Bringing Foreign-Plated Cars Into Mexico

Written by: Mexperience.com
Published: Monday, December 2, 2013

Since the introduction of Mexico’s reformed immigration law last year, some issues related to the import of foreign-plated cars have arisen which have caused some confusion and concern among expats. We have spoken to various sources and taken feedback from readers’ experiences to ascertain what the current situation is. This is the latest information we have to date:

Visitors Entering Mexico Using FMM (Tourist Permits)

 

If you are visiting Mexico on a tourist permit, you can import your foreign-plated vehicle to Mexico, but you must export it again before the permit expires. FMM permits last for a maximum of 180 days (6 months) and cannot be renewed or extended beyond this time period.

Entering Mexico with a Residente Temporal Permit

 

As of now (December 2012) you can import your vehicle to Mexico when carrying a Residente Temporal permit, BUT only if the visa is for non-lucrative, retirement, or study purposes. If your Residente Temporal permit allows you to work in Mexico, you cannot (presently) import a car. We have been told by our contacts who are in touch with Aduana in Mexico City that a revision to the rules, due to be implemented in January 2014, will enable holders of Residente Temporal visas with work privileges to bring foreign-plated cars into Mexico.

Entering Mexico with Residente Permanente Permit

 

If you are carrying a Residente Permanente permit, you will not be allowed to bring your foreign-plated car into Mexico (whether the permit is for non-lucrative or lucrative purposes).

Expats with Temporary Residency & Work Status with Cars in Mexico

 

If you currently have an (old) FM3 or (new) Residente Temporal that allows you to work in Mexico, then you can park the vehicle until the new rules come into effect in January, or keep using it, and run a small risk of having the vehicle confiscated if you are stopped by the police or become involved in an accident.

 

Expats with Permanent Residency Status and Cars in Mexico

If you have a foreign plated car in Mexico now, and you have an (old) FM2 or (new) Residente Permanente permit, you will need to make some choices, e.g.:

Export the car permanently – Take the car out of Mexico (crossing the border into the US or Belize) – see “Safe Return” procedure, below.

Export and then re-import the car using a Customs Broker – If you want to keep your car, there is a process to legally import the car by paying the relevant duties and import taxes. You’ll need a customs broker to assist you with this process. The name of the person with the Residente Permante permit will need to have clear title to the vehicle (no liens or encumbrances; and no leased vehicles) – see “Safe Return” procedure, below.

Export the car and sell it to a person with a Residente Temporal permit – If you know a foreigner with a Residente Temporal permit who wants to buy your car, you can export it, sell it to them, and they can re-import it using their Residente Temporal permit.

Export the car by sea – In some circumstances export of your car on a sea vessel might be a viable option. You’ll need a customs broker to help you with the process. As a rule of thumb, shipping fees to the US range from $1,000-$1,500, which might be worth it especially if your vehicle is new and/or particularly valuable.

 

Safe Return Program

 

If your vehicle is currently “illegal” and you want to take it out of the country, you can apply for a “Retorno Seguro” permit from SAT, which gives you five days to drive the car out of the country (to the US or to Belize).

General Notes

 

The police who stop you might not be formally briefed on the new (and latest rules) about customs, so some drivers choose to print-out and carry a Spanish language copy of Article 106 with them to present to the police if necessary.

If your car is stolen, you’ll have to pay Aduana 40% tax on the car’s value. This rule was brought in some while ago to discourage foreigners from dumping their cars and telling Aduana it was stolen. While the authorities cannot prevent you from leaving if you don’t pay the tax, failure to do so will forfeit your rights to import any other foreign plated vehicle to Mexico in future.

If you want to get rid of your car, there is a procedure whereby you can “donate” it to Mexican Customs; you can find more information here on the Aduana web site.