Guidelines for exporting American used pickup trucks to Mexico?

Question

Can a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 be exported to Mexico ?

I have been told that if a pick up has 8 lugs it can not be nationalized in Mexico. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

call one of those registration places....look them up in the yellow pages.

Answer 2

Hello !

Good luck - I don't know the exact details of your truck (does it have a double-wheel, what's its loaded GVW, etc.), but it probably cannot be imported it in Mexico according to the letter of Mexican Law.(the deal here isn't the Exporting, that is a snap and free, courtesy of Uncle Sam).

The rules for used pick-ups, which of course have been allowed for around a decade and are more liberal now than when I did my C2500 extended cab (6 lug), are:

1. Only a Mexican citizen does the importing.

2. Maximum weight with manufacturers full cargo capacity used must be under 3200 kilograms (7,055 Lbs.)

3. Can't have a double-wheel axle.

4. Must be 10 or more years old and from US, Canada, or European Union. (1998 will be OK too assuming law continues as before on November 1, 2007).

5. Can't have a built-in camper or be modified for additional cargo carrying.

6. Can't have a salvage title or other circulation restriction in the USA, Canada, etc.

Nothing specific in the law about 8 lug wheels, just no double wheelers.  I have heard this same objection, though, and you can probably be sure that if you have 8 lugs your truck has a lot more than the 7055 pounds GVW (loaded max spec).  So that is really where the problem is at.  They may be using the 8 lug "rule of thumb" semiofficially for these reasons.

As usual, though, never say never.  Imports at the border are a circus and must go through a custom's broker, though the prices are controlled and ok.  My loaded weight spec was about 7600 pounds and six lugs (5 was max "allowed" then), and I had no clue about these details, but the broker liked me I think, did some magic and it was all over before I knew what hit me.  I didn't realize this until it was all over and he charged me an extra $150 US and I asked why: he then gave me the "2500" moldings smiling - and later I even discovered that the specification plate inside the door with was pryed off "missing".  There are all kinds of vehicles going through, for those in the know.  My vehicle still wouldn't meet the weight limit, but last time I passed through the border and asked the customs brokers told me that 6 lugs like mine used to be not allowed (nor was 4 door, wasn't my problem, but 4 door is ok now, too), but now they are routine.  I asked about 8 lugs and they told me it could be done with elaborating.

In summary the answer is no but some people are doing it, and they probably could even get a double wheel model through if they really wanted to, too.

Sorry to be long, but it give you the idea of how this is working.

Best, Doug

Answer 3

Mexico does not allow used vehicles to be imported any more.