How to Import a Car to Mexico - Auto in Mexico

In this post, we'll cover the basics of importing used cars into Mexico. By import we mean the legal import with the payment of customs duties for the purpose of registering a car in Mexico and issuing local license plates.

You can import a car to Mexico:

• citizens,
• permanent residents.

The following are not able to import a car to Mexico:

• guest of the state,
• temporary residents.

Travelers and temporary residents may only import a vehicle under temporary importation (TIP) until the expiration date of their migration document. We described the temporary import procedure in thispublications(more precisely, the process is called «permit for temporary import of a vehicle). Accordingly, citizens and permanent residents of Mexico do not have the opportunity to import a car under the temporary import regime, but are required to go through the full import procedure.

There are procedural differences based on the state from which the car is imported. We will cover car imports from North American countries, the USA and Canada, under the T-MEC free trade agreement. Importing cars from other countries is more difficult and less profitable.

Import criteria also differ depending on the region of Mexico into which you are importing the car. In other words, you should be a resident of this region. For the purpose of importing vehicles, the regions of Mexico can be divided into two categories:

• so-called «northern border areas»: a strip 25 km wide from the border; the entire territory of the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur; western Sonora (west of Highway 15D and north of Guayama);
• the rest of Mexico.

One way or another, without purchasing additional licenses, it is allowed to import used vehicles with a capacity of up to 15 passengers (cars, SUVs, pickups, vans) manufactured in North American countries into Mexico. The first digit of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) indicates where the vehicle was manufactured and must be between 1 and 5.

Northern border areas

There are lower customs duties here, but proof of residency in this region is required. After importing the car, it is possible to sell it to a resident of another, «non-northern» region only by covering the difference in customs duties.

It is allowed to import cars that are 5-10 years old. To import cars of a different age, a special permit from the Ministry of Economy will be required, and the tax amount may be higher.

Taxes/Fees:

• Import tax (arancel):
  • car age 5-9 years — 1% of the customs value (calculated on a scale),
  • 10 years — 10%,
  • if there is a certificate of origin T-MEC (Certificado de origen) — 0%,
• VAT (IVA) — 16%,
• customs clearance fee (derecho de trámite aduanal, DTA) — 0.8%.

Rest of Mexico

Outside designated border areas, the criteria become stricter and the import tax increases.

It is allowed to import cars that are 8-9 years old. You cannot import cars that are 10 years old or older. To import cars of a different age, a special permit from the Ministry of Economy is required, and the tax amount will be different.

Taxes/Fees:

• Import tax (arancel):
  • car age 8-9 years — 10% of the customs value,
  • if there is a certificate of origin T-MEC (Certificado de origen) — 0%,
• VAT (IVA) — 16%,
• customs clearance fee (derecho de trámite aduanal, DTA) — 0.8%.

To individually import more than 1 car into Mexico in 12 months, you must be registered in the importer registry and additionally pay tax on a new car (ISAN), which is calculated from its customs value. The same tax will have to be paid for the import of cars of other model years after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Economy.

The owner of the car does not have the opportunity to independently clear it through customs or even apply to customs. By law, he must hire a licensed customs agent (agencyte aduanal), who works for an agency accredited at a particular customs office and who will carry out the entire customs clearance process. The costs of a customs agent may occupy a significant share in the total costs of customs clearance of car imports.

Hire a customs agent — the only way to officially import a car. There are no other legal ways. In Mexico, there are many stories of vehicles being seized by unlicensed agents.

It makes no sense to carefully describe the entire customs clearance process, since the agent will handle everything. Contact details for customs agents can be found below.

The owner will be required to provide the following documentation:

• Ownership of the car in the name of the importer («title»),
• ID card,
• Resident card (for foreigners),
• Proof of home address, among other things — a receipt for payment of a utility bill not older than 3 months or municipal taxes or a letter from the relevant municipality or voting document,
• Bank account statement not older than 3 months,
• CURP ID number,
• A sticker or digital photo of the vehicle identification number.

The duties of a customs agent include:

• Purchasing a certificate confirming that the vehicle complies with technical requirements and environmental protection conditions (there are corresponding inspection centers near the customs office),
• Organization of car value assessment (in some cases),
• Checking the compliance of the vehicle identification number with the number of the certificate of ownership,
• Submission of title document to US Customs to allow export,
• Preparation of an import application,
• Payment of relevant taxes,
• Providing the owner with the final package of documents for customs,
• Purchasing a petition for the import of a vehicle with attachments from customs (import completed).

Once the import process is completed, the owner is required to register the vehicle with the Registry of Public Vehicles and pay the local Ownership or Use Tax on Vehicles (ISTUV).

Most often, the procedure for customs clearance of importing a car adds from 30 to 60% (if imported under an individual license) to its cost, including all additional costs. That's why you should think carefully about whether it will cost you to import your car. In many cases, it makes more sense to sell there and buy in Mexico.

Agent contacts

Below are the contacts of some customs agents who handle customs clearance of cars in Merida and the port of Progreso, Yucatan.