Officials at Guadalajara area tax offices have expressed surprise at the sudden rise in the number of requests for permits to ensure the “safe return” of illegal foreign-plated vehicles to their home countries.
“They are used to receiving one application every two weeks. Now they’re getting one every two days,” said Chapala area lawyer Spencer McMullen, who is currently helping several of his clients with the procedure.
A major reason for the increase in applications is that many foreigners’ cars “became illegal” after they changed their immigration visas from temporary to permanent. (Permanent residents are not permitted to keep foreign-plated vehicles in Mexico.)
The free Retorno Seguro (Safe Return) program offered by Mexico’s tax collection agency (Servicio de Administración Tributaria or SAT) also applies to those whose Temporary Importation Permits (TIPs) have expired for one reason or another.
Once the permits are issued, the vehicles must be taken out of the country within five business days. They ensure safe passage of the vehicle if stopped by Mexican officials, and by most accounts, appear to be effective.
“One client was stopped four times on his way to the U.S. border recently and had no problem after showing the officials his permit,” McMullen said.
Required documentation includes a letter (in Spanish) stating ownership of the vehicle and requesting safe return home, as well as copies of the vehicle’s title, owner’s passport, immigration document, driver’s license and Mexican Temporary Importation Permit (TIP).
McMullen noted that the sudden rise in safe return permit applications – as well as the recent discovery of a batch of applications for stolen cars – has made SAT officials in Guadalajara more cautious. Waiting times for receiving the permits may be variable, he warned, noting that all vehicles must be presented at SAT for inspections.
The SAT office in the metropolitan area corresponding to the municipalities of Chapala and Ixtlahuacan is located at Avenida Americas 833, across from the Soriana store, near the Lopez Mateos intersection. Meanwhile, Jocotepec residents should go to the SAT office at Avenida Central 750 in Zapopan, across from the Trompo Magico Children’s Museum.
Zapopan residents should head to the Avenida Central office, while those with Guadalajara addresses must go to Avenida Americas.
To see the official rules (in Spanish) on the Safe Return program, CLICK HERE.