.

Hogar Nueva Vida (HNV): https://www.google.com.mx/search? q=Hogar+Nueva+Vida+Merida+images&biw=1025&bih=493&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=mCqHVLTIFo2RyATT_oCoAg&ved= and http://hnvmerida.blogspot.mx/p/what-is-hogar-nueva-vida.html and http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/3PCZ2XF2TCSQJ/ref=cm_wl_search_bin_1 Enjoy! steve Reply

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playaright says: December 16, 2014 at 4:20 pm

Bravo Kirk! I think this is a very good decision. If you have any questions with regards to the menaje etc, we may be able to help. Our import of goods went smoothly, of course this is relative to the mass chaos of importing the truck and trailer. Reply

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Dave says: December 31, 2014 at 7:00 pm

What ? Now we’re accepting commercials/advertizing on the forum ? There goes the neighborhood Reply

yucalandia says: December 31, 2014 at 7:52 pm

Didn’t sleep much last night, trying to get through a respiratory virus: Thanks for pointing out the 2 commercial ads that got past the guard-dogs. Happy New Year! steve Reply

W. Jack Mann says: January 5, 2015 at 2:18 pm

I have never taken this car into Mexico but would like to have it in the “free zone” near Akumal. It is a 1999 Crown Victoria with Oklahoma plates. How is the best way to take it Q. Roo? Can it be driven, shipped or hauled? If driven do I get a TIP then cancel that later. Thanks for your help. Jack Reply

yucalandia says: January 5, 2015 at 6:18 pm

Hi, It’s up to you. I would get a TIP and drive it… Shipping used to cost $800 (more or less) from Florida, – and $??? from Houston. Take the central Mexico route using toll roads and Arco Norte (staying out of Mexico City): Laredo, Nuevo Laredo, Queretaro, Puebla, Vera Cruz, Villahermosa, Chetumal, Akumal. You can cancel the TIP at the Aduana office on the Belize border outside Chetumal. See http://www.yucatanliving.com/destinations/driving-through-mexico-to-yucatan.htm for travel details. steve steve Reply

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KLM says: February 4, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Hi Steve, Another question, I plan on having my U.S. plated truck in Mexico with a TIP under my wife’s RT visa. She is getting the 4 yr type and getting the TIP online. The TIP will expire when her RT does, so… when we take the truck back NOB in 4 yrs or less, will I get my deposit back? I have searched for an answer and just cannot find one. Did I overlook it some where? Thanks! Kirk Reply

Roger Blair says: February 4, 2015 at 9:07 pm

Dear Steve, A friend moved to Mexico 2 months ago, and recently received his Temporary Residency. Thereafter, he reported to Aduana, and was told since he had obtained the TIP in his name only, only he could drive the car, not his wife. This seems strange. Many Americans get their TIP in only one name. In fact years ago I asked at the border when I got a TIP for it to be in both my wife and my name, but they wouldn’t do it, even though both names were on the title. It turned out to be a good thing, because later the car was totaled, and Aduana refused to remove the TIP from my name, because I did not report the car was totaled within 5 days of the accident. That was not possible, because the insurance company didn’t rule it as totalled until well after the 5 days. So I bought another car in the USA and brought it in in my wife’s name, since I couldn’t bring in another in my name. Of course we both drove the cars, not just the one whose name was recorded with the TIP. Anyway, I know a lot of Americans who are married but the TIP is registered in just one name, and both drive the car. Could this be a problem, or is Aduana in Leon incorrect? Thanks, Roger Reply

Dottie says: February 7, 2015 at 11:00 am

Good morning. I am not sure this is the proper place for this question, so please excuse. We are presently waiting for our “Permanente” status, which should arrive next week. The sticker on our truck expired Jan 25th, 2015, as we thought since we were moving from temporary to permanente, we couldn’t extend it. So we are currently working with a Customs Broker to legalize our vehicle, but the border seems closes to legalizing right now, and she says we will have to wait until March. Meanwhile, our truck is illegal and we are afraid to drive it. We live in Nayarit. Is there a temporary plate or paperwork that we can file for to show that we are in process? Also, my other question is that if we legalize our truck, will it be legal in the US? We drive back and forth and want to be able to use the truck in the US, keeping our US plates for there, changing to Mexican plates for when here. We spend 6 months in each place. I have heard it is possible to do this from some, and others say it is not possible. Any advice would be very much appreciated. Reply

yucalandia says: February 7, 2015 at 1:22 pm

Hi Dottie, There is no way to legally drive your truck since Jan 25, 2015, unless you get a 5 day Retorno Seguro permit to drive it to the border. Mexican plated vehicles can be driven into the USA easily (no hassles), and kept in the USA for up to 1 year. If you nationalize your vehicle, realize that Homeland Security/Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) has had rules requiring ALL American-titled vehicles must be formally exported from the USA – using a 3 day CBP at-the-border inspection process – before exporting them to Mexico or Canada. The CBP cancels your US title – foiling the dual-plate scheme , and since October 2014, Mexico Aduana requires “cancelled” American titles before they permanently import the US-titled vehicle into the country – so fully-legal import processes are requiring the CBP 3 day export. Best of Luck ! steve Reply

Andre Massicotte says: February 20, 2015 at 8:31 am

Hi Steve I am planning to spend 5 months / year in Bucerias . I would like to know if I can purchase, insure and drive a Motorcycle in Mexico . Would I be able to bring it to Canada after . Thank you Andre Reply

Gabriel Heiser says: February 27, 2015 at 10:07 am

I’m happy to say that I finally got my 2006 Ford Escape TIP extended to match my Residente Temporal. I live in San Miguel de Allende so I drove to the aduana in Queretaro (by the airport). After meeting the official there and filling out and signing a few forms, she told me it would be sent to Mexico City. I kept checking the online verification site at https://portalsat.plataforma.sat.gob.mx/aduanas_cpitv_internet/index.aspx and finally I see the date was properly extended. Yay! Previously, it showed the date 6 months from my date of entry into Mexico, before I obtained my one-year RT. When I extend my RT this year (I plan to buy the three-year extension to save a few dollars) will the car date also be extended automatically to match the RT date? Thanks! Reply

Gabriel Heiser says: February 27, 2015 at 10:15 am

Another question: Does this automatically stay the transfer of my $300 deposit with Banjercito I made when crossing the border in September to the new date? Do I need to contact Banjercito or does their system update when aduana updates their records? Thanks. Reply

yucalandia says: February 28, 2015 at 12:20 am

Hi Gabriel, Recovering your deposit with Banjercito may be an issue. If you notified Aduana of your new INM permit expiration date about 2 weeks before the TIP expired, Aduana has time to notify Banjercito to maintain the deposit. If Aduana was not able to notify Banjercito of the new TIP expiration date, within 15 days of the old TIP expiration date, the Banjercito computer auto-confiscates the deposit. Once confiscated, it’s very difficult to get Banjercito to refund the deposit. steve

Gabriel Heiser says: February 28, 2015 at 9:11 am

Actually the original expiration date has not arrived, yet: March 20, 2015.

yucalandia says: February 28, 2015 at 9:26 am

GREAT!

yucalandia says: February 28, 2015 at 12:17 am

Hi Gabriel, Yes, Aduana’s policy is to extend the date of your TIP expiration to match the expiration date of your INM permit. Glad that it worked out fine for you. steve Reply

David says: February 28, 2015 at 12:43 am

Maybe Steve has heard different but we were told by Aduana and Migracion in Tuxpan that buying a three year R/T does NOT get you an automatic 3 year extension on your TIP The TIP is only extended for one year at a time and you therefore have to notify Aduana/Banjercito each year by re-submitting copies of your R/T document. Also DON’T rely on local Aduanas to notify Banjercito within the time frame allowed. We found out the hard way that local Aduana offices submit your papers to Aduana Central in Mexico City and then they pass the info on to Banjercito. Our local Aduana screwed up and didn’t notify Mexico City in time for them to contact Banjercity although WE filed the papers in plenty of time … and therefore we lost our deposit. As also mentioned … you will play hell trying to get it back even it was not your fault for the screw-up… so be careful !!! Reply

yucalandia says: February 28, 2015 at 9:37 am

Hi David, Excellent point about the variations between Aduana office policies. Our Progreso Aduana office (and other offices) have given 2 yr. and 3 yr expiration dates on TIPs in the past, but we have heard 2 other reports from around Mexico that their Aduana office only offered 1 year extensions. Overall, Aduana in DF may have shifted to just 1 year extensions of TIPs, but we have not read or heard anything official on this. CHECK with your Aduana office on this policy. Thanks for the excellent updates on how things work in Tuxpan, and yes, once Banjercito has confiscated the deposits (regardless of whose fault or error), good attorneys like Lic. Spencer McMullen have been battling (mostly unsuccessfully so far) to try to recover the deposits and to try to get Aduana/Banjercito to change the policy. As some further leverage for us in this area, Lic. McMullen has pointed out that the Mexican Govt’s official legal standard on exemption “days” is that unless otherwise specified as calendar days in the law, then the default legal interpretation of a “day” is a business day => which means the “15 day” deadline for filing for TIP extensions with Aduana should be 15 business days (3 weeks) and not the 15 calendar days that the Banjercito computer programs apply. We’ll report more on the success or failure of Spencer’s efforts to improve things in these legal areas in the future. Reply

Lenka says: March 1, 2015 at 1:27 pm

Hi Steve, great page, I am reading it for hours I have as well a question. We are travelling through Mexico by car but because of lack of money we were thinking to go back to Europe for summer, earn money and come back. I have already found out what I can do with the car to leave it here legally. I was told to go to Chetamul/Belize boarder, have TIP removed, find a place to safely park it somewhere in Quintana Roo, because it is a free zone, don’t need a TIP. When I come back after 8 months, go to the border and get a new TIP…Do you know about any link in spanish that says that Quintana Roo is free zone and that I do not need TIP there? Because I have heard that even in QR were some cars confiscated because they did not have TIP. Thank you Lenka

yucalandia says: March 1, 2015 at 8:53 pm

Hi Lenka, In earlier posts (above) we reference the Aduana/SAT website describing: “According to SAT/Aduana law on the Free Zones of Baja California, Baja Californa Sur, and Q. Roo, yes, foreigners can drive their foreign plated cars in these special Free Zones with no Temporary Import Permit (TIP) as long as they maintain current valid foreign registrations and plates and maintain Mexican insurance. (I specify Free Zone, because not all border/Frontera states are Free Zones.) One friend of ours carries a letter from Aduana Distrito Federal headquarters confirming this to show to Q. Roo police. The police sometimes get cranky, especially the ones who want a bribe, but you have the law on your side. ” http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_10128.html clearly identifies Q. Roo as an official free zone. “We’ve checked with the main Aduana offices DF, and we have formal mail from them on SAT letterhead confirming that Q. Roo is a Free Zone, with all the same rights and privileges as Baja Caifornia and Baja California Sur with specific instructions from Aduana DF that legal foreigners are fully allowed to drive their foreign-plated cars in the Free Zones with no permits required from Aduana, as long as: 1. They only drive within the Free Zone (no entering Yucatan state or Campeche state or Tabasco); 2. The driver has a valid driver’s license; 3. The car has appropriate insurance; and 4. The car has valid/current US or Canadian or Belizian plates, sticker, => current valid registration back in their home country. Re references: Know that you only have to prove that Q.Roo is a special Free Zone (which is why we only cite the one reference) because the Free Zones have the same rights. ” Happy Trails, steve

Lenka says: March 2, 2015 at 2:14 pm

Hi Steve, thank you. Do you have maybe another link, this one does not exist anymore – the page cannot be found…. Lenka Reply

Bruce McGovern says: March 13, 2015 at 10:27 pm

Last Thursday, I drove to Puebla to get my family unity temporary residence extended for another year. I got notice on Wednesday afternoon that it was completed. A cousin was going to go with me, since having a passenger makes the cops less aggressive, in my experience. We drove today and got the new card. Very easy, and as always the Puebla office is totally friendly and pleasant. We park in the Angelopolis shopping center and take a taxi within the city. After I got the new card, we took a taxi to the Aduanas office over near the big soccer stadium. Last year, they took my request for extension of the import permit to match my immigration status and said it had to be mailed to DF Over a month later, a pickup with two officials in it came to my village and gave me the approved documents. This year, they sent me packing and said a licenciado comes Tuesday from 9 am till 2 pm. It sounds like instant acceptance or rejection. And, I theorize it might be cheaper to have everyone come to the customs office rather than run a brand new pickupwith two officials in it, all over the state every day. Only the official has to come once a week. Well I will let you know what happens. Then, we took a taxi back across Puebla to the Toyota dealer down the street from the Angelopolis shopping center where my Sienna was parked. I wanted to know what I am facing if they do stop importing older cars. My 2002 has around 213,000 miles on it and runs out great. If I can’t import it, I want the oldest Sienna I can find that is in good shape. The Used car office said the oldest they handle is 2007, and they simply gave me the list. A Sienna 2007 runs around 155,000 pesos and has around 122,000 km on it. The most expensive Sienna was a 2014 Limited for 565,000 pesos.. But if possible I want the car I own now. If I move the gear selector to N, it disconnects the motor from the transmission. And, if I turn the key to off, the motor stops. I also want to be able to remove a drain plug, drop 3 quarts of transmission fluid, put the drain plug back in, and put in 3 quarts of new fluid. Also, at one point the manual sliding door stopped opening. My builder took off the door liner and I discovered an undocumented adjustment. So, fixing the stuck door cost not a penny except for the builder’s daily wage of 300 pesos. I posted that undocumented adjustment on the Sienna Chat board, which delighted several Sienna owners who thought they were facing expensive repairs.. As always, I will update when anything useful happens. Reply

yucalandia says: March 14, 2015 at 7:35 am

Good good stuff! Bruce’s good reports show how individual Aduana offices continue to march to their own drummers. steve Reply

David says: March 14, 2015 at 11:45 am

Bruce, if you live to be 100 you will never understand how the Mexican beaurocratic mind works. For a country where the peso is even more almighty than the dollar and where corruption and graft is ingrained it often seems that officialdom deliberately cuts off it’s nose to spite it’s face. It may be a noble idea to get rid of older vehicles but the concept is not applied across the board … only to foreigners it seems. Probably well over 1/2 the ” Mexican ” vehicles on the road are over 15 years old and definitely not as well maintained as yours. We have a 2005 vehicle in ” excellent mechanical shape ” and well maintained but because it is a non-nafta vehicle, when it came time for us by law ( with no other feasibly economic reason ) to switch from R/T to R/P. we could not legally import our vehicle that we had already driven in Mexico as R/T for some 8 years. Sure there were shady ways to get around it but it would have wound up costing us more in fees and bribes than what we paid for the car and then it still has to be licensed and plated each year. We decided ” screw it ‘ and elected not to go R/T but just to revert back to ” tourist ” visitante status and renew the immigration document every six months if need be. This way we get to keep and drive our non-nafta vehicle legally in Mexico and every six months we get our deposit back and do it all over again. The cost of tourist permits ( you can’t count the deposit because you keep getting it back ), allows us to come and go for 12 years for the same money we would have had to spend to go R/T , import a vehicle and jump through all the hoops. For us … a no brainer yet officialdom doesn’t seem to realize how much money they are losing by being bull headed Reply

gabrielheiser says: March 14, 2015 at 12:14 pm

I think you meant you did not want to go to R/P (residente permanente) and decided to keep renewing your R/T (residente temporal), which is an annual renewal process. As stated elsewhere on this site, you do not need to import your car (whether or not a non-NAFTA car) as a R/T, only if you become a R/P. I just wanted to clear that up. So, I am not sure why you went back to the every-six-months tourist visa route. David says: March 14, 2015 at 1:40 pm

Gabrielheiser ….. sorry maybe you misunderstood. We had reached the limit in being able to renew the R/T status each year automatically….. ( and the matching automatic renewal of the TIP … which requires relying on the local Aduana to file your TIP renewal request in time, otherwise you lose your deposit. and as discussed in another post, you CAN’T rely on them ) …… so the only other two choices were to go R/P or revert back to tourist status UNLESS we wanted to go to the reapply at a consulate in the U.S. route, for a few more years at a time of R/T and I don’t think you can do that forever ( and it’s still costly ) Also with the new law about cars …. unless you come in as a tourist, maybe even with an R/T they will stop allowing cars past a certain age … again they are fickle. So given that, it made more economic sense to go back to tourist status and it gives us an excuse to go back to the U.S., every six months for a shopping trip or a vacation

Bruce McGovern says: March 14, 2015 at 8:30 am

A minor technical point, if a bit tongue in cheek. I worked in the same area in the electronic factory as a younger brother. He told people that to understand me they had to know I marched to a different drum. He misunderstands. Like the aduanas, I don’t march to a drum at all. I just march! Reply

Roger Blair says: March 14, 2015 at 8:50 am

Hey Steve, I left a comment a month or two ago, but never got your response. What I mentioned was that a friend who has recently moved to Mexico after getting his Residente Temporal at Imigracion, then notified Aduana in Leon, GTO, and was told that only he could drive the car, not his wife (unless he was in the car), since only his name was on the TIP, not hers. I recall some years ago when I brought my car into the country and got my TIP that the officials where I got the TIP wouldn’t allow both names on the permit, even though the orginal Pennsylvana car title was in both names, so they just put the TIP in my name only. (It’s a mute point now since as a Permanent Resident my car has been nationalized.) However, I have a number of American friends here and both spouses drive their cars, often alone, even though again the TIP is in just one of their names. So far my friend first mentioned above is not permitting his wife to drive the car out of fear of the car being impounded. Does this make sense? In hindsight it worked well for the TIP to be in my name only, because we were in an accident and the car was totalled. The car was impounded and we had to go to the Ministerial Publico using a lawyer to get it out 69 days later (even though we were insured and not responsible for the accident), so the insurance company could finally get the car and give us an estimate for repairs. Only then, did they declare the car totalled. I then immediately notified Aduana that the car was totalled, and filed papers for the TIP to be canceled so I could bring another car into the country. However, they denied my request, because they said the law required that I report the car as totalled within 5 days of the accident. Of course as mentioned the car wasn’t declared “totalled” by the insurance company until over 2 months after the accident, and it wasn’t clear whether it would be or not, but It didn’t matter to Aduana. They had no flexibility. Anyway, we did bring in another car from Texas, but this time the TIP had to be in my wife’s name, since I couldn’t bring another car in. So, as mentioned, it worked out in our favor that our first car was in my name only. Of course I drove the car alone frequently, though the TIP was in her name only. I might add that now that the car is nationalized it is still just in my wife’s name. We had asked the broker if it could be put in both names, but he either wasn’t able to do so, or failed to do so. Regards, Roger Blair Reply

yucalandia says: March 14, 2015 at 11:59 am

Hi Roger, See Article 106 (see article above) of the Ley Aduanera: It clearly identifies the spouses and family members of the TIP holder as eligible to drive a TIP vehicle without the TIP holder present. As we have advised above for the past 9 years, TIP holders should keep both English-language and Spanish versions of Article 106 in their TIP cars, to show police who don’t know Customs/Aduana law. The local Aduana folks simply don’t know Mexican law, which is a little disappointing because Article 106 has been in place for at least 10 years. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: March 14, 2015 at 6:57 pm

>>Bruce, if you live to be 100 you will never understand how the Mexican beaurocratic mind works. I did not actually say I did not understand the bureaucratic mind. I worked for 31 years in a US contract defense plant. The first error is when one assumes there is a mind behind what happens. No, one simply waits patiently to see what happens next and then try to cope with it if you can. That is why I went car shopping, to be ready in case I can’t import my existing car. That decision will be made only after I find out for sure I can’t import the 2002. Always have a back-up plan. I was a Scout Leader for some years. I try to never be totally surprised by anything. A friend once announced I was the only person he knew who had a contingency plan in case an asteroid strikes the planet. Let me say I certainly understand why folks wnat to bring their cars with them. I do. But, I think some of it sometimes is: Where do I get mechanical repairs and body repairs for a Mexican car? This is one of those things you learn with time. For example, in my lilttle village is a man who did body repair for 15 years in Phoenix. Last year, the fourth car in line failed to stop when a man fell out of a moving transport van. My rear hatch got totally thumped. Now, you can’t tell it was ever hit, and it cost less than $250 USD. If you can bring your car, do. But, if not, you can live with a Mexican car. Reply

Karen says: March 22, 2015 at 12:14 am

Can anyone tell me what the penalties are for a permanent resident caught driving a foreign-plated car? I understand that there is some question about whether or not the car can be confiscated. But are there any fines or prison terms associated with this? Is it in the law somewhere that I can print out? Thanks. Reply

yucalandia says: March 22, 2015 at 6:31 pm

Hi Karen, There are not questions about Residente Permanente owners of foreign-plated cars driving them in Mexico, it simply has been prohibited since March of 2012. The official penalty is confiscation for being caught driving a foreign-plated car outside of the border zones or outside the free-zone states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, part of Sonora, and Quintana Roo. Just as the USA enforces their laws only some of the time, Mexico enforces her laws only some of the time. Not every accident nor every traffic stop of a Residente Permanente illegally operating their foreign-plated car in Mexico results in a confiscation. Just like US cops ignore lots of US violations, Mexican cops ignore some violations – sometimes because they don’t know the law. There are no published prison terms listed and no published fines listed in Mexican federal law for this violation – just vehicle confiscation. If the Mexican police believe there was some other violation, (like fraud), then they may detain us. There have been some vehicle confiscations, and according to the very good lawyer Spencer McMullin, he was able to resolve the problems, but the solutions involved paying substantial fines. As these fines and the details are a matter of Spencer’s private clients, we do not know the details. You could contact Spencer at Chapalalaw.com for details. Fortunately, there is currently no evidence of a nationwide effort by Mexican law enforcement to track down Residente Permanentes operating their foreign-plated vehicles, but there are still risks. Consider that if you have an accident, and someone is accidentally killed, triggering $3 million to $5 million peso cash payouts owed to the victim’s family, your insurance company can likely use fine-print clauses about a requirement to keep the vehicle legal as an excuse to deny payment/coverage of any claims – if they figure out that the foreign-plated car is illegal. Unfortunately, in this case (of no effective insurance), we are sent to jail indefinitely until our family members or lawyer can prove that we have the assets/cash to pay ALL damages => which is where the threat of jail time enters in. Further, if your car is stolen, then our insurance likely does not pay (for that same reason of operating an illegal vehicle), AND then Aduana hits us with an additional 40% surcharge of the value of the vehicle (of the temporary import date/value) – as we cannot take the vehicle out of the country as promised (and Aduana suspects we may have illegally sold the vehicle inside Mexico – and falsely claimed “it was stolen”) … e.g. If our TIP vehicle was worth $15,000 USD when we temporarily imported it, and it is stolen, then we owe Aduana $6,000 USD for not cancelling the TIP and not taking the vehicle out of the country. https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-inmexico/#What%20Happens%20if%20Your%20Foreign%20Plated%20Car%20is%20Stolen Had you considered these things? Fortunately, these horrible scenarios are low-likelihood events, and we have only gotten one written report here about a Residente Permanente whose car was stolen – and denied insurance coverage. … We have also only read 2 reports of Americans being temporarily jailed and vehicles confiscated for driving an illegal foreign-plated car. steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: April 2, 2015 at 8:27 pm

I forget if I updated my recent renewing of my temporary residency, Family Unity in Puebla. If I did this will be a duplicate. They did tell me next year I am supposed to go to Permanent resident, which we all admit means I can no longer import my vehicle temporarily. After I got my new card, we took a taxi to the Aduanas office near the big stadium. We walked in and a man told us the licenciada was not there so we had to come back the next Tuesday. We did. The licenciada happened to be the receptionist. Sigh! They had me go into the aduana in charge of temporary car import renewals. As was the case last year, they took the info and said it had to go into DF to be approved. This time they told me it would be brought to my house as it was last year. But, they added if we didn’t happen to be there when they came, they would leave an appointment paper telling us when they were coming back. The man also stated he could import my car for me. That would seem to contradict everything we have been told for a 2002 Toyota. I thought of going back and asking him about it. But I will probably contact a broker in the McAllen/Reynosa area when I go back in October. I also want to replace the O2 sensors and input a service bulletin on my car widens the specs on the cat efficiency tests. I did tell him there had been rumors on the Web that older cars might be prohibited from nationalizing. He said he has heard no discussion on anything like that. Almost forgot. I supplied a Constancy form for my wife showing her address and signed by the Municipal president. Another employee pointed out that I did not have evidence of my domicilio. This man quickly pointed out it was my wife’s document. Well, it is family unity. A rare case of intelligence winning out! But, I am going to try to get one for next time. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: April 3, 2015 at 9:14 pm

I do have a question on importing cars. I expect to look for a broker in the Reynosa/McAllen area. Would all the car brokers be on the Mexican side, or is it conceivable they might have an office on the US side? Or, no one knows? Reply

Debbie says: April 24, 2015 at 11:20 am

Does anyone know of I can buy a Toyota truck in Mexico with Mexican plates can I put it in a nationals name and drive it with my Canadian drivers licence legally ??. Reply

yucalandia says: April 24, 2015 at 3:23 pm

Hi Debbie, You would have to list the Mexican as the owner of the truck, with them registering it and paying state registration and applicable tax fees every year. Insurance would be similar. It would be good to carry a notarized letter from the Mexican owner giving you permission to drive it. steve Reply

Dave says: April 24, 2015 at 10:14 pm

Steve ….. Why would she have to put the car in a Mexicans name ? I bought a used pick-up up here in Veracruz state from a Mexican and registered it in my own name and just renew the license each year and I drive it using my U.S. license. Been stopped often and cops seem to think everything is o.k Also have a friend in Cancun area who bought a used car from a Mexican and registered it in his name and he drives using a Canadian license. Are we missing something ? Reply

yucalandia says: April 25, 2015 at 7:58 am

Hi Dave, She’s likely staying in Mexico on Visitors Visas, and is not eligible to register a Mexican car in her own name. Foreigners with residency, RT or RP, are allowed to buy and register cars, but temporary visitors are not. steve Reply

Dave says: April 25, 2015 at 8:35 am

Steve …. you may be right about the RP/RT thing because when I bought my truck I still had R/T and of course any time I’ve been stopped they only ask for car paper and drivers ….never immigration papers ….. HOWEVER . My friend in Cancun has only had Visitors visas for the entire 12 years he has been coning down here…….. is Q.R. different because of their strange rules for cars. ?

Yolotraveller says: April 25, 2015 at 10:23 am

As a Canadian on a tourist visa I was able to register my Mexican motorcycle on my Canuck licence in PDC Reply

Debbie says: April 25, 2015 at 12:40 pm

Your right Steve I have a place on Bacalar Lake and enter Mexico on a visitors visa. I want to buy the truck and leave it down there. Not sure that I will even try and get my Fm3. It sounds like from other people that have made posts that when people were registering these mexician vehicles that the office never checked their visa status not sure from the posts if they checked to see drivers licence at the time of registering the motorcycle and the car in Cancun. Reply

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Andre Massicotte says: July 16, 2015 at 6:57 am

Hi Steve Can I drive down the car of a friend into Mexico ( From Canada ). I would bring it back after 5 months. I have read that only the owner can cross at the border … but have been told that it could be ok if I have a letter authorizing me to drive the vehicule. My friend would make a few entrances and exits from Mexico during these 5 months And … could I drive the car in Mexico during the 5 months. Thank you Reply

yucalandia says: July 16, 2015 at 8:29 pm

Hi Andre, Yes, with a notarized letter from the owner, you could drive the car in and out of Mexico. Reports from the border for exiting and returning are of several minds. ~ There was an Aduana program in the past where you request a free multiple exit and reentry letter from Aduana at the border. ~ People who live at the border (like in Nuevo Laredo) that they have TIP vehicles, and they just drive in and out – taking no special actions. ~ A friend who shuttles TIP cars to the border (for sale in Texas) as a business said that he just tells the border Aduana folks that he’s exiting for a day or three, and they welcome him back everytime. Note that whomever brings the vehicle in the first time will have the TIP issued in their name, associated with their INM visa … Safe travels, steve Reply

Andre Massicotte says: July 16, 2015 at 9:36 pm

Ok to cross the border with a notarized letter from the owner saying it is ok for me to drive the car in Mexico . Now since the TIP will be under my name and associated with my INM visa , I will be able to drive the car in Mexico and will have to bring it back to the border. But my friend, the owner, will fly in … Since the TIP will be under my name : No problems for him to drive his car ? Since the owner name and TIP are different : Insurance ? And last … Is it true a mexican resident can’t drive a TIP vehicule Thanks again …. you are very usefull I will have to donate to the school you mentioned before

yucalandia says: July 17, 2015 at 6:20 am

Hi Andre, As described above in the section on who can drive a TIP car (from Article 106 of the Ley Aduanera), any foreigner with the same class of visa of the TIP holder can drive the vehicle. Also in that section: a Mexican can drive the vehicle if the TIP holder is in the vehicle. steve

Andre Massicotte says: July 17, 2015 at 6:32 am

Thanks Steve

yucalandia says: July 19, 2015 at 7:15 am

Hi Andre, In the last 4 days SAT just announced a new big crackdown at the border with problems with both Aduana agents and brokers. They report $$ millions in fraud, and especially with funny business on bringing in cars. I am not saying that you will definitely have a problem, but when they’ve had changes and crackdowns in the past, sometimes they change the loose policies on the things that they used to allow (things that were not specified in the law). I’ll do some checking around to try to find out if they are still allowing what you propose, but in the meantime it would be great to hear from someone who has been through the border with current information about if Andre can bring someone else’s car into Mexico on a TIP, using a notarized letter of authorization from the owner. steve

Andre Massicotte says: July 19, 2015 at 12:53 pm

Thanks again Steve …. my trip is schedules for November so I have some times ahead to see how it’s going …. And Thanks to the peoples who will talk about their experience at the crossing Reply

Dirk says: July 29, 2015 at 10:30 am

Steve the vehicle thing is enough to drive you crazy. As someone who try’s to follow the law here, while most don’t, it amazes me. 9 out of 10 blow through the border and do not cancel their permit. Many use the excuse (legitimate) “That the place that cancels the permits is only open 4 hours a day” I know many who get a TIP and use it as a “Border Pass” returning to the USA/CAN many times over 6 months never getting a new one or canceling till it expires. They do this because they are “Too Cheap” to cancel and pay for another each time they go back to the US. I’m not talking a “Grocery Run” although LEGALLY you have to cancel it for that too. What I am writing about is a trick that REALLY works. IF you have an old “Expired TIP” and have been denied a new one at the border for THE SAME or another car, (Because of an expired non-returned or cancelled permit, TIP) simply go online to the “BANJERCITO” website and buy it there, works EVERY time. We have told many, many of this trick, including a couple who failed to cancel a TIP about 5 years ago, they would not issue another at the border for the same car. Since they own a house here, they were simply blowing through the border, WITH NO VEHICLE PERMIT !!! driving to their home here every 6 months. Their attitude screw MEXICO if they did not have the border permit station open at 2:45 am when we crossed, so we could cancel our permit it’s their problem not ours! I told them about buying direct online through “Banjercito” and it worked, they got the new permit (TIP) for their car which had been denied 3 x’s at the border due to the old un-cancelled permit, and in the exact same name and address as the prior expired non-cancelled TIP. Apparently the online purchase of a new TIP, does not or can not check the fact that you have an outstanding un-cancelled permit for that vehicle, or another in your name. This trick has worked for many who illegally sold their TIP car to a Mexican or amer/can here, and have an outstanding expired noncancelled TIP. As to the “Importing” of foreign vehicles, which I understand is now closed (?), I argue with many people EVERY day who “IMPORTED” their car without it EVER leaving Mexico. This is illegal, ALL the paperwork “FAKE” and yet they want to argue it is legal. When the government “Sucker Punched” us into getting “Residente Permanente” then said “you can no longer have a foreign plated car here” immediately ads popped up like this one, “Do you live in New Deli India? Is your car PRESENTLY in Newark New Jersey? Are you presently in Australia? WELL GUESS WHAT? WE CAN NATIONILIZE YOUR CAR IN 24 HOURS !!!! 13 Mexican Officials went to jail over this one, all because of YOU ! The cheap lazy ex-pat who would NOT drive their vehicle back and import it legally, wanna know why importing vehicles is shut down ? Just take a guess! Because a bunch of crooked ex-pats wanted to get around the law, ruining it for the rest of us. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: July 30, 2015 at 7:39 am

I could sure use an explanation of Dirk’s posting. Are car imports closed down? Does that mean nationalizing cars is no longer allowed? I don’t get what he is telling us. I do know in April the Aduanas agent in Puebla told us he could nationalize my 2002 Sienna, even to notifying the US that it is exported. if this is truly illegal, I’d like to know. Of course, we would rather keep driving the 2002 Sienna. With 216,000 miles it is still stable and reliable, and a newer one here would cost over $10,000 USD. But, if I must buy a Mexican car, I will. I do not want to be caught doing anything illegal. It simply is not worth it. Also, I must wonder if using on-line to purchase a TIP when they know they are not supposed to do so, is much better than the other things mentioned. Just curious. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: July 30, 2015 at 8:07 am

I can of course only go by personal experience. But, whenever I hit the first inspection station just west of Reynosa, they examine my TIP paperwork carefully, even checking the numbers versus the window sticker. And, at every reten the same. And, sometimes Federal or state police simply want to make sure I am legal, and stop me to check that paperwork. One mistake people make is assuming their personal experience is the same all over Mexico. I am not saying that. But, I am saying anyone who enters at Reynosa and drives south via Matehuala does not “blow through” without a valid TIP. Too many people look at that paperwork on the way.And, likewise when I am in my home territory. Reply

Dave says: July 30, 2015 at 8:10 pm

Just a note of interest for those who use this route, We came north from Vera Cruz in mid May of this year and at that time, the brand new Inspection/Immigration station on the west side of the road ( going south from Matamoros ) … about 50 miles south of Matamoros, was closed and boarded up and had been for the past 6 months at least. When we came down from the U.S. in November of 2014 it was closed and again going back to the U.S in Feb for a short shopping trip it was still closed both coming and going. Don’t know why ??? maybe ran out of money but as of May 2015 it was a straight run through to Vera Cruz with NO checks except for military and police. The only TIP check was actually crossing the border at Matamoros and if you have an existing TIP on the windshield and you use the old military bridge crossing ( down past the Greyhound bus station ) you can breeze through 99% of the time with either a green light or a cursory check of your vehicle papers and then you’re home free from there south. Unless you have to buy a TIP ( which they don’t sell at the old military crossing ) we always use the old crossing …. much easier and no hassles like the the old main bridge and the new International bridge. Only drawback is you have to drive right through the middle of downtown Matamoros but during daylight hours, we have never ( in 10 years ) had any trouble. Just keep your windows closed/doors locked and obey the speed limit because the transito cops are always looking to give you a ticket for speeding. Bien viaje. Reply

yucalandia says: July 31, 2015 at 8:19 am

With all the nationalized Aduana and INM computerized checks of our passports, TIP information, etc, the Mex. Gob. closed all of those 25-27 km stations about a year ago. … (I personally suspect that most Americans who cross into Mexico under the program of staying inside the 25 km border, actually stay in the border area, which means the foreigners who exit the 25km border zone already have passed Mexico’s INM/Aduana checks when they successfully cross at the border => making the 25 km checks redundant and unnecessary.) Glad you had good experiences with the Matamoros crossing – Vera Cruz trip. ~ We still suggest that people drive just a little more east and use the Nuevo Laredo/Laredo crossing – since friends were car-jacked and threatened with death on the Matamoros – Coast Road route – not that long ago. Reports from Americans who live in that area, and travel it for work have NOT reported any improvements in the too-frequently poor safety conditions for tourists transiting Tamaulipas and Vera Cruz on the Coast Road. plus, many of us don’t like the 5,000 big topes, and all the tiny towns on the Coast Road, which combine to make the Coast Road a longer trip – with more vehicle damage than the inland toll-road route(s). … The Coast Road also goes much further west than people imagine (due to the curve of the Gulf of Mexico), so the Coast Road does not offer that much less shorter mileage than then inland tollway route(s). Gas-mileage/fuel-economy also has been rotten on the Coast Road due to all the stops, slow downs, and herky-jerky lurching travel. People interested in a point-by-point comparison of the 2 routes can read about how the central route is faster and safer at: http://www.yucatanliving.com/destinations/driving-through-mexico-to-yucatan.htm People who don’t mind the topes, the slow trucks, and slowing down to crawl through all the little towns on the Coast Road – and who believe they can bluff/talk their way out of hold-ups by narcos/kidnappers/extortionists, should continue to enjoy the Coast Road. Note: The friends who were kidnapped finally were released when they pointed out how shabby (worn out) their shoes were – as proof that they didn’t have $$ to pay ransoms. Driving the Coast Road as Americans or Canadians? Based on recent past experiences by highly-experienced USA-Yucatan travelers: Wear holey worn clothes and shabby shoes – and avoid any shows of even modest affluence ? (no jewelry, no nice watches, etc) … look and act like vagabondos. … and don’t try to out-drive menacing guys with automatic weapons. To each his own, Happy Trails, steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: July 31, 2015 at 2:01 pm

I, too, have driven both the coastal route and the Hwy 57 route. The coastal route is really rough, or was last time I did it. We were driving along and hit what was similar to a curb, made of bulged asphalt.. Totally destroyed a front tire. Also, Guia Roji maps were so erroneous as to be harmful. We did it several times and said ENOUGH. We went 57 even before Arco Norte was done, and had to drive via Pachuca, a long hard trip. Now, we enter at Reynosa via Anzalduas, (we live in McAllen when we are not in Mexico,nso Laredo is not an option) head west to Hwy 57 and south, Coastal route is pretty bad. We used to drive to a no-tell near Sn Jose Iturbide, but night driving on 57 in the Queretaro area is too stressful. And, coming north we try to make it to Matehuala. Now, we still stop at Matehuala going north. But, going south we also stop there to avoid night driving on 57. By the time we clear the border and paperwork, it is an early stop. But, much more peaceful. There is a Wal-mart across the street from the motel we use, and my wife can spend hours in those stores just wandering around. And, from Matehuala to our home is still an early arrival. Plus we can wake up when we want, and simply drive without more paperwork to do. On one board, a woman said the motel we stay at in Matehuala is a dump, but did not define why. She stays at a sin motel… We like it as I said because Wal-mart is right there.

sdibaja says: July 31, 2015 at 9:11 am

thanks for the link, did not know about that site http://www.yucatanliving.com/destinations/driving-through-mexico-to-yucatan.htm Reply

sdibaja says: July 31, 2015 at 9:20 am

PS: please date your articles… things change Reply

yucalandia says: August 1, 2015 at 7:31 am

Hi sdi, I believe all our major articles are dated, in bold in our first paragraph, along with their latest update dates. This article (*Importing & Driving a Car in Mexico”) that you are commenting on has a Dec 18, 2014 date. (?) Which of our articles needs a date? steve

sdibaja says: August 1, 2015 at 7:51 am

the only dates I see are for the comments. sdibaja says: August 1, 2015 at 7:53 am

I was commenting about the yucatanliving.com website

yucalandia says: August 1, 2015 at 9:54 am

Correct, the Yucatan Living website does not seem to date their articles. Fortunately for the advice to take the central Mexico route (or unfortunately for people taking the Coast Road route), the Coast Road conditions have only gotten worse since the Yucatan Living article was written. In tracking the comments of Americans who live in Nuevo Laredo and who regularly travel that area (including Matamoros and south), the trend has still been that the Matamoros-Coast Road route is still worse/more-dangerous for gringo travelers, than the central Mexico routes. All the best, steve

sdibaja says: August 1, 2015 at 10:58 am

Thanks. I appreciate your input on a good route to Merida. We have family there and my bucket list includes a road trip, however we live over in Baja. I have no interest in looping thru Texas, looking for suggestions for a secure route over on my side. Can you suggest a similar website or group that may have some info? Myself, I would just hit the road, but my wife needs lots of reassurance. Be well, Peter

yucalandia says: August 1, 2015 at 11:54 am

If you can get to the north side of Mexico City – outside (south-east) of Queretaro – the Arco Norte route down to Puebla – Vera Cruz state – Villahermosa works. (???) steve

Bruce McGovern says: August 1, 2015 at 9:35 pm

Tip on Arco Norte. Do not bypass the exit for Arco Norte. If you go on into the Valley and it is not a day your license plate is legal, you can have your car towed and a big fine. As you drive from Queretaro towards Mexico City, the km markers will drop, of course. Once you get down to around 100, be very alert. I have seen the Arco Norte sign blocked by a parked truck. It is the Tula exit as well, so watch for that as well, just in case. Every time I go through there, there is something different or changed in the signs. But, if you see km marker 95, you have passed it. Somehow find a way to turn around and go back. Shortly after km100, can’t remember just how far, but for sure not far, it will be a major exit to the right, with an overpass to the East, of course, There is a frontage road. The first exit off that frontage road is the exit to go WEST on Arco Norte, to the current west end. That is now how one gets to Puebla. The second exit off that frontage road will be the exit you need. You exit right, then loop around to the right to head in an easterly direction, you stop and get an electronic card which you have to turn in at the other end to pay. You only pay once on Arco Norte,, when you exit or leave the end on the south. It is still a few miles to the exit east towards Orizaba/Vera Cruz. Shortly after you enter the cuota to Orizaba/Vera Cruz, but before Puebla, will be a toll booth. sometimes there is a long wait in line, but especially in holiday times. Puebla is a congested area on the cuota. Proceed with due caution for vehicles changing lanes into you. Once you get east of Puebla, there is a rather long drive until you get to the mountains, and enter the state of Vera Cruz. if there is fog, which varies but is worse in winter, do follow all speed limits. You can plow into someone in dense fog, or someone can plow into you. I go that route several times a year, and it is very stressful when there is dense fog. A recommended speed in dense fog would be closer to 10 or 20 mph than 30 or 40. Too slow can also get you wiped out. Keep your window open so you can hear if a big truck is getting close, and do not fear to hit the horn to let someone know you are there. Trivia on the Orizaba cuota. East bound is 5 miles shorter than the west bound lanes. They are at times far apart, and they actually cross over each other once, then cross back. East bound has several tunnels West bound has none. And, once you start down, from around 8000 feet to the area of 3000 feet, the driving distance during the drop is 17 miles, though it does go up and down at times, of course. Do not fear to use engine braking, unless you have a light car with perfect brakes. Before I forget, the down hill slope is dangerous. There are red lines leading to the emergency ramps. Look all about you, because if a vehicle does lose its brakes, you need to yield to them or someone can get killed. Not just yield to them in their lane, but especially yield to them when they need to exit to the ramp. A few years a pilgrimage bus got wiped out.Around 60 passengers died, only one little girl survived. The brakes failed and at the first ramp, a thoughtless driver failed to yield for the red line exit. At the last one, by Maltrata, the bus entered the hard surfaced maintenance lane, not the piles of sand and gravel, so it went flying over the end and fell hundreds of feet. it was definitely a design error. the lanes were reversed from the others, and it was poorly marked The ramp is right below an overpass so the driver did not see it far enough ahead of time. The driver had only maybe two seconds to figure out his error and change lanes at that velocity. It wasn’t enough. Now that all those people died, the government fixed it. There is a new left side emergency ramp farther up, And the Maltrata ramp is very plainly marked now, and the lanes are now standardized in placement. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: August 9, 2015 at 10:03 pm

I have a question that you may have covered. I am going to try to import my car in Reynosa when I go back in October My cousin says the official at Puebla Aduanas says he can do it, but the news about officials going to jail for illegal importations makes me think I better try Reynosa first. Well, my unresolved issue has to do with driving the car back to the US after it is nationalized. Living a few miles from the border, it would be nice if I could get the Mexican papers, then buy the insurance for the USA, then go to our mobile home until we are ready to travel. Can one just go to the USA immigration/customs and get a temporary 30 day permit to drive back? Or does one have to apply ahead of time? Or, must I first drive to Puebla and get plates before I can drive to the USA? I simply have no idea at all. The issue would be the same on future trips to the border. Thanks. Reply

yucalandia says: August 10, 2015 at 7:11 am

Hi Bruce, Once you have your car imported and have Mexican plates, you can drive the car easily back into the USA, as you are allowed to bring a Mexican-plated car into the USA and leave it there for up to 1 year. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: August 10, 2015 at 7:27 am

Okay, that does answer that. If I cannot license it in Tamaulipas and later transfer it to Puebla, then I must be packed and ready to travel as soon as I get the import papers. But, when you bring in the Mexican plated car, can you just motor on in, or do you have to stop at US customs/immigration and get paperwork? Your comment as it is written implies just drive on in, but I am not sure. I dunno. I may try to squeeze out the money and buy an 8 year old Sienna from Toyota Puebla. That would sure eliminate a lot of problems, but still cost the price of a used car. Toyota only sells used cars back to around 2008 or so. We do really like out 2002 Sienna. New enough to be reliable, so far, but old enough not to have the goofball electronic control systems. Reply

sdibaja says: August 10, 2015 at 8:30 am

We have several cars with Mx plates, we just drive on in. I suppose a local law enforcement officer could raise his eyebrows, and even stop you to ask… I was up in the San Francisco and Sacramento areas for a couple weeks last month. We got no questions, except from some hotel staff. My regular Mx insurance policy ($2800 pesos/year +/-) includes US coverage (about $200 pesos add-on) and they provide an English certificate. Reply

Gabriel Heiser says: August 10, 2015 at 9:40 am

What is the name and contact info for your insurer? I’d like to use them, possibly! Thanks. sdibaja says: August 10, 2015 at 10:19 am

General De Seguros AVE GASTELUM 898 1, CIBOLAS DEL MAR, ENSENADA, C.P. 22760, BC. Tel: (646) 178 3551 my memory is bad, the actual total cost was $2,730.64 $3,000,000 pesos MX coverage, $100,000 dlls US coverage, liability only this is only for cars with Mexican plates Insurance is a very competitive market, I would expect all will charge similar rates, so I did not shop around. sdibaja says: August 10, 2015 at 10:27 am

oops, that is $2,730.64 pesos for 1 year of coverage… not 6 months like you get in the US sdibaja says: August 10, 2015 at 10:29 am

that is $2,730.64 pesos for 1 year of coverage, not 6 months like in the US

Bruce McGovern says: August 10, 2015 at 9:05 am

That is good to know, just pass customs and keep going. I do not plan to drive beyond the border zone. I have been illegally stopped by HP in both Miss. and KY, with just Texas plates. Am not going to push my luck with MX plates. In Miss, just south of Hattiesburg, the HP pulled me over, and he tried to rip open my rear hatch. I am convinced he intended to drop something and take my car. There is no legal reason to enter a car without permission of the owner, or serious probable cause. The motel clerk in Hattiesburg said they had had other complaints from people passing there about illegal stops. The only time in Mexico I had a problem like that was in La Paz near Mexico City. In KY, the fat HP guy said I was doing 70 in a 55 zone, which was an outright lie. He simply wanted to check out out of state plates and faked a reason. In case anyone thinks I am making this up, there have been similar complaints all over the US for years now. I am far more afraid of US cops than Mexican cops. And, I have driven around 290,000 miles in the US and 60,000 miles in Mexico since i retired. Reply

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Sara Isett says: September 5, 2015 at 10:17 pm

This is the most informative site of its kind anywhere…so first of all, thank you for that! Here’s my situation: I’m planning my emigration to the Puerto Vallarta area and read the section titled “How to get a Temporary Import Permit for your Car – online – before entering Mexico – to get a 180 day TIP” with great interest. I will be applying for (and hopefully receiving) an RT at the Los Angeles Consulate before I drive to Mexico through the Nogales border in October. In your experience/understanding, will I still be able to apply online for a TIP that will be valid for the same duration as my new, freshly minted RT card? (My aim is to drive my 2007 Honda legally for as long as possible before I decide to sell it back in the States, or pay the costs of nationalizing it.) If I understand the boatloads of information provided on this site, it is possible to have both a valid TIP and an RT or RP for up to 4 years, yes? (Also, I think I understand the pre-registation/canje process, but canje’s not necessary if I simply get approved for a RTcard through the consulate, yeah?) Thanks in advance for you input/advice! ~Sara I. Reply

Sara Isett says: September 5, 2015 at 10:36 pm

And as a follow up…is it still impossible to have both a TIP AND a Residente Temporal with special permission to work card? Reply

yucalandia says: September 6, 2015 at 10:56 am

Hi Sara, In May 2013, Aduana DF managers said that they considered the (“new”) “Residente Temporal con permiso de trabajo” visa as the equivalent to the previous FM2/Inmigrante => not allowed to simultaneously have a TIP vehicle. NOTHING FORMAL was ever promulagated nor published. In the meantime, various INM offices and various Aduana offices shifted local policies on this. Now, in mid-2015, it seems that Aduana’s (near?) universal policy is to allow Residente Temporal con permiso de trabajo visas to also keep their TiP vehicles. I’d love to see some official publication on this! *grin* steve Reply

Stephane says: September 14, 2015 at 2:26 pm

Hi, I don’t know if you have answered that question before but here it is : I’m a Canadian citizen, I own a condo in Tulum, Quintana Roo and I would like to drive down there with my 2009 vehicle. I know that the Mexican/USA borders will ask for a deposit of 400$ US that I will get back when I will cross back the borders. My question is : I would like to leave my car there and came back to Canada by plane. I plan to go there twice a year and stay there for 1 month and a half each time. I heard that the whole state of Quintana Roo is a free zone, the same as the Baja California state and the first 21st or so kilometers from the Mexican/USA borders, is that true? If it’s true, then I have a second question, I also heard that If I cross the Belize borders while my TIP is still valid, they will give me back my 400$ US deposit because I’m going out of Mexico. Then I just have to cross again the Belize/Mexican borders, entering Quintana Roo without TIP because it’s a free zone. If this is true then my Canadian foreign plate will be legal as long as I do not go outside of the Quintana Roo state. That makes sens to me. Am I right? Thank you in advance for your answer. Stephane Reply

yucalandia says: September 14, 2015 at 4:50 pm

Hi Stephane, Your understandings are correct. You have to keep your Canadian plates and registration current while in Q. Roo – which is a problem for some Canadian provinces. Travel safely, steve Reply

Stephane says: September 15, 2015 at 1:51 pm

Thank you very much Steve for your quick response, I’m quite impressed ! I’m so happy with the confirmation that you provided me. It’s going to be a lot easier for me then trying to import the car and a lot cheaper too. I live in the province of Quebec and there wouldn’t be any problem renewing the plates and registration. Do you know if I have to explain everything to the custom officer at the US/Mexican borders or just take the TIP without explaining that I will go to Belize and then to Quintana Roo. Do I have to tell him that I won’t go back to cross the US borders? I have another question related to that, if you know the answer : When I’ll enter Belize where do I go to take the sticker off of my window and get my deposit back? Thank you Stephane

yucalandia says: September 15, 2015 at 3:39 pm

Hi Stephane, Before exiting Mexico (at the Santa Helena/Free Zone of Corazol – Subteniente Lopez crossing) you go just past the INM kiosk/office and in the middle of the Mexican complex, you make a left turn into the Banjercito/Aduana parking places. Do NOT approach or cross the bridge into Belize. You surrender your paper TIP document at the Banjercito office, and they verify your vehicle VIN and they remove your TIP sticker off the windshield. Keep the document that they give you to verify that you successfully surrendered your TIP before it expired. You then just exit the Banjercito parking area and proceed back into the town … without ever really leaving Mexico. https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/updates-to-aduana-inm-banjercito-procedures-for-visas-andimporting-cars-the-article/ I guess you could make a little side trip into the Free Zone of Corazol, Belize, for some duty free shopping. ??? steve

Stephane says: September 15, 2015 at 7:38 pm

Hi again Steve, Thank you so much for all the details. You didn’t answer to my other question or maybe I was not clear enough, i’m sorry I’m a french Canadian I don’t know if you know the answer but I was asking you what will be the procedure when I will cross the USA/Mexico border: 1) Do I need to explain that I will go to Belize and then go back to Q. Roo. ? 2) I will be there for 6 weeks, do I have to take the TIP for the number of days that I will stay in Mexico or it doesn’t change anything if by example I take 10 days, 30 or 180 days?Anyway I will probably return my TIP at Belize within 10 days. 3) Do I have to tell him that I will take the plane to come back home and leave my car there with my foreign plate without going back to the US borders? 4) Does he finally just need my travelling dates? By the way that’s a good idea to do little shopping in the free zone of Corazol… Thanks for everything ! Stephane Yolotraveller says: September 16, 2015 at 7:12 am

Been there … Done that with a Canuck plated vehicle. Your TIP is good for the length of your visa … So at the Mexican Customs you declare the max 180 days to give yourself room. You won’t be stopping at the US side and the Mexicans couldn’t care less where you’re going or staying. The minute you leave Mexico … Even to just walk across and go shopping … Your Visa and your TIP expires …

yucalandia says: September 16, 2015 at 7:24 am

Hi Stephane, I explained what you should do at the border: I would stay in Mexico by turning into the Banjercito parking, and cancelling the TIP. The INM guys at the border have been being a pain in the backside the last 6 months – trying to charge a bogus $200 per person to exit Mexico and return. The last time a friend and I walked over the bridge, they tried to extort the $200 pesos, and we said “No thanks”. He dropped the price to $100, “No Thanks” … He dropped the price to $50 … “NO, Thanks” – as we turned to walk back into the town, He sighed and gave us little signed-stamped slips of paper. No one was even at the INM checkpoint when we re-entered (it was lunch time), and the Aduana guys barely glanced at us. 2. Aduana issues the TIP to match the expiration date of your INM permit. You’ve not said what INM permit/visa you have, so yes, if you’re a tourist, they generally give 180 days. 3. They ask nothing about this, so volunteer no information, since none of us really know what’s going to happen in the future. Just surrender the TIP and get your refund and document for proof of surrendered TIP. If they ask, only then, explain that you will just drive back into town – without leaving Mexico. Shopping in Corazol is curious. Lots of cheap Chinese merchandise – plastic stuff, cheap flip flops, backpacks … but some very good liquor prices. Enjoy your travels, steve

Stephane says: September 16, 2015 at 9:56 am

Thank you very much Steve for your kindness it’s really appreciated. Thanks also to Yolotraveller for your info ! You said earlier to avoid Cancun airport with a foreign plate, is that warning applied even if you have the TIP sticker on your windshield? (I will keep my TIP probably for 2 weeks) I’m asking you that because I will have to pick up friends at the airport with my car. If it’s better to stay away from the airport then I will wait for them at the Comfort inn very near from the airport. ( they can take the taxi up to the Comfort Inn it’s only a 5 minutes ride). By the way, congratulation for your Blog it’s a source of very interesting information, I spent hours on it ! I don’t know if you have a section about the safest roads I can take to go down to Q. Roo, I didn’t find anything. After the researches that I did somewhere else on the net, I’m pretty sure that I will come over Texas and cross the border of Laredo and then go down to Monterrey…. I think it will be a lot safer then the state of Tamaulipas. What do you think about crossing by Laredo and do you suggest somewhere else? I don’t want to take to much of your time with all my questions, but anyway I think that could help other travelers as well. I saw on your blog somewhere but I can’t find it back, that you can probably send me a copy of the law stating that I can drive through Q. Roo as a free zone. If I’m unlucky and the police or military pull me over because I don’t have a TIP sticker and a foreign plate, that copy can save me a lot of hassle because there is a chance that they aren’t aware of that rule. Thanks again ! Stephane

yucalandia says: September 16, 2015 at 12:08 pm

Hi Stephane, Yes, the central Mexico route from Laredo – Queretaro – Arco Norte – Puebla – using toll roads is faster and safer than the coastal route – due to using fast central route toll roads versus 100’s of little towns with 10,000’s of topes on the coast. There is an official citation for Q. Roo as a Free Zone – along with Baja California et al – on the SAT website: http://www.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/pasajeros/Paginas/Franja_region_fronteriza.aspx While you have the TIP, you can come and go at will at the Cancun airport. After you surrender the TIP, you can still come and go at the airport, but some of the Federales at the airport might hassle you. Happy Trails, steve

playaright says: September 14, 2015 at 6:29 pm

Curious, does this work if you are residente temporal or permanente, given it is a free state? Reply

yucalandia says: September 14, 2015 at 7:00 pm

It works the same way as it does in Baja … Foreigner driving a foreign-plated car with current plates & registration in an official free zone => no problems. . Though, since the Cancun airport property is federal govt. property, at least one of the Federale police at the airport have given some gringos a lot of problems for driving a foreign-plated car without a TIP. … Stay out of the Cancun airport. steve Reply

Andre Massicotte says: September 17, 2015 at 6:13 am

Hi Steve … First thank you for your help .. Priceless In November I will be driving to Vallarta from Québec passing through Laredo and returning in April. Question: 1. As a tourist, can I bring all kinds of different household items (like filling up my car) ? I understand I will have to make detailled lists of all effects Example: I have used drapes, kitchen accessories, etc … to put in my apartment : Will I have to pay duty on these things if so … Do I need receipts ? 2. Could you tell me what is the best route from Laredo to Vallarta Thank you kindly Andre Reply

yucalandia says: September 17, 2015 at 7:35 am

Hi Andre, Yes, you can bring lots of used household goods. Generally foreigners are not charged duties or taxes. There is a small chance you might have to pay some duties, but those are based on the “garage sale” prices you list on your “List of Contents”. If you have electronics, tools, etc, you may want receipts for those items to document the price. Some people print Ebay pages showing market prices for the item (if you don’t have receipts). Laredo to Vallarta route? Someone else will need to help with that. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Andre Massicotte says: September 17, 2015 at 7:58 am

Boy that was quick !!! effective as usual … Thank you again Steve

Bruce McGovern says: September 17, 2015 at 4:47 pm

There is so much conflicting information that I have been confused, even with all the good information you have given out. For example, in March an aduana official in Puebla said he could import my car, including notifying the US that it had been exported. But, reading everything I could find, I think that was before, ahem, they put some of them in prison. So, using further links on Mexconnect, I am convinced those who say I MUST do it at the border are totally correct. I did OF COURSE come up with two new questions. A commenter on difunta Rolly Brook’s page on this topic says to import a car you must have a Mexican driver’s license. And, someone said you must also have permanent residence. That would be really messy, can’t have TIP car here with permanent residence, and can’t import car until you have permanent residence? I tend to doubt both of those statements, but want to be sure before it is too late. Any knowledge on this? ### I have problems with new things, until I can visualize the whole process, then the details don’t bother me much. The only unresolved issues not clear in my mind, but I can find out at the border. I assume once I get it exported and some sort of traveling plates or decals on, I can’t go back across north until I get official Mexican plates in Puebla. Again, if not, they will tell me. If that is the case, I must have everything aboard when I cross, because I can’t go back to my house. Of course, next trip no problem. I know where to buy 30 day US insurance for a Mexican car on the way from Monterrey. And, I am guessing I will have to cross at the main Reynosa bridge. I have seen in the past vehicles parked along the bridge. Reynosa is scary, but I am guessing I can pay a taxi to guide me out to Hwy 2 for a price, so that doesn’t worry me Once I get on Hwy 2, I have done it all before. Also, if we get out late, we may simply spend the night at one of the expensive motels, such as Holiday Inn and leave early the next day I do not know a good place to stop before Matehuala without going into a city, which I do not want to do. I think I would be safer in an upscale motel. My son-in-law’s brother is a banker. SIL says he thinks his brother can find me a safe and honest broker. I thought I had to cross into Mexico and start with a Mexican broker, but latest information says the US broker has to do the exporting and a Mexican broker has to do the importing. I will look for a broker who works on both sides… Reply

yucalandia says: September 17, 2015 at 8:15 pm

Hi Bruce, Good points. Some of the “professionals” and “facilitators” inside Mexico were saying they could import foreign-plated cars from inside Mexico using a “paper-only” process – promising guaranteed success or full refunds. It’s now a year later, and those promises and guarantees have not been kept – with the “paper-only” applications still being held as potential frauds in Aduana offices. At last word: Foreigners with Residente Temporal can permanently import cars, but because of all the cheating discovered at the border, even legitimate imports for foreigners were held up for months. Contact a licensed legitimate broker at the border crossing you plan to use. (prices have gone up dramatically) We have no information showing a need for 2 brokers, so we appreciate you checking it out. Some brokers with US operations were able to file the request to export US-titled vehicles with CBP before you get there. This gives CBP plenty of time to do their 3 days of checks, and the brokers were able to get their clients through the CBP process in a ½ day. … Current conditions? no lo se. Mexican drivers licenses are not required (to the best of our knowledge). Keep plugging away at it, steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 18, 2015 at 7:59 am

I sure will. And, I will keep you posted, just as I did when I actually got my Family Unity Temporary Residence, in Mexico, not at the Consulate in Mc Allen as most folks believed. Actually, there are all sorts of minor worries. For example. EL SOL de Puebla said the state ordered the smog verification folks to reject 30% of all cars, though no 30% actually fail. Our cousin has always had to slip them 500 pesos to get his sticker. Yet, once they wouldn’t do it for 500, so we understood that one really failed and needed to be fixed. I tried to have my car checked for smog in the USA, and was told the closest would be hours away in Houston. So, I won’t know until I have the car exported if it will pass smog. I am going to have all my sensors replaced before exporting. Sensors start failing at around 100,000 miles and mine are that old. That CBP also confused me. There are very few in the US, and I finally realized they must be liaison between the brokers and the government to export the car. One is in Pharr, just east of McAllen.

Yolotraveller says: September 17, 2015 at 6:39 pm

For what it’s worth I imported and registered my motorcycle from Canada ….on my Alberta DL and a tourist visa – in Q R Reply

Chris says: September 18, 2015 at 1:07 pm

Wow, after reading much of this discussion I’m now scared to drive in Mexico! My common law husband and I will spend 180 days there beginning around 11/1/15. According to a person at the consulate, we do not need RT or other permits, just passports. Is that correct? I had no idea that because we’re not legally married (and don’t want to be), only one of us could legally drive the car, which is registered in both our names. Nor did I know we could not fly out without losing our TIP; not even sure we need a TIP?? He might have to go to the US for a couple of days so I guess I’ll be doing all the driving. Nor did I know insurance companies could fail to pay any accident costs and I could die of thirst in jail…….Maybe we should fly??? I’m more confused than ever! Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 18, 2015 at 1:40 pm

My view and Steve’s will almost certainly be different in some areas. It would help if you give us a clue to which part of Mexico you might go to so we can give you personal help. I have participated on Mexico living and travel boards for nearly 18 years, as well as live in the mountains in a small third world village. For years, I spent one month a year in Mexico City. Steve has made it perfectly clear when a TIP holder exits Mexico, the TIP car instantly becomes illegal. I am sure he is correct. And, yes, in that case, your insurance may be invalid. Taxis in most parts of Mexico are like locusts, and don’t cost a lot. They also have combis, transport vans on many routes. So, yes, perhaps you should fly in for this trip. But, give us a clue where you will be. In cities, many Mexicans simply don’t bother with a car at all. Especially in a place like Mexico City. Five dollars will get you a very long ride in Mexico City. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 18, 2015 at 1:54 pm

I believe any legal tourist from the USA can drive a TIP car, with his written permission, but Steve will clarify that for you. So, why don’t you be the importer on the TIP, and it is true, you won’t get far into Mexico without a TIP. Not everything you said sounds correct to me. Most Mexicans do not have cars. Thus, public transport is ubiquitous. Combis every few minutes in important places; buses almost everywhere from third class (cattle trucks is what I call them) to luxury buses. The best bus service, probably, in the world. From almost everywhere to almost everywhere without too much fuss. I first came to Mexico in 1983, and did not bring a car until 2005. Grabbed a taxi and a bus wherever I wanted to go. My feet are glued in my precious village. My wife goes back to the States 3 or 4 times a year. She takes a bus one morning to Mexico City, then in the evening takes a luxury bus all night to Reynosa, then the local cattle truck to McAllen, and a very expensive taxi ride home to our mobile home. She gets there by noon usually, and has learned to be able to sleep all night on the luxury bus which has seat-beds for full lay down or close to it. it costs here each way much less than $150 and can carry a lot of heavy stuff with her, unlike air travel. Reply

yucalandia says: September 19, 2015 at 10:10 pm

Hi, Bruce’s suggestion of an approval letter from the TIP holder can save some hassles. Article 106 of the Ley Aduanera clearly specifies that foreigners of the same visa type as the TIP holder are allowed to drive the TIP car (along with spouses and immediate family members). 99 out of 100 visits go well, but problems do happen, and the consequences can be a hassle (or worse) when we don’t know the risks, steve Reply

Yolotraveller says: September 18, 2015 at 2:02 pm

I know people in QR who have had a TIP vehicle seized because their name was not on the permit. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 18, 2015 at 2:48 pm

Did they have written permission to drive it? Reply

Yolotraveller says: September 18, 2015 at 5:58 pm

Wouldn’t accept it. We all know that the regs can be ‘interpreted by the side of the road. Now we drive with a copy of the Aduana regs in the vehicle. I’ve also been in a vehicle stopped with an expired TIP in QR without it being an issue … Bruce McGovern says: September 18, 2015 at 7:45 pm

I do agree that the rules in Mexico tend to be whatever the person across the desk says they are with minimal appeal rights. In some cases, a good lawyer can help. In other cases, not much. And, you never know. I am very risk averse so I tend to bend over backwards to comply with the letter of the law and more.

yucalandia says: September 19, 2015 at 10:18 pm

Q.Roo police have a 4 decade reputation of corruption and misbehaving… The article above has the official sections of the Ley Aduanera on this – and we do STRONGLY advise people to keep both Spanish language and English copies of ARTICLE 106 in their TIP cars. Police across Mexico do hassle some TIP car drivers, and sometimes they have even confiscated cars, but 100% of the internet reports we’ve tracked over the last 12 years show that drivers with copies of Article 106 in the car have had the police back away when shown the law. Drive safe, know the law, and deal politely, professionally, calmly but firmly with police when showing them the actual law(s) on these matters. steve Reply

Stephane says: September 23, 2015 at 4:50 pm

Hi Steve, Where can I find the English copies of ARTICLE 106? Thanks

yucalandia says: September 23, 2015 at 5:42 pm

In the article above in the section right below the Spanish version of Article 106, section iv. Happy Trails, steve

Stephen Ribeiro says: September 28, 2015 at 9:45 pm

Steve, I do read the queries to you and your replies and thank you for the great info. I’m truly sorry for asking if my query has been answered before, but here goes. Late 2013 I bought a new Doge van to drive with my household goods to Progreso, Yucatan. I’m planing to drive there a a Residente Temporal. But then would like to leave the Van there permanently and register it with Mexican plates as I intend to get my Residente Permanante shortly thereafter as I have been holding Residente Temporal since 2009. Is there a sequence to do this or how do I do it please. Stephen.

yucalandia says: September 29, 2015 at 6:35 am

Hi Stephen, The only way to get Mexican license plates is to permanently import the vehicle at the border as you enter. If it is a US registered car, then you first go through a 3 day CBP process to formally export the car from the USA. Then you pay $2,000 – $3,500 USD to a licensed customs broker to try to get Aduana to import it. This past year it has been much more difficult to permanently import vehicles. I understand that they have only been allowing 8 and 9 year old vehicles – with the model year starting with Nov 1 (not Jan 1). That’s why so many people bring in their car with a Temporary Import Permit (see above) and keep their Residente Temporal current – sending a letter to Aduana to request extending their TIP expiration date every time they renew their INM permit. Happy Trails, steve

Chris says: September 18, 2015 at 4:03 pm

We’ll be at Lake Chapala. We spent one month there so we know there is plenty of bus and taxi service, but we were frustrated in wanting to go places buses don’t go. Or at least, not 1st and 2nd class; I didn’t think there are 3rd class anymore as I can’t find info about the chicken or cattle buses, which we don’t mind riding if our backsides can handle it! With six months to explore we’d like to go many places. Also we’ll have our dog and don’t want him riding in baggage compartments; flying involves a plane change and that makes us very nervous about his well-being. I’m not sure what you refer to with “Not everything you said sounds correct to me,” unless you mean we do need more than passports? Thanks for responding! Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 18, 2015 at 8:24 pm

A passport will get you and partner your FMM. And, it will get you back in the USA. For your car, you also need a valid driver’s license. And, it is not smart to go without car insurance. I use Lewis and Lewis, which is actually only a US agent for Mexican insurance company Qualitas. Sanborn’s is also popular, but they will not sell you more insurance than you have in the US, so I don’t use them. When I cross into Mexico, I drop my US coverage to the minimum liability requirement, and raise it back up when I return to the US. I call a few days before leaving my home in Mexico. It seems to be usually recommended to also buy legal coverage. I do. I have never used mine. I pay it. I have it in the car at all times.. AND, you need your car documents. I think it is called the title in many states. The official copy. If your title is in the name of a lien holder, which I doubt based on your profile, you may also need notarized permission from the lien holder Steve knows. And, you either need plenty of cash or a credit card, not Discover, to pay the bond at the border. It is several hundred dollars. I use Visa. I never get my money back, because Aduanas are too slow in renewing when I renew my Family Unity Temporary Residence, and Banjercito waits for no man! I just view it as a price to pay for my personal paradise. It is true that if you go back by plane your TIP permit expires as soon as your FMM is turned in. If the car is in your name and he goes back, no sweat. Be patient on whether he can drive your car or not. Steve knows, I believe. And, ask again when you get the TIP. I just think that is wrong, but it is your neck so be sure. I have always been told another American can drive your TIP car, especially when you are present. But, be sure. It is a long drive from the border to Guadalajara no matter where you cross. And, your first trip driving in Mexico can be stressful and tiring. Make sure you both are listed as drivers on any car insurance you may buy. That is separate from the legal issues. Be sure to read up on driving culture differences. One is in Mexico at a stop sign, you cannot pull up to a complete stop then proceed. You must stop a fill two seconds before you move My niece’s husband lived in Mexico for years and didn’t know that. One day, a helpful cop taught him the law at great expense! Also be aware that on the highway if you put on your left turn signal to actually turn left, you may well get wiped out. A left turn signal on the highway means, Okay to pass me. When I am turning left on a highway, I put on my emergency blinkers and put my hand out the window to signal left turn, then add the left turn signal shortly before the actual turn. Otherwise, pull off on the right side and let everyone go by. There are also intersections which are designed that you will turn right to turn left, go around the loop a a ways, then cross the highway at the other end of the loop after waiting. They are not always marked so newbies will understand them. Put on your emergency blinkers any time you slow down, and any time you are going to be doing anything which would not be expected by other cars. ADO drivers often put them on for every single Tope on the highway. The usual recommendation is not to drive at night. In Mexico, I prefer not to drive after dark except in areas I know well. In the USA, I no longer drive after dark because of the cops. However, in Mexico it is not only because of criminals. Experienced drivers have trained their brains to anticipate obstacles and hazards in the highway . In Mexico, the hazards are different, and by the time you figure out what that dark spot in the highway is, it may be too late to avoid it. And, speed limits. If the sign says 60 kph, it means 60 kph. If other cars are all going 100, that does not save you. And, having foreign plates you will be expected to pay the full 1200 or whatever it is now. Locals will probably get away for a couple hundred. If everyone else is going 100, and you are attempting to drive the 60 limit, drive with your blinkers on. If it is a two lane road, use any convenient turn off to let them go by. Reply

yolotraveller says: September 20, 2015 at 3:05 pm

Q.Roo police have a 4 decade reputation of corruption and misbehaving… The article above has the official sections of the Ley Aduanera on this – and we do STRONGLY advise people to keep both Spanish language and English copies of ARTICLE 106 in their TIP cars. Police across Mexico do hassle some TIP car drivers, and sometimes they have even confiscated cars, but 100% of the internet reports we’ve tracked over the last 12 years show that drivers with copies of Article 106 in the car have had the police back away when shown the law. Drive safe, know the law, and deal politely, professionally, calmly but firmly with police when showing them the actual law(s) on these matters. steve Reply And …once again …Steve has earned every penny…peso ..of which he is paid for this o/s thread.;)) The one thing I might add ..often….”no espanol ‘ …goes along ways as a tourist when stopped on the side of the road….just make sure you have your paperwork with you. A few years ago while driving in Playa …my blonde girlfriend turned left and headed down a one way street …the wrong way. In the process she almost ran over the Cop on the corner. Much to my chagrin …when she realized she was driving the wrong way..she spun a donut and headed back the right way, once again almost running over the same Cop on the corner. Needless to say he pulled us over. She explained she was tourist and got confused. The Cop rung his hands and kept repeating ” Senorita ..you could have killed someone.” He wasn’t going to let her go ..until she flung open her purse and showed him ..and in a very loud and shrill voice started yelling ..SEE…SEE … I HAVE NO MONEY. The Cop turned a whiter shade of pale and couldn’t get rid of us fast enough. The game is played both ways. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 20, 2015 at 6:13 pm

Thanks for Article 106. I did not have it in my car, though I never let anyone drive it. My reading of it is it does not allow non-family foreigners to drive it. And, Mexicans can only drive it when one of the authorized persons is in the car. I was unable to conclude if nonfamily foreigners such as your partner can drive it in your presence. My own experience is if the foreigner or other driver when you are not present is kin you not only need Article 106, but proof of kinship in a legal document of some sort. Not because I have had kin driving my car, but because I know how the culture works on such things. I also worked over 30 years in a contract defense plant, heh, heh. I still believe the poster who is partner but not married needs to ask the Aduanas at the border, but if he is going back and she is not, she better have the carTIP in her name. I think everyone agrees if it is in his name, the minute he turns in his FMM the car permit expires if the TIP is in his name. I just had a thought. There is a document in Mexico called a Constancy. It is usually obtained from the president’s secretary in the Municipio offices, and signed by the municipal president. My wife was having name problems. Birth name in Mexico; name changed by court order in Mexico. Maiden name in the USA; name with initials used in the contract defense plant; married name in the USA. name changed by court order to reflect Mexican name change. She got a Constancy with all those names listed, and so far no office has rejected the Constancy, neither Federal nor State. I had no documents showing my legal address. In March one Aduana questioned why I had no address document. His superior said, “This is his wife’s address Constancy.” They accepted it. So, not long ago, I took the official aduana’s document which had my address on it. The secretary looked at it, took out a paper with the Municipal symbol ‘watermarked’ on it, opened a template in her word processor, typed in my data, printed it, handed it to the man at the next desk who is authorized to sign for the President, and handed it to me. And, no charge! (small town.) I went home and HP’d plenty of copies. I will be using that Constancy as proof of address when I attempt to import my car in Reynosa. Suppose a brother comes to visit you, and you want him to be able to drive your car. Try to get a brotherhood Constancy from your Municipal offices. With the Constancy and his passport and Article 106 your brother should be able to drive your car. I do not know if this will work. The only problem is getting the Municipal offices to give you the Constancy. It can be easy or hard or impossible, depending upon the person there and whether the sun is shining.. Article 106 does authorize a conyuge to drive the car. I would advance with hesitation any time marriage or concubinage laws are involved. But, you could certainly try, no?They can either tell you need to register as civil partner or not. See last sentence in previous paragraph… Reply

TonyCariboo says: September 23, 2015 at 3:26 pm

Last April I rented a car in Puerto Vallarta directly through the company’s website. I said I’d pick it up at their office rather than at the airport so I wouldn’t have to pay the 10% fee. It was much less expensive to take a taxi to their office. But, here’s the quandary. I was charged a 10% fee over and above the mandatory Liability Insurance and was told this fee was to “cover occupants in another car that may be in an accident with me”. Doesn’t the Liability Insurance cover this. Seems to be a scam to me. What do you know about this extra 10%? Tony > Reply

yucalandia says: September 23, 2015 at 5:46 pm

I could guess that they are saying you should have uninsured motorists coverage – to pay for any injuries to the occupants of the other vehicle(s) – in case the other vehicle’s driver’s did not have insurance. … ??? Major insurer’s liability policies may not cover every single thing we expect … just like the USA – where you can have shite-loads of liability protections in your policy, but good agents will suggest you also get the additional uninsured motorist protection riders for US drivers who cruise w/o insurance. ?? steve

tony says: September 24, 2015 at 12:30 pm

Thanks Steve. I just found it suspicious that since I didn’t have to pay the 10% for their Airport Shuttle that all of a sudden I was dinged 10% for this new liability charge. I’ve rented numerous vehicles from this same company and have never been charged this. The most recent rental was six months prior. Tony

michael says: September 23, 2015 at 1:00 pm

Hi Steve, thanks for all of this great info here, i hope you can help me in my situation: first of all this is all on a tourist visa. I have a motorcycle registered in USA which i rode here to playa del carmen. i have entered and exited a couple times through to guatemala from chiapas and each time a new tourist visa and a new TIP, now I would like to cancel the current TIP as I dont plan to leave the state of Q.Roo with the bike. I hope that I can visit the office in Puerto morelos or cancun to cancel the TIP, can you give any info on that (really prefer not to go to chetumal/belize). Reply

yucalandia says: September 23, 2015 at 5:49 pm

Hi Michael, Our Aduana office in Puerto Progeso will not do this, as they do not have the systems in place (just like airport Aduana offices only have limited services)… and the Progreso Aduana folks send us to the Belize border Aduana/Banjercito offices. You could check with your Puerto Morelos Aduana people, but I suspect they are not set up to do it. steve Reply

michael says: September 24, 2015 at 1:03 pm

thanks Steve, FYI today I went to the office at Puerto Juarez (Banjercito) and they told me that to cancel the permit, in addition to the usual things I also need to give “inspeccion de vehiculo’ and ‘solicitud de deposito de mercancia’ from Puerto Morelos. so unfortunately I will need to go to chetumal afterall. I have had a good read of the forum but I cant find any links to something offical regarding the ‘free zones’ and no requirement for TIP. I can find info regarding the Sonora zone, and I see you link to the page which includes Q.roo as a ‘free zone’, but I cant find any links to the official pages or info. I think I read somewhere that you had official correspondence confirming that info, do you have any copies of that – basically I want to print and carry this info with me if I dont have the TIP. thanks again, Michael michael says: September 24, 2015 at 1:20 pm

hi steve, just to follow that up I have just checked an old piece of paper that a friend gave me which he got from the border at Belize – it clearly states that vehicles owned by foreigners can drive in the border areas and free zones. i can email you a copy if you like. unfortunately the top of the doc was cut off in the photocopier and its only possible to see part of the name of the document, maybe you will be able to recognize where it is from.

Jenny_QRoo says: September 24, 2015 at 12:07 pm

A bit confused on one thing I read earlier in this thread concerning Article 106. I drove my car in while I was still on a FMM so my TIP is attached to it. I live in the state of Quintana Roo. Since that time, I have now obtained my Residente Temporal. I am not sure I am interpreting this correctly. Article 106, section 17.1. I can not locate the aforementioned Article 106 in English, so I am loosely interpreting it to read: As long as I obtained my TIP legally and have the correct paperwork then went through the proper Immigration paperwork to change my Immigration status, then my TIP paperwork on the car also follows me and therefore will continue to be legal. (I am now Residente Temporal) Now, my TIP has expired (due to a medical issue I could not travel) but I am assuming I am fine, as long as I keep my vehicle in Q. Roo and stay out of the airport (federal) area. IS that correct? If you can also provide me a link to the English translation, I would be most appreciative. Muchas gracias for all this invaluable information!! Reply

yucalandia says: September 24, 2015 at 7:39 pm

Hi Jenny, The English version of Article 106 is just below the Spanish Language version (in the article above). TIPs remain valid as long as there are no breaks (no expirations or cancellations/surrenders) and no penalties. If you got your Residente Temporal while your FMM (visa for the TIP) was still valid (un-expired) => continuously having a valid FMM + Residente Temporal, then your TIP is still valid. If however, you got the FMM, left Mexico (surrendering the FMM) or allowed the FMM to expire, and then the TIP expired when the FMM expired or was surrendered (like when flying out of Mexico). When you applied for your Residente Temporal, and received notice that your application was approved (before you got your RT card), you were also required by Mexican law to notify Aduana – in writing – that you had a new INM visa approved – to maintain your $$ deposit on the TIP. Did you send or give Aduana a formal written notice of your new Residente Temporal visa, and include the information on the new expiration date of your new RT visa? If you did not supply this written notice, then the deposit is lost. Otherwise, IT’S ALL GOOD ! Happy Trails, steve Reply

Jenny_QRoo says: September 29, 2015 at 6:14 pm

Well, that certainly makes it interesting for me. I had my Residente temporal, and then the next year, my lawyer who was supposed to be doing my paperwork, accidentally let my card expire. It was straightened out but I lost my first year and had to start over. I suppose I can write the letter to Aduana and then see what the reply is. I would prefer to leave the expiration part out of the letter. My TIP had already expired so I knew I was going to lose the deposit. Muchas gracias por todo!

yucalandia says: September 29, 2015 at 6:37 pm

Hi Jenny, You may be able to get them to extend the expiration date, but the Aduana rules clearly state that we agree to keep our INM visa permits current, in force, with no breaks … or take our TIP cars out of Mexico. Aduana has had computerized databases on these things since 2012, so their computer may have flagged your TIP account as being expired, and as having an expired INM visa. Your TIP records have your old dead Residente Temporal visa number in the Aduana computer records – not your current new RT visa number. The easiest thing may be to go to a border, surrender the old TIP, and use your new/current Residente Temporal to get a new fresh TIP. Happy Trails, steve

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Bruce McGovern says: September 26, 2015 at 8:21 pm

So many little details on importing a car. Today, I asked a cousin to tell me something about when his son imported his nearly 20 year old Yukon, quite a few years ago. What I wanted to know, assuming I succeed at the border, is, where do I go to actually get the license plates. He said there is a Fianza office in our village. That is where they got their plates. He said the border people mailed the documents directly to the Fianza office. He also said the people at the border gave them temporary plates made of plastic. And, in his case, the process was started in Chicago. I don’t know if that has changed or not. And, as far as smog verification, he said that will depend upon the numbers and letters on the license plates, just as Hoy No Circulo in DF does. My U.S. documents expire at the end of October. If I get out of there before that date, I am most certainly not going to bother to pay annual taxes and get the car safety inspected in Texas. My wife and i talked, and if we get the car imported to Mexico, we may not return in October to get our car documents. We will go back when and only when we really want to. Such as in the summer when the grandson is on vacation. Or maybe at Christmas time. That is to be decided later. Christmas might be better because it is cooler in McAllen than in the summer. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 29, 2015 at 5:00 pm

@yucalandia says: September 29, 2015 at 6:35 am “I understand that they have only been allowing 8 and 9 year old vehicles”– If that is true, then I will not be importing my 2002 Sienna, will I? If I knew this, I have certainly forgot it. Well, I will try and if I can’t will have to come back and buy a Mexican car, then drive the 2002 out and leave it. I will keep you posted. I will know within 2 or 3 weeks. I was told in Puebla Aduanas they imported 6 years old to 26 or so. So, in that case a 2013 would not be allowed. Reply

sdibaja says: September 30, 2015 at 4:46 am

Bruce it got changed in the spring, 2005 and newer. in May I imported my 2005 Durango, simple. I brought it to the agent on Sunday evening, he had it back on Friday afternoon, total cost $1200 dlls. It was processed at the Otay crossing, Mexicali is no longer cheaper. I got my plates the following Monday in Ensenada. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 30, 2015 at 2:09 pm

Drat! It was in the spring that I asked Puebla Aduanas and they said 6 years old and older to 26. So, I will be preparing my wife to kiss this car good bye. And, it is in really good shape. Drat! Does anyone have a link of the Mexican government? Reply

Andre Massicotte says: September 30, 2015 at 2:24 pm

You said between 6 to 26 years old … Is a 27 non-Nafta ok for importation ? I have a top shape 1988 Jetta I could maybe use … Reply

yucalandia says: October 1, 2015 at 7:20 am

Hi, The rules have been NAFTA cars only for years (not Jetta). Classic cars have different rules – maybe allowing a non NAFTA car, but since the permanent imports MUST be done by a licensed customs broker (classic or not), check with your broker. The permanent import rules have shifting the past months – and they seem to have settled on only 8 and 9 year old NAFTA made vehicles. steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: September 30, 2015 at 3:29 pm

Clearly if they have changed the rules and will not import anything over 10 years old. then 6 to 26 is not correct. I will find out in a few days when I ask the aduanas in Reynosa/Anzalduas. Reply

Stephen Ribeiro says: September 30, 2015 at 8:14 pm

Steve, thank you for your reply. Sorry, I should have been more detailed in my query. Although the Dodge van was bought late 2013, it’s a 2014 model. I’m from Ontario, Canada and planing to drive down in April/May 2016 to Progreso. What I understand from your reply is to enter with the van on Residente Temporal, but how do I get the TIP, get Mexican plates, and my ultimate aim is to be Residente Permanante and have the van in Progreso. Stephen. Reply

yucalandia says: October 1, 2015 at 7:25 am

Hi Stephen, Only 8-9 year old models are currently being allowed in at reduced duties ($2000 – $35000 USD) – so your 2014 model would cost border Aduana taxes/duties at 45% of its total value for a permanent import. States then charge another 2% of the total value to issue registration. Then, if the vehicle was worth more than $310,000(?) pesos new, Yucatan State charges an additional annual ownership tax on “luxury” vehicles. This all points to it being better for you to get a TIP … or buy a vehicle here (??) You can get the TIP online or at the border when you arrive. It’s not possible to get Mexican plates – unless you permanently import it. There’s no practical way to bring in a fairly new foreign vehicle and also simultaneously have a Residente permanente vehicle. steve Reply

First Last says: October 10, 2015 at 7:42 pm

No mention of temporary US imports by Residente Permanete Reply

Chris says: October 14, 2015 at 9:37 am

My “husband” and I (not legally married) are driving down this month with our dog, to stay for 180 days. I just went to Banjercito to get the car permit and discovered they would mail it to me within 7 days; I had thought it was a form I could print and fill out. We’d like to get there by 10/29 at the latest, and we aren’t sure of the exact date of entry, so I think we must take care of the matter at the border (Nuevo Laredo). We’ll be able to do the 180 day thing right there, correct? it sounds like the Visitante form is the same one we filled out when flying there, a little half-page thing, is that right? Other than the registration and X number of copies, is there anything else we need for the car? Should we get Mexican insurance before entering MX or after we process the car and entry forms? How much insurance is good to protect us and cover the car? The car is registered in both our names. Will we both be able to drive it? I am the primary driver, but since I am female will the authorities allow me to be designated as such? Any other problems I should be prepared for? Thank you Steve and readers for all your help! Reply

yucalandia says: October 14, 2015 at 11:39 am

Hi, You are correct on all your suppositions – and yes, both spouses can drive a temporarily imported car. Insurance is up to you. Some people get it before reaching the border, while others get it at the border. The only quirks to insurance can be that you have high enough accidental death liability coverage to cover the varying (different – state dependent) amounts that each Mexican state requires if someone is killed in an accident. The limits range from $1 million to $5 million pesos per accidental death. PLUS, I would also want to have a fiscal bond clause/rider/protection that covers any cash bonds required by the police to keep you out of “temporary detention” (jail for 3 to 4 days w/no food nor water) – while the police sort things out after an accident – as we must show proof of fiscal assets to pay for other parties injuries, damages to other cars, damage to roadside stands or homes or businesses etc if you car careens off the roadway. All good – & Happy Trails, steve Reply

Chris says: October 14, 2015 at 11:59 am

Steve, Once again you are so helpful, and fast! Hard to believe they can keep someone in jail w/o water for FOUR days! Doesn’t that violate the Geneva Convention or something?? If we have the bond, we simply show that to the police?n Does the bond cover the payments or merely keep you out of jail so you (or hopefully the insurance) can pay it later? How long can I expect to be delayed at the border to handle the car paperwork? Reply

yucalandia says: October 14, 2015 at 2:41 pm

Hi Chris, The bond is to keep you out of jail as an assurance/guarantee that you (the insurance company) can pay any future assessed damages. The way Mexican temporary detention works is that your friends, family members or insurance rep brings you bottled water and food. This is another reason to keep a working cell phone in the car with you, to call the insurance company AND friends/family. You can expect 1 hr to 4 hr of paperwork at the border, including time at the insurance agent. steve Reply

mark mac donald says: October 14, 2015 at 2:33 pm

Hi Steve, Thanks for all the info above as it has been very helpful and insightful . I am a Canadian resident and plan on driving my vehicle to Mexico in late November. We have a house outside of Puerto Vallarta that we own and rent out and want to have a vehicle down there. After reading all the info above, I think it best to register the vehicle at the border and get plates at that time. It is a 2007 Acura MDX, manufactured in North America. We are crossing the border in Arizona at Nogales. A few questions, do you forsee any problems, do you have a list of a couple of good brokers, how long should it take to get all completed, and based on the year should the cost be minimal? Thanks, Mark Reply

yucalandia says: October 14, 2015 at 2:38 pm

Hi Mark, As listed above: ~ Lic. Oscar Angulo – Nogales, MX [email protected] AnCo Comercializadora Mexican Cel: 045 6311 20 10 15 US Cel: (new) 520-841-6797 (old) (520) 988-1936 If Oscar cannot import it, he would know if there is anyone reliable who can at Nogales. I would GUESS at a cost of around $3,000 USD to import it. All the best … safe travels, steve Reply

mark mac donald says: October 14, 2015 at 2:49 pm

Thanks Steve! Reply

Ryan says: October 15, 2015 at 11:25 am

Hi Steve, My oregon plates and registration for my pick-up are going to expire in a couple of months. I am currently residing in Mexico under a Temporary Resident Visa and have TIP for the truck. I will be in Mexico beyond the time that that those expire. Is having expired US plates and registration an issue in Mexico? Thanks, Ryan Reply

yucalandia says: October 16, 2015 at 4:06 pm

It is only an issue if you are in Q. Roo or the Baja Californias where foreign-license plate registrations MUST be kept current – as they are “Free Zones”… steve Reply

Ryan says: October 19, 2015 at 9:48 am

Thanks Steve! Really appreciate the help

Roger Blair says: October 16, 2015 at 2:19 am

Dear Steve, I am a permanent resident in Mexico. I drive a car that has been nationalized with Mexico plates. I have both a USA driver’s license and a Mexico state of Guanajuato driver’s license (my state of residence). However, the Guanajuato license is due to expire in a couple weeks. I was led to believe I needed the Mexico license in order to nationalize my car, but the broker never asked for it when I had it done. Second, I have also been told that my USA license which is not due to expire is all I need. What is the truth? Do I need the Mexico driver’s license? Reply

yucalandia says: October 16, 2015 at 3:58 pm

Hi Roger, As long as you are not a Mexican citizen, you can drive your nationalized car on your valid US license. steve **Spencer / “Intercasa” has published a very good summary of Jalisco driving requirements – and in a quick review of all 47 pages of his document, I see no restrictions on using a US license. He notes that Article 38 of the Jalisco driving/vehicle rules state that licenses that are not expired of other states and “other countries” “are valid“. ” http://intercasafs.com/Driving.pdf Reply

Roger Blair says: October 17, 2015 at 10:55 am

Thanks Steve, My only question is: Since the Article 38 referred to states that such licenses would be valid “in this municipality,” is it possible another municipality (such as Guanajuato) might view things differently? Thanks, Roger

yucalandia says: October 18, 2015 at 7:00 am

Hi Roger, That pdf summary was for Jalisco state. Each state has its own rules on driving and car registration. We’ve thoroughly reviewed Yucatan’s rules of the road (as we live here) and Jalisco’s (via Spencer’s excellent review), but it’s a bigger task than we’d enjoy to review all of Mexico’s state’s rules. steve

Gabriel Heiser says: October 16, 2015 at 11:25 pm

I recently got my three-year extension to my Residente Temporal after my first year as RT. I own a 2006 Ford Escape, and went to Aduana by the airport in Querétaro, where we San Miguel residents must go. After 4 visits, I was finally approved for the extension of my car permit. However, the clerk told me I must return in one year, even though my RT is good for 3 years. “Oh, that’s for immigration, and not for your car. We follow different rules. You’ll still need to come back each year to extend it to protect your deposit.” [in Spanish] So today I checked the online site you gave for TIP status (https://portalsat.plataforma.sat.gob.mx/aduanas_cpitv_internet/index.aspx) and lo and behold it showed Estatus: 05 Prorroga, Fecha Alta: 21/09/2014, and Fecha Vencimiento: 20/09/2018. In other words, it WAS extended to be coterminous with my RT, i.e., another three years. So I assume I do NOT need to go back to Aduana next year? And I also assume that my deposit made to Banjercito is still protected? Also, the web page cited above showed “Fecha Retorno Máximo: 20/09/2018”. Any idea what that means? Thanks!! Reply

yucalandia says: October 17, 2015 at 6:55 am

Hi Gabriel, I suspect there’s a double-game running in your situation – that the Aduana clerk doesn’t understand. Yes, under Aduana law, your TIP remains valid as long as you notify Aduana of INM visa renewals – and when notified, Aduana adjusts your (Let’s call it a “final” TIP expiration date) … “final” TIP expiration date …. but that “final” TIP expiration date is an illusion to their Banjercito-partner’s computer-logged expiration date for protecting/maintaining your $$ deposit. Banjercito’s computer does not necessarily have that “final” TIP expiration date, as it likely has the 1 year expiration date described by the clerk. Since your current published TIP from Aduana seems to have a 1 year expiration date in Banjercito’s computer, you will have to return to Aduana – best to return at least 2 weeks before that expiration date – and refile for another extension with Aduana to keep Banjercito’s computer from automatically confiscating your $$ deposit that they hold. I have no proof of this, but it fits what has happened to some other people. Once the $$ deposit has been confiscated, it seems to be nigh impossible to recover it, steve Reply

Gabriel Heiser says: October 17, 2015 at 9:14 am

Hi: You wrote “Since your current published TIP from Aduana seems to have a 1 year expiration date in Banjercito’s computer…” but the online published date (Fecha Vencimiento) is Sept 2018, three years away, the same date as my RT. ?? So I’m a bit confused. Thanks. Reply

yucalandia says: October 17, 2015 at 10:19 am

Hi Gabriel, We can’t see what expiration date/value is in the Bajercito database … we can only see what the Aduana computer has as their “final” expiration date. That’s the double-game I referred to above. If you are willing to risk losing the $$ deposit with Banjercito, then skip going into Aduana next year. If you want to preserve the TIP $$ deposit with Banjercito, then file a renewal letter every year with Aduana. steve Reply

Chris says: October 19, 2015 at 8:11 am

Hi again, We’re doing the 180 day thing. Please tell me we don’t need the original car title, that a copy will do for getting our TIP at the border? Also when you get it at the border is it good for 180 days or only 30 days? Thanks! Reply

Bruce McGovern says: November 9, 2015 at 8:47 pm

Sorry if this duplicates something already posted. I expect to be buying a Mexican car since the law changes make it impossible to import our 2002 Sienna. There is some debate whether you must have a Mexican license to drive a Mexican plated car. Everything I have read over the years says not. But, family here thinks you must. If they do, I will be encountering transitos who think the same. So, I want to get a Mexican drivers license. A cousin said in Puebla you have to take a short computer written test. One blogger says it has only 10 questions, and you must get six correct. Also, supply your blood type. I am not sure about CURP but am working on mine. And, some kind of strange vision test which allegedly involve moving characters. I had no study guide and cannot find my Guia Roji driving rule book. I did find a Jalisco man who apparently got the study questions of Jalisco. I don’t know when but it has the new liability requirements for someone dying in a wreck. So, I don’t think it is very old. He supplies the 103 questions in Spanish along with the answer key. And, he translates it into Spanish. He is not a pro translator, so he translated alto total as high total when it actually means total stop. But, I do not mean to sound critical. He took the time to type it all in and I thank him profusely. I am using that print-out as my study guide and assume I will be taking it in Spanish. He said in Jalisco you can request English, but if I am going to be living here, I think I must try it in Spanish. Six out of ten doesn’t sound hard. http://www.focusonmexico.com/Getting_a_Mexican_Driving_License.html I realize the test may have questions that are unique to Jalisco, but only 6 out of 10 doesn’t sound bad. Reply

yucalandia says: November 10, 2015 at 8:27 am

Good Luck ! Our Yucatán equivalent is a driver’s license test version in English … but the English translations are SO BAD and very confusing … that most expats taking the test say the Spanish version is the way to go. Enjoy your continued legal motoring! steve Reply

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Renta de autos en el df says: March 30, 2016 at 10:30 am

Muy buena información auque esta algo larga, creo que sería geial si se dividiera en temas y secciones separadas entre si, para no perderse entre las lineas. Reply

Roger Blair says: March 30, 2016 at 4:11 pm

Dear Steve, An immigration question: I made a deposit at the bank the other day and the teller asked for ID. I used my Residente Permanente card. When I got the receipt back I noted this comment printed on the receipt: Tipo de: identificacion: FM2MA Migratoria No. XXXXXXXX(my number) Fec – Vencimiento: 2020-12-31 The last line in English is said to mean :Date of Expiration. It was my understanding that the Residente Permanente card was just that, permanent, that there was no other need to file to continue the status. However, this suggests that my residency will expire December 31, 2020. That’s still a long time away, but is this correct, that my permanent resident status is not permanent and will expire at the end of 2020? Thanks, Roger Reply

yucalandia says: April 2, 2016 at 7:57 am

Hi Roger, Your Residente Permanente status is … permanent. The bank seems to be using very out of date terminology that means NOTHING – as they even title you as an FM2 => a visa category that INM legally cancelled in 2009 … ???? steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: March 30, 2016 at 6:39 pm

I am curious about that, too. I am sick and tired of the annual visit to INM and hope they don’t expire too soon. Reply

Ana says: April 27, 2016 at 2:05 am

Can you obtain travel information or dates you entered Mexico with Temporary vehicle permit? Reply

Doug says: April 30, 2016 at 8:29 am

I have read Mr. McMullen’s PDF file regarding Traffic Offences and Fines however I am not certain about my situation’s rule. In September I shall be importing a new car (less than 1000Km) from Germany. It will be arriving in Varacruz and I am not certain about driving it to Guadalajara. Through an Import Agent, the car will be officially imported meaning all taxes and fees will be paid but I need license plates for it. The car will have temporary German export plates and I have a German driving license. I have asked the Import Agent about registration but he said I need the documents and tax receipts to do this and these are given in Varacruz. I have a Residente Permanente but the PDF file explains things which do not apply. Secondly, because my Wife is Mexicana, I will be elegible for Mexican Citizenship in October. Can a Mexican Citizen have a car registered in Mexico but have an out-of-Country driving license? My US Passport shows I am a permanent resident of Germany. I would like to know the law on both these questions because I cannot get a consistent answer from any place (Government offices, Federalis, Aduana, etc.). Reply

yucalandia says: April 30, 2016 at 9:28 am

Our Notario cites Federal Law that requires all Mexican States to honor valid foreign drivers licenses. We have no idea about the registration rules & requirements for Guadalajara, Jalisco. In addition to the import duties & taxes you will pay to import it into Vera Cruz, there will also be additional taxes & fees owed for bringing the car into Jalisco. e.g. Lots of Yucatecans buy cars in Q. Roo state, to pay just 3% taxes vs Yucatan’s 16.5% IVA. They then maintain the Q. Roo registration/plates for years, to avoid paying the Yucatecan taxes for registering their cars in Yucatan… e.g. We paid roughly $600 USD in ownership taxes to Yucatan, to register our 10 year old Ford Ranger & 10 year old Nissan Sentra … (vehicles that were fully legally imported at the Matamoros border crossing). Contact Lic. Spencer McMullen for details… Happy Trails, steve Reply

Doug says: April 30, 2016 at 11:02 am

Thanks for your reply Steve. When you speak of the additional taxes and fees for Jalisco, are you refering to the Tenencia(?) – which was dropped several years ago. And I thought all of Mexico had the 16% IVA. My Friend’s Sabrino sells cars and he told me, as well as did the Importing Agent, I pay only the fees and taxes anyone pays who purchases a new car through a new car Dealer. I have checked the prices of cars in different States and they are all pretty-much the same. I never checked the prices in Quintana Roo but if they are only 3%, I guess I should register the car there.

yucalandia says: April 30, 2016 at 3:43 pm

great As I replied earlier, contact Spencer, as we don’t know Jalisco’s current rules. Clearly, not all Mexico has the 16.5% IVA… especially Border states… plus Q.Roo, the Baja Californias, parts of Sonora, … All the best, steve

Una says: May 2, 2016 at 8:12 am

Hi Steve, I was wondering if I want to sell a Chilean car in Belize in the free trade zone, when I enter Belize do I not get a stamp to say I am entering with a car? Or if you enter from Mexico do I not have to go through Aduana? Thanks for your help. Reply

yucalandia says: May 3, 2016 at 8:48 am

You can drive straight over the bridge into the Free Zone of Corazol… no stop at Aduana when exiting. Re your question of … ‘Do I want to sell my Chilean car in the Free Zone of Corazol? ‘ Only you can answer that. Will any of the Belizians want to buy a Chilean car? We don’t know. Good Luck, steve Reply

Una says: May 3, 2016 at 12:46 pm

Thanks for your reply Steve. Do you have any contact for a dealer in corozol? Or know of anyone that has sold a foreign plated vehicle there, to have a chat with them? Many thanks again, Una

yucalandia says: May 4, 2016 at 9:03 am

Hi Una, We have no recommendations or contacts for a dealer in the Free Zone of Corazol, as there are none. Things get more complex if you try to enter Belize to sell the car in Corazol. Vikki Hillman (and Rodrigo) have contacts with dealers in Corazol, but we have no idea of how that works. (consignment sales?) We personally have just found cash buyers among the merchants/families/owners in the Free Zone of Corazol. All the Best, steve

Alex says: May 5, 2016 at 2:10 pm

I’m a bit confused about something and I hope you’ll have patience with me. I have a RT visa (which I must canjear at INM). I’m planning to drive into Mexico in June. I wanted to obtain the TIP in advance. The Banjercito website, as you mentioned, requires an INM preauthorisation folio number. The INM website states that the pre-authorisation is only for tourist, transit, and business purposes, though. I have heard horror stories of people forgetting to have their card marked CANJE at the border & having to reapply for an RT when they enter as tourists. When applying for the pre-authorisation, do we select tourist, for up to 180 days? That will not cancel out the RT, will it? Thanks for all of the wonderful information here! Reply

yucalandia says: May 6, 2016 at 6:54 am

Hi Alex, That’s a great question. The issue of TIPs for people coming in using the 30 day visa issued by the Consulate has been messy, and with the Aduana/Banjercito websites changes, we have not had a single report of how that is working. I really have no advice, except to possibly try the 180 day tourist option (as that worked before the website made this change).. ?? The Canje issue when you fill out your FMM is simple… just be sure to do it right. When any of us make errors on a key US govt form, or if the govt (like the IRS) makes an error, it’s up to us to catch it… e.g. The IRS has made big errors on their evaluations of our tax returns over the years… and I’ve had to tussle with them to correct their errors … with a 12 for 12 success rate… so, this is all the nature of dealing with organizations that have lots of power, but little accountability. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Sabina says: May 27, 2016 at 12:07 pm

Hello, I tried to read everything but if I ask something that has been answered before I apologize right now. My situation: US cizien, Res.Temp. con permiso para trabajar – TIP on car expired July 2015. Reason: It took the company I am working for 3 months to renew my visa so then it was too late to write the Aduana letter to ask to extend the TIP. I did call a local Aduana place and they mentioned fines etc. My questions: 1. when I drive the car back to the USA by the end of 2017 and I ask them to remove the TIP upon exit what am I up to? 2. can I fix the situation (I’d of course rather have everyting legal) now? Reply

yucalandia says: May 28, 2016 at 8:08 am

Hi Sabina, 1. As long as you don’t have an accident or get stopped by police… then you surrender the paper document for the TIP & Aduana/Banjercito just removes the sticker and cancels the TIP. 2. You have to surrender the old TIP and get a new one… and only border crossing & seaport Aduana/Banjercito offices have the stickers/papers. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Sabina says: May 30, 2016 at 10:06 am

Steve, thank you very much for replying so quickly and saving me from finding out after driving to the border. As I am only driving from my garage to a fenced in work parking lot and back (10 km per day total – all other trips are made in a differnt, mexican vehicle), I have decided to leave it to fate. Thanks again, the help is appreciated! Reply

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HJK says: June 7, 2016 at 9:23 am

Hello Steve, I have a situation that may or may not be unique: I entered Mex with a visa from the Mex consulate (first step in obtaining my RT) in November 2015. The TIP I was given with my vehicle was only for 30 days and I was told that it could be extended after I obtained my RT. I completed the process, got my RT, and completed all the steps with aduana (in Progreso) to extend my TIP to reflect my one year RT. I left Mex in February 2016 (at the same border as entry), surrendered my sticker at banjercito and received a receipt (Comprobante de Retorno – this receipt includes the vehicle information, the date entered 18/11/2015, date returned 23/02/2016, and “vence 17/12/2015 RETORNO DEFINITIVO”. This receipt is the only document that I was given. I anticipated a prompt return of my deposit but it was never received. I have opened a dispute case with my credit card company. Banjercito responded to the dispute stating that I never passed the car back through customs on my return to the US. I checked on the SAT website for the status of the vehicle in their system and it states: Estatus 03 RETORNO. The woman handling the dispute through my credit card feels confident (with all of my documentation) that my dispute case is good and that the error is on the part of Banjercito. I have a couple of questions: should I have received another document, other that the receipt, at the border? And can I anticipate any trouble when I attempt to re-enter Mexico with the same vehicle using my current valid Temporary resident status? Thank you in advance for any info or advise!! Reply

yucalandia says: June 7, 2016 at 2:19 pm

The process you describe, indicates you are doing everything correctly. We look forward to hearing the resolution, steve Reply

Barry Sanders says: June 9, 2016 at 7:02 am

I called a broker yesterday to set about nationalizing my truck and he said currently only ’07, ’08 may be nationalized, even by land. Mine is’09 NAFTA vehicle. Reply

yucalandia says: June 9, 2016 at 7:09 am

Hi Barry, Good information. It fits Aduana’s policy this past 18 months of accepting only 8 & 9 year old vehicles. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Lydia says: July 9, 2016 at 12:28 pm

Every webite gives different years. A Mexican national wishes to legalize a used US truck coming through Nogales and to be registered in Michoacan. New rule is only those of 2007 and 2008 years?

yucalandia says: July 9, 2016 at 3:56 pm

Hi Lydia, Fortunately, what other websites say is not important. The law… and the current Aduana/SAT policies are what count. Mexican law and Aduana/SAT policy for the last 18 months have consistently been: 8 and 9 MODEL year old NAFTA made vehicles are eligible for permanent import by private parties. That means Model Years 2007 & 2008 can be permanently imported until Oct 31, 2016. On Nov 1, 2016, only 2008-2009 model year NAFTA manufacture vehicles are eligible. Customs brokers must be used, and the total charges typically run between $2000 to $3000 US dollars. You also have to formally export a US titled car through official CBP processes (which takes 3 days)… Happy Trails, steve

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Lourdes y Dylan says: June 20, 2016 at 5:36 pm

Hello everybody! Sorry if our question has already been asked, but so far, reading about all of the other experiences we have not found someone in a similar situation. My husband Dylan (US citizen) and I (Mexican citizen) entered Mexico April 30th. He had gotten his Visa Temporal approved by the Mexican Consulate in Seattle and they told us to go to Migracion within 30 days to do the “canje.” The plan is to then apply for Visa Permanente when able and eventually for citizenship. We went to the INM in Playa del Carmen (we live in Tulum) within the first week we arrived, and the process has taken them quite a bit longer than 30 days. We were also informed at the border that for our TIP we had 30 days before it expired. His visa is finally ready and we will be picking it up tomorrow. By now, the TIP has expired, what are our options? Do we go to the Banjercito in the airport terminal in Cancun? Will we have to pay fines since the TIP has expired? Can we be stopped by transit police and have our car confiscated? If we do not follow up with Banjercito and get the TIP current, will it have any repercussion in regards to the visa process or for travelling on international flights? We understand that driving in Quintana Roo is a “free zone” and we also know that our car, as far as the current import/naturalization laws are concerned, will not be allowed to be permanently imported since it is a non NAFTA 2003 vehicle. We have no plans to return the car to the USA, we have no plans to ever drive outside of Quintana Roo and we have no desire to ever drive another vehicle into Mexico. Our plan is to eventually purchase a Mexican licensed vehicle to my name (the Mexican citizen) and retire our beloved, trusty truck to the jungle. Thanks for all the amazing information as always! Lourdes & Dylan Reply

yucalandia says: June 20, 2016 at 6:06 pm

Hi. If you had notified Aduana of your NUT number when you applied with your local INM office, they could have preserved your deposit with Banjercito. The deposit is lost, but your TIP permit is still valid as long as he keeps his Rsidente Temporal visa current with no breaks and no penalties. If you choose that route, you can let the US plates and registtration expire. Alternately, you can stop by the Aduana and Banjercito offices at the Chetumal/Belize border, surrender the TIP… and just drive the vehicle INSIDE Q. Roo only, for as long as you like… as LONG as you maintain CURRENT US registration and current US tags. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Lourdes y Dylan says: June 20, 2016 at 6:28 pm

Gracias, Steve! Yeah, we kind of had already accepted the fact that the deposit was going to be lost since we never really planned to take the vehicle out. We needed “him” to transport our two puppies, ourselves and our belongings, and rather than purchase a different unknown used vehicle in the USA before traveling across both the US and Mexico, we wanted our trusty handsome brute to haul the family safely to Tulum. (which he did outstandingly yay!) I do want to know how people manage to maintain US registration and tags current since at least in NY state you must go and pass inspection at an approved state licensed mechanic which requires them to do air quality and emissions control tests. So one must be in NY to do so. Are other states different so that people can maintain tags and registration without physically taking their cars back? As for Aduana/Banjercito, since we will be picking up the Visa Temporal tomorrow, do we have to go to their office in Cancun and give them anything, fill out any new forms or can we just keep on driving our vehicle legally until he gets his Visa Permanente? Again, thanks so much for your help and prompt reply. Lourdes & Dylan

yucalandia says: June 21, 2016 at 9:07 am

Concur with Gabriel: South Dakota… Call Clay Country Treasurer’s office: The ladies there are great! http://www.claycountysd.org/treasurersoffice.cfm Happy Trails, steve

yucalandia says: June 21, 2016 at 9:09 am

Re driving vehicle in the meantime: Notify Aduana in writing of your RT visa’s expiration date, requesting that Aduana extend your current TIP to have a new expiration date that matches with the RT visa’s fecha de caducidad. Happy Trails, steve

Gabriel Heiser says: June 20, 2016 at 6:31 pm

My Mexican car insurance requires I keep my U.S. registration and plates current (I use South Dakota). So letting it all expire may void coverage. Reply

Gabriel Heiser says: June 20, 2016 at 6:37 pm

Use South Dakota! No need to reside there, no need to have annual inspections. Only need a U.S. address of some kind. For details, google “south dakota for mexico car”. Reply

Don Saigle says: June 22, 2016 at 9:02 pm

Hi Steve – can’t seem to find the answer to this question. Can an owner, of a foreign plated vehicle with a current TIP, who has a current Res Temp immigration status, periodically leave MX while leaving the vehicle behind? Reply

yucalandia says: June 23, 2016 at 6:04 am

Good Morning Don, Yes, you can travel outside Mexico at will. Just be back in time to reapply for your RT visa before it expires, steve Reply

Lydia says: July 9, 2016 at 11:29 pm

Thanks. It seemed as if policy is different for Mexican citizens importing versus non-Mexican and also where and how. I couldn’t link to the actual law. The last I understood was new law now allowed vehicles as recent as 5 years old and under trade agreement this will continue to be reduced. Seems like it’s almost impossible to register unless you have mucho dinero! Present gov continues making life difficult for their hard working people. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: July 10, 2016 at 1:30 pm

For years, people would tell you about someone who could import your car, even when it was clearly not importable. A year or two ago, 13 or so aduanas went to prison for illegal importations, and so now the law is not being ignored. But, there are still people who tell you they can import your unauthorized car. IF you give them money for an illegal act and they take it and run, you are not going to find much sympathy from the Law enforcement folks. It was stated in the papers that the limited age of cars was to protect the used car Mexican industry. I have read many times that eventually the limits will be off per the original agreement, but it hasn’t happened yet. Reply

yucalandia says: July 10, 2016 at 2:22 pm

True, true, true. The official text of the NAFTA accord says that the plan was supposed to be allowing all 4 year old cars & older by now… but… that was never implemented .. so, yes, some (unscrupulous?) people can quote the rules about 5 years old being ‘OK’… but reality shows that if you want a real legitimate pedimento (document proving official approved permanent import), and if you want your vehicle to be listed in the official Aduana database … then the current options are 8 & 9 model years only. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Bruce McGovern says: July 12, 2016 at 5:09 pm

Thanks for reminder of original agreement. I had remembered they were eventually supposed to open it up all the way, but did not remember the wording. I plan to keep that 2002 for a couple years in case they comply. It is worth much more as transportation than the $2000 market price. Great car. Reply

Don Saigle says: July 17, 2016 at 2:01 pm

Hi Steve I’ve cut and pasted the noted link – brought me to a PDF that has some info already filled in. Is there another link to a blank, fillable form? Or even just a blank form? Is there a translation of the fields on the form? Thanks! Don June 28, 2016 Update The Consulates & INM now use pdf forms for applications for both applying for residency and for changin from Residente Temporal to Residente Permanente. See: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByzIMoBRTFBua1FxaXdoWG50QVU/view Reply

Don Saigle says: July 17, 2016 at 2:04 pm

oh boy …. do I feel stupid …. just downloaded the form, and works great! However, is there a translation available? Reply

Burger says: July 19, 2016 at 8:43 am

Hi, everything is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s actually good, keep up writing. Reply

David says: July 20, 2016 at 10:23 am

Hi Steve, My car’s Temporary Import Permit has expired and I need to get back to US as soon as I can but looks like to get the “retorno seguro” now is a slowly process. When you cancel you car at the border, leaving Mexico, do they ask for the “retorno seguro” or just the Temporary Import Permit even if this is expired? I’m thinkin in hire a truck to get my car to the border, cancel it and drive to US. Thanks, David Reply

yucalandia says: July 20, 2016 at 8:21 pm

Yes, you can surrender the TIP, with no Retorno Seguro, and go into the USA Reply

David says: July 20, 2016 at 10:51 am

Hi Steve, I would like to know if they ask you about the “retorno seguro” once you are in your way back to US to cancel the TIP. My car’s TIP is expired but the process to get the “retorno seguro” sounds extremely slow so, I was thinking in hire a truck or a hoist or whatever to transport my car to the border, cancel the permit and drive to US without the “retorno seguro”. Do you think that’s ok? Thanks, David Reply

yucalandia says: July 20, 2016 at 8:19 pm

yes that is allowed Reply

Gabriel Heiser says: August 2, 2016 at 10:10 pm

Hi, Steve, I just bought a new Mexican car to take advantage of the great dollar-to-peso exchange rate, and now I need to sell my 2006 Ford Escape. I’ve resigned myself to make the 10-hour trip from San Miguel de Allende to Laredo, TX, to visit a few used-car dealers for the best price, returning to SMA by bus. I paid the $300 deposit on the way in (Sept 21, 2014) and have renewed the TIP annually at the Querétaro Aduana office. At my first Residente Temporal visa renewal date, I paid for the three-year RT visa renewal (at the local INM office) and updated my TIP (in Querétaro) at the same time The online TIP status check link indeed shows the expiration date coinciding with my RT expiration date (Sept 21, 2018). So, I believe all I have to do is drive to the border and stop at Banjercito to have them log me out of Mexico, remove the sticker on the windshield, and (hopefully) return my deposit. Am I forgetting anything? Thanks!! Gabriel Reply

yucalandia says: August 3, 2016 at 8:07 am

Hi Gabriel, Your plan is fine. Just be sure to deliver the original TIP document (the paper that had the windshield sticker attached to it) to Banjercito when you ask them to remove the sticker at the border. All good, steve Reply

Gabriel Heiser says: August 3, 2016 at 8:48 am

Thanks, Steve! Will do.

Bruce McGovern says: August 2, 2016 at 10:34 pm

Sounds pretty slam dunk to me, if it was a Texas car and you have the official title. If not a Texas car, the transfer may be more complicated. Also, note that you cannot take more stuff with you than you can drag to the bus on the return trip. I just went though it, though my car will be parked in McAllen for a year or two before we sell it or otherwise dispose of it, just in case Mexico decides to comply with the treaty. . In my case, tools and such I could leave in the parked car, or our mobile home, along with a second spare tire and rim. But, I guess a 10 hour trip you won’t need much with you anyway. Please take all the car keys with you. We just bought a used Sienna a few months ago. Clearly, the previous owner had three keys for it, based on what happened when we had someone make us keys, but we didn’t get them, and it costs quite a bit to get the chip keys programmed. Reply

Gabriel Heiser says: August 2, 2016 at 10:41 pm

I recently got a new title and plates from South Dakota. Why would the sale be more difficult if not registered in TX? (Also, I’ll have to get a short-term auto insurance policy to cover me once I cross into the U.S.) Thanks! Gabriel Reply

Kristina Chavira says: August 24, 2016 at 7:14 pm

A truck I got a temp permit on in my husbands name am I able as a spouse and other owner of the vehicle to surrender permit for deposit at border? Reply

yucalandia says: August 26, 2016 at 7:48 am

Yes. We have used a simple Carta de Poder (forms available at most papelerias) identifying ~ the owner of the TIP & their passport number ~ the driver/person who will turn in the TIP sticker & collect the deposit ~ the vehicle make, model, year, and VIN The Carta de Poder is written ~ to identify you as the spouse ~ to grant all rights and responsibilities of the TIP holder and vehicle owner to the driver/spouse/you ~ to describe the calendar dates for which the Carta de Poder applies. Have the TIP holder sign the Carta de Poder… Make copies for Aduana/Banjercito to keep. Happy Trails, steve Reply

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Mexico Guys says: August 28, 2016 at 5:24 pm

I intend to drive my vehicle into Mexico at Nogales in early November & get a 6 month permit which I have done many times. This year however, i have to return to the US for a few days and will be crossing north at Noglaes and then re-crossing a week later at Laredo. The vehicle will still be out of mexico within the 180 days. Is this legal, or do I have to cancle the permit and get anew one. I dont want to do this as this is a 1 ton pickup and althoguh I am sure I will , I will get the permit on line) I am more concerned about Laredo where they are more likely to look at my door sticker and the GVWR. As I am sure you are aware, there are some issues around this right now. They never look at the door in Nogales, its 2 min walk. i figure if I already have the valid TIP I should be able to just drive on by. Reply

yucalandia says: August 29, 2016 at 8:48 am

Hi MG, Your plan is solid. People have successfully done this for years. Sidelights: ~ in theory, you could stop and get a multiple exit & re-entry permit/letter from Aduana/Banjercito at the border, but this is rarely done. Details here: https://yucalandia.com/driving-in-mexico-issues-fun/importing-driving-a-car-in-mexico/#Leaving Mexico with the Vehicle and Returning Later Question: What are the current specific details of Aduana looking at door stickers & GVWR? … and current consequences? Happy Trails, steve **Note that in the rare incidence of you accidentally getting in a wreck with the vehicle while in the USA (with no exit/re-entry permit): It can be a major pain-in-neck to subsequently cancel the TIP & recover your $$ deposit – even if you save a chunk of the broken windshield with the TIP sticker. If we wreck/total the vehicle, (without getting the exit/re-entry permit letter to officially leave Mexico) Aduana sometimes accuses foreigners of selling the TIP vehicle in Mexico (even when wrecked in the US without documented exiting / logging-out of Mexico). That’s a huge issue, because Aduana then charges the foreigner 45% of the vehicle’s value as ‘import duties’ … under the premise that the vehicle is still in Mexico, and was supposedly sold without paying permanent import duties… … in other words… just don’t get in a big wreck while in the USA… Reply

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Bruce McGovern says: September 7, 2016 at 6:09 pm

I have a question, not about cars, but about driver’s license. Not sure if that is allowed here. I got my Permanent Residence in April. I have bought a Mexican car. I do not yet have a Mexican driver’s license, though I want to get one soon if I can. My question is, will I likely have problems driving a Mexican car in my name with a Texas d/l? I know you cannot give legal advice, but wonder if you have any feedback on this topic? Yes, I am aware there are cops who will stop me and tell me I am in violation, even if I am not. That is taken for granted. I am wondering about the reality behind it. Thanks. With my luck and memory, perhaps I already asked and got the answer and already forgot it. Jijiji Reply

yucalandia says: September 8, 2016 at 12:48 pm

Hi Bruce, No advice, just an observation that Mex. Gob. Federal law takes precedence over local & state rules, per Lic. Spencer McMullen’s past reports. Spencer noted that Mex. Federal law says that valid current Canadian & US driver’s licenses are sufficient for owning & operating automobiles in all of Mexico. Heavy trucks & vehicles that require special licensing or special certifications (like chauffer’s licenses or Haz Mat carriers or commercial carriers) may not be covered by this (??). It would be especially effective if you found** and carried a copy of the Federal statute in the car, but Spencer had noted that simply informing the police of the Federal law on this is usually enough to satisfy the police. Happy Trails, steve **If you find that citation / reference, could you come back and share it here? I remember reading Spencer’s insights on either Mexconnect or Chapala.com ‘s webboard. Reply

sdibaja says: September 8, 2016 at 1:39 pm

Steve, how about the opposite. Mexican driving a US plated car? Perhaps with a permission letter from the registered owner… We hear stories, but I have never seen the Law citation. Peter in Baja

yucalandia says: September 8, 2016 at 4:29 pm

Article 106 (subsection 4) says that TIP vehicles can only be driven by: ~ TIP holder ~ Immediate family members / spouse of the TIP holder (which would include Mexicans) ~ Foreigners who have the same type of visa as the TIP holder ~ generic Mexicans … as long as the TIPholder is in the vehicle. steve

sdibaja says: September 8, 2016 at 5:40 pm

thanks, this would be in Baja, so no TIP. I suppose a spouse would be fine here too.

Bruce McGovern says: September 8, 2016 at 3:02 pm

I doubt I can find it, but will try later tonight. My thought was if it was not acceptable, you might have heard of it. Since you haven’t, I will keep working on getting a Mexican d/l and hope for the best. Thanks. Reply

Pat Hall says: September 19, 2016 at 4:17 pm

Where can I find the Mexican Regulations that state that a foreign-plated vehicle does not have to have emissions test? Pat Reply

Don Saigle says: October 14, 2016 at 6:42 pm

Hi Steve Can you confirm that the “Visa No.” from the Mexico Visa for Residencia Temporal is the number that I need to enter as the Folio INM Pre-authorization number for the online TIP? Thanks! Reply

yucalandia says: October 15, 2016 at 8:25 am

Hi Don, Use the number on the BACK of your visa card. steve Reply

Don says: October 15, 2016 at 9:23 am

I’m referring to the MX visa attached to my passport from the consulate

yucalandia says: October 17, 2016 at 4:47 pm

Then you have no formal residency visa number. I can’t find our stock foto of the special 30 day visa sticker that Consuls puts in your passport. Does the Consul sticker/stamp have a visa number listed? If not, you may have to just get a 30 day TIP at the border from Aduana/Banjercito. steve

Don Saigle says: October 18, 2016 at 1:46 pm

Hey Steve Will try to scan a copy of the Visa to send to you. In the meanwhile, the MX Visa from the Consul which was attached to the passport, has a Visa No. which contains an 11 digit number. It also has a spot for a Permit number, but there is no number under that heading. I was using this section of the blog to apply online for the TIP, an assume that it would be the Visa No. that would be used. ~ If you are a foreigner, before starting the vehicle permit application process, you must go to INM’s (Instituto Nacional de Migración) website to apply for an immigration pre-authorization for your FMM, aka tourist card – or get pre-approval for a Residente Temporal from your local Mexican Consulate. The Consulate gives you a special 30 day visa to enter Mexico (Canje) to complete the Residente Temporal process at your local INM office. Use this special visa to apply online with Banjercito to receive a 180 day TIP, … otherwise, the vehicle permit will be issued for the same period as that stated on your immigration pre-authorization (30 days if you do it at the border). Don

yucalandia says: October 18, 2016 at 11:38 pm

Hi Don, Good points. I believe we wrote that section 2 years ago – to fit what Aduana & Banjercito were doing. … yet the Banjercito & Aduana websites (and policies) continue to evolve in the meantime. That evolving nature of their websites & policies may mean that our current text on this issue does not fit how they are currently operating. Neither us nor friends have gone through their most recent version of this process, and I have not found any recent updates on Mexconnect or other expat forums … so, we have to rely on current reports/updates from Yucalandia reader’s reports who have recently used the Banjercito/Aduana website to pre-order a TIP when entering with the stamp/sticker from a Consulate. Can you please come back and tell us your experiences, so we can update our information for others facing the same issues? Thanks! steve

Barry Sanders says: October 15, 2016 at 10:02 am

Hello, I have been following this thread for quite some time. I am in a situation that I have seen no one comment on and I cannot seem to locate a definitive direction to go about getting a TIP on a US plated car with Residente Permanente Visa coming from Baja to National territory to search out relocation options. Here in Baja the rules are different. I am allowed to operate and maintain a CA plated vehicle as a licensed CA driver who is a US Citizen even though I am a RP. I wish to travel with the car into National Territories but can not find guidance on how to get a TIP on my vehicle. Here even a Baja plated vehicle needs a TIP for entry into National territory. How is this done? As a note, I am still within the Northern Frontier zone here and as registered on my RP card and throughout all of Baja no TIP is required. I’ve been looking at this for a long time and just can not find anything regarding it. Any direction here would be greatly appreciated. Reply

yucalandia says: October 17, 2016 at 4:34 pm

Hi Barry, What you are asking for does NOT exist. As an RP, you are NOT allowed to have a foreign plated vehicle in Mexico, except for the Free Zones in the Californias, Q. Roo, and parts of Sonora. The only way for an RP to take a foreign plated vehicle into the rest of Mexico, you would have to go to a border, hire a Customs Broker to permanently import the 8 or 9 year old vehicle, and license and register the newly imported vehicle in Mexico… Wish I had better news, steve Reply

Andre Massicotte says: October 16, 2016 at 8:21 am

Question : Do I understand right that the only way to have 180 TIP is via internet … that at the border you can only have 30 days … Reply

yucalandia says: October 17, 2016 at 4:30 pm

Hi Andre, It depends on your visa type. ~ If you get a 60 month Visitors Visa at the border, then Aduana/Banjercito at the border gives you a 6 month TIP. ~ If you have a 30 day visa from a Mexican Consul that gives you (Canje) just 30 days to go to INM in Mexico to complete getting an Residente Temporal visa, then Aduana/Banjercito at the border gives you just a 30 day TIP. ~ If you have an already INM-issued Residente Temporal visa, then your TIP from the border Aduana/Banjertito is issued with an expiration date that matches your RT visa’s expiration date (variable time … e.g. if you have a 3 year RT visa, then your TIP is good for 3 years). Happy Trails, steve Reply

Don Saigle says: October 19, 2016 at 10:20 am

Hi again Thanks for your note …. I totally understand how policies and processes change and the value of reader feedback. Unfortunately, I’ve run out of time for applying for the online TIP and when I did try, I kept getting an error message – “by the time, the National Institute of Migration service is not available for your pre-register verification, please try again later”. Didn’t seem to matter what web browser I used nor time of day. Been getting that message for a week. Thanks for all your help … maybe someone else can share their experience to update us all. Don Reply

Claire Newbolt says: November 2, 2016 at 4:51 am

Hi mate – great info on here, i do have one question though; do i need a US/Canadian address when applying for Online TIP for it to be sent to? As im in the UK. I guess i could have it delivered to a friend in the US then they would send it to me. What are your thoughts? Cheers, Claire Reply

yucalandia says: November 2, 2016 at 7:04 am

Hi Claire, That question has never come up. I would assume that their express delivery services are set up for US/Canadian addresses, but I really don’t know. Anybody else reading this have any experience with this? steve Reply

Claire Newbolt says: November 17, 2016 at 8:24 am

Hi again – so i contacted Banercito direct and they tell me you need to be a citizen of the US/Canada to be able to apply online Reply

yucalandia says: November 17, 2016 at 12:34 pm

Good update. Thanks! steve Reply

Beate Epp says: November 23, 2016 at 9:08 pm

Hi Steve, I am digging my way through all this information. Very well put together, thank you! But it’s a lot, and so I am just asking away and hope you can enlighten me in some way. And maybe I am just hoping to read something to get my way through this all. My husband and I moved in October 2012 to Mexico from Canada. We entered as tourists with our van and trailer, then applied right away for temporary residence. Now we are days away from getting our permanent residency. I am a bit confused and also scared about what needs to happen next. We do have a business here and need our van, also for our dogs. Our vehicle is a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. I really hope you can help me in some way. We live in the Yucatan. Thank you so much, Beate Reply

yucalandia says: November 24, 2016 at 8:17 am

Hi Beate, Send a letter to Aduana notifying them of your Residente Temporal (RT) visa, asking them to extend the expiration date of your TIP (Permiso de Importación Temporal), including a copy of any documents INM gave you, particularly the INM paper with the NUT number. If you don’t notify Aduana early, Banjercito’s computer automatically confiscates your $$ deposit. Then, when you get your RT visa card, notify Aduana (in writing) again to notify them of your RP’s official expiration date. Alternately, since we are given just 15 days to notify Aduana of your entry visa’s expiration date after your 30 TIP expires, you may choose to make the 4 – 5 hr drive down to the Belize border @ Chetumal, and surrender your current TIP, and get a new one – before Banjercito’s computer confiscates the $$ deposit (say no later than 13 days after your current TIP’s expiration date – to preserve your $$ deposit). When you get your RT visa card, could you come back and report how long it took – and which INM office you used? Thanks, steve Editor’s Note after the fact. When I originally read the questioner’s post, a part of my brain noted the references to both temporary residency visas, and permanent residency visas. I MISTAKENLY (lost my mind) and referred to Residente Permanente visas in my first answer, while I SHOULD have said only Resident Temporal visas holders can keep foreign plated vehicles in Yucatan. Residente Permanente visa holders can drive a family member’s foreign plated car, but they cannot be the TIP permit holder. My sincerest apologies … and I’ve made a note to self: “No answering questions until after the first cup of coffee. Reply

Don Saigle says: November 24, 2016 at 8:40 am

Hi Steve – I understood that a person with a RP immigration status could not have a foreign plated vehicle in MX. Is that correct? What is different with the situation described by Beate? Reply

yucalandia says: November 24, 2016 at 2:28 pm

Don is Exactly RIGHT… if the TIP holder is becoming a Residente Permanente in Yucatan, they cannot be the TIP holder. I have edited and corrected the original reply, and explained my error. Happy Thanksgiving ! steve Reply

Beate Epp says: November 24, 2016 at 10:37 am

Hi Don, yes, that’s what I thought too… so maybe there is a misunderstanding… And Steve, we most likely will be able to pick up our card today… or if not next week as we will be going up to El Cuyo for a few days tomorrow. It didn’t take long at all… just a month, and we got a great and helpful officer. Did it all in Valladolid where we live. Once I am done my emails we will go over there and check and then ask him too, what to do… Now something embarrassing and stupid, really, but yes, it happened… In the beginning, when we got our temporary resident visa, we had asked a good friend who lives here for many years about the car issue. He told us that if we have always a valid visa, updated, without interruption, the sticker is automatically valid too, meaning we are fine. He even gave us papers he printed out directly from SAT where this is explained, so in any case we are stopped and asked, we can show those papers. I didn’t know we had to notify Aduana every time of our status, I thought that would be done automatically in the system… sorry… stupid me… So now we are most likely out of our deposit… well, we can live with that… but regarding our new status… what are we doing about that? Still notifying Aduana? Do we have to make our car ‘legal’ now, and for the time being, can we still drive around without problems? Is our insurance still valid with our new immigration status? Many questions, but I hope you can bring some light into all that. And thank you so much for your speedy reply, really helps a lot! Cause I am a bit worried about this all… I will be calling our car dealer in Canada to ask about the current value of our car, so we can get an idea of what we need to pay to import it officially. I had done it this morning with the new price we had paid in 2012 and got close to 30000 pesos, but that’s not the current value, as it went down since then. Thank you so much again, and anyone who has anything to offer to this… Well, and otherwise, come and visit us any time here in Valladolid! Cheers and happy Thanksgiving, Beate Reply

yucalandia says: November 24, 2016 at 3:09 pm

Hi Beate, I apologize again for my original mistaken replies. I want to clear up any misunderstandings about whether Residente Permanente visa holders can have Permisos de Importación Temporal de Vehiculos … The legal official answer to this question, since March 15, 2013 is … no. If you doubt this: Read the official SAT manual on who can have temporary imports permits… http://www.sat.gob.mx/informacion_fiscal/normatividad/Documents/manual_importacion_vehiculos.pdf See page 17, Item IV … Sec. 2.4.a and 2.4.b both describe how ONLY “residentes temporales y residentes temporales estudiantes” can have the TIP vehicle permits. Unfortunately, if you get into an accident, or cross a state border, or get stopped at a police reten where the police realize you have a Residente Permanente visa, then they can PERMANENTLY confiscate the vehicle. Also, note that since the TIP becomes invalid when the TIP permit holder becomes Residente Permanente, the vehicle is in Mexico illegally, and your insurance policy may have fine print that cancels insurance coverage if the vehicle is illegal. Some insurance companies have these clauses, others do not. You have to talk with technical specialists at your insurance company to know, because insurance agents are too frequently just salespeople who don’t know the legal details (loopholes) of their policies. This is particularly important if you get in an accident with injuries or deaths, because both drivers frequently go to Mexican jail in the case of injuries/death, as the Mexican Govt. requires that we be able to pay in cash, between $2 million to $5 million pesos in cash for every death, or sit in jail indefinitely … no food, no water … until someone comes up with the cash to pay any liabilities. If you are relying on the old Article 106 of the SAT rules, READ the current official version of Article 106 (listed in our article above ): “ARTICULO 106. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Fracción IV. Por el plazo que dure su condición de estancia, incluyendo sus renovaciones, en los términos y condiciones que establezca el Servicio de Administración Tributaria mediante reglas, en los siguientes casos: a) Las de vehículos propiedad de extranjeros que se internen al país, con la condición de estancia de visitante y residente temporal, siempre que se trate de un solo vehículo.” So… all current official SAT/Aduana rules say only residente temporal & visitante visa holders can have a TIP vehicle. …*sigh* … Wish I had better news. RE permanent importacion: Only 8 and 9 year old model vehicles are allowed for permanent imports: That 8 – 9 model year calendar starts Nov 1. … So we are in 2017 model year right now … which means only 2008 & 2009 model year NAFTA manufactured are allowed for imports… and only at the US Mexico border… and the Mex. Gob. requires that all US-titled cars be FIRST formally exported by the official US Customs & Border Patrol’s 72 hr process at the US Mexico border. and the Mex. Gob. requires that we must hire only licensed customs broker are currently allowed to apply for permanent importation of US plated vehicles. Wish I had better news, steve H . Reply

yucalandia says: November 24, 2016 at 3:47 pm

Hi Beate, A final question. You wrote: ” we had asked a good friend who lives here for many years about the car issue. He told us that if we have always a valid visa, updated, without interruption, the sticker is automatically valid too, meaning we are fine. He even gave us papers he printed out directly from SAT where this is explained, so in any case we are stopped and asked, we can show those papers.” Can you tell us what is in that “paper he printed out directly from SAT” ? I understand that under the March 2013 and 2014 official SAT rulings, that when your first 30 day TIP permit expired, SAT rules do only allow us to extend (renovate) the 30 day TIP permit when we have Residente Temporal visas … or visitante visas … Can you give us a reference to the SAT website he used, as every official SAT site & document we’ve checked today still show that residente permanente visa holders cannot have temporary vehicle import permits. Hoping for the best, steve Reply

Beate Epp says: November 25, 2016 at 7:59 am

Hi Steve, there is a misunderstanding… the permit was meant for temporary resident, not for permanent. I do have the papers in my car and will check and let you know. I know it’s not possible for a permanent resident to keep a foreign car, just was worried and wondering about all the process we need to go through now… Luckily we were at a Thanksgiving get together last night and we have someone there who can help us further… The lady works at the department of motor vehicles and has someone working in Progreso doing all the legal stuff. I asked her about things and she seemed very confident and knowledgeable. So next Sunday, in a week, we get together with all our papers and then we go from there… importing our car to make it legal… Until then… we haven’t picked up our new PR cards yet… which will be at the office either today or next week… so we leave it that way… and drive carefully… Going up to El Cuyo for a few days and then keep low profile and crossing our fingers… Luckily everyone knows us here so we do not get stopped anymore… I will let you know about the site… it’s in my car… Thank you so much!!!! And yes, fingers crossing is still good… Cheers, Beate Reply

yucalandia says: November 25, 2016 at 1:09 pm

Best hopes for excellent outcomes! We look forward to hearing how it develops, steve Reply

Cliff du Fresne says: January 2, 2017 at 2:58 pm

Steve, My wife and I both have Temporary Resident visas that expire on January 17/17. Our foreign plated car is in my wife’s name. We want to keep it as a foreign plated car for another 4 years, so I will move to a Permanent Resident visa and she is going to let her Temporary expire, and then pay the penalty and apply for a new 4 year Temporary visa. This has already been done in Mazatlan, so we know it is possible. My questions revolve around the car: – since there is a break in her visa status, is there anything we can do to avoid losing the deposit? – can we extend or reinstate the existing TIP and how do we do that, or do we need a new one? – does the car become illegal during the break in her visa status? – does the car become legal again once the TIP is extended or a new one obtained? Thanks for all your good work for all of us trying to get by in Mexico. Any comments or relevant info would be appreciated. Regards, Cliff Reply

yucalandia says: January 2, 2017 at 6:11 pm

Hi CLiff, Yep, your plan on the INM visas is solid. – since there is a break in her visa status, is there anything we can do to avoid losing the deposit? ~ Take the car out of Mexico before 14 days have elapsed after the RT visa expires. ======================== – can we extend or reinstate the existing TIP and how do we do that, or do we need a new one? Nope. Because your 4 years are up, you have to either ~get a new TIP~ or ~permanently import the vehicle at the US-Mexico border~ or ~ use her new RT visa (at ANY border crossing) to get a new TIP. (This all fits the contract you signed with Aduana & Banjercito, that you agreed to take vehicle out of Mexico before your visa expires…)

If you do allow the TIP to expire… you cannot legally drive the vehicle in Mexico – and all you can legally do is get a free Retorno Seguro permit (5 business days) to drive it to a border. ======================== – does the car become illegal during the break in her visa status? ~ yes ======================== – does the car become legal again once the TIP is extended or a new one obtained? ~ yes Note that Aduana and some police have been cracking down on RP visa holders driving vehicles on expired TIPs, but this is happening only infrequently. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Craig says: March 29, 2017 at 8:46 am

Hello Steve, I have a question…..I have been living in Cancun for four years, went from temporary resident visa to permanent resident visa a couple of years ago. I brought my US-registered car with me to Cancun, got an initial TIP when I arrived and have never renewed it. However, I’ve kept the US plates up to date. I’m now getting ready to move back to the US, with the car, and am not sure what challenges I might run into…..my plan is to have the car shipped in a container along with my household goods. Any words of wisdom or advice?

yucalandia says: March 31, 2017 at 11:57 pm

I would make a quick trip to the Belize border outside Chetumal to go & surrender the TIP to Banjercito/Aduana at the Subteniente Lopez office – to clean up the TIP entries in the Aduana database – to save you future hassles. The car is currently illegal to drive inside Mexico, due to the expired TIP. Your insurance company could cancel your coverage in case of an accident, based on the vehicle’s illegal status. Fortunately, Q.Roo is a Free Zone, like Baja California, where foreigners are allowed to drive foreign plated cars without a TIP, just keeping the car’s foreign registration current. No driving outside of Q.Roo thoug. Happy Trails, steve

Bruce McGovern says: January 2, 2017 at 9:55 pm

I do not wish to seem to want to pressure you against a decision you have thought out. But, I do have a different view. And, because at times other people read this blog who have not yet made up their mind about an imported car and Permanent Residence, I want to post it at the mercy of Yucalandia. I have been in Mexico much of the time for some years, while maintaining a residence in the US. FM-3 obsoleted and I had to start over as Family Unity. In the end, before I got our lovely 2002 Sienna imported it became impossible to import when I got my Permanent Residence, due to rule changes for importation. For a car, it looks like you have four more years of trucking down to the INM office, and who knows what rule changes you will experience, not just on the car but on your person. In my case, after several years of papers based on being spouse of a Mexican citizen, suddenly a new, very ornery, nasty INM employee decided our document from the marriage registrar in her home village was no good. It was a lot of stress and hassle, out of the blue after years of them accepting it. When I pointed this out, she said very sarcastically, “That is why those people aren’t here any more.” (A pox on her head, heh, heh.) I asked to talk to a supervisor, I think it was. I told that I had been very sick and it was a major hardship to travel all day for one piece of paper. She took mercy on me and said she would contact the state marriage people using our official marriage certificate with apostille and get it for us. In a few weeks, I was contacted to come in for the Permanent Residence card. No mention was made of the alleged official and new certificate and in plain sight was the original village certificate they said was no good. I am 100% confident that some intelligent person in the INM office found out what they were doing and told them, more or less, “Knock it off. You accepted that paper all these years. You know very well they are married because of the official US certificate. Give him his PR card and he will be gone forever.” It is just my theory, of course, But, it all matched the evidence. Then, of course, you also need to keep trucking to the US on your US vehicle paperwork, though some claim to know how to handle that from Mexico. In my case, Texas has annual inspection which mandates a trip to the US at a certain time, not an option. So, for a car, you are putting up with a lot of potential hassle. And, what if that nice car (I assume it is nice, like our 2002 is or you wouldn’t be going through all this hassle to keep it) gets wrecked? Up to four years of INM all over again for nothing and you will probably buy a Mexican car after all. I miss my 2002. It had only 221,000 miles mostly Interstate and I could have driven it forever or until it got wrecked. Every time I drive this 2009 Mexican Sienna, I miss that old one. We do drive it to the border. And, I noticed something. With the US plates, we got stopped all the time. Once some special police even stopped me in our own village on a side street and checked our papers on the car. SINCE WE GOT THE MEXICAN PLATES I HAVE NOT BEEN INSPECTED ONCE, NOT EVEN DRIVING TO THE BORDER. (Except by incoming customs coming back.) We get waved on, period, even at major retens. We buy insurance from Qualitas. An agent is 1.5 hours from home, very close to the place that does smog verification. It is the same insurance that is sold to US residents by Lewis and Lewis. Annual renewals on car license are in our own village at the government office. No big hassle, except identification. I had to use my wife’s electric bill and run home for our village marriage certificate to show I lived there. One reason to keep a US licensed car is if you drive far into the US. I would never drive a Mexican plate into the US. I have been stopped illegally by HP with Texas plates in MS and KY and imagine a trip with Mexican plates would be horrible. If I take another trip back north inside the US, after I get rid of the 2002, (which is inevitable if they don’t start complying with NAFTA rules,) I will rent a small car with unlimited mileage. A couple weeks rental on a small car is not a big deal except I will have to pay rental insurance rates. I, too, contemplated starting over on Temporary status to keep our lovely 2002. But, no, my PR card is FOREVER, no more trips to INM, no more annual expense, I never have to leave Mexico unless I choose to, but I can leave any time I want with no hassle, AS LONG AS I LIVE!!! If this 2009 Sienna gets wrecked, I will probably buy a more common brand for Mexico. The only dealer close is 5 hours round trip, and parts are hard to find otherwise. I would probably buy a Ford that is high reliability in Consumer’s Report. Many mechanics can work on Ford stuff. I even have a major hassle finding tires in my size for the Toyota. Reply

Doug says: January 11, 2017 at 12:02 am

Can anyone tell me what Autopista conditions are like to and from Guadalajara? Are there any construction areas or areas I should not want to be driving on with my new car? In 2015 South of Hermosillo the Autopista was completely closed due to total renovation causing me to detour on a dirt road and on poorly surfaced town streets. Reply

cidrni2002 says: January 17, 2017 at 11:49 am

If you’re worried about driving on bad roads with your new car then I would suggest not bringing it to Mexico at all.With the exception of some of the autopistas around Mexico City, most roads in Mexico ( so called autopistas as well ) are in terrible shape …. topes that will rip your undercarriage apart if you’re not careful and bachos so deep you could lose a V.W, in them.Drive a heavy duty SUV with good ground clearance and you’ll be o.k. Always question authority. It drives those who think they have it insane Reply

yucalandia says: January 17, 2017 at 11:56 am

I am guessing that you may not have driven much in Yucatan or Campeche. We have some of the best roads (generally better than Mexico City) than almost all the rest of Mexico, especially carreterras y puentes. *grin* steve

Tony Cariboo says: January 17, 2017 at 12:36 pm

From reading all the comments and from the experience of having two foreign vehicles in Mexico it really stands to reason that those of us who want to drive in Mexico should either rent a car for short trips or buy one there. Wouldn’t that be the simplest way and more in line with what our home countries require of foreign vehicles? Just saying, Kathleen On Tue, Jan 17, 2017 at 9:57 AM, Surviving Yucatan wrote: > yucalandia commented: “I am guessing that you may not have driven much in > Yucatan or Campeche. We have some of the best roads (generally better than > Mexico City) than almost all the rest of Mexico, especially carreterras y > puentes. *grin* steve” >

Doug says: January 18, 2017 at 2:38 pm

In September, I drove my new Audi (with 62Km on the clock) from Veracruz to Guadalajara. There were no issues regarding the condition of the Autopista at speeds between 100 and 160Km/h. My concern is driving from GDL to Nogales. The road has been improved from Hermosillo North but two years ago, there was that long torn-up stretch from Guaymas South. I’m sure this has been finished but some areas of the Autopista North of Culiacan were in need of repair. Reply

Bruce McGovern says: January 18, 2017 at 11:20 pm

Posting one up. I think almost all purchases include perhaps 16% IVA, a form of value added tax. Reply

Ivan says: March 12, 2017 at 11:36 am

Hello. I brought my car in along with my jet ski on a TIP and now it’s expired. I want to bring my car to the US and leave it there, but I want to keep the jet ski in Mexico. I know that I need to get a retorno seguro to drive back to the border, but is there any way to legally import the jet ski since it’s on the same permit as the car? What happens if I drive the car out without the jet ski? Thank you. Reply

yucalandia says: March 17, 2017 at 11:37 pm

You can drive out fine.. Reply

Ivan says: March 18, 2017 at 11:25 am

So I will be able to trough and cancel the TIP even if I don’t have the jet ski with me? I would like to cancel the current TIP, because I want to have the option of bringing another car in the future if I need to. Someone told me that I am not able to have two TIP cars under my name. Thank you for your help.

Bruce McGovern says: March 15, 2017 at 2:15 pm

For valid reasons, which I am not sharing on the Web, I got a Mexican driver’s license. I studied quite a bit. There was a 90 page traffic rules web page, and a 770 page document on Mexican signage, I studied both. I drove into Tepaca to the office. I had a temporary copy of my energy bill in my name, but just in case, I took the one with my wife’s name on it, and our note of marriage from our municipio, which is what they used. I thought the young woman was showing me how to take the computer test, but after the second question, realized she assumed this old man couldn’t run the computer, hee, hee, so she was doing it for me. She showed the question, and I pointed the answer. One thing I noticed is years ago in the US, the hand signal for a left turn was pointing the arm to the left. In Puebla, it is holding the upper arm out and pointing the upper arm to the ground, which used to be the STOP arm signal in the USA. At least I think so. Anyway, I assumed the Puebla permanent license was canceled in December. But, when it was time to pay, she asked, 3 years, 5 years, or permanent. I said permanent fast before she changed her mind. It cost around 2000 pesos, but now I have it for life, if I don’t lose it. I posted this on a board, and some guy said the idea of a permanent license sounded scary to him. I responded that it should only sound scary to those who think we can be safe only if the government monitors and controls every part of our life. Every old person eventually stops driving, and though I haven’t seen data, I suspect that only a small percentage are stopped by government action. A lot of people give up driving voluntarily, or from family pressure. IF anyone has any hard data, I’d enjoy seeing it. Next, I scouted around and bought 4 new Euzkadi tires. I assumed that name was Chinese, but Euzkadi is actually a Mexican company founded back in 1938. Each tire cost 1800 pesos. Cheap Coopers run around 900 pesos each, and top brand names run over 3800 each. My tires were made by Continental in San Luis Potosi. I found a place in the country which had a “whole-car raising” machine; (you drive your car over it and with cables it raises your entire car up in one smooth motion, it is not the usual hydraulic hoist system), a good tire machine to remove and install tires on the rim, and a good balancing machine. Most places outside the cities seem to use the totally obsolete and worthless bubble machine. So, I was awfully happy at finding him. I have made two trips at 80kph to the border due to unbalanced tires. This trip they were steady at 120 hph. When it was time to renew my annual car registration, I went to the local Finanza office, and they gave me a paper to take to a local finance office and pay 450 pesos, for tenencia and circulation. So, apparently the big tenencia costs are past on a 2009 Sienna, unless they suspended the program. I did drive back to the border with that Mexican car. National Unity charged me 1800 pesos for around 28 days of major liability insurance for driving into Texas. But. as soon as I got to my trailer, I park it and drive the old 2002 which cannot be driven into Mexico due to my Permanent Residence rules. That old car started as if it had been run the day before, instead of six months ago. I had Fuel-Stab in th tank, and the battery was in the house on a battery tender. But, I think it’s time to donate or otherwise get rid of that old car. Just another nuisance issue to keep it inspected and registered and insured. Reply

yucalandia says: March 19, 2017 at 11:07 am

Temporary Import Permits … are ‘temporary’ … which means not permanent. Hence Permanent Residents cannot get Temporary Import Permits. A PR visa holder is allowed to drive the TIP vehicle of a family member, but they cannot be the TIP holder. TIPs are only awarded to vehicle owners. steve Reply

Terri says: May 29, 2017 at 12:56 pm

Hello, hope you don’t mind helping me out. I have been doing some research about bringing your car into Mexico as a tourist, and I’m still unsure of the answer, and would like some confirmation. A friend of mine is driving here and bringing her car, as a TOURIST and not applying for residency, and will be driving beyond the border area into the interior. She still has to get a TIP, right? Or not? Thank you. Reply

yucalandia says: May 29, 2017 at 3:33 pm

Correct, unless she stays in Baja California, Q.Roo or other ‘Free Zone’ areas. Reply

Rick says: June 20, 2017 at 11:35 am

Hello we just financed a new car in the US. The Title is with the bank and we have a registration card and plates.Can we still get a temporary Import permit?? Thanks for all your hard work! Rick Reply

yucalandia says: June 20, 2017 at 1:57 pm

Hi Rick, Registration in your name & plates are all that’s needed. steve Reply

Shane says: June 20, 2017 at 6:22 pm

Hi, I’m here in Oaxaca on a tourist visa. I drove my ’97 Nissan Pathfinder across the Laredo border with a TIP I ordered online. My TIP expires July 11. In 2009 and 2010 I drove to Tapachula, Chiapas and renewed my former TIP twice. It was a bit complicated but I managed it without any major incidents each time (I had left the country via plane during that period and I believe the officer asked me to get a land visa before he would do work on the TIP). I’m gearing up to do the trip to renew my TIP again and I’m wondering if I should expect any changes. I’ve been reading through the extensive info on this site and it seems I’ll be ok, though the 200 dollar deposit I paid is new component compared to my previous experiences. So two questions: 1. Can I expect things to be roughly the same as before? 2. Does it matter if I cancel the TIP prior to the expiration date (say, go to border on June 25 rather than expiration date of July 11)? Thanks in advance, Reply

yucalandia says: June 20, 2017 at 9:05 pm

Hi Shane, Your TIP expires when your tourist visa expires .. no variations … no extensions … no grace period … no renewals. You’ll have to leave Mexico to be able to get a new visa, and to be able to get a new TIP. Mexico’s policies on visas changed completely in Nov 2012, meaning your prior experiences have no bearing on Mexican policies since Nov 2012. You have to leave Mexico, and either get a 1 year Residente Temporal visa or another 180 day Visitante Visa. Residente Temporal visas are gotten by starting with an application at a Mexican Consulate (outside Mexico) – like in the USA at Laredo, San Antonio, Chicago, Portland etc. See our main article on immigration for details at: https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/new-rules-and-procedures-for-immigration-visiting-and-staying-inmexico/ Once you have a Residente Temporal visa (renewable up to 4 total years) or a Visitante Visa, you can get a fresh TIP at the border when you enter. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Shane says: June 21, 2017 at 10:16 am

Thanks for your help Steve. It seems like since I’m currently living here in Oaxaca my best bet in this case is to leave Mexico on the Guatemalan border and then re-enter with Visitante Visa and get a fresh TIP then. I still need to make sure they remove the old TIP when I leave for Guatemala, no? And I assume I can leave before the old TIP actually expires. Thanks again, Reply

Chaz Miller says: July 25, 2017 at 2:22 pm

Just a week away from driving to San Miguel de Allende from Baltimore versus flying to save $3,000+ on shipping our dog, reading this site indicates our 2001 Subaru may pose a problem. After entering the VIN #, the reply was the infamous: “El vehículo no se puede importar por no ser fabricado en E.U.A o CANADA” answer. We have preliminary Residente Temporale visas from our local Mexican Consulate, and thought all along we could keep the vehicle for up to 4 years with permit renewals, but now are coming to realize such may not be the case. This raises a couple of questions: [1] Will we be able to cross the border with this car? [2] If yes, will we be able to use it for at least 180 days until other vehicular arrangements can be made? [3] Is there a way to keep it until the Residente Permanente day comes? Many thanks in advance for help. Reply

yucalandia says: July 26, 2017 at 10:24 am

Yes, you can enter Mexico & get a TIP (for up to 4 years with renewals) with a 2001 Subaru. Re the online problem: The message you received ” “El vehículo no se puede importar por no ser fabricado en E.U.A o CANADA” shows that you somehow chose website options for a permanent import. “Importar” means to permanently import the vehicle. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Chaz Miller says: July 27, 2017 at 10:10 am

Thank you! So much contradictory information about just about everything Mexico online. Good to know I can keep the Subaru for upwards to 4 years. Probably won’t, but great to know this won’t be an issue for now. Gabriel Heiser says: July 26, 2017 at 10:35 am

By the way, I purchased a new Subaru last month at the Subaru dealer in Querétaro (50 minutes from San Miguel de Allende, where I live). And the price was substantially LESS than the same car would have cost in the U.S.! (probably due to the favorable exchange rate at this time) Welcome to SMA! Reply

Jane Mallonee says: July 26, 2017 at 9:31 am

A friend (not a family member) would like to live with me. How does he change his address to mine without a utility bill in his name? Reply

yucalandia says: July 26, 2017 at 6:41 pm

You could give him a letter (for example as his landlord), certifying him as a resident~tenant, plus give him a copy of your CFE bill to show them. Reply

First Last says: July 26, 2017 at 6:19 pm

Re:Address change Create letter stating THE NAME of the individual. The NEW ADDRESS. Sign with your name and copy of your INE card. You did not indicate if you are a Mexican national. If not, copy of your visa Temporal/Permanente. Also make copy of light bill, regardless of the name, but address is correct. Reply

Sharon Hilliard says: August 1, 2017 at 9:42 pm

I have a RP visa and my husband will be renewing his RT visa for 3 more years so we can have our US plated car in Mexico. My question is, since the title and registration is in both of our names do I need to remove my name from the title & reg. to get the TIP since I have a RP? Thank you, Sharon Reply

Sharon Hilliard says: August 12, 2017 at 7:21 am

Do I, as a RP, need to remove my name from the registration and title of our vehicle when my husband, who has a RT visa, and I drive our car to Mexico? Reply

yucalandia says: August 12, 2017 at 9:59 am

Is the Aduana TIP in your husband’s name? As long as the TIP is in the name of the RT visaholder, then you can come & go without issues. … Note that when getting a TIP at the Mexico US border: If the title or car registration has any names listed on it of persons who are not traveling with you, you will need to bring a notarized letter from those persons authorizing the trip. Happy Trails, steve

Sharon Hilliard says: August 13, 2017 at 9:02 am

Thank you. We had to cancel our TIP when we left Mexico due to a computer glitch. When we drive down again next month, it will be in a different vehicle. The new TIP will be In my husband’s name but because we (he) is applying for a new TIP, will we run into any problems if my name is on the title and registration?

yucalandia says: August 13, 2017 at 4:28 pm

If the title or car registration has any names listed on it of persons who are not traveling with you, you will need to bring a notarized letter from those persons authorizing the trip. Since you are traveling together, this should not be an issue. steve

rx2plus3 says: August 10, 2017 at 9:31 pm

I have a situation that might be fairly unique. Here it goes: Basic situation: Our family of 5 will be abroad in the U.S.A. with our vehicle when both Temporary Resident status expires and T.I.P.(on same day). We can return to renew resident status within 55 days of expiration (per Mexican law) but how can vehicle (and crossing of border on way out and in) be handled? This seems very complex – forums are unclear. Details (a-d): a) Currently whole family (from U.S.A.) on 1 year (initial) temporary residente visas (expiring on Sept 9, 2017). Have not crossed border since coming in last year with van (on Sept 9, 2016). b) Also, have a T.I.P. (Temporary Importation Permit) for van that has been extended to expire on Sept 9., 2017 (we applied for the extension in Mexico City and checking Banjercito website, it was updated and renewed properly). Sticker is applied on van and have all paperwork in hand. c) Whole family will try to renew the Residente Temporal visas for another 3 years. Due to a vacation planned to the U.S.A. (crossing border in van on September 6, 2017 [3 days before expiration] and not returning till mid October), this will need to be done after the expiration of the current Residente Temporal status. Reason: if we process renewal status before we leave, current conditions take 6 weeks to receive the renewal. We would need to get a letter to exit country and come back and also dealing with the vehicle, at the border, during that process, would be very very tricky. We have decide to use the provision under Mexican law (DOF Articulo 34, Criterios de Resolution II) to let the Temporary Residente status expire while we are abroad, and then within 55 days of expiration return to Mexico and handle the renewal within 5 days at INM. This is legally allowed if a card expires while you are abroad. d) BIG QUESTION: How do we handle exiting Mexico at the border with our van? OPTIONS (1-4): [Note: On all options below, we will stop at INM at the border to get each passport date stamped and paperwork needed for return of family later in October. This is mandatory.] OPTION 1) Drive right through (don’t stop at Aduana or Banjercito) on the way out If we don’t stop with our van at Aduana or Banjercito on exit, on re-entry to Mexico later in October, will Aduana or Banjercito flag us for bringing in a “second car” because technically our car “never left”? Do they scan the car or plate into a database upon exit of Mexico regardless of whether you turn TIP in or not (or sticker) or register at the counter with them? OPTION 2) Stop to surrender the T.I.P. windshield sticker and paperwork – all of it. This will allow us to exit cleanly out of Mexico and receive our reimbursement ($400 held deposit) but upon re-entry we will not have a T.I.P. We will need to get one at the border (or option 4 below). Although we are allowed to ‘extend’ our INM Temporary Resident status for 55-60 days after expiration (if we are abroad), will they allow us to get a new T.I.P. at the border (we will not be “attaching” the T.I.P. to a visitor visa or a Residente Temporal card that is valid [it will only be in extension mode legally – see above]? Will customs allow us to get another T.I.P. at that time or not allow us to enter the country with our van (i.e. will they say we can enter with our “person” but not allow a new T.I.P. or sticker issued for entry of our van??). Or is the T.I.P. separate from immigration status at the time you get it? OPTION 3) Stop to only RECORD the exit from Mexico at Banjercito on exiting (T.I.P current as of September 6) (i.e. Partial Return or Multiple Entry Exit Paperwork needed??)… Do not surrender the TIP sticker or paperwork on exit (is this a possibility or do they take it from you?). Upon re-entry to Mexico in October, come in to Mexico with expired T.I.P. paperwork and sticker still on windshield (already lost the reimbursement – no biggie). Since technically the T.I.P. is valid for the length of the INM residency status (which expired but is ‘technically’ still valid for 55 days after expiration without penalty as long as renewing within 5 days of entering country), will T.I.P. sticker and paperwork still be ok when coming back? We will need to inform Banjercito that we came back for records but they will know that the T.I.P. is expired. Will they strip us of the T.I.P. or sticker? If they do, can we get another one at that time? How will that work since our residency is technically expired (although legally extended)? OPTION 4) Stop to surrender the T.I.P. windshield sticker and paperwork – all of it. While in the States, immediately apply online through Banjercito website to get a 6 month TIP (with sticker and paperwork sent to our address in the States). Pay online the deposit and receive the TIP in the mail. Come into Mexico and use the 55 day provision to extend the residency status until renewing within 5 days. Affix sticker obtained from Banjercito online to windshield before crossing border to make van legal. This option seems simplest (it was referred to in a post of Dirk on July 29, 2015 above). This is very tricky. We would like to not cancel our vacation because of a lot of planning but the question is How Can We Get Our Van Legally Back Into Mexico? Do I need to stop at the border and record/register/log my vehicle (exit and re-entry) if my TR card is technically ‘extended’ even after expiration? Any assistance is deeply appreciated. (Just a note : we are favoring option 4). Reply

yucalandia says: August 11, 2017 at 5:57 pm

Hi rx, Even though “This seems very complex – forums are unclear.“, there is a simple straightforward path to resolving both RT Visa & TiP expiration issues. Since you are in Mexico now, then go to INM ~NOW~ and start your RT visa renewal process, applying for your planned 3 year extension~renewal. We are allowed to start the renewal process up to 30 days before the expiration date, so … by starting now, you are inside that 30 day renewal window. Next … Once you start the INM visa renewal process, you do the normal things to keep your TIP valid with Aduana~Banjercito: ~ Once you log-in at your INM office, and they issue the NUT and contrasena, you write a letter RIGHT AWAY to Aduana, requesting that they extend the expiration date on your TIP, and explain that you have officially applied for renewal of your INM visa, including a copy of the INM document proving your new NUT & new renewal application. … In the letter, list your RT visa #, passport ID #, the TIP document number, the vehicle make & model & VIN, … and include copies of passport, RT Visa, TIP, etc. ~ SEND that letter, or drop it off RIGHT AWAY to Aduana~Banjercito. ~ Get through as much of the INM visa renewal process NOW … because when INM calls you in to sign the signature card & drop off fotos, the date on that INM document when you sign & submit fotos is PROOF that INM has approved your renewal. ~ When you get that INM document & date, write another letter to Aduana~Banjercito to send (or deliver) a copy of that INM document in to Aduana, requesting that Aduana~Banjercito extend your TIP expiration date to 3 years beyond the date of that INM document. ~ At that point, using NORMAL INM & Aduana~Banjercito procedures, you have effectively renewed BOTH your INM visa & TIP. … even though you don’t yet have the final laminated version of your RT visa card. Note that if you start the INM renewal process immediately, now … then you likely get all the important things done before you leave on Sept 3. Note that this is not complex … but is easy & normal … and if you jump on it now (NO MORE DELAYING) … then INM may finish it all before you leave for the USA. *grin*

Finally, if INM is slow in processing your renewal, you can always request (in writing) that INM give you a permission letter to travel outside the USA while your visa’s final processing is being completed. … INM usually needs 3-4 business days to issue this ‘permission to travel outside Mexico’ letter. I would exit Mexico from the same Aduana~Banjercito crossing point that you plan to use to return to Mexico later, showing them your INM travel permission (give them a copy of INM letter and copies of the earlier letter to Aduana~Banjercito where you requested a formal extension of your TIO ) … and when you give them the INM letter & your Aduana TIP extension letter, also explain how long you will be out of Mexico, and when you plan to return – getting their assurance that they have your “Request for Extension of TIP” recorded & documented … and that they will allow you to reenter at that same crossing point when you return. Happy Trails, steve Reply

Sharon Hilliard says: August 14, 2017 at 9:56 am

Thanks, Steve. That is good to know. It is only the 2 of us on the registration and title and we are traveling together. My concern is that because I have a permanent resident Visa, do I need to remove my name from the registration and title before my husband, who has the Temp. Resident visa, applies for the new TIP when we drive back to Mexico?

yucalandia says: August 14, 2017 at 4:09 pm

no

Doug says: September 18, 2017 at 5:58 pm

Hello all, I need some advice as to extending my vehicle TIP. I recently moved and live full-time in Merida. I recently received my residente temporal card and am now wanting to match my vehicle TIP with the expiration date on my card. Today, I went to the SAT office in Merida as I could not find another agency in which to begin the process. After several consultations with the admin persons and their supervisors I was told that there was no agency in Merida that could extend the permit. I was told the closest federal office that extending such permits is in Vera Cruz. In fact, I was told the TIP could not be extended even for a temporary resident and once it expired I would need to use the 5-day process to take the car out of the country (a process with which I understand). Now, I know this info given to me was incorrect and told them so. My understanding was that a letter would be issued (I thought by SAT/Banjercito) to coincide with the TR visa expiration date. While the individual(s) were courteous and tried to be helpful, they didn’t seem familiar with the extension process. I was told that SAT only issued the initial TIP and didn’t do extensions. My question is, what agency and which location should I go to for the permit extension? Do I go to the banjercito located on Paseo de Montejo or another government agency? Any advice appreciated as I don’t want to drive to Belize just to swap the TIP every six months. I have researched online and instructions on extending are non-existent on the MX government sites. Thanks in advance. Reply

yucalandia says: September 18, 2017 at 6:53 pm

There’s an address for a Mexico City – DF Aduana/SAT office up in the article above. Truly, a quick trip down to the Chetumal-Santa Elena – Subeniente Lopez – Corozol Aduana office might be your quickest, most direct, reliable option. As advised in the article above: If you came in on a 30 day visa to complete your Residente Temporal, then the typical procedure is to notify Aduana in writing to extend your TIP when you receive your NUT from the local INM office. Then when INM has you submit fotos & you sign the signature card for your RT visa, then you AGAIN send in that documentation to Aduana, requesting that they extend your TIP. Once you have the card in hand … if you have heard nothing from Aduana on the 2 prior requests … immediately request the extension gain – as you don’t want to lose the TIP deposit. I understand that if you do not get it extended by Aduana, you must take the vehicle to the border before 14 days pass after the original expiration date of the TIP, or possibly forfeit the TIP deposit. steve Reply

Mercy Stepp says: September 18, 2017 at 7:20 pm

In Progreso I think many take their vehicle to the Aduanas office at the peer. There is a girl that works at a bank there that everyone says to talk to. Let me see if I can find her info. If you have tried this route, let me know. Mercy Stepp says: September 18, 2017 at 7:22 pm

Angie at Banjercito on Calle 76 Progreso.

Doug says: September 18, 2017 at 8:43 pm

Thanks Steve and Mercy, I’ve had my RT card for a few weeks, but couldn’t seem to find an answer on SAT’s website as to a physical office location to take a letter, etc. to extend the TIP (6-month TIP ordered online in the states before I left the US) so I’m a little late in starting the process. I am somewhat concerned about receiving a timely reply from Mexico City before the TIP expires in mid-November after reading a couple of articles about it taking 6-8 weeks to receive a letter to take the car out of the country once the TIP expires. Mercy, I think I’ll drive to Progreso and see if I can get the TIP renewed there before I go to Belize. The problem I have is I’ll be traveling out of the country (without my car) in October/early November and might not be able to respond to any government replies. I also had some difficulties in getting my RT card at immigration due to a foul-up by Mexican immigration and actually had to drive to Belize to have my passport stamped again for entry. That’s a story for another day, but it wasn’t pleasant experience especially at the border. I appreciate the advice. Reply

yucalandia says: September 19, 2017 at 10:39 am

Hey Doug, As long as you send them appropriately documented written notice (delivered at least 2 weeks before the current expiration date) formally requesting to extend the expiration date of the TIP, then it preserves your deposit. Yay! steve Reply

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