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[drewmaher]

My wife and I are looking into moving to CR next summer. By then, we will have 1 of our cars paid off if we sell the other one now. I was wondering how many of you drove your own car down to CR. How feasible is this?

Thanks,
Drew

[johnson430]

Hello Drew,

This should help:

Regulations for driving your car into Mexico

IMPORTANT: Make sure you have Mexican Auto Insurance when driving into Mexico - the Mexican goverment (and police) do not recognize policies written by American Insurance companies, even if that policy has "Mexican" coverage.

Here are a couple of steps you need to take when you decide to drive across the border into Mexico. If you abide by these rules, you'll be making sure you can legally take your trip to Mexico by car. This information was last checked on November, 2004.

If your travel is within the Border Zone (usually up to 20 kilometers south of the U.S.-Mexico Border) or the Free Trade Zone (including the Baja California Peninsula and the Sonora Free Trade Zone) there are no procedures to comply with. However, if you wish to pass these zones, the following procedures will apply. You must secure a permit by following the next few steps.

Step One: Collect your documents


Bring the original plus two(2) copies of the following documents:

* Valid proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate).
* The appropiate immigration form (tourist card). learn about visa options
* The valid vehicle registration certificate, or a document, such as the original title that certifies the legal ownership of the vehicle. It must be in the driver's name.
* The leasing contract (if the vehicle is leased or rented) which must be in the name of the person importing the car. If the vehicle belongs to a company, present the document that certifies the employee works for the company.
* A valid driver's license, issued outside Mexico.
* An international credit card, also issued outside Mexico (American Express, Mastercard or Visa), in the name of the driver of the vehicle.



Step Two: Go to the Customs Office at the border


To acquire a permit drive your vehicle (including RV's) to a Mexican customs office at the border: at the border crossing, go through the Declarations Lane. Look for the "Modulo de Control Vehicular" where you will present your documents. All documents and the credit card must be in the name of the owner, who must also be in the vehicle when crossing the border.

The process will be much simpler if you use a credit card to post the required "return guarantee" bond. If you do not have a credit card (or a Visa/Mastercard check card) you must get your temporary permit at the border module by leaving a guarantee deposit, total amount is based on the model year of the vehicle, see below.

ALTERNATIVE PROCESS: You may also opt to pay this fee and obtain the certificate in advance at certain authorized Consulates of Mexico for US$35.20, currently listed as the following - CALIFORNIA: Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Bernadino, San Francisco; TEXAS: Dallas, Houston, Austin; ILLINOIS: Chicago. Please check with the specific Consular office to make sure the they do have the necessary Banjercito Module/Desk. The filing of the documents at these locations needs to be done well in advance of your plans to drive into Mexico.

Step Three: Pay the certificate fee and bond deposit


Pay the certificate fee (not returnable). At the border, your international credit card will be charged an amount in national currency equivalent to US$27.00 to the Banco Nacional del Ejercito.

Pay the "guarantee return of the vehicle to USA territory" bond via credit card, according to the schedule below.
Model Year Bond Amount
1999 to present US $400
From 1994 to 1998 US $300
Models older than 1994 US $200

You'll be issued your documents, which completes the process for acquiring the certificate. Keep in mind the full process is not completed until you return the certificate upon heading back into the United States, see below.

Step Four: Returning the certificate


Upon your departure from Mexico back to the U.S., and if the vehicle is not going to be driven back into Mexico, the permit for temporary importation must be cancelled at Customs. The original bond posted for the return guarantee will be returned to you at this time. That's all there is to it. Follow these simple steps and you shouldn't have any problems.

However, please remember, if your car is found in Mexico beyond the authorized time, or without the appropiate documents, it will be immediately confiscated. You will also forfit the posted bond.

______________________

and more info. at the source:
http://www.mexonline.com/drivemex.htm



Good luck.

ps: Where are you crossing? I am a native Texan and have traveled throughout Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and also to many border towns over the years. (Although I can't divulge too much information about "those trips")

[drewmaher]

Thanks for your help. After your post and one from another site, I've decided that it's not practical at all to drive my own car down.

[Justapirate]

I shipped mine from California. It depends on the age of the car and how long you are staying to know if it is worth the effort. For me, it was NOT a difficult thing to do. Because cars are expensive here and because many cars take a beating on the roads....bringing a car can be a smart thing to do. You will NOT be able to avoid taxes on a car shipped in....count on paying taxes.

[whosear]

I brokered a vehicle shipment from the east coast. This is what I learned:

If you are on a turist visa, you can get a waiver for taxes for 90 days. It can be renewed one time.

I have heard of Americans who arranged to have a perpetual renewal with gratuities paid, but know of no actual person who has done this.

Tax percentages increase with the age of the car.

You can ship with the transport companies directly and is cheaper. A customs broker in the States can make things easier but costs more. You can even ship with either Chiquita or Dole now for about $500

Ship the car directly to the Alajuala customs, not Limon, unless you are there to greet the boat.

Lastly, do not let anyone convience you to let them pick up the vehicle from customs, unless it was arranged in the States. The one picking up the vehicle has rights to it...Unless you arranged it through a customs broker in the States (you could file a criminal complaint for conspiracy to commit fraud), you need to go to customs to claim the vehicle.