Things you should know about vehicle import permits

Enclosed is a transcription of an article in the customs law regarding the Car Import Permit, with its English language version.

Its scope is that the car import sticker is valid regardless of the expiration date, if any, on the car permit sticker itself, as long as the importer has a valid immigration status, or is in the process of renewing immigration status.

It might be helpful for those who own and drive a foreign licensed car within Mexico, to print the enclosed file and keep a copy of it in their car-along with a copy of their valid FM-3 visa, a copy of their passport and the original documents that came with the car import sticker.

Also, if your FM-3 is in the process of renewal, keep in your car a copy of the original document stamped by the alien office (INM) showing that your FM-3 was submitted for renewal.

There is a requirement that you notify the Customs Office (in Spanish language and in writing), if your migratory status was changed
(i.e.: from a tourist visa to an FM3, etc)

You should attach copies of the vehicle permit as well as the renewed visa as inclusions to this notification to the Customs Office.

Feel free to pass this information to your friends.

Contributed by:
Laura Joachín M.
Attorney at Law
P.V. Law - Legal Services (tm)
Av. Medina Ascencio 2902 Altos
48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
MEXICO
322. 221 2493 office.  322. 132 8625 mobile.

Customs Law (English Translation)

II. To be returned abroad in the same condition.

ARTICLE 106. Temporary importation is understood as the entry of merchandise into the country, which shall remain in it for a limited period of time and for a specific purpose, so long as it is returned abroad in the same condition, for the following term:

IV. For the term his/her migratory status lasts, including its extensions, in the following cases:

a) Vehicles driven into the country owned by foreigners bearing an immigrant (financially independent) or a non-immigrant status, excepting refugees and exile, as long as it is only one vehicle.

The vehicles imported by tourists and local visitors, even if are not their own and as long as it is a single vehicle.

Such vehicles may be driven within the national territory by the importer, his/her spouse, his/her parents, children or brothers, even when the latter are not foreigners, by a foreigner bearing any of the migratory status above referred to in this section, or by a national, as long as always in this last case, one of the persons authorized to drive the vehicle travels on board and may entry or exit (the country) several times.

Vehicles referred to in this section must meet the requirements pointed out in the regulations.

http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/12.pdf

http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/doc/12.doc

Ley Aduanera

II. Para retornar al extranjero en el mismo estado

ARTICULO 106. Se entiende por régimen de importación temporal, la entrada al país de mercancías para permanecer en él por tiempo limitado y con una finalidad específica, siempre que retornen al extranjero en el mismo estado, por los siguientes plazos:

IV.      Por el plazo que dure su calidad migratoria, incluyendo sus prórrogas, en los siguientes casos:

a) Las de vehículos propiedad de extranjeros que se internen al país con calidad de inmigrantes rentistas o de no inmigrantes, excepto tratándose de refugiados y asilados políticos, siempre que se trate de un solo vehículo.

Los vehículos que importen turistas y visitantes locales, incluso que no sean de su propiedad y se trate de un solo vehículo.

Los vehículos podrán ser conducidos en territorio nacional por el importador, su cónyuge, sus ascendientes, descendientes o hermanos, aun cuando éstos no sean extranjeros, por un extranjero que tenga alguna de las calidades migratorias a que se refiere este inciso, o por un nacional, siempre que en este último caso, viaje a bordo del mismo cualquiera de las personas autorizadas para conducir el vehículo y podrán efectuar entradas y salidas múltiples.

Los vehículos a que se refiere este inciso, deberán cumplir con los requisitos que señale el Reglamento.

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