Sonia Diaz
NAFTA-made vehicles may be nationalized at Laredo and some other ports of entry. Check with a broker as to model years. This is a reputable broker to nationalize your vehicle. There is no way to legally nationalize a vehicle that is already in Mexico.
At the moment you may import 2013 and 2014. Each November, the year allowed to nationalize increases by one year as those are the two model years that an importer pays a 10% import duty based on the value set by Aduana (Customs). Older vehicles may be nationalized buy you pay 50% on the value set by Aduana. In addition, all vehicles when nationalized, pay a tax of 16%.
You may import a new vehicle but the U.S. dealer will not provide a warranty for Mexico. You may import a new vehicle, model years 2021 or 2022, before November, this year. Starting in November you may import a 2022 vehicle. The vehicle must be purchased from an authorized dealer and with an odometer reading of less than 3,000 Km or 1,864 miles. The dealership must be willing to give you the certificate of origin and your name and address in Mexico must appear on the invoice.
For new and used vehicles the first digit of the VIN must start with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. The only exception is for classic vehicles, 30 years or older. They can be from any country of origin.
If anyone offers to nationalize a vehicle and the process is to be completed within days, or registration needs to be in the name of a Mexican citizen or process comes with license plates including from Mexico City, the process is illegal. If you want to check out such a process go and ask your local SAT / Aduana office if it is legal. Each car when legally nationalized receives a ‘pedimento’ from Aduana.
