** We do not provide import/export services. This guide is for information only. **

In a recent post I discussed how to import a car from Canada. We then talked about one enthusiast car in particular, the R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R, which has become the posterchild for automotive import, export, and registration rules in the United States. You can find those resources linked at the bottom of the article.

That leaves one border unaccounted for, so today we're going to discuss how to import a car from Mexico without the help of a specialist company. Thankfully, importing a car from Mexico isn't that much different from most anywhere else. Aside from the fact that you can simply drive the car over the border, the steps to import a car from Mexico are mostly the same as if you were shipping one from overseas.

Let's take a closer look at the steps you need to follow if you want to bring a Mexican car to the States and legally drive it on the road.

A typical automotive manufacturer label. Source

A typical automotive manufacturer label. Source

What Cars Are We Talking About Here?

There are two primary ways to import a car to the United States. If a car is more than 25 years old, it can be legally imported to the United States and registered for road use under the provisions of the 25 Year Rule. If a car is less than 25 years old but has historical significance and was never sold in the United States, it could be eligible for import and limited road use under the provisions of the Show and Display Rule.

This guide describes how to import and register cars from Mexico that are less than 25 years old and are ineligible for Show and Display.

This Kind of Car is Already Sold in the States.

If you are looking at a Mexican vehicle that's also produced and sold in the United States, the import process will be much easier for you. Look at the manufacturer label in the door latch post, on the hinge pillar or on the door's edge. If the label states that this car is produced for sale in the United States, your troubles will be minimal.

As you may know, many American automakers have plants in Mexico, so it's possible you're already driving a car that's sold in the United States. In recent years, the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fusion, Nissan Versa and three Honda models were all produced in Mexico for U.S. distribution, so importing one from Mexico would allow you to skip much of the usual process.

However, just because the car is produced in Mexico doesn't automatically make it ready for the United States market. You'll have to inspect your manufacturer's label to determine if it conforms to our country's standards.

Can I Just Drive a Car Over from Mexico and Keep It?

Mexican citizens can drive an imported vehicle on U.S. roads for up to a year, but then it must return to Mexico or it will be confiscated. It is illegal to sell a car that has been imported under these conditions. They occasionally pop up on auction sites like Craigslist, but it's highly illegal and you should avoid these cars.

What if I'm Just Visiting the United States from Mexico?

Non-U.S. residents may import a vehicle without paying duties if it doesn't meet the requirements for safety and emissions. They will be permitted to drive the vehicle for up to a year, but then it must return back to Mexico. During that time, it's not allowed to be sold in the United States either.

What Paperwork Will I Need?

Before being registered in the United States, a late model car must comply with DOT Safety Standards plus Environmental Protection Agency Emissions Standards. If the car doesn't meet these standards, that's okay: a DOT Registered Importer can usually handle importing the vehicle instead. Two forms are required to prove this, which we'll talk about in a moment. The specific documentation required can be found here.

The first and most important thing to do is make sure there are no liens on the title. Liens make the process far more complex and could sneak up when you least expect them. It's best to find out about any liens early on by running a Vehicle History Report. That will also confirm the title status and a variety of other helpful details to give you peace of mind about your imported car.

Federalizing a Mexican Car for United States Roads

Some Mexican cars simply won't meet the standards of our Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act even with extensive work. But others could be brought up to spec through a process known as federalization. This is a model-specific process.

In general terms, federalizing a car from Mexico is possible but will require research into the specific car in question. Changes might be as simple as adding side markers or adjusting bumper heights, but the modifications required could be much more extensive.

There's no way to register the vehicle for road use until these requirements are met, so this is what you should spend most of your time figuring out. It boils down to whether or not the car will pass a typical safety inspection in the United States. That means the answer is different for every car, but thankfully you probably aren't the first person to attempt to import this type of car. Search the web for an enthusiast forum with information about importing your particular car and the process of automotive federalization.

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Preparing a Motor Vehicle for Export from Mexico

There are several things you need to do if you want to import a car from Mexico. More details are available on the United States Customs and Border Protection website.

1. Clean the exterior of the car

All motor vehicles must be cleaned before they arrive in the country. It doesn't matter if you plan to ship the car or drive it across the border, the undercarriage will be checked for foreign soil. It's the way that the United States prevents foreign pests from getting brought in. That doesn't mean washing it with a power washer either, it means having it steam-cleaned or thoroughly detailed.

2. If you plan to ship the car, clean out the interior as well

All personal content needs to be removed. This is a good idea to prevent theft of your belongings, but also a requirement from the border agents. Most shippers won't take your car if there is anything personal inside. Remember, your vehicle is not meant to be treated as a shipping container!

3. Prepare the appropriate paperwork

You need the following documentation when you import a car from Mexico for road use:

  • Bill of Lading (if you ship it)

  • Bill of Sale

  • Mexican registration

  • A title or proof that you own the vehicle

  • DOT Form HS-7 which shows safety compliance

  • EPA Form 3520-1 which shows emissions compliance

  • Manufacturer engine label with an eligible emissions certification

  • Payment for duties, fees, and taxes like the Gas Guzzler Tax

Other documents may be required.

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4. Pay the Duty Rates

Your next step is to pay the duty fees. For the most part, all vehicles follow this breakdown:

  • Automobiles: 2.5% of the vehicle's value

  • Large Trucks: 25%

  • Motorcycles: up to 2.4%

If you are a U.S. resident that is now returning to the States, you might receive an exemption of up to $800 that can be applied to your fees. For this to occur, the vehicle must meet the following requirements:

  • It was purchased during the journey you are returning from

  • It is being imported for personal use

  • It accompanies the registered owner back into the States

How Do You Import a Car from Mexico Duty-Free? Can Military Members Bring Cars Back from Mexico?

There are some ways to bring your car over the border without paying duties.

First, military members and U.S. government employees returning stateside after extended duty may bring their vehicle with them as long as it conforms to certain requirements. Furthermore, U.S. citizens that have been working abroad may also import their vehicle duty-free. The stipulation is that it's only free if you are visiting and plan to take the car with you when you leave the country again.

What is the Total Cost to Import a Car from Mexico?

That answer varies depending on the type of car in question. Taxes, duties, and fees can differ based on many factors determined by the border agents. What we can say is that the forms themselves are a very minor expense; when importing a car yourself, it's much cheaper than paying a business to do it for you. The bulk of your expense will come from duties and fees.

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What to Do Once You Get Here

Once you have imported your car from Mexico, there are some more steps you'll have to take to get legal.

Start by getting insurance on the vehicle. Then, take all your paperwork to the State DOT office and apply for registration. At that time you'll have to pay any state taxes and fees associated with the registration. They might also require their own emissions test and inspection depending on where you are.

Once all of this is complete, you should receive your new tags and plates in the mail within a few weeks. You can now drive on United States roads knowing that you're doing so safely and legally.

There is an Easier Way

You could just purchase a car once you make it into the country. It would be far easier and often cheaper than trying to import a car from Mexico. Before you head to the States, consider selling your car and save the money you would have spent on fees to buy something on United States soil. Then, you don't have to go through the hassle of learning how to import a car from Mexico.

Of course, car enthusiasts will do anything to obtain a rare or sought-after model from Mexico that was never sold in the United States. That's when this guide will help the most!

Importing a car from Mexico is something you can absolutely do yourself, but it never hurts to have professional help if time is money.

Dirt Legal Can Help

Our team of title specialists can acquire a title and license plates for cars, motorcycles, and just about anything with wheels. We also offer on VIN Checks and Vehicle Accident Reports to give you peace of mind whether you're importing a car or just buying one down the street. Follow the links to see if your car qualifies for our services.

** We do not provide import/export services. This guide is for information only. **