Another Way To Nationalize Legally

[Ajijic]

Nationalizing 1983 to 2007 NAFTA Made Vehicle in San Miguel

The photos and documents are done locally and legal. The organization is reputable and supported by government. All documents are sent to border and pedimento returned. You do not have to drive to the border. Once you have the pedimento you will be required to obtain and register your vehicle locally and for a fee as with any nationalizing of vehicles.

NAFTA made vehicles. Vin starting with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Fees in pesos below are for 4 cylinders. For 6 cylinders add 300 pesos. For 8 cylinders add 600 pesos.

1983 to 1995 - 14,500

1996 - 14,800

1997 - 15,200

1998 - 15,600

1999 - 15,900

2000 - 16,200

2001 - 16,800

2002- 17,300

2003 - 18,400

2004 - 20,450

2005 - 21,250

2006 - 22,000

2007 - 22,300

Pickup Diesels plus 20%

Pickup Trucks over 3500 KG or 8 Cylinder add 10%

Luxury vehicles such as Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, Ford Lobo with leather, etc are assessed on a per vehicle basis

Processing fee is an additional 800 pesos including vehicle photos and check to see if vehicle is stolen..

[Don Cuevas]

Ajijic, could you provide more info, such as a name, location, phone number and/or email address? Many thanks.

[cedros]

Just for NAFTA made vehicles?

[Ajijic]

yes just NAFTA. This is a government supported program. There is no UCD organization in Colima or Jalisco but exists in some states.

We asked today and will have answer Tuesday. Can a person just bring their car to San Miguel once and then my wife pick up the pedimento and courier it to the car owner so they can get plates where they live?

Note the processing fees I just corrected on the OP. They are only 800 p which includes facilitator and vehicle check to ensure not stolen.

Pedimento takes 30 days.

[bournemouth]

I met a local with UCD plates on his truck. He said he could not go far out of this area with them. He certainly was not comfortable even going to Guadalajara.

[Ajijic]

If there is no UCD in jalisco and I believe there is not I am not sure how this person got their plates or keeps them current but I may be missing something.

You can not drive with them in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City although we have friends who shop in and drive through Guadalajara often with them. Otherwise, there are no restrictions.

In Guanajuato state alone there are thousands of them. Several other states of which I have a list have exactly the same program. The cost is 650 p plus 25 p / month. We know many with these plates. Bancomer sells basic insurance specific to UCD plated vehicles.

My information indicates UCD does not exist in Colima or Jalisco. They exist in approx 10 states.

UCD is a very powerful organization.

Meanwhile, if anyone wishes to legalize their vehicle as I have noted in my OP and wish to make a trip to SMA please contact me and my wife will gladly assist.

[Don Cuevas]

So this nationalization process is via UCD?

[Ajijic]

This is a separate program. Someone asked about UCD plates vs nationalizing. Hence I answered. This is basically the same answer I gave you on MexConnect.

[cedros]

Ajijic you had more information about UCD plates in another string but I can't find it. Can someone point me to it?

[Don Cuevas]

This is a separate program. Someone asked about UCD plates vs nationalizing. Hence I answered. This is basically the same answer I gave you on MexConnect.

Thanks for the clarification. There are apparently significant differences between the two programs.

[Ajijic]

Here are our UCD notes.

UCD (La Unión Campesina Democrática)

UCD is an association of campesinos who combine efforts to improve conditions and advocating for the working poor and farmers etc, buy seeds, farming, irrigation, home improvements, making less expensive foreign vehicles legal, government liaison / support for their causes, etc. UCD or similar organizations can be found in most states in Mexico. In some of those states including Chihuahua and Oaxaca etc. they now have a program to allow these vehicles (only those NAFTA made) to be nationalized for a low fee. That is the goal here as well and is progressing.

In San Miguel if a foreign plated car (even those made outside a NAFTA country such as Europe or Asia) is between 2005 and 1994 one can obtain a UCD permit that looks like a license plate. As of July 2012, it costs 600 pesos and 25 pesos a month and months can be prepaid. For a second person to drive the vehicle the card is another 50 pesos. At the end of the year or beginning of the new year for 200 pesos the plate and sticker will be renewed. The car can be driven throughout nearly all of Mexico including Queretaro except the very largest cities such as Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City. Bancomer sells car insurance specific for UCD plated vehicles.

This removes all issues regarding car permits which will be no longer necessary. And, it allows an expat to sell a foreign-plated car of these model years without making a trip to the border or having to nationalize the seller's car

These car permits are prominent here in SMA and throughout Guanajuato state and can be seen on windshields and where one usually places the back license plate.

Note: if you brought in your car and obtained a car permit after June 2011 you paid a large deposit and will loose it without returning to the border. And, you will continue to show as having a car in Mexico; however, cars are tied to passports so a new passport normally wipes out your history of having a car in Mexico, or you bring in another car under your spouses name until such time as you renew your passport.

[cedros]

Thanks Ajijic.

So it is for "less expensive foreign vehicles". Maybe ones that aren't worth much and nothing fancy-more geared towards pickups?

So if someone got these plates they could tnen not have to worry about their validity by selling the vehicle. I wonder if there is much demand (and a good price) to buy these UCD vehicles.

[Ajijic]

At least 10 states have an UCD organization. We see many UCD plates daily on vehicles of little value to Lincolns 2005 and older.

We know friends who bought a 2003 US plated vehicle from Americans here in SMA. They used a Carta Responsiva form to make the transaction legal and then in 10 minutes put on UCD plates. This form was recommended by Aduana.

I was not aware of ONAPAFFA so thanks for sharing. They represent families. UCD represents farmers and do great work. Both have similar objectives just focus on a different component of society. They are very powerful as an organization.

As I noted, with UCD plates you are not to drive in Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey. Friends do drive in Guadalajara with them. With UCD IF you are stopped elsewhere purely for the reason of having UCD plates and no infractions, they will pay your fine. Each holder of UCD plates has a letter signed by the Guanajuato Governor stating UCD plates are legal and not to be confiscated.

[Ajijic]

You can but be careful driving it in Guadalajara. The 25 p a month you can prepay and then about Jan 1 you renew for 200 p plus 25 p for month.

You need an utility bill showing an address and can use ours. Plus infantile photos, title, official ID such as visa or passport. If a second driver, photos for them.

[Ajijic]

Likely a fine or worse. Friends have a boutique hotel here and another in PV. They are in Guad often enroute, staying over night, shopping etc and never an issue but just letting you know it is not considered legal.

[mudgirl]

I have known for some time about the Onapaafa plates and the UCDs. My mechanic, who speaks perfect English and is very knowledgeable, told me that at least for Onaapafa plates, the vehicle has to be in a Mexican's name. None of these plates are "legal" plates as far as Mex. govt. is concerned, but because the organizations are so powerful, the cops tend not to mess with cars with those plates. However, judging from the unforgiving attitude of Aduana with regard to our foreign-plated cars, I personally would not feel confident that just because I had these plates on my car that it would be safe from confiscation.

[Mainecoons]

As mordita hungry as these Jalisco cops are, I wouldn't try this here. My personal opinion.

[Ajijic]

My goal in all of this was to show another way to legally nationalize a vehicle without going to border and at a fair price without high broker fees.

UCD is best to have if they are available in the state in which you live. If I had the option of UCD vs nationalizing I would definitely go with nationalizing, esp when cost is fair and no long trip to the border and possibly one 30 minute visit to provider.

[mudgirl]

As far as I am aware, UCD or Onapaafa plates do not mean the car is "nationalized". The fact that the organization will go to bat for you if your vehicle is confiscated, makes it pretty clear that the vehicle is still not really legally plated. Apparently the way it works is that with these type of plates, your vehicle goes on a long list of vehicles which are wanting to be permanently imported, but can't be for one reason or another. Then when they have acertain amount, they send the list to the Aduana, who may or may not allow them to be imported. In 2007 or 2008, there were lists which included hundreds, if not thousands of "J" cars and Aduana had a short amnesty period when these vehicles could be imported. I'm not holding my breath that they will do it again, as the Mexican car dealers and manufacturers seem to be lobbying against this, and plan to drive my Honda back to Canada in a couple weeks. If I had a beater, I'd take the chance with the UCD plates.

[Ajijic]

Mudgirl I have no idea about ONAAPAFA. But on UCD they go on no waiting list and has nothing to do with nationalizing. Thousands of such plates though in Guanajuato alone. Some expats have older cars and as you noted maybe even non-NAFTA and they drive locally seldom venturing far. For them UCD works.

Now back to my original post. This are my wife's notes:

As a follow up I had another meeting today and will have a meeting late Wednesday with the head of the program for all of Guanajuato state. He will travel from Dolores Hidalgo to meet me.

At this time I discovered trailers and motor homes can not be processed locally but that applies to few.

I am also told it is possible to clear your vehicle from Aduana's computers and to get a refund if due. What has to be determined is the process for this aspect. I should know this answer after Wednesday's meeting.

The vehicle must be presented locally for photos and to verify VIN etc. However, for those from a distance I will be authorized to pick up your final title, factura and pedimento and courier these to you.

They are advising it is best you send me your make, model, year, VIN and I will get the exact price before you do anything more.

The whole process takes from 2 to 4 weeks.

I can assure you legal pedimento's, titles, facturas have all be received back.

Once you have these documents you can register your vehicle in any state.

[Ajijic]

More notes from my wife regarding Nationalizing your vehicle in San Miguel. People are coming from as far as Manzanillo to do this.

The first step is having you send me a scanned copy of your title. With that I will send to the people who actually do the process. They will get back to me usually within 3 business days with an exact cost. There will be no surprises. The range is approx 15,000 to 24,000 pesos total for a NAFTA made vehicle with a VIN starting with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and from 1983 to 2007. Late this year year, 2008 vehicles.

Once we have the cost we will go to the office where documents are submitted and photos taken of your vehicle. Also, they will check your vehicle has not been reported stolen. The fee for this is 100 pesos. At this point I will go to the bank and make the required payment and return with an official receipt.

In a month or less your title, factura, pedimento will arrive. I will be authorized to pick up these documents or you can. If you live farther away and wish, I can courier them to you.

I can assure you this is a legal program.

Once all your documents arrive you can go to Rentas, Plaza Real del Conde and register your vehicle and get your plates. I can assist with this as well.

Tomorrow is my meeting with the person responsible for this program in the state. As I obtain more information I will post or feel free to ask.

[Frijoles]

So, has anyone actually done it to the point of putting plates on their car? Thanks.

[Ajijic]

So, has anyone actually done it to the point of putting plates on their car? Thanks.

Yes but not through my wife as she just got involved. She is the first to present cases requesting a deposit back and tomorrow we should have answers on how to do this. The previous pedimentos were to Mexicans who had "chocolates" and no car permits.

[Ajijic]

Nationalizing 1983 to 2007 NAFTA Made Vehicle

My wife's notes following today's meeting:

The first step is having you send me a scanned copy of your title. With that I will send to the people who actually do the process. They will get back to me usually within 4 business days with an exact cost. There will be no surprises. The range is approx 15,000 to 24,000 pesos total for a NAFTA made vehicle with a VIN starting with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and from 1983 to 2007. In November this year 2008 vehicles can be nationalized.

Once we have the cost I will come to your house take photos of your vehicle (or if you are not local please send me the photos). You do not have to drive.

Photos include: side view, driver's door jam which shows VIN etc, and the VIN taken up close usually at bottom of windshield on driver's side (taken from outside car and blocking sun so it shows up clearly. We can also nationalize trailers with cars.

I also require a copy of owner's government issued ID such as your visa or passport; title again and utility bill. If you are not local, these can be scanned and emailed.

In addition, I require the amounts due. This can be cash or deposited into a bank account. Receipts will be issued and given to you or scanned and emailed to you. The first receipt is from an Aduana bank account; the second is for the registered approved broker at the border.

In less than a month your pedimento, factura and title will arrive in SMA. I will deliver or courier these to you. You then are required to obtain plates.

This process has been done several times here. My contact worked for Aduana for many years and this program is government approved and legal.

We can not get back your deposit nor remove your car from Aduana's records. Doing so requires a trip to the border. large deposits started in June 2011. If your car entered on an old passport it is likely your vehicle can not be found in Aduana's records. Cars generally are tied to passports. That is why many were able to obtain a car permit prior to ever entering Mexico.

[Ajijic]

More of my wife's notes are below. The fees are about 10000 p less than the airport but takes a little longer. Meanwhile, you do not have to leave your home.

Please know I am working through UCD and for this area they have asked me to be their sole representative in nationalizing expat vehicles. If you go their office they will direct you to me and give you my business card.

The actual nationalizing is done through a legal broker at the border and UCD has been given approval by the Governor of Guanajuato state as has been done in several other states. What the Governor did not allow was the reduced rate UCD was seeking. His valid comments were many existing new car assembly and parts manufacturers are here in this state and several more facilities under construction. He did not want to jeopardize that relationship.

The UCD person I work with was previously employed by Aduana for many years in a senior position.

If, for some reason the process does not work all monies are refunded.

We now have 4 vehicles in progress.