Mexico Import Regulations-Used Vehicles

Over the 2005-2020 period, the importation of used vehicles reached 8.8 million units. Today, a private individual can import one used vehicle for his/her own use without an import license but it is still mandatory to comply with the current regulations and restrictions as per the recent decrees that evolved into a more complex import process. Companies can import more than one used vehicle but are required to obtain an import license and follow the current regulations and restrictions to import the vehicle as per the aforementioned recent changes.

Effective March 29, 2019, the Mexican government keeps in force the entry allowance of used vehicles from the United States and Canada, only if the importer falls into these two categories:
 
Persona Fisica: Private individuals can import one used vehicle during a twelve-month period without the requirement of registering with the “Padron de Importadores”, which is Mexico’s official importers’ registry. Once imported, vehicles must be registered in accordance with the Public Vehicle Registry Law (Repuve). If they need to import more than one used vehicle, they must be registered with the “Padron de Importadores” and have a RFC number (Federal Taxpayer’s Registration).
 
Persona Moral: Companies or proprietors can also import one used vehicle in a twelve-month period without the requirement of registering with the “Patron de Importadores”, which is Mexico’s official importers’ registry. They can import an unlimited number of used vehicles as long as they are signed up at the “Padron de Importadores”. In addition, they are mandated to provide import records on a monthly basis to the Mexican Government Entity for Taxation (SAT).

For more information, please contact CS Mexico City: monica.martinez@trade.gov.