AboutMexico Mike Expertise I cannot answer car permit questions. I can intelligently answer just about any question about driving in mainland Mexico, living in Mexico and hot springs in Mexico. I do not recommend specific hotels, there are quidebooks for that.
I am not a Baja expert. That is a different part of the country and there are plenty of people who know more about it than I do.
Naturally, I have a web site (www.mexicomike.com) and make a living with personal consultations, but am here to offer good advice for general topics for free. But please understand that I can't answer detailed questions about moving or extensive driving trips to Mexico here without being unfair to my paying clients. And please, no car permit questions.
Experience Driving Mexico -- I have been driving to Mexico since 1968 and writing travel guides for drivers to Mexico since 1984. I frequently drive the country and have a reputation for honesty and integrity. I will tell people the plusses and minuses of traveling in and living in Mexico.
Living in Mexico -- I have lived and done business in Mexico. My book, 'Live Better South of the Border' has been in print since 1997 and speaks to people of all ages, not just retirees.
Hot springs of Mexico -- I have been researching and enjoying Mexican hot sprigs since the lsat 1980's. My book 'Spas & Hot Springs of Mexico' was the first book on Mexico's hot springs. It is now out of print, but selling for $60 or so on Amazon as a collector's item.
Organizations Chamber of Commerce, McAllen TX
International Committee, Chamber of Commerce, McAllen, TX
Publications Frommers, Fommers, Insight Guides, Dallas Morning News, Mexico Business Magazine, McAllen Monitor, Mexico City News, San Miguel de Allende paper 'Atencion' and so on
Education/Credentials As the author of more than a dozen books on Mexico and psychology, I believe that speaks for my being educated.
Awards and Honors NY Times -- Profiled for writing about driving Mexico.
Wall Street Journal -- Profiled for writing about driving Mexico.
Texas Monthly -- ditto.
Former Mecia Spokesman (1997) for the Mexican Tourimm Ministry
Question QUESTION: Hi... I've been living in Cancun for 7 years and originally brought my car in from the US on a tourist visa 6 years ago. I've since had FM3s and an FM2 but never did anything about my car. I'm leaving Cancun to return to the US and want to ship my car back. What can I do about the expired import permit? The car is 10 years old. Is driving to Belize and coming back with a new permit an option? I don't want my car confiscated. I'd appreciate any advice you can offer. Thanks!
ANSWER: Laura,
The best thing for you to do is to go to a Hacienda office there in Cancun and ask their advice. With the complexity of your situation and the years involved since you were legal, I would hesitate to suggest you drive to Belize and get a new permit on the return. That could work for some situations, but why take a chance? I have found Hacienda people to be pretty straightforward, Please let me know back via email how this all works out. Mike.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Mike,
Thank you for the quick response. Is it possible that Hacienda will try to confiscate my car when I go in to speak with them?
Laura
Answer Laura,
I seriously doubt it. Would I take my own advice? Absolutely. Hacienda / Banjercito officials have actually told me (on the border) that all they really want is to keep Americans from selling cars illegally. The people who get into trouble are the ones who sold their cars in the USA but did not cancel their permits. You have the car. You have the permit. You have the paperwork. It should not be a bad experience. (Caveat – as you probably know, a lot depends on whom you talk to at the office and your attitude, and maybe the phase of the moon, but in general, I’ve found Mexican officials to be more by the book than they were even a few years ago).
And you are walking into a government office in Cancun. They won't know where you car is even if they cared. You could try phoning them, but I imagine you've found out by now that face to face makes a big difference in how you are treated in Mexico.
For most people, with an expired permit, all they have to do is to show up with their car and get the permit canceled, even if it is a year or so old. Yours is much older, and frankly, I don't know for sure that makes a difference, but it might. Plus having had the FM2 may make your case different.
