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About Ron Russell
Expertise
I lived full time in the Chapala-Ajijic area for 7 years, and now Manzanillo area 4 years. During that time I provided information (health care, working papers, immigration, driving, cost of living, insurance, culture, divorce in Mexico, trusts vs direct deed,etc) to help people make the decision about whether the area was right for them, either full or part-time. Now living north of Manzanillo on the Pacific Coast. I live legally in Mexico.

Experience
Founding partner of a facilitation company for people thinking about relocating to the Lake Chapala area of Mexico. I am no longer involved in this company's activities. Have driven extensively in the area, to the coast (Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Colima),to Patzcuaro, etc. Bused to Mexico City, flew to Chiapas. Also driven in Honduras, from Ontario Canada through border crossings at Laredo and Reynosa Texas to Lakeside. Can provide instructions and border crossing info. Publications: DISCOVER MEXICO, HEAD FOR MEXICO-THE RENEGADE GUIDE BY DON ADAMS. Video and MM production specialist. I do NOT sell real estate!

You are here: Experts > Cultures > Mexico/Central America for Visitors > Mexico > 2 related importation questions

Mexico - 2 related importation questions

Expert: Ron Russell - 10/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: Ron,
    I have some friends who are planning to come down to Mexico for a year. We have a temporary importation sticker on our car and we have our FM-3 visas. I had thought to cross the border in Laredo long enough to meet our friends and accompany them across the border. Would that cause a problem with border control or the US patrolmen since I have expired US plates? Please advise me.

Also, what is the cost of a permanent importation of a car? is it based on the value of the car?

Thanks,   RALPH

ANSWER: Hi Ralph,

The US Customs Agents probably won't care about your expired plates, but video cameras do record every license plate. The Laredo Police or Texas Rangers will give you problems if they spot your expired plates. It's a gamble. Also your car insurance will be invalid in the USA with expired plates.

I haven't done this but your friends can walk across BRIDGE NUMBER 1 and get their Tourist Visas. I think you should be able to meet them at the Aduanas/Car registration building located just under the bridge. Co-ordinate meeting times by phone. As you get to Nuevo Laredo watch for signs to Bridge Number 1. You drive down under the bridge to the building which has a large parking lot. You can park your car there, no need for you to go inside. When your friends arrive follow the signs toward Monterrey.

Depending on your comfort level you could also park your car in Nuevo Laredo and walk across the bridge yourself to the USA and meet your friends.

Good Luck,
  Ron

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ron,
   Thank you for such clear and prompt answers. Thinking of our friends who will be coming down to live here I have two related questions:

1- On what basis is the cost of permanent vehicle importation calculated?
2- Can even older vehicles be brought in as permanent imports?

RALPH

Answer
Hi again Ralph, nationalization is difficult to do. Occasionally the Government agency responsible discovers used cars that had been salvaged from the Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and immediately tighten up all inspections. New car dealers in Mexico regularly complain to the Mexican Government about cars being dumped in Mexico. The current concern is over the Clunkers Program that just finished in the USA. The Mexican Government wants to make sure they are not dumped here.

You can only import 10 year old cars with the restriction that the VIN # has to start either with numbers 1...4 which identifies the vehicle as having been manufactured in Mexico, USA or Canada. My Honda Civic was manufactured in USA and the VIN does start with a 1. Nationalization costs between $300 and $1,100 USD, depending on book value. Someone on Chapala.com says that you can nationalize a vehicle by taking it to the customs (Aduanas) at the Guadalajara airport. But it is probably easier to get a broker at the border to do it for you.

Occasionally Mexico will open a small window of opportunity to import cars of various ages, but this is not happening at the present time. With Mexican complaints about NAFTA with the USA and Canada, changes can occur overnight.

Ron

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