If you want to import a vehicle permanently, please see Nationalizing.
A temporary car permit (TIP) is not required in the “Free Zone” which is North and South Baja and along all the US / Mexico border up to approx. 16 to 20 miles into Mexico. It also includes the part of Sonora west of HWY 15 to Guaymas and a portion east of HWY 15, north of Highway 2.
Also, there is no need for a TIP in Quintana Roo but you need to drive your vehicle there which requires a car permit unless you are arriving from the south (Belize). However, even in areas not requiring a TIP for your car, you must still have a valid FMM tourist card; otherwise, your car is not legal as you are not legal and your insurance is void.
Temporary Importation Laws
Some of the temporary importation laws are here. And here are all the regulations in Spanish. Articles IV.1 to IV.10 are the most relevant sections for those bringing a foreign registered car in to Mexico.
Obtaining Car Permit (TIP)
For those entering as a tourist, your TIP is valid for up to 180 days (please see the Tourist Visa page for current information on the times being granted to tourists these days). You may obtain your TIP at the following Mexican consulates: Chicago, Illinois; Austin, Dallas and Houston, Texas; Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Sacramento, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Denver, Colorado and in Phoenix, Arizona. As well, you may obtain your car permit as you enter Mexico for $59 or online (10 to 60 days before entering) by clicking here and then selecting the English version in upper right. (Normally, I don’t advise this, see next paragraph).
Note, RV’s may obtain a TIP for 10 years and there is no deposit.
The deposit for your permit is $400 for 2007 and newer vehicles, $300 for 2001 to 2006 vehicles and $200 for older vehicles. Your deposit may be paid for with cash or credit card. Vehicle permits are digital and applicants receive a copy via email. Those who obtain their TIP online must still stop at the border to register their entry into Mexico, with an FMM date stamped. I advise getting your TIP at the border.
Obtaining a TIP On-line
I do not recommend obtaining a car permit (TIP) on line. If, for any reason your car does not make it to Mexico which may include an accident, an emergency that changes your plans or car sold once you obtain a TIP, then it is extremely difficult to cancel the car permit. You vehicle is considered to be in Mexico. You may not bring another vehicle in to Mexico until the permit you obtained on line is cancelled. As well, there are fake web sites offering fake car permits. And, if you entered any information incorrectly such as your VIN, when ordering a TIP on line, you will have a major issue to resolve it.
Financed Vehicle
For cars leased or with financing you will require approval from the lien holder allowing your vehicle to be driven in Mexico. Your lien holder agreement requires the vehicle’s insurance to name lien holder. In Mexico, you require a new insurance policy provided by a Mexican insurance provider and that policy will not state lien holder. In addition, your contract for cars with financing or which are leased, will state where you may drive your vehicle. It will not allow you to drive your vehicle in to Mexico.
Who May Obtain a TIP
You may request a TIP for a vehicle that is registered in your name or that of your spouse, your child or your parent. Recreational vehicles such as motorhomes will often receive a 10-year TIP and a deposit is not required. If you are having an issue with a vehicle temporary import permit (TIP) refund: email: permisovehiculos@banjercito.com.mx
Extending a TIP
The law states, that the period authorized to return the vehicles that have been temporarily imported by foreigners will be that of the validity of their condition of stay and their renewals, provided that there is continuity between them. In other words, when you remain legal, such as when renewing a Temporary Resident visa, your vehicle remains legal. However, to protect your deposit, you must go to Adauna to protect your deposit before your TIP expires. Aduana is usually found at a large airport. For those in Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit the location is the Puerto Vallarta airport. There they will only extend TIP for 6 months. For those in San Miguel de Allende please go to the Queretaro airport. For clients, I will email exact location and requirements. In Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, Teresa will extend your car temporary import permit (TIP).
When you enter Mexico, at a border crossing with a vehicle and a pre-approved Temporary Resident (TR) visa from a consulate, your TIP will be for 30 days as will be your FMM will also be for 30 days. You must complete your TR visa and extend your TIP at Aduana before the 30 days expires. The 30 day count includes the day your car permit (TIP) was issued. Your first Temporary Resident visa will be for 1 year. Renewal of your TR visa may begin up to 30 days prior to expiration. Again, you need to have your new 3-year Temporary Resident card completed and TIP extended at Aduana before it expires or you will forfeit your deposit although your vehicle will be legal. With this car permit extension, your TIP will then expire in 3 years when your TR Visa card expires. And, your car deposit will normally be protected.
Salvaged Vehicles
As per Article IV.6 vehicles with a salvaged title are normally not allowed a Temporary Import Permit. Nor may a salvaged vehicle be nationalized. And, while you may get away with it, in the event of an accident your insurance may be void. No insurance may = jail. In addition, if caught in a road check your vehicle may be confiscated and a large fine applied. As well, Aduana often checks CarFax and if your vehicle has had structural damage you may be denied a TIP.
Vehicle Weight Limit
From Banjercito: you may NOT request a permit for a vehicle weighing more than 3.5 metric tons (7,716 lbs GVRW). And as per Article IV.6.
TIP Status
To check your TIP status, please click here.
Selling Vehicle With a TIP
it is illegal to sell a foreign plated car in Mexico.
Cancel Car Permit (TIP) When Exiting Mexico
For a Temporary Resident, it is recommended you turn in your car permit when you drive out of Mexico. If you were unable to return the same vehicle to Mexico (due to total loss; car sold; health reasons, etc.) you will have a difficult time having the vehicle removed from the Mexican database. They would consider the vehicle as still being in Mexico and you would forfeit your deposit and in addition, you would be prohibited from bringing in another vehicle.
Units that may be imported along with the vehicle
As per Article IV.7, along with the temporary importation of a vehicle, a person may temporarily imported a boat up to four and a half meters of length including the trailer for its’ transportation as well as recreational vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles or jet skies as long as they are not to be driven on public roads including federal, state or municipal. The maximum is three units on the same temporary import permit (TIP) including the car / truck. It is necessary to show proof of ownership of the transported units and registration is to be in the same name as the vehicle obtaining the TIP.
Motorcycles that enter Mexico that have foreign plates to drive on public roads, must request a temporary importation permit.
Any trailer, boat, motorcycle, etc that is on the same temporary import permit (TIP), as the vehicle must leave Mexico when the vehicle with the TIP leaves. If not, you will be sent back to get whatever else is on the TIP. And, if the TIP is not turned in when leaving Mexico and you later enter Mexico without what else is on the TIP, again you will not get a TIP.
Mexican nationals living abroad and driving to Mexico
They may obtain a Temporary Import Permit for 180 calendar days of effective stay in the country, computed from the date of entry of the vehicle into the national territory and usable in a period of 12 months, considering multiple entries and exits. As well as proving work abroad for a year or more, they must submit the document issued by the immigration authorities of the foreign country proving they are a citizen or permanent or temporary residents abroad by the legal authority of that country. The vehicles may be driven in national territory by the importer, his spouse, his ascendants, descendants or siblings as long as they are permanent residents abroad, or by a Tourist or Temporary Resident. When it is driven by someone other than those authorized, the importer of the vehicle must be in the vehicle.
Permanent residents may not keep a foreign plated car in Mexico.
The only exceptions are 1. when one has a pre-approved visa from a Mexican consulate and only until your status is approved as a permanent resident, so a maximum of 30 days, or 2. where no TIP is required (free zones). Otherwise, it is subject to confiscation plus a large fine. If you are in an accident your insurance is null and void.
Who may legally drive your foreign plated car in Mexico?
As per Article IV. vehicles with Temporary Import Permits may be driven in Mexico by the importer, their spouse, their parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters, children, or grandchildren even though they are not foreigners, or a foreigner who is a Tourist or Temporary Resident without the permit holder in the vehicle. Or, by a Mexican National when there is an authorized driver in the vehicle. This means if a car permit is in the name of a person with a valid FMM tourist card or Temporary Resident, that person’s spouse, even if a Permanent Resident or a Mexican national, may drive the foreign plated vehicle without the person in whose name is the car permit being in the vehicle. It also means a Mexican national such as a maid, gardener, mechanic, bellhop, etc can not drive your vehicle without the TIP holder in the car. In this case, where caught, cars have been confiscated plus fines.
Selling, Scrapping, or Donating Your Car
You may not sell nor donate a foreign plated vehicle in Mexico.
If a foreign plated car is unable to be driven may it be left in Mexico? NO, it must be towed to the border.
To legally scrap a foreign plated car it is only done so at about 6 locations and you pay the cost. Once scrapped, you then deliver proof of the vehicle being destroyed to the proper authorities in Mexico City. The requirements are very specific.
The other issue with taking a vehicle to a scrap yard is that the vehicle may be restored. Mexicans are very creative. Or, parts such as the motor ends up in another vehicle and on a motor is a VIN. The vehicle with that traceable VIN ends up in an accident or it is involved in committing a crime. That vehicle is now traceable to the owner who thought the vehicle was destroyed.
