English
Car Importation Update December 2014
With all the rumor and speculation out there, I thought I would share information that SAT has just published regarding vehicle importations. This is information that SAT is promoting and might put to rest some of the speculation going around verbally and on web boards.
SAT provides the following link for their slideshow (in Spanish) with the rules, it is titled What vehicles can be imported.
http://www.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/vehiculos/importaciones_autosusados/Paginas/default.aspx
I will list the highlights here. I do not do vehicle importations but have helped people verify them and have sprung them and their vehicles from jail / impound due to fraudulent acts of people offering import services. My advice is to only nationalize as a last resort and always calculate cost to benefit ratio where nationalizing makes sense for a very few.
Now back to the info…
What vehicles can be imported
Used cars with a VIN showing they were made or assembled in Mexico, the USA or Canada.
Cars 8 to 9 years old
Cars whose right to be driven are restricted or prohibited.
The cost of importation is ten percent of the value of the vehicle plus taxes due for entry into the country.
Cars can be imported by Mexicans living in Mexico and abroad.
Importers need official ID and CURP, car title in their name or signed over to them, emissions certificate, nothing limiting their right to be driven in their home country
Procedures
1) Go to a customs agent with your ID, letter of appointment of customs broker, vehicle title.
2) You need to verify that the customs agent:
Obtains a certificate that the vehicle complies with physical / mechanical conditions and environmental protection (verification centers exist close to the border zone aduanas)
Verify that the vehicle has not been reported stolen
Verify that the vehicle VIN number matches the title.
Present the vehicle title to American Customs so that they can authorize its export (this process takes an average of two days).
Prepare the importation pedimento
Pay the proper taxes
Turn in the definitive importation pedimento fully paid.
3) Present the vehicle along with the pedimento at the aduana module for inspection and receive the import pedimentos with its attachments and register the vehicle in the Public Vehicle Registry.
Remember, only a customs agent can do the procedure with aduana. Vehicle importations are not done in the street. Do not turn over money or documents in the street.
I am just the messenger, I do not know how Canadians will fare without a title, or why they should deal with US customs or heck if anybody but a Mexican can import as it doesn’t mention foreigners at all. Also I have no idea how people will babysit customs agents and make sure they comply with the list of items SAT gives.
