How can I know whether my car with a California license plate will be granted entry to Mexico?
I read on https://www.borderreport.com/regions/mexico/chocolate-car-crackdown-underway-in-tijuana-starting-at-the-border/ (mirror) (published on 2020-08-18) regarding the US <-> Mexico land border:
In addition to regulating so-called “chocolate cars” in Baja California, Mexican customs officials have agreed to start refusing anyone driving one from entering the country.
“Chocolate cars” is a term used to describe illegally imported vehicles with U.S. license plates driven by residents south of the border. Many people in cities like Tijuana buy cars in border states such as California and never register them in Mexico, saving money on the fees. In turn, the country also loses money on these vehicles. But from now on, vehicles driven into Mexico will be subject to inspections at the border and will not be allowed to enter the country.
I'm unsure what residents mean in that context: do only Mexican residents with a California license plate get refused entry or does that apply to US residents, and is the refusal systematic or unlikely?
Pictures about "How can I know whether my car with a California license plate will be granted entry to Mexico?"
Can you drive a car with US plates in Mexico?
Yes, you can bring your US plated-vehicle into Mexico but there are some important rules to know ... For importation you will need: Title for the vehicle or a letter from your creditor indicating you have permission to bring it into Mexico. Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP) - apply online here.What year vehicles can be imported to Mexico?
In accordance with the current NAFTA rules, since 2009, any used vehicle older than 10 years could be imported into Mexico from the United States duty-free.What documents do I need to drive my car into Mexico?
What documents are required to drive to Mexico?Can I bring my car to Mexico?
Tourists and Temporary Residents are allowed to bring ONE car per person into Mexico, for their use as long as they keep that immigration status, including renewals. Hence, a tourist can bring a car into Mexico for 90 or 180 days (according to its immigration form).Get US Plates in Mexico
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Erik Mclean, Erik Mclean, Erik Mclean, Erik Mclean