LaRibereņa - 11-4-2013 at 08:07 AM
If we want to take our 'baja car' over to the mainland, I know we have to import it. How do we un-import it when we return?
Bob and jane - 11-4-2013 at 08:47 AM
Are you residente permanente or just temporal? If you are permanente you have to have your car nationalized at the border before you can take it to
the mainland. If you are temporal, you can get a TIP (temporary import sticker) at the banjercito office right at the ferry docks in Pichilingue or
at the Otay Mesa border crossing or Mexicali or other border crossings. That TIP will be good as long as your temporal status remains in effect, so I
wouldn't turn it in unless you were sure you would never take that car to the mainland again. If you don't plan to take the car to the mainland
again, or think you'll be taking a different car, then you need to turn in the TIP at a banjercito office at the border--Otay Mesa, Mexicali, etc.
You can't turn it in at banjercito in Pichilingue. And there is no place in Tecate to turn it in. When we looked for the banjercito office at the
San Ysidro crossing in April we were told it was closed and we ended up using the one in Otay Mesa. Be sure to keep your paperwork as well as the
sticker, and keep your receipt after you turn it in.
Howard - 11-4-2013 at 09:52 AM
Bob and Jane
I just sent you a "U-2U"
LaRibereņa - 11-4-2013 at 01:48 PM
We are 'permanente'. What does it mean to have the car nationalized? Does that mean MX plates? Then insurance is problematic, no? And MX licenses.
We are on the East Cape and would like to take it to the mainland at Pichelingue and return to there, so won't be near the border to 'turn in' the
paperwork. We've done this trip before and drove to the border on the way to CA and turned in the paperwork at Nogales (?). Thanks for all help.
Bob and jane - 11-4-2013 at 01:59 PM
If you are permanente you can't use the temporary import sticker, or TIP so you won't have anything to turn in again ever. You will have to have a
nationalized car with Mexican plates and a Mexican driver's license. Insurance is easy. We just signed up for a policy with our local Loreto
insurance agents. The nationalized truck was actually cheaper to insure than the truck that was only "imported" for plates and use in Baja. The
insurance is also good in the states (I believe liability only). Mexican plated cars can be driven in the States for up to a year at a time.
Unfortunately, you have to take your car to the border at Otay to get it nationalized. I did talk to a fellow who said he could nationalize my truck
without going to the border but he was going to charge something like $4000. That was over my budget.
[Edited on 11-4-2013 by Bob and jane]
LaRibereņa - 11-4-2013 at 04:20 PM
Thanks to all. I guess we'll take the ferry over and rent a car.