BajaNomad - Importing vehicle......#210

Importing vehicle......#210

aliibike - 7-29-2007 at 07:35 AM

Hola,
Sitting in LA with a DMV appointment tomorrow to register a truck to take home ASAP, hot or not! I seem to remember someone had a phone number of a person in La Paz that can import cars? If you are out there! Please u2u me!
Gracias!

longlegsinlapaz - 7-29-2007 at 08:47 AM

Consider yourself U2U'd!

comitan - 7-29-2007 at 09:06 AM

Bike

Its a lot cheaper to do it at the border, there are many places in the area where you walk in. Also the importation done down here in La Paz is not a legal importation, it works alright here, as long as you don't take the vehicle to the states.

Bob and Susan - 7-29-2007 at 09:24 AM

also...
remember you HAVE to pay the USA govt a fee to import it OUT OF THE COUNTRY :yes:

isn't free trade GREAT!!!

longlegsinlapaz - 7-29-2007 at 09:24 AM

Wiley,

Are you implying that the Rodeo is "illegally" imported?

A Mexican friend ran the gamut on my behalf & got it imported & licensed & I've renewed it here with no problems. NO mordita or propina involved. They took pics of the vehicle, took the VIN number, took the US title, thoroughly checked it inside & out & under the hood! Personally, I think this is one of those "either/OR" interpretations of "official" policy. I know several people who have imported their vehicles personally here in La Paz.

comitan - 7-29-2007 at 09:35 AM

IF your vehicle when being imported has not been sent to the US side and been checked for whatever by the US side and the Pink slip stamped by a US Gov. official you are not legally imported per. USA, if you were to be stopped for some reason and they checked your vehicle you a subject to a $500 fine I have seen the paperwork on this. I believe that it has to be done this way is that they want to be sure the vehicle is not stolen or has citations, or whatever.

aliibike - 7-29-2007 at 10:07 AM

Thanks everyone! Once this truck is over the border it will never cross back. It is too bad California doesn't make things easier to renew!

longlegsinlapaz - 7-29-2007 at 10:23 AM

Wiley, I bought the Rodeo from a dealer in CA....and I believe Aliibike also bought his from a dealer...as opposed to a guy wearing a hood & shades on a street corner who initiated the transaction with "Psssssst, hey mister, ya wanna good deal on......." I MIGHT be loco, but in my mind, buying from a dealer reduces or eliminates the stolen/outstanding wants & warrants factor. Aliibike, you might consider calling CA DMV & explain your situation to them & see what they tell you the USA legalities are.

bajalou - 7-29-2007 at 10:28 AM

You might also consider registering it in another state that doesn't have the same requirements - Because of Calif (and AZ) laws requiring periodic smog checks and insurance even for vehicles not in the USA, some of us register them in other states (vehicles whick will stay in Mexico)
u2u me if you want more info.

[Edited on 7-29-2007 by bajalou]

Question:

Dave - 7-29-2007 at 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aliibike
Thanks everyone! Once this truck is over the border it will never cross back.

Then why bother to import at all? If you have an FM3 and can prove ownership your US plates do not need to be current.

It's the law...use it to your advantage.

comitan - 7-29-2007 at 11:34 AM

In La Paz if you do not have current plates you will be cited, they set up check point every so often for this and Mexican plate expiration, and ownership.

longlegsinlapaz - 7-29-2007 at 11:50 AM

I DID get stopped once for expired tags here in town!! Which is why it's now imported! Toooooo much hassle trying to explain the valid FM3 covers ME AND MY CAR without the "law" printed in Espanol & carried in my vehicle! :no:

So I simply took away the temptation to stop & harass me for mordita! :bounce:

Bob and Susan - 7-29-2007 at 11:52 AM

the import laws are not california laws they are federal laws
so....

you could import in la paz and get mexican plates
but...

to drive it in the USA you would NEED to keep the california plates current.

that's why you see so many trucks with both california plates AND mexican plates

if you don't visit the US Customs before importing then wiley is correct the car will not be able to "come home" EVER

Okay, now I'm confused...

BMG - 7-29-2007 at 12:40 PM

...as usual. :?:

We have a 93 E350 diesel van and a 98 Toyota Camry that we planned on taking with us on our move to La Paz later this year. Plan on trailering the Toyota down and loading it and the van with household goods for our 1-time move. The Toyota will be the vehicle we will drive back to the U.S. next year but planned on leaving the van in La Paz. The van has Idaho plates and needs a smog every year. Since we don't plan on taking it up to Idaho again, what are our options? Any ideas on the import fees for a vehicle worth $1500-$2000? Anyone know if California or Arizona has smog checks on diesels?

bajalou - 7-29-2007 at 12:44 PM

A diesel powered personal vehicle can NOT be imported into Mexico. The only diesels are commercial vehicles.

Dave - 7-29-2007 at 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
Toooooo much hassle trying to explain the valid FM3 covers ME AND MY CAR without the "law" printed in Espanol & carried in my vehicle!

Yeah, I can see how that would be "Toooooo much hassle". :rolleyes:

BaldEagleMav - 7-30-2007 at 08:00 AM

Hi BMG,

California does not require smog testing on diesel vehicles.

At least not on any diesel vehicle older than 2007. With the new ULSD diesel fuel and (I heard that they have) catalytic converters on 2007's, I won't be surprised if California starts requiring smog tests on diesels.

Regards,
BaldEagleMav

Hook - 7-30-2007 at 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalou
A diesel powered personal vehicle can NOT be imported into Mexico. The only diesels are commercial vehicles.

there is a guy on one of the San Carlos sonora boards that claims to have imported his diesel truck, using a broker. cost him 1k dollars. IT was within that prescribed window of manufacture at the time and was american made.

Now, whether it was official, I dont know................

Thanks for the info.

BMG - 7-30-2007 at 08:48 AM

I am going to start looking into some of my options this week.

Spending even $1000 to import a vehicle worth less than $3000 just doesn't make sense to me.

Another problem with CA registration would be the required proof of insurance. Since the vehicle won't be in the U.S. anymore, can't see paying for U.S. insurance. I suppose I could submit proof and then cancel but would have to do it every year.

This move is supposed to simplify our lives. Maybe I need to get a bicycle or a cart and burro.

Bob and Susan - 7-30-2007 at 10:41 AM

you know that diesel van is too BIG for la paz

no parking in town...

get a smaller car or pick up to leave in la paz

get rid of the "monster"

BMG - 7-30-2007 at 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
you know that diesel van is too BIG for la paz

It's paid for. It will haul all my wife's stuff plus the smaller car on a trailer. It makes a good storage locker.

Hook - 7-30-2007 at 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BMG
I am going to start looking into some of my options this week.

Spending even $1000 to import a vehicle worth less than $3000 just doesn't make sense to me.

Another problem with CA registration would be the required proof of insurance. Since the vehicle won't be in the U.S. anymore, can't see paying for U.S. insurance. I suppose I could submit proof and then cancel but would have to do it every year.

This move is supposed to simplify our lives. Maybe I need to get a bicycle or a cart and burro.

Let's see if JZ jumps in. I believe he said there is a form available from Cal DMV that allows you to keep registration current w/o having insurance. It was NOT the certificate of non-operation, but something similar.

Alan - 8-5-2007 at 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BMG

It's paid for. It will haul all my wife's stuff plus the smaller car on a trailer. It makes a good storage locker.

Care to rent it just to move my boat from the airport storage yard to the launch ramp and back so I can fly in and not have to drive just so I have a tow vehicle?? A one-ton diesel would do the job nicely!

CaboRon - 8-5-2007 at 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook

Quote:

The certificate is the "Affidavit of Non-Use" and AAA usually has copies in their office. It has to be mailed to the state. If you cross into the US again you have to notify CA DMV and get amerikan insurance.

OR-----

You could do what I just did .... and that is register your vehicle in South Dakota. I just completed my title transfer and just received my SD plates and tags. There is no smog requirement and no insurance requirement. You do need a US mailing address. You do not need a South Dakota drivers liscence.

-
-CaboRon

aliibike - 8-5-2007 at 06:02 PM

The vehicle stuff down here is the biggest catch 22 for most of us. I don't know anyone in South or North Dakota, so that wasn't an option for me. I ended up registering in California so I would have my name on the registration/title. One thing about California, if you jump through all their hoops you walk away with license plates and tags the same day. It would have been cheaper in Colorado, but I would have to wait 6 weeks for the plates. Turns out I have to wait till next year to import the truck because of the age. If you go the non-operation route with California, you don't get the tags. Till this year I sent in my Lewis and Lewis Mexican insurance along with the Statement of Fact form saying that the vehicle wasn't in California to bypass the smog check. Now they won't accept the Mexican insurance, even though the vehicle isn't in California. And, I know that with an FM3 I don't need to have current registration..........just try explaining that to every cop you come across. Current registration violations are their tortillas and frijoles! That is the easiest way to get pulled over. I want to thank everyone for their input! I'll let you know how the import goes next year!

CaboRon - 8-5-2007 at 06:11 PM

allibake,

FYI .... South Dakota title is in my name ... You don't need to use a SD address.... You don't need to know anyone in South Dakota ..... You only need a mailing address anywhere in the US .... You do not need a South Dakota drivers liscence .... You do not need proof of insurance .... and the title transfer , for me, was handled quickly and in a friendly small town manner .... I spoke directly with the county treasurer in Clay County ... And unlike CAlifornia ... you are not dealing with some faceless bearucrat, but with a real human being who answers her own phone. which I find remarkable in this day and age.

Just wanted to clear those misconceptions up.

- CaboRon

BajaWarrior - 8-5-2007 at 06:20 PM

Ok, my experiance at the DMV California regarding keeping a vehicle registered current but not wanting to return the vehicle each two years for smog and not needing U.S. insurance.

I have an 88' Toyota 4x4 that has been in Baja and is used strictly for beach/desert off road use. Bought the little beauty back in 88' and it has been on an non-op since 94' when I decided to leave it full time at my Beach House in Baja.

I went to the DMV to get the vehicle currently registered so I could bring it home from time to time for maintenence and also comply with Mexican law and have the registration current without the smog or insurance.

I brought along a map and a copy of my lease, but they told me my house was too close to the border and that it would have to be more than 600 miles south in order to qualify for this exemption and to use the form designed for this.

Since my vehicle is strictly used for off road and is never used as a town car, I went with the "green sticker" (off road like a buggy or ATV), which keeps me current ($21 per two years) no more smogs and no more U.S. insurance. I do happen to have a triple axle car hauler so that is how I transport it, just like a buggy or ATV.

It's a great solution for people who have vehicles like mine that are for off- road use only.

Also, I have an 85' Bronco ll with the same status.

Even though both vehicles are in good running order, they will always remain in Baja, and will never be needed back at home, even if they are replaced with newer models.

aliibike - 8-5-2007 at 07:29 PM

Cabo Ron! Sounds like heaven. You don't live there, have no local mailing address, never had the car registered in South Dakota, and you call them on the phone to arrange the whole thing? They just accept all that you mail them and register the vehicle? No ID verification? I think you should guard this information more than the 7 Sisters! If it gets out everyone will do it!

CaboRon - 8-5-2007 at 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aliibike
Cabo Ron! Sounds like heaven. You don't live there, have no local mailing address, never had the car registered in South Dakota, and you call them on the phone to arrange the whole thing? They just accept all that you mail them and register the vehicle? No ID verification? I think you should guard this information more than the 7 Sisters! If it gets out everyone will do it!

You do surrender your CA title .....

I don't guard information .... it is not mine to guard, especially since I got this information on a Nomad thread a couple of months ago.

There was nothing dishonest or illegal about this transaction and I was very honest as to the circumstances of my moving to Mexico with the SD authorities.

This Forum is all about the free exchange of information ...

Take Care,
- CaboRon

And no, it's not heaven, but I have seen the state and , it does have some great places to visit ..... for instance have you ever been to the Corn Palace in Mitchel, South DAkota ... it is actually a large building that is faced in dried colored corn each year .... kind like a huge Rose Bowl Parade entry.