HOW-TO: Paperwork Required for a Vehicle Permit in Mexico

goodtimes

Expedition Poseur
For what it's worth, I've encountered different requirements at different border crossings.

For example, Tecate doesn't require a vehicle importation for motorcycles that are in the bed of a truck, or on a hitch-carrier -- Nogalas does (one permit & fee, with all 3 VIN numbers listed on it).

Nogalas (immigration @ KM21) can cancel your permit on the way out - Apparently no one in Lukeville knows what a temp importation permit is - or how/where to cancel it.

Douglas requires you to stop on the way out of Mexico and surrender your tourist visa - Lukeville & Nogalas do not (at least the last time I went through).

Taking our own copies of license/registration/etc doesn't always work. It isn't so much about the copies - it's about the fee for making the copies.

We've also noticed that forms are not always consistent from one border crossing to another. The permits @ Nogalas have both Spanish & English, the permits @ Douglas are Spanish only.

If there is anything odd about your vehicle (IE towing motorcycles, etc), and you don't speak Spanish - have a printed photo or two of the vehicle. That would have saved me a fair amount of time trying to explain that I had 2 motorcycles on a hitch carrier - not a trailer.

:costumed-smiley-007
 
Excellent point, and one worth mentioning, to be sure. It never ceases to amaze me just how differently the same regulation can be interpreted or enforced based on where you are or who is in charge! This goes for many things down there, not just vehicle stuff.

It's important to note that Baja and Sonora each have different criteria than the rest of Mexico. In an effort to bolster trade and tourism, or for whatever reason, they have trimmed-down standards there as long as you promise to stay in those states only. I am not familiar with those areas at all. Thanks for filling in those gaps!

For most travelers, though, the regs posted in the link are the whole kit and caboodle, straight from the to-do list provided at the aduana. Regardless of what's actually asked by you at any given border, I'd still recommend being fully prepared to cover every base. For example, I have heard of many people who failed to turn in their temporary vehicle registration, only to be denied access to Mexico the next time they tried to enter. At that point, the govt of Mexico thinks you simply sold the vehicle illegally within their country during your previous trip. Bad juju, as now you have to prove you didn't.

Very common, this one, and actually met a guy who was dealing with this just a few weeks ago. I think I literally watched his hair turn gray. Not a fun way to spend a day when you're trying to get to the beach.

If you're not asked to surrender your tourist permit or vehicle tags upon your return to the US, I'd recommend calling the local Consulate's office when you get back home. Let them know what happened and they can get you and/or your truck removed from the country officially. It's important if you ever want to go back, and critical if you want your $200-400 deposit back.

Off to update my article with this added info. Thanks again for helping think of the other facets to the story!

wc
 

The Swiss

Expedition Leader
Questions to the Laredo crossing

That's some good info here, thanks. My wife will have to stay in Mexico for work for about 4 months and I'm planning on bringing her her car. It's a kind of a waste that we are paying lease on it and then she can't drive and enjoy it. I'm planning on crossing in Laredo. I then will fly home and fly back in fall when her assignment is over and bring the car back home. Anything to keep in mind? (Besides passport and Mex. insurance)?

It's not the first time I take a car to Mexico, but the first time I will take it beyond the border area. So far, whenever we were further South, we rented locally a vehicle. It will also be the first time I will be using the Laredo crossing.
 

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