For those moving to or spending extended time in Mexico, bringing a foreign-plated vehicle is often a practical option. However, importing a car into Mexico, whether temporarily or permanently, involves various regulations, paperwork, and fees. In this article, we will only focus on the process of temporarily importing your vehicle. 

Why Import a Foreign-Plated Vehicle to Mexico?

Many foreigners prefer to bring their vehicles into Mexico for a variety of reasons: 

• • They may need transportation for daily activities. 
  • It may be more cost-effective than purchasing a new or used vehicle in Mexico. 
  • The vehicle may be better suited for road trips or long-distance travel. 
  • They moved to Mexico with their pets
  • They had a lot of personal belongings and items that needed to be brought down.

However, it’s crucial to follow the right procedures to avoid fines or vehicle confiscation, if the vehicle is not correctly imported. 

Types of Importation: Temporary vs Permanent 

There are two primary ways to import a vehicle into Mexico: temporary and permanent importation. The option you choose will depend on your residency status, the type of vehicle and how long you plan to stay in Mexico. 

Temporary importation – Allows foreign vehicles to be in Mexico for a limited period without paying import duties, but an application fee and deposit still applies. This is most common for tourists and temporary resident card holders. 

• • Eligibility: Foreign-plated vehicles can be temporarily imported by tourists, temporary residents and temporary student residents. 
  • Validity: The temporary import permit is typically valid for the length of your tourist or temporary residency status, up to 180 days for tourists and the length of your temporary residency validity for residents. 
  • Restrictions: Temporary import permits are only available for vehicles registered outside of Mexico, and the vehicle must be taken out of the country before the permit expires. 

Permanent importation – Involves paying import duties and taxes, and the vehicle will be title and registered in Mexico with Mexican plates. 

• • Eligibility: Permanent residents or citizens may choose to permanently import their vehicle. However, this can only be done if the car meets specific requirements, particularly related to the vehicle’s age and origin. 
  • Restrictions: Not all foreign vehicles can be permanently imported. For instance, vehicles older than a certain age may not meet environmental and safety standards in Mexico. 

Temporary Importation Process

Step 1 – Check eligibility: Before starting the process, ensure that your vehicle meets the criteria for temporary importation: 

• The vehicle must be registered in your name in the country of origin. 
• You must be either a tourist, temporary resident or temporary student resident, in order to qualify. 
• The vehicle must be driven into Mexico (shipping vehicles is generally reserved for permanent importation). 

Step 2 – Gather required documents and copies 

For foreigners: 

• • Valid passport: For identification purposes. 
  • Proof of residency status: A tourist FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple), temporary residency or temporary student residency.
  • Proof of ownership: Title and/or registration showing your name as the owner or financing/leasing agreement (with permission to take out of the country). If available, it is best to have both the title and registration. 
  • Vehicle information: Details about your vehicle, including the make, model, VIN, weight and license plate number. 
  • Payment method: The payment for the TIP can be made with cash (only USD) or a debit/credit card at the border or at a Mexican consulate. If applying online, only a debit/credit card is acceptable. 

For Mexican nationals residing abroad or those who can prove they have been working in a foreign country for 1 year or more, they must also present: 

• • Documentation issued by the immigration authority of that country, verifying their status as temporary or permanent residents. 
  • Provide authorization from the respective authority of that country, granting them the status of service providers in accordance with international agreements to which Mexico is a party. 
  • If applicable, you will not be able to use your Mexican passport as an acceptable form of identification. 

Step 3 – Apply for the TIP: You can obtain your TIP either: 

• • Online: Through the official Banjercito website, up to 60 days before your arrival in Mexico. This is a convenient option for some and the permit will be delivered to you. However, change in travel dates and/or port of entry could complicate the entry process at the border. 
  • At the border: You can also obtain the permit at a Banjercito office (list of locations) at the Mexican border. Be prepared for longer wait times during peak travel seasons. This is often the most advisable options since as tourist you still need to get your FMM stamped (even if completed online) and if entering with a temporary resident visa sticker in your passport, you need to get your FMM marked for CANJE (exchange) stamped. 

Please note that if you are entering Mexico with a pre-approved temporary resident visa sticker in your passport, do not under any circumstance apply for a TIP online. At the border, your TIP will be issued for 30 days, in addition to your FMM (marked CANJE). Once you initiate the process of completing your residency process at your local immigration (Instituto Nacional de Inmigración – INM) office, you will need to extend your TIP at your local aduanas (customs) office, which falls under Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), in order for your TIP to match the validity of your residency. The online TIP is only meant for those entering as tourists and even then, it is recommended you obtain your TIP at the border. 

Step 4 – Pay the permit fees: The cost of the TIP varies, but as of 2024, it typically costs around $50 USD for the permit. This fee is paid through Banjercito, and you will also need to pay a refundable deposit, which depends on the age of your vehicle. You can pay in cash with USD (no MXN pesos) or use a foreign or domestic debit/credit card. 

• • 2007 or newer: $400 USD  
  • 2001 to 2006: $300 USD 
  • 2000 and older: $200 USD 

The deposit is refunded when the vehicle leaves Mexico before the TIP expires. The deposit will be returned in the same manner as the original payment method. Based on anecdotal reports, it is worth mentioning that for temporary resident card holders, the deposit is rarely (if ever) returned at the expiration of your temporary residency. 

Step 5 – Use and maintain your TIP: Once you have your TIP, you must keep the original TIP paperwork in your vehicle at all times. This permit allows you to drive legally in Mexico, and you should always carry the documentation with you, since this proof is often requested at checkpoints, which are very common. The TIP is tied to your immigration status, so it is crucial that the vehicle leaves Mexico if your residency status changes or before your residency or tourist FMM expires. 

Step 6 – Return the vehicle before the permit expires: To avoid penalties or losing your deposit, you must take the vehicle out of Mexico before the permit expires. If you fail to do this, you could face fines, and your deposit will be forfeited. 

Who Can Drive Your Vehicle?

For foreigners: 

• • TIP holder. 
  • His/her spouse, parents, children, or siblings even if they are not legal residents of Mexico. 
  • Individuals with a tourist FMM, temporary residency or temporary student residency. 
  • Mexican nationals provided that anyone authorized to drive the vehicle is travelling on board. 
  • Please note that some claim that a permanent resident card holder can drive a vehicle with a TIP. A situation like this may arise, as an example, if one half of a couple is a temporary resident and the other individual is a permanent resident. The assumption likely lies in the fact that immediate family members such as a spouse, parents or children may drive the vehicle. However, please note that there is no explicit mention of this anywhere on either the Banjercito or Aduanas‘ website, nor in any of their respective documentation, since this specific distinction as a permanent resident card holder is not made crystal clear.

For Mexican nationals residing abroad: 

• • TIP holder. 
  • His/her spouse, parents, children or siblings provided they are permanent legal residents abroad. 
  • Individuals with a tourist FMM, temporary residency or temporary student residency. 
  • When driven by an individual other than those authorized, the TIP holder must be travelling on board 

For emergency: 

• • In a situation that qualifies as an emergency, any driver can take the vehicle to obtain help, but this is considered an exception. 

TIP Status and Validity 

Once the TIP has been issued, you can check the validity of your TIP at any time by checking on Banjercito’s website and entering your folio number. There should also be a QR code on the original TIP documentation, which you can use to check the status. Prior to checking, allow at least a few days/weeks for the system to be updated after you have received or extended (for temporary residents only) your TIP. Checking the validity of your TIP ensures it remains in good standing and hasn’t expired. 

Important Considerations 

Here are some things to be aware of if you’re bringing your foreign-plated vehicle into Mexico. 

• • Vehicle restrictions: Some parts of Mexico, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla and other large urban areas, have a “hoy no circula” (no-drive days) and/or emmissions (pass local inspection) programs, which limit which vehicles can be driven on certain days or that your vehicle has passed certain emmissions standards. Be sure to check local driving regulations and obtain the necessary circulation and/or emmissions permits in order to avoid fines and penalties. 
  • Financing/leasing agreements: if you have a vehicle that is financed or leased, you will need to verify with the financing or leasing company to ensure that you have legal permission to bring the vehicle to Mexico. Otherwise, if you violate the terms of those agreements, you in all liklihood will invalidate your insurance, especially if your vehicle is involved in an accident or is stolen. Additionally, you may also end up invalidating your leasing or financing agreement, which in a worst case scenario that can lead to repossession of your vehicle.
  • Mexican insurance: Foreign insurance policies, including coverage provided through credit cards, are not valid in Mexico. Whether you’re importing your vehicle temporarily or permanently, you’ll need to purchase Mexican auto insurance. This can be done online in advance, purchased at the border or through a local insurance broker. 
  • Emissions standards: For permanent imports, your vehicle must meet Mexican emissions standards, which can be strict in certain states. Vehicles failing to meet these standards will not be allowed to enter Mexico permanently. 

What Happens If You Overstay a TIP?

If you fail to take your vehicle out of Mexico before the TIP expires, you can face penalties, lose your deposit, and potentially have your vehicle seized by customs officials. It’s critical to monitor your TIP’s expiration and leave the country in a timely manner. If there are extenuating circumstances beyond your control and your TIP expires, you can request a retorno seguro (safe return) document from a participating aduanas office, which allows you 5 days to safely take your vehicle out of the country. 

Helpful Online Resources 

Stay up-to-date on all the current requirements and processes in regards to a TIP, as outlined in this article, by visiting the following websites: 

• • SAT: Mexico’s official federal government agency responsible for the collection of taxes from individuals and businesses.
  • Aduanas: Mexico’s official federal agency responsible for customs and border control, overseeing the import and export of goods while ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. It plays a critical role in collecting customs duties, preventing smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade. Aduanas operates under the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), which is part of the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (SHCP), Mexico’s Ministry of Finance and Public Credit.
  • Aduanas importation manual: This document provides extensive details regarding the temporary importation of vehicles, including the applicable laws. 
  • Banjercito: Mexico’s official federal government agency responsible for providing financial and banking services to the military, including administering TIPs for foreign vehicles. Banjercito falls under the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), which is Mexico’s department of national defense.  
  • Banjercito importation manual: In conjunction with the Aduanas importation manual, this document provides an abbreviated summary regarding the temporary importation of vehicles.

Conclusion 

Whether you’re moving to Mexico temporarily or permanently, bringing a foreign-plated vehicle can simplify your life, but it’s important to follow the correct procedures. Temporary importation is ideal for those staying for a defined period, while permanent importation requires more documentation and fees but allows you to legally keep your car in Mexico indefinitely.

Always consult the latest guidelines to stay up-to-date on any changes in the vehicle importation process. Additionally, Mexican customs brokers can provide invaluable assistance in navigating the complexities of permanent vehicle importation. 

Please feel free to leave us a comment below, if you would like to share your personal experience of obtaining a TIP for your vehicle. We would love to hear from you!

Safe travels!