New Vehicle Temporary Importation Manual

SAT released the latest version of their Vehicle Importation Manual the end of November, 2014, two years after the prior one was released in September, 2012. The new manual can be found here: http://www.sat.gob.mx/informacion_fiscal/normatividad/Documents/manual_importacion_vehiculos.pdf

The new manual lists the immigration statuses and maximum periods that they can have vehicles imported with Residente Temporal up to 4 years, Residente Temporal Estudiante for the duration of their studies and FMM para canje (these are people who got their preauthorized visa at the consulate) for up to 30 days (can be extended up to 4 years). (2.2)

It also reiterates the 3 ways to get the temporary import permit, at the border paying $51US + IVA, online from www.banjercito.com.mx paying $45US + IVA and at the Mexican consulates in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Denver and Phoenix paying $51US + IVA. (2.3)
The deposits you pay at the time of purchasing the permit in cash or by credit card remain the same. $400US for car models 2007 - 2015, $300US for car models 2001 - 2006 and $200US for cars 2000 and older. (2.3)

There has been a change in the way foreigners must notify Aduana when they renew their immigration document or swap their FMM and consulate preauthorization for a new card. Aduana now does not ask for a copy of the new immigration document but asks for the copy of the new card OR the NUT number OR the resolution authorizing the new card. What in the heck is that? This is the papers that comes up when you are notified that you can do fingerprints. It does not have your name or any personal identifying information on it. To avoid losing your deposit, we are having our clients do their aduana vehicle notification the very day they are notified they can place fingerprints and we include a copy of the notification as well as the pdf notification with no personal information. They now specify that the 15 day term to do so is business days, not calendar days! (presumably due to our firms efforts in fighting for improperly retained vehicle deposits) (2.4)

This is all very new and we have not had any responses back yet from aduana. They are checking all notifications directly with immigration. Immigration has corrected their practice of placing erroneous dates of issue on immigration cards but delays in delivery to foreigners may still cause people to not notify on time and thereby lose their deposits paid. We suggest that you come and see us with your import permit when you are notified you can do your fingerprints so we can present the notification immediately.

The people who can drive your car are the same, they just now specifically list tourists and resident temporales along with family members if you are not in the car. (2.8)

Thanks for the report. I have a couple of questions.

Why wait for the finger print paper when one can send the NUT which INM gives when they accept the application? It seems to me that would be earlier in the process and give less chance for delay.

How is the information sent to Aduana?

Hi, we wait until fingerprinting as that is the point that immigration has authorized the renewal or new document and notified the person and generated a generic notification / authorization form, if you were to do it and aduana checked before immigration authorized, they could toss out the notice.

We recommend sending the information personally to aduana so you have a receipt that you notified them. We have seen too many people have the mail returned weeks later ad blown their deadlines. Immigration and aduana send information back and forth, I have seen some sent by mail or at last in written format.

So if you notified Aduana and received paperwork showing such when you received your new visa how are you affected?

The notifications need to be done earlier now and there is more time to do them. There was uncertainty before, there still is but you do not need to wait for the card to do the notification and if you do then you run the risk that you are late.

Is there a grace period to notify Aduana for applying for TIP extension ?

We crossed on Sept 9, 2015 with our Residente Temporal visa pre-approvals and were issued TIP for 30 days with Canje marked on immigration card. We picked up our finalized RT visa cards from INM this Monday Oct. 12th. When I look on the Aduana vehicle site, it shows we are past our max return date of Oct. 8, 2015... What is next step, if any to prevent loss of our TIP deposit (credit card) or is it already forfeited?

If you don't take the proper steps along the process, you lose the deposit. I don't think there is any grace period. Sorry!!