Turtle-Toad wrote:

Has anyone ever legally imported a late model (less than 10 years old) Class A and gotten Mexican plates on it?

For that matter, has anyone even SEEN a late model Class A with Mexican plates????

It's my understanding that the importation must happen at the border, and the duties and fees required to do this is so prohibitive that the customs brokers at the border won't even attempt to import one. Plus the problem with the different states not issuing plates to certain imports.

I've had inquiries from both potential buyers and sellers of RVs already in Mexico and have always come up with the same conclusion to my research. It can't realistically be done.

mexbungalows wrote:

1. A valid FM-3 document supercedes the temporary vehicle importation 180 day limit. By continuing to renew your FM-3 your vehicle permit is AUTOMATICALLY extended for the length of the FM-3 or prorroga. As of right now if you keep your FM-3 current you can reside in Mexico for fifty years without worrying about having an expired car permit. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS have a color laser copy made of your PRIOR FM-3 if for some reason you have to get a new one. This is DIFINITIVE proof that no matter how expired the cars plates or how long the car has been in Mexico you cannot be hassled about "Well your car permit says it entered in 2003 and your FM-3 says that it was issued in 2009".

2. You MUST sign out on your FM-3 when leaving the country and they will ask you for your car permit. If it has more than 180 days on it then they will remove the hologram, ask for the SAT permit document and issue a document entitled RETORNO DEFINITIVO. Do not misplace this document.

3. Upon reentry, you must first have your FM-3 stamped at migracion then go to the car permit window, pay the money and be issued a new permit and hologram. The same conditions will apply as above.

4. SORRY! Some city cops think that it is permissible (should I list some cities?) to stop and ticket cars with expired tags. It is wrong but a real hassle to deal with on the spot.

5. Cops hate paperwork. If stopped hand him one photocopy each of your FM-3 ID page, your SAT car permit, your driver license, and I even hand over the list of rules and regulations issued to permit holders at the border. The cop may scoff, but say "vamanos a la commandancia". One time I followed through on a threat and copied down everyone's name at la commandancia and threatened to involve everyone from the governor, PROFECO and the town priest. They backed down, but I went to a Green Angel and filled out a federal complaint form and sent it in with them. They agreed the fining is ILLEGAL. The outcome of my complaint is unknown.

Federal Highway Patrol, the Army and Marines, and Policia Federal are now ROUTINELY asking to see photo ID, driver license, and proof of legal stay in Mexico. Some Caminos Y puentes are demanding to see car permits.

I Only Live Here

David