Many Americans and Canadians choose to drive down to Mexico for their vacations, or to have a set of wheels for maneuvering while they stay at their Mexico Second home A common question that we receive quite often How can I get my car down to Mexico.
I did some researching on this subject, and this is what my report reveals The Mexico Law has allowed for permits and a regulated process for Americans and Canadians (any Mexican Foreigner) wishing to drive their Mexican foreign owned vehicles south of the border into Mexico.
GENERAL INFORMATION ON TEMPORARILY IMPORTING A CAR INTO MEXICO
Mexico law does not allow for automobiles to be imported and nationalized into this country if they are less than 10 years of age.
Mexico does allow for nationalization of cars imported over 10 years of age, whereby taxes will need to be paid * There may be a new law that will only allow cars made in 1998 to be legally imported. Cars newer than this date is competition to the manufacturers and cars older than this date may be seen as an environmental and safety hazard
Mexico will allow for the TEMPORARY IMPORTATION of automobiles for Americans and Canadians whose importation permits will be valid during the same period as the importer s tourist visa FMT, or using your resident s visa, the FM3 or FM2 LINK TO MEXICO FM3
Maximum amount of time allowed on a FMT=6 months
Maximum amount of time allowed on a FM2/3 = 12 months
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO TEMPORARILY IMPORT A CAR INTO MEXICO
There are basically 2 methods for individual people to bring an automobile into Mexico Either driving across from the US border, or having your automobile shipped into Mexico at one of the several Mexican ports Each area of entry will have a module or office where you the importer, can register for your FMT tourist documentation and fill out the documentation for your temporary automobile permits The documentation you bring needs to have the original, and a set of copies to deliver to these offices Remember, that first the importer needs to place his personal documentation in order (FMT or FM2 or FM3) before importing his automobile The National Institute of Migration has offices on all borders and terminals of entry into Mexico
The importer of the automobile must bring (one of the following) to prove citizenship:
1) Mexican foreign passport or Birth Certificate (the Birth Certificates may no longer be allowed due to changes in international policies)
2) Valid drivers license
Afterwards, the importer must present either of the following documents to prove ownership of the automobile.
1) Vehicle Title
2) Valid vehicle registration certificate
3) Invoice
4) Credit contract from the financing institution or an invoice letter with a validity not older than 3 months (for automobiles that are not paid for in full)
If you are not the owner of the automobile
1) Family Vehicle:proof of ownership of the family member
Family Relation:proof of relation between owner of the automobile and the importer (eg Marriage certificate or Birth certificate)
2) Company Vehicle:proof of ownership of the company
Company employee:proof of work relation employer employee
(eg Letterhead document stating this fact)
3) Rented Automobile:proof of rental agreement
Authorization:proof of rental company authorizing that automobile be taken out of country
MEXICO AUTOMOBILE TEMPORARY IMPORTATION SERVICE FEES
The importer of the automobile must pay a SERVICE FEE with either of these 2 methods
A) CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD
1) credit card must be in the name of the importer
2) card must be valid internationally
3) card must be issued from either USA or from Canada
4) card must be activated to accept charges internationally
5) a charge of $39.60 at General Consulates
a charge of $29.70 at modules at the crossing points
B) CASH
1) You will only be able to pay cash at the border crossings (double check this fact given that some ports will also accept cash)
2) If you pay cash, another DEPOSIT AMOUNT, will be charged apart from the SERVICE FEES The DEPOSIT AMOUNT will be returned to the importer when the importer returns the vehicle to the country of origin Also note that the return needs to be realized within the time period allowed on the permit, otherwise the DEPOSIT AMOUNT will be forfeited by the importer.
3) The DEPOSIT AMOUNT is determined according to the automobile s date of manufacture.
1995 and older = $200 usd
1995 1999 = $300 usd
2000 present = $400 usd
MEXICO AUTOMOBILE CROSSING THE BORDER OR PICKING UP YOUR VEHCILE AT THE PORT
Always bring the original documentation and at least 2 copies for delivering to the offices The automobile will be physically inspected at the border as well as at any port It is also normal, especially along any border state, to have several required inspection stations to review your documentation and to verify correct ownership and permits When you import the automobile, the officials will give you the permit, as well as a sticker to place within your vehicle for such inspections.
WHO IS ALLOWED TO DRIVE THE TEMPORARY IMPORTED CAR
Mexicans: the importer, his spouse, ascendants, descendants or siblings, only if they have legal residence abroad; a foreigner with the appropriate migratory status, and any other person, as long as the importer travels on the vehicle
Foreigners: the importer, his spouse, ascendants, descendants or siblings, even if they are not foreigners; foreigners that hold migratory status authorizing them to do so or a national, as long as any of the authorized persons travel on the vehicle
THE RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL COUNTRY OPERATION ON A TEMPORARILY IMPORTED CAR INTO MEXICO
When you leave the country with your Mexico foreign owned vehicle, locate the module for temporary importation to register your automobile of its proper exit You will be required to present the vehicle and the temporary import permit The officials will then capture the automobile as having returned to the country of origin A Return Certificate will then be presented to you for your files The DEPOSIT AMOUNT will also be returned as this time
NOTES:
On some occasions, you can re-register the automobile for an extended time period without physically taking the vehicle across the border This can be done at the nearest module located within Mexico This is normally done by first obtaining an extension or renewing your FMT tourist VISA for another 6 months, or by obtaining a renewed FM2 or FM3 residence card You will register your car at the nearest official module, they will capture your car as exported, and they will then deliver another TEMPORARY IMPORT PERMIT based on your new FMT or FM2/3 visa Such renewal will require another SERVICE FEE
You can obtain insurance on your Mexican Foreign automobile These companies will cover your foreign vehicle for the same accidents which can occur in your home countries
Click here to read about what items are allowed to cross the border into Mexico within your car What Items Allowed to Cross the Border
Thomas Lloyd
(512)879-6546
