Taking my car to and from Mexico

[little01]

i was going to move to tequisquiapan, mexicao near queretaro and i was told i needed to ave my vehicle paid in full (clear title..no liens) but if i moved to one of the border towns i could bring the car over and make payments back to the U.S....had to live w/n 20kmn of the border where rules are different...i still will have to purchase mx. ins and keep U.S. ins also which is fine....just wanting to know if i have this correct....chergirl

[RVGRINGO]

That is possibly correct, in that the border towns are within the 'zona frontera', where you don't need a visa for 72 hours and your car doesn't need an 'importada temporal' for a short visit. However, living there might change things, especially if you were to try to buy a home.
Remember that the lien holder of the car will not want you to take the car out of the USA and you will have to get a letter of permission from them. If you were to lose the car in Mexico, for any reason, you could be putting yourself in a very tight spot. So, my suggestion is to pay off the loan and move anywhere you like in Mexico. If that isn't possible, your plan to move may be premature.

[nwtconner]

In response to the cat issue. I got all kinds of paperwork in order to bring my cat down with me. However the papers were not checked at either the american or mexican border.

[RVGRINGO]

That is often the case, but if you had not jumped through the hoops, Murphy's Law would have jumped upon you and the cats.

[little01]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

That is possibly correct, in that the border towns are within the 'zona frontera', where you don't need a visa for 72 hours and your car doesn't need an 'importada temporal' for a short visit. However, living there might change things, especially if you were to try to buy a home.
Remember that the lien holder of the car will not want you to take the car out of the USA and you will have to get a letter of permission from them. If you were to lose the car in Mexico, for any reason, you could be putting yourself in a very tight spot. So, my suggestion is to pay off the loan and move anywhere you like in Mexico. If that isn't possible, your plan to move may be premature.

could you please explain to me what the importa temporal is...as far as my car is concern...thank you so much

[RVGRINGO]

One may temporarily enter the 'Zona Frontera', or frontier zone, of Mexico without any paperwork other than your passport, which will be needed to get any more permanent documents, such as visas or temporary import papers for your car, the 'Importada Temporal'. These would be needed to travel any further into Mexico and probably for a longer stay in the Zona Frontera. The 'Importada Temporal' remains in effect, regardless of its expiration date, as long as you remain in Mexico and maintain legal immigration status.

[little01]

thank you so much for your help.....i was thinking of getting a 6mos visa and ins on the car and the stamp on the car for that period of time...i think that is a 6 month permit or a FM-3...if i have the paper from the car dealer do you think that might work??/

[BajaGringo]

6 months is for an FMT which is a tourist visa. FM3 is a resident visa and is for one year.

[RVGRINGO]

The FMT is a 180 day tourist permit if you ask for that maximum amount of time. You will need your title, registration, driver's license and a major credit card for the bond in order to get the importada temporal for your car. The FM3 is a visa which allows you free entry and exit to all of Mexico. It is renewed each year at your Mexican place of residence's nearest Immigration office and lasts for five years. Then, you start the application process over again. You need proof of residence and foreign income each year.

[G.Bledsoe]

Originally Posted by little01

thank you so much for your help.....i was thinking of getting a 6mos visa and ins on the car and the stamp on the car for that period of time...i think that is a 6 month permit or a FM-3...if i have the paper from the car dealer do you think that might work??/

The Banjercito (the place that sells the car stickers) is supposed to accept a bill of sale from a dealer, if you just bought the car (say in Texas) do not have a title OR registration in your name.

In 11 years of crossing the border, I have not tested that proposition myself.

Some of my friends, however, have used the bill of sale on the back of the title, where you sign it over to a new owner, but they were obligated in Ojinada and Juarez to have the bill of sale--on the title-- sworn or approved by a Mexican notary (notario) at the border--for an extra fee.

Each border station may interpret the rules differently.

When entering Mexico for the first time, you must follow this procedure:

1. obtain your tourist visa or tourist card (FMT) -- ask for 180 days, if there is a question.
2. go to the Banjercito office with:
--FMT visa and a copy (there will be a copy booth nearby)
--your passport and copy of main page
--your diver's license and copy
--the title OR registration and a copy
--a major credit card
optional
--permission to take a rental, leased, or car with a lien (loan) into
Mexico

3. after the cleck processes your paperwork (think DMV), you will sign the temporary import permit twice on the back and then sign the credit card voucher.

The credit card voucher constitutes a lien on your car only. If you do not bring your car back across the border (or extend the permit), your card will be charged $200-400, depending on the age of the car/SUV/pickup/RV, and you will not be able to import another vehicle.

4. After you sign, the cleck will give you the termporary permit (green form), with a hologram sticker attached, and show you how to remove the sticker. Do NOT remove it yet

5. Go out to your car, remove the sticker, and apply it--carefully to the inside of your windshield, right behind the rearview mirrow. The sticker is very sticky and cannot be removed in one piece on it attaches to the windshield. Keep the green form in the glove compartment, as it will be checked down the road. It is always best to keep your passport or offical ID card handy.

You may add a trailer and one motorcycle for each person in your vehicle to the temporary permit.

6. Protect the green form and the windshild sticker. You must have both while in Mexico and when re-entering the USA. Stop on the Mexican side of the border to have the hologram removed--carefully-- and get a receipt for it. If you do that, you will be able to return to Mexico with that or another car. The trailer and any motorcycles must be with you when you "clear" the permit.

DO NOT ACEPT THE HELP OF ANYONE HANGING AROUND THE MEXICAN CUSTOMS OFFICE OR BANJERCITO IN ACQUIRING A STICKER OR PLACING IT ON YOUR CAR.

The temporary importation permit allows you to drive the vehicle and any member of your immediate family. It also allows anyone else to drive your vehicle, while you are in it. Supposedly, only the Federales or Mexican Customs Agents may enforce these rules, but some local cops have been known to get into the mix.

You may also get the permit and sticker on-line at Banco Nacional del Ejército Fuerza Aerea y Armada, if you know how to disable your popup blocker in your browser, etc. If you do not know how to do that, get your nephew to help.

I do not recommend taking a car with temporary tags or no front tag into Mexico.

There are Mexican Customs and Army checkpoints throughout Mexico that will check the permit, and may search your car. Smile.