Car Legalization/Residente Temporal, My Experience

Very interesting and useful thanks for posting. I'm planning on getting my car in November, so I will keep your information in mind.

Like the language, some regulations seem to be said or interpreted differently depending on who is saying them,why they are saying them and when they are saying them.

I think of it as a lesson a day.

I live in Urangato Gto and I know everyone goes after 6 months to renew the car permit.  So what you are saying is that if I have my permit to be in MX, my car is also good until I re-enter to US?  As long as the car is in my name as a US Citizen? Thanks for clarifing.

Hi, rsandyanne,
Well, as you can see from my post, I am still being informed - this was just my experience. What I have been told is right there:). If you have a Residente Temporal permit you (SHOULD) be allowed to have your car.
Check with an immigration lawyer, maybe, for a clearer answer?
Gail

I understand that the rules may have changed recently about cars, but I can confirm that your experience is exactly what has gone on for years in our area of Oaxaca.

The laws that define temporary importation rules are under SAT and the Aduana.  The Aduana has public information duties and it has enforcers but they have nothing to do with the Transito police.  All they will do is tell you what the law they follow says.  And what you understand is exactly what they explained to me as well. I have emails from aduana lawyers telling me the same thing they told you.

But that's not what the transito will want to follow, even if they know the rules.  They are the regulators and predators of the road but the import law gives us some diplomatic immunity technically the temp import vehicles are exempt from some of their regulation. But the Transito doesn't answer to the Aduana. They have to eat and so they try. It has cost me before to keep my car when they threatened to take it.

What I did was print a copy of the email from an Aduana lawyer in DF who answered my question along with the government's online pages that interpret the law for tourists.  PLUS the cover and relevant pages from the actual law which is available online (in spanish). 

The next time I was stopped it was at a transito blockade, they were already discussing confiscating the car before it rolled to a stop!  I pulled out the folder of papers and started pointing out a few things, the lawyer, section 365b, etc, they shook their heads, retreated then waved us on.

You need to put this in your car. They won't figt this


Articulo 106 Ley Aduanera
Que Se Entiende Por Régimen De Importación Temporal 
   
ARTICULO 106. Se entiende por régimen de importación temporal, la entrada al país de mercancías para permanecer en el por tiempo limitado y con una finalidad especifica, siempre que retornen al extranjero en el mismo estado, por los siguientes plazos.

FRACCION IV. Por el plazo que dure su calidad migratoria, incluyendo sus prorrogas, en los casos.
a) Las de vehículos que sean propiedad de turistas, visitantes, visitantes locales y distinguidos, estudiantes e inmigrantes rentistas, siempre que los mismos sean de su propiedad a excepción de turistas y visitantes locales. Cuando no sean de su propiedad deberán cumplirse los requisitos que establezca el Reglamento. Los vehículos podrán ser conducidos en territorio nacional por un extranjero que tenga algunas de las calidades migratorias a que se refiere este inciso, por el cónyuge, los ascendientes o descendientes del importador, aun cuando estos ultimo no sean extranjeros, o por un nacional, siempre que en este ultimo caso, viaje a bordo del mismo cualquiera de las personas autorizadas para conducir el vehiculo.
Los vehículos a que se refiere este inciso, deberán cumplir con los requisitos que señale el reglamento.

__________________________________

Article 106 Customs Law
Temporary Vehicle Importation Regulations

Are you living in Mexico and driving a foreign car?  If so, you have the added responsibility of keeping your car permit valid, which is not necessarily a straightforward task due to misinformation and inconsistent enforcement by local Mexican officers.  This article addresses some of the sticky (eh hem sticker) issues relating to driving a foreign plated car in Mexico, and hopefully gives you some solutions to make your life in Mexico a little more hassle-free. 

Mexico's federal customs law, the Ley Aduanera, allows a foreigner to temporarily import a car into Mexico for the duration of the importer's immigration status, plus extensions.  Tourists who enter Mexico with a 90 day tourist visa, for example, are issued a car permit for that same 90 days.  Similarly, the majority of ex-pat families in Mexico are here with an FM-3 visa, which has a one year term and is renewable for additional one year terms.  Under the customs law, a car permit will last as long as the FM-3 is valid, both for the first year and each year thereafter.   

A Car Import Sticker Is Valid as long as your FM-3 is Valid or is in the Process of Renewal

As explained above, it is clear that a car import sticker is valid during the original annual term of an FM-3 visa, and it stays valid during each of the renewal years thereafter.   Further, as long as the importer has a valid immigration status:

1.  The car import sticker is valid regardless of the expiration date, if any, on the car permit sticker itself; and

2.  There is no requirement that the driver go to a border town car permit office or other place to renew it.  There is a requirement that you notify the customs office, but the notification can be done in writing and handled simply by your attorney. 

The above notification should be in writing, and include copies of the vehicle permit as well as the renewed Visa and sent by messenger to the following address in Mexico City:

Administración General de Aduanas
Administración Central de Planeacion Aduanera
Av. Hidalgo No. 77, Modulo IV, primer piso
Col. Guerrero, Delegación Cuauhtemoc
Código Postal 06300, México, D.F.