Import of Used Vehicles as Part of Household Goods in Mexico
In Mexico, the possibility of importing a vehicle together with household goods is strictly regulated and depends directly on the importer’s immigration status.
✅ Who can import a vehicle into Mexico without paying taxes?
Only the following may do so:
Accredited diplomats in Mexico
Foreign nationals with temporary residency
In these cases, the import is carried out under a temporary import scheme, meaning the vehicle may remain in the country only while the holder’s immigration status remains valid.
The basis of this benefit is that the import is linked to the temporary stay of the resident or to the diplomatic franchise, and therefore it is not considered a permanent import.
📄 Mandatory commitment for importers of used vehicles as part of household goods in Mexico
The client must sign a letter committing that the vehicle:
Must leave the country at the end of their immigration status
May not remain in Mexico permanently
This requirement is essential for the customs authority to authorize the vehicle’s entry.
Restriction: a vehicle imported as part of household goods cannot be sold in Mexico
A vehicle imported under the temporary import scheme:
Cannot be sold
Cannot be transferred
Cannot be legalized later
There is no mechanism to convert this temporary import into a permanent one, so the vehicle must be re-exported.
🇲🇽 Can a returning Mexican or a permanent resident import a used vehicle as household goods?
No.
Mexican citizens cannot import used vehicles as part of their household goods nor free of taxes.
This is because Mexico’s automotive industry is highly protected, as the country is a vehicle producer with multiple manufacturing plants. Therefore, the government maintains strict restrictions on the import of used vehicles.
Costs and considerations for permanent import of used vehicles in Mexico.
If an individual wishes to import a used vehicle permanently, it must be done under a commercial scheme that involves:
Payment of import taxes
Duties
Government fees
Other applicable charges
Together, these costs can represent up to approximately 70% of the vehicle’s commercial value in Mexico.
Can a vehicle be imported through a trading company or business in Mexico?
To carry out a permanent import, it is generally required to:
Hire an authorized trading company
Have foreign trade payments enabled with the bank (something most individuals do not have)
The trading company charges a commission for the process.
Additionally, in order to register the vehicle in Mexico, the trading company must invoice it, which implies charging VAT on the transaction.
Requirements for importing used motorcycles as part of household goods
Motorcycles are subject to similar conditions:
They cannot be imported as tax-free household goods
They require a commercial process with high costs
They also involve regulatory restrictions
⚠️ Conclusion: when it makes sense (or not) to import a vehicle as household goods
Importing vehicles into Mexico is not a simple process and is generally not recommended except in very specific cases such as diplomats or temporary residents.
Before making any decision, it is essential to carefully evaluate feasibility, costs, and legal obligations.
🤝 Professional recommendation before importing a used vehicle to Mexico
At Orchid MoveMex Enterprises® we analyze each case to guide our clients with full transparency and help them avoid costly or unfeasible processes.
International moving services offered in:
Mexico City (CDMX), Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Toluca, Cuernavaca, León, Mérida, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel.
Popular destinations for international moves
Company: Orchid MoveMex Enterprises, LLC
TEL: +52 (55) 65305480 | EMAIL: info@orchidmove.com | ADDRESS: 4160 E 2nd Street 1291, Casper WY 82609 USA
Copyright © ORCHID MOVEMEX ENTERPRISES, LLC. All rights Reserved.
