Job Discussion Forums

[jfurgers]

OK, I know this has probably been asked a million times before but I can never get the search thingy to find what I'm looking for so I have to ask again.

My wife and I will be heading to DF in a couple of weeks and we're driving in through New Laredo.

1) I can get car insurance for Mexico through sanborns.com.mx correct?
2) Any special papers I will need before I get to the border?

Thanks!

[Samantha]

You will need to be in possession of car registration/title
You will need a credit card in same name
You will need a driver's license in same name
And as well, I assume you will be in possession of your passport.

[jfurgers]

I'll have all of those things. I'm just wanting to make sure we run into no problems at the border.

Thanks for the information Samantha.

[marg252]

[Samantha]

If the car is financed you will need to get official permission in writing from the lien-holder to take it into Mexico. Not all lien holders will grant permission. If your particular registration doesn't prove ownership, then no, it isn't enough to satisfy Aduana.

I don't drive around with original documents in my car either, especially important is the original importation permit. If your foreign plated car gets stolen in Mexico, it is a huge circus to straighten out and you will need those documents.

[MELEE]

I personally wouldn't bring a car I didn't own outright into Mexico. Sell it and get something more affordable and that will hurt less if something terrible happens to it.

[Samantha]

The banks and finance companies feel the same way. It's a big risk for them.

[jfurgers]

My wife found out that the vehicle needs to be a 1998 or they will only give you temporary permission to keep it in the country for a certain amount of time only.
We have the title from the people we bought it from and their signature is on the title saying it was sold to us. Again, my wife was told by someone in Mexico that that would be good enough. In Texas, you can get temporary plates without having to give the title to anyone. You only need proof of insurance.
This is good if you're trying to get to Mexico soon. If we were to wait for the title with our names we would be waiting for 4 to 6 weeks. So if you don't want to wait to get to Mexico you can go to www.autotrader.com and put in the year of the car you want. Get it from an individual. Get insurance then go to get you temp plate.

[Samantha]

jfurgers wrote:

[jfurgers]

My wife will get the car in her name once we get to DF. She was told that only 98s are allowed to be in Mexico on a permanent basis. If we were to bring a vehicle that's a different year, it would only be allowed to stay for a certain amount of time.
We have a temp plate on the van and the title from the people we bought it from so hopefully we'll be OK at the border. My wife is also registering it (I believe) beofre we get to the border.

[MELEE]

It is true that MEXICANs can only import 1998 for now (As of March). (there is a deal to buy 2008 cars on the Texas side and import those too-but this far south I don't know anyone who has done that) IF your car is not an 1998, YOU, the NON-MEXICAN can bring it in (in your name). During the month of March Oaxacans were legalizing their 1989-1997 cars like crazy because it was the last month to do so.

[danielita]

You can bring in a foreign plated vehicle on a temporary import permit and keep it there as long as your immigration status is valid. So, you can keep the car in Mexico for as long as you like just be certain your FM3 never expires.
If you want to Nationalize a foreign vehicle and put Mexican plates on it, then it must be a 1998 vehicle.

[Preparing4Mx]

[Samantha]

preparing4mx wrote:

[GringaMexicana]

I saw mention of getting the mexican plates. In your opinion does having US plates make your car a target??