BajaNomad

Importing car to MX

nomana - 5-11-2016 at 08:45 PM

I don't know yet if I will be importing a car to MX, but since I'm selling my current car and purchasing another so I can drive Baja, I would like to figure out some of the importation laws so I don't have to buy and sell again anytime soon. I'd like to keep the next car for many years. Only thing I know for sure is that it has to be a NAFTA car.

I have been told and have read that one doesn't need any special paperwork for driving a US plated car in Baja. However, if I get a temporary or permanent visa or am living in Baja, then shouldn't I import my car? For the MX mainland I know one can only have a foreign plated car for up to four years with a temp. visa and not at all with a permanent visa. Is it the same in Baja? Is all of Baja under the same laws?

Don't know if it matters, but I'm considering buying a used Honda CRV.

Gracias

weebray - 5-12-2016 at 06:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  
You only need to import if you decide to become a PR. Other than that you can use the TIP.


Lets not get into this again. In practice just drive on, for now, nothing has changed. The future??? Mexico is dealing with bad smog problems and is going to be forced, eventually, to come in to the 21st century regards modern emissions control systems on the cars and trucks they sell here. One of the results is bound to be the ban of importation of cheap, non emissions compliant beaters from the US.

nomana - 5-12-2016 at 11:38 AM

Bueno. Gracias. That makes it easy. Much appreciated

Sandlefoot - 5-12-2016 at 07:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  
Quote: Originally posted by weebray  
Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  
You only need to import if you decide to become a PR. Other than that you can use the TIP.


Lets not get into this again. In practice just drive on, for now, nothing has changed. The future??? Mexico is dealing with bad smog problems and is going to be forced, eventually, to come in to the 21st century regards modern emissions control systems on the cars and trucks they sell here. One of the results is bound to be the ban of importation of cheap, non emissions compliant beaters from the US.



Baja!!! Where do you pick up a "tip" when entering Baja? I have lived here for years with a U S plated car...never found the place to get a "tip", without going a long way east! Help me out! I am PR in La Paz.
Not sure what that has to do with my statement but, sure.

gnukid - 5-12-2016 at 09:48 PM

TIP is not required for any part of Baja for cars, rv or moto but are required for boats that are larger than about 5 meters or so. TIP is usually available through banjercito offices, at the Ferry Port, for example, at Pichilingue, prior to going to mainland, though, as I understand, PR is not eligible for vehicle TIP, only tourists and TR.

https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/

Be aware that many people here and on mexico travel sites may get confused about the law and policy in baja free zone vs mainland restricted. PR is allowed to drive Baja with US plated car but not on mainland restricted zone, nor perhaps on Federal property in baja like within the gates of Port entry at Pichilinge where federal national transit laws apply and may be enforced which are different from local state and city laws, though I have never heard of PR with US plates being seriously hassled in Baja on federal property though theoretically they could be.



[Edited on 5-13-2016 by gnukid]

Sandlefoot - 5-13-2016 at 11:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  
Quote: Originally posted by Sandlefoot  


Baja!!! Where do you pick up a "tip" when entering Baja? I have lived here for years with a U S plated car...never found the place to get a "tip", without going a long way east! Help me out! I am PR in La Paz.


I can't say. I did my two online.... it was just so easy that way and I do believe Baja is different than Baja Sur.

I used the Banjercito website and both were delivered the next day.

The website was very easy to navigate and the one time I had a problem I called and was helped immediately.

Really great service.

I imagine you could get it verified at the ferry since that is a port of entry from and to the mainland.

I know other travelers, not necessarily from this website, have done that.

Anyway, just answering a question, hopefully it doesn't get anybody riled up.
Granted I live on the mainland so my experience is not everybody's.




Thanks for the insight!!! When they start enforcing the mainland laws here like they do on the mainland I will probably have to import! When they start enforcing those laws here.

weebray - 5-13-2016 at 11:14 AM


Thanks for the insight!!! When they start enforcing the mainland laws here like they do on the mainland I will probably have to import! When they start enforcing those laws here.
[/rquote]

Don't ask, don't tell. Let the sleeping dog lie.

Sandlefoot - 5-13-2016 at 11:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid  
TIP is not required for any part of Baja for cars, rv or moto but are required for boats that are larger than about 5 meters or so. TIP is usually available through banjercito offices, at the Ferry Port, for example, at Pichilingue, prior to going to mainland, though, as I understand, PR is not eligible for vehicle TIP, only tourists and TR.

https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/

Be aware that many people here and on mexico travel sites may get confused about the law and policy in baja free zone vs mainland restricted. PR is allowed to drive Baja with US plated car but not on mainland restricted zone, nor perhaps on Federal property in baja like within the gates of Port entry at Pichilinge where federal national transit laws apply and may be enforced which are different from local state and city laws, though I have never heard of PR with US plates being seriously hassled in Baja on federal property though theoretically they could be.



[Edited on 5-13-2016 by gnukid]


Totally agree!!! I have been up and down the peninsula for 17 years, have know many people that are PR (or were FM2) and know of nobody that has ever been hassled down here about Tips and importing. There were some rumors of hassles at the airport in Cabo, but that was just a couple of local officers doing their shakedown. They will probably start enforcing those laws over here sooner than later because of threads like this that keep reminding them they are loosing money!!! Seems like some people think it is better to talk about it than leave it alone and let it evolve on its own!!!!!

gnukid - 5-13-2016 at 02:21 PM

As we see greater push for reciprocation across borders with common approaches to allow (cheap) labor to move back and forth, we see greater flexibility to allow mexican plated cars to be used for lengthily periods in the us and us plated in mexico and canada.

There are increasingly larger numbers of legal transient workers and many more millions (illegals) who could be added to legal roles so it makes sense that legal people, like you and me, should be able to have dual residency, or dual citizenship and use the same car in both locations. It makes no sense that people with residency are not allowed to drive their legal plated and registered vehicle back and forth across the border but those with less legal qualifications can.

There are legal precedents to support reciprocal treatment to allow people to move back and forth as desired to visit family, work and travel with the same vehicle as long as it legally from the driver's home state.

Here in California we have sanctuary cities (whether you agree with it or not) where mexicans are given lenience and are not required to be up to date with their vehicles registration or license as long as they have not done a serious crime. By the same token, immigration laws are not enforced unless the person commits a serious crime. As this standard is applied to millions of mexican, us citizens in mexico may soon be provided similar sanctuary.

More than likely the laws that discriminate against foreigners in mexico such as land buying restrictions, driving us plated cars in restricted zones for PR or dual citizens, and other added fees for foreigners will likely go away very soon and a homogenous approach with fairness for all kinds of migrants will become the standard from Alaska to Tierra Del Fuego.


[Edited on 5-13-2016 by gnukid]

Bob and Susan - 5-14-2016 at 05:26 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid  
...Here in California we have sanctuary cities (whether you agree with it or not) where mexicans are given lenience and are not required to be up to date with their vehicles registration or license as long as they have not done a serious crime....[Edited on 5-13-2016 by gnukid]



hahahaha
easiest ticket in the world is an out of date license sticker