Bike storage rules in Mexico?
 

Hi Folks,

Good day to you all. I'll soon be leaving Guatamala and was wondering:

1. Maximum time we can stay in Mexico with an imported motorbike. I believe for tourist visas you can have six months at a time, leave the country and re-enter a day or so later and have another six months. If true, does it work the same with the TIP for the bike?

2. What's the deal on storing motorbikes in MX? I'm thinking of leaving it there for a spell back in GB.

Thank you!

Bob

Reported recently that Mexico is cracking down on just heading out and leaving a vehicle behind and there were reports of some missing their plane trying to sort it out. Said that if you get permission from customs then there is no problem

True , you can stay a maximum of 180 days each time you get a new tourist permit (FMM ) and TVIP . Each time you should cancel the old TVIP before it expires and get your security deposit refund back. If you are late in cancelling you will lose that deposit money .
It is ( or was ) possible to store the bike and leave the country for a short period within such a 180 day permit-period and not incur any penalty , but if they are now going to link the TVIP with your passport that may be a thing of the past if you fly out. .
It is possible to make arrangements with Migracion and Banjercito to leave the bike stored and bonded in Mexico for a period beyond any FMM or TVIP you have , at a cost . They just don't want people selling or leaving behind vehicles that Mexicans would then use and avoid taxes with. You must speak with the Banjercito authorities to get the details and make arrangements. When you return they will give you a temporary pass so that you may set up a new TVIP and security bond payment.

Very helpful, thanks you two.

If you get a moment, Sjoerd, it would be useful to know how the bond works, so that I have the right amount of money ready at the border.

Thank you!

Bob

Several Central American countries have temporary import permits but these are only a small cost , with no extra bond .
For Mexico alone you purchase the TVIP and are then also required to post a security bond as an encouragement for you to remove the bike at the end of your visit to Mexico and not try selling it in the country for a profit nor for Mexicans to buy it and avoid paying the required taxes.

The BOND only can be paid as an amount always denominated in US Dollars , but it can be paid in CASH US DOLLARS or by way of a CREDIT CARD .

The amount of the BOND will depend on the age category of the vehicle ,no difference for a car or a bike of any size . It varies in three steps from 200 to 300 to 400 USD, never more.
THE BOND IS REFUNDABLE, YOU GET YOUR MONEY BACK WHEN YOU CANCEL the TVIP BEFORE it expires at 180 days.
I recommend paying the bond with CASH USD , which means you will get the exact same number of dollars refunded . Before you go to the border make sure you have at least $400 in paper US money with you.
( the other fees may be paid in cash also using either pesos or an equivalent in dollars)
G o to the border crossing , at Migracion get your passport stamped and pay for the tourist document (FMM) then step over to Aduana and get the TVIP, then step over to Banjercito and pay up.
If you do not want to pay in cash USD for the bond then you can indeed pay for everything , FMM, TVIP and BOND with a credit card .Make sure you pay for each item at the border
Save all your receipts .The big TVIP sticker can be kept stored with your passport, rarely is it asked for on the road. If it is requested at a random Migracion check just show it. No cop ever has a reason to ask for it, taxes are none of their concern .
At end of stay in Mexico go to the border and ride up to the little green and white Banjercito kiosk and present your big TVIP sticker document and they will cancel using a RFID scanner . If you paid cash you go inside and collect the refund at Banjercito AND cancel your FMM.
If initially you paid by credit card the BOND REFUND will be instantly upon scanning be credited back to your cc account and show up there after a few days .
NB : there are Mexican border points where these formalities may be performed at locations far removed from the actual border along major highways e.g. Huixtla ,CHIS, ( on Mex 200 i n the south,)
and highway side customs terminals far south of Piedras Negras and CD Acuna (Mex 57 "km 53"); south of Cd Juarez( on Mex 45 km 26) ; south of Nogales
Me x 15(km 21 and also east of Guaymas )

OR, go to Chetumal and cancel the import permit. Quintana Roo is a "free State" so you can leave it there and re import it when you return.

Thank you, Sjoerd! Super clear and thorough.

I came through yesterday. It was just as you describe, the only difference was that all three items were paid at the aduana, who has a machine for accepting debit or credit cards. It seems that the Banjercito function is rolled into the Aduana, at least on entry into MX via La Mesilla (Banjercito is even embossed on the Aduana shirt).

Bond: US$200 for 1981 BMW R80 G/S
TVIP: US$59
FMM / tourist visa permit: 500 pesos (approx. US$28)

The FMM is stapled to the 500 pesos receipt. I'm not sure what that means if I leave the country for a short trip - if the bike is linked to the passport or not. It got busy at the Aduana and I forgot to ask. I'll check with Banjercito here in San Cristobal de las Casas and see if I need an extra document from them to avoid complications at the airport.

I'll also pick some 3rd party insurance here (not available, or apparently obligatory at the border).

Thanks again Sjoerd and thanks Brian for the other idea - I'll look into it.

Cheers!

Bob

Hi ... I entered yesterday in Mexico from Tijuana

I confirm the rule and the prices

I add that I asked about leaving Mexico by plane during the 180 days of PITV ...
It is possible and I will do it

I will leave the bike in Mexico city from june to august ... then come back and leaving to Patagonia

Warm regards

Riccardo

Great, thanks, Riccardo.

Well done for asking. Just to be sure - there's no need for any extra paperwork from the Audana / Banjercito?

I imagine that if you have an airline ticket showing a return date well within the 180 day period, this would be enough.

Cheers,

Bob

FMM, TIP & receipt
 

We left our vehicle (a van) and flew for 3 weeks to Cuba. The TIP was valid while being out of Mexico and on our way back we granted 6 months more! Easy. The TIP was not aligned with our new FMM (it must be) but we extent it/align it at a later stage in Chetumal borders because we wanted to stay longer in Mexico.

At the airport, they dont have a clue that you travel on a vehicle and basically they dont need to know.

Just remember on your way out of Mexico to have with you the FMM & THE RECEIPT that proves that you paid.

We did the mistake to assume that because we had the actual FMM, it was enough. NOOOOPE. Before flying out from Merida to Havana, they made us pay again the cost of FMM (22-24 usd) before allow us to board. (We had paid initially in Tecate)

On our way back to Mexico, we granted 6 new months but we never paid, so we never got a receipt. That meant that on our way out, we had to pay again for the second FMM.

For extenting/ aligning your TIP -if you need extra time in the country, you will need to pay the cost of the new FMM (if its not covered by your airline).

They claimed that some airlines cover the cost of your visa. It is partially true; my parents who flew with Air Canada/ Lufthansa did not pay anything in/out for their FMM. But Interjet (the airline we took for Cuba) did not cover the cost of our second FMM.

All took place between February 2016-January 2017.