Job Discussion Forums

[danielita]

Can you post the link to the bill? When we drove back in August, we had a very similar situation where the police in Mexico state told us that our permit had expired and that we were going to have to pay a fine and they were going to impound our car. They had a copy of a book that stated their law and no mention of the bill you are referring to. Of course we knew that as long as our immigration status was valid, the permit was valid--they even tried to seize the import certificate! Of course after about 45 minutes of arguing and refusing to hand over the certificate, we called them out on their bluff and told them we would go to the police station and pay any fine that they had in mind. They quickly decided to send us on our way....

[Samantha]

Sorry, Geoffrey, but there is no "new" law in this area. For a few years now, as long as your legal status in Mexico (FMT or FM3) is valid your temporary vehicle importation permit is valid. It is called a Temporary Vehicle Import permit and can never be considered permanent, since anyone in Mexico with "permanent" status cannot own a foreign plated vehicle. An FM3 is not considered a permanent status and has to be continuously renewed. Your temporary car permit is tied to your FM3. If your work permission FM3 ever becomes no longer valid, your car is no longer legal in Mexico so you had best cross the border, turn in your sticker, and return on a tourist card (FMT) obtaining a new sticker.

The other important thing here to note is that the ONLY authorities with power to question you about your vehicle re the importation permit is the Aduana or the Federal Fiscal authority. They have marked vehicles and are the guys who can and will seize your vehicle if they find a Mexican driving it (unless it's your spouse or mother, father, son, daughter) or if they find it in the country illegally. The regular police and transitos are only shaking people down for money when they venture into this jurisdiction. They have absolutely no authority in this area and assume most foreigners won't know this fact.
Keep a photocopy of your permit in the car; never the original. (With this copy, also attach a copy of your latest FM3 renewal letter). You don't want some sleazy traffic cop grabbing your only proof that your vehicle is legal in Mexico, while trying to shake money out of you. Danielita did the right thing. Once they understand that you know the law in this area, they will beat a hasty path away from you. Unless of course he just remembered that you were speeding or ran a stop light!

Adding to this, here is the Aduana Article:

[geaaronson]

Yes, Samantha. You are absolutely correct. Mi culpa for not covering those additional bits of information to my previous message.