Thanks in Advance,
Jock

This information may be of value to some with vehicles on Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos. Now it is possibly unique to Q. Roo, but something I’ve had personal experience with.

The constitutional Article 106 essentially states your permiso is valid while your FM-3 is current. I lost this battle crossing from Q. Roo to Campeche. The aduana wouldn’t let me pass, so returned me to Chetumal/Subtiente Lopez at the Belize border to renew my permiso. So those living in Q. Roo planning a trip outside of the state may want to think about going to Puerto Juarez/Punta Sam for a renewal of the permiso.

Granted I sometimes think that Q. Roo, the free zone state thinks it’s an empire unto itself. Living in Cozumel, I know it is a planet of it’s own. There are times that the laws of the nation don’t apply or are interpreted differently.

I think we can all say, “it’s never boring living in Mexico.” It is a mindset change and thoroughly enjoyable life for the brave who are able to make the adjustment.

I’m in Q. Roo, things are no different here, though different in their one way. I’m all too familiar with the hoops we jump thru to get things done. Four yrs in Cozumel, has greatly increased my level of paciencia (patience). If you can look at all of the official sorts of things you must accomplish with humor, you feel celebratory when the mission complete.

It’s wonderful you found someone to help you thru the process. I’m the go-to person in Cozumel for the extranjeros who need help with these things. The requests for help always start with, “can you speak Spanish for me?” Whether it be a trip to the bank, CFE, CAPA, Cablemas and of course, the Policia and let’s not forget the doctor, I’m up to the task.

I’ve tried for 3 yrs to find a way to get a pedimento for my ‘90 diesel Uhaul. Having spoken to aduanals in Matamoros, Baja, Progreso and who knows where else, they’ve all told me it can’t be done. I guess I should have done it in Matamoros at my first crossing or Reynosa on my last trip. They’ve all told me, solamente en la frontera. I sure don’t want to take the darn thing back to the border to find out it can’t be done there, either. I simply want to sell the darn thing. Of course, the Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vehiculos explicitly states you can’t sell.

Maybe an in person trip to Progreso is in order. I sure don’t want to spend $1ks of MXN to get truck across on the ferry and then Progreso to find out it’s a lost cause. Besides, I rather plate it in Q. Roo.

A warning to those buying NEW cars in MX. Some of the prices are better than the US, but I suggest you check the cost of the tenencia (plates/annual registration) and seguro (insurance) for a new vehicle. It’s a tidy sum for some models. Another tip on the seguro, theft is a separate rider and can cost as much as the coverage for damage/liability.