Home How To Own in Mexico How To Import a Motor Vehicle into Mexico How To Import a Motor Vehicle into Mexico by Brent May December 9, 2020 by Brent May 20.4K If you’re thinking about importing a motor vehicle into Mexico, then “drive on” because we have important how-to tips to getting you on the road and enjoying this beautiful country as fast as possible! The Skinny Let’s face it, if you’re importing a motor vehicle, you’ll need to pay for the privilege. But if you absolutely love what you’re bringing to Mexico, then it’s worth every peso! You will need a motor vehicle permit if you plan to drive to and beyond the Mexican border. Exceptions include Baja California and parts of Sonora. Permits are not required if you’re driving to Puerto Peñasco or Guaymas, San Carlos and Empalme in Sonora. (You’ll need a Sonora-only permit for the latter three locations.) Travelers can obtain a federal car permit if they decide to enter Mexico at Agua Prieta. This allows you to have a permit that is good for the entire country of Mexico. Be Prepared If you plan to import a motor vehicle into Mexico, be sure to have the title and registration handy. If it’s financed, then you’ll need a notarized letter giving you permission to take it outside of your country of contract. If you’re bringing a motorcycle, only a title is needed. “Fee Me!” Permit fees vary depending on the type of vehicle you’re importing into Mexico. Please keep in mind that the prices below are approximate dollar-to-peso rates and could be more or less on any given day. Car permit fee: $50US for a six-month permit RV permit fee: $60US for a ten-year permit Payment Methods To buy a permit, the Mexican Treasury accepts a Visa or MasterCard credit card. (Just be sure it has the Visa or MasterCard logo.) The next step is to pay a deposit on your motor vehicle. This will be returned before your permits has expired. You can pay with cash, debit or credit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo. The deposit amount depends on the model year of your motor vehicle: 2007 or newer: $400US 2001-2006: $300US 2000 and older: $200US These amounts stand from year to year and do not fluctuate as your motor vehicle changes. For example, a 2007 car will always have a $400US deposit assigned to it. Cancellation Policy Should you need to cancel your motor vehicle permit within the allotted time frame, it will be refunded to your debit or credit card within two to three business days. Cash deposits are returned when you cancel the permit. Simply visit the Banjercito kiosk at the border crossing of your choice. Bring the indicated vehicle and documentation used when applying for the permit. Should you return your vehicle permit late – by even a few hours – you will not receive a deposit. The permit, however, can still be canceled. Permit Pick Up Purchasing a vehicle permit is possible both online and at the Mexican port of entry. We recommend purchasing the motor vehicle permit at the border, since travelers still need to pick up an immigration permit. The permit pick up process takes about 30 minutes. On the other hand, if you’re entering Mexico during a high volume time – major holidays such as Christmas, New Years or Easter – then it may be helpful to buy your permit online to avoid long lines. To purchase online, follow this link: https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/ Insurance Options If you opt to purchase a motor vehicle permit online, you will also be offered auto insurance. Don’t worry, it is legitimate insurance. However, there are differences than what you may be used to in your country of origin. Be sure to read the fine print regarding coverage and determine whether or not you are limited to Mexico-based mechanics and repair shops. Tack on the Trailer If you’re importing a trailer, it will need a separate motor vehicle permit than what you’ve purchased for your car. The trailer fee is $644 pesos. The trailer gets a ten-year permit as opposed to the car’s sixth-month permit. Be sure the border official issues two permits in order to take full advantage of any cancellation policies for both the car and the trailer permits. Purchasing a New Permit Once you cancel an old permit, you will be able to purchase a new one from the Mexican point of entry. Residents, Take Note If you live in Mexico as a temporary or permanent resident, your motor vehicle permit status is different and ever-changing. Be sure to consult your local consulate for updated information when it’s time to import a motor vehicle into Mexico. For more information on how to import a motor vehicle into Mexico, contact your local consulate. And if you have any additional information or helpful tidbits to share with other readers, we’d love to hear from you! car into mexicodriving to mexicoimport vehicleimport vehicle into mexico 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Brent May Brent May is the GM and Founder of Mexico Living. He is highly motivated and strives for excellence in order to provide the best service possible for foreigners buying property in Mexico. He understands some of the frustrations people may have while searching for a property in paradise and has learned from his own experiences buying and living in Mexico. Brent and his wife are grateful for the opportunities they have and to be able to live in a place most people vacation in. Brent's extensive knowledge and experience in the buying process will leave you at ease while buying property in Mexico. previous post Playa Tejón next post Ophthalmologists in Puerto Escondido Provide Highest Level of Care You may also like The Dual Citizen Advantage: Buying Property in Mexico... November 9, 2024 How To Buy a Car in Mexico September 21, 2022 Announcing Mexico Living August 9, 2022 How to Move Your Children to Mexico –... February 24, 2021 Tips for Buying Property in Mexico January 6, 2021 How To Get Ahead of the Curve in... August 12, 2020 6 How-To Tips For Your Big Move To... July 22, 2020 How to Cash In on Huatulco Real Estate... May 20, 2020 Insider Tips to Buying a New Home in... December 24, 2019 How To Live in Mexico Without a Car August 6, 2019 6 comments Bill June 5, 2015 - 5:19 pm I brought a car into Nuevo Laredo in July 2011 and paid the entry tax. It is a Honda Fit from Canada. Since then I tried to bring in my Cadillac and they refused me at the Border Motor Vehicle Control due to the fact that I can only bring 1 vehicle into the country. Now I have to take out the Honda. What will I receive as a refund? Bill. Reply Steve October 14, 2020 - 8:22 am How did it work out? Reply Tara Cauchi March 19, 2021 - 6:17 pm Is this for Temporary Importing? What if we want to permanently nationalise a car? Reply Deb April 22, 2021 - 5:52 pm We are planning on driving down and bringing our Enduro Motorbike We know that rules change. Is there a limitation on the CC of the motorbike before it is considered an additional Vehicle. We will be driving a Truck, towing a small watercraft and the Enduro. Thanks for your help Reply bruce May 22, 2022 - 3:43 pm Do you have advice if importer has perm residence in mexico. I want to ride my bike to Quintana Roo. Reply Massimo Zanardi May 16, 2023 - 7:31 pm I read with interest your article about importing a car. I’m planning on importing my car indefinitely since I will be living in Mexico. Should I still get the permit twice a year or is there a different process. Thank you for your help. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.