Vehicle Importation Crisis Pt.02

As I reported last month, I found a means of obtaining Mexican plates for my vehicles through an Aduana agent in Chetumal. His name is Gerardo UC Arguelles. His email is Gerardo.uc@hotmail.com, and his cellular telephone is 983-732-2397.
I first emailed him the vehicle make, number of cylinders, type of fuel, VIN#, State we live in, and my Visa Status.  His response with the cost and description of the process was as follows:
“The cost of the legalization of the vehicles for model 1996 is $ 22,500.00 pesos and for model 2000 is $ 23,500.00
The import is done on the northern border of the country, without presenting the vehicle.
Importation is made on behalf of a trader, who then issues a bill of sale in your name.
It gives the original motion on behalf of the marketer, and the original bill of sale, Tamaulipas plates, and the circulation card in your name.
You can then change the plates in any state in the Republic.
The documents required are copies of the title of both sides, a copy of the official identification and proof of address
If you cannot come in person to the office, you can make a bank transfer, and send the documents by email.
We can later send the documentation by parcel; the approximate time is 20 business days.”
I scanned the documents requested, emailed them as attachments and deposited the funds per his instructions. On the fourth of July DHL delivered plates for our van along with the factura and all other necessary legal paperwork in my name. Our 1996 van is now officially legal.

My next step is to get my Mexican driver’s license, Mexican vehicle insurance, and get plates for Quintana Roo. I have already started the process to legalize our 2000 KIA Sportage. Hurrah! The vehicle importation is no longer a crisis.

Written By:Aura Holguin-Resch

July 2013 News

Great news this month, there is a way to legalize foreign plated vehicles without traveling to the border. In this issue, I am providing all the details. If you have further questions, feel free to contact me.  I have dedicated the rest of this month’s article to home maintenance in preparation for tropical storms and hurricane season.
As of the deadline for this edition I have not received part two of the “A vacation nightmare” article I featured in June. Hopefully, I will receive it by the next issue. In any event, since this has been a repeated problem in the past, I will no longer be publishing contributed articles that are incomplete.

Again, please use the coupons provided in “The Savings of the Month” section and encourage other locals to use them. I will be soliciting other “free perks” for local residents. I need your support; the use of the coupons lets the merchants know you are indeed supporting their businesses. If you know of a business that wants to participate, please send them my way.

Written By:
Aura Holguin-Resch

Diver´s Week Cozumel: 24 - 30 June 2013


Dear friends from the diving industry and the sector of divers of Cozumel. Diver´s Week invites you to participate in a special program called divers week.
You will find great promotions, benefits and activities especially aimed for our diving friends.
During the entire week those who will be participating in your favorite under water sports on our fabulous Palancar reef, will be able to enjoy exceptional hotel rates, trip discounts and promotions in our participating restaurants, art and crafts shops, and best of all special prices on dive equipment. There will never be another deal like this one.

To participate contact organizers at:
reservaciones@casamexicanacozumel.com
or toll free from USA: 1-877 228 6747


The Florida-Yucatan ferry Update

Here is an email that went out to prospective future passengers on the ferry service to Florida from Bruce Nierenberg of United Caribbean Lines
 “I appreciate that everyone who goes back and forth to the U.S. and Canada from the Yucatan will be very happy when we get the ferry started. So will I!!
It’s taken much longer than I had hoped it would as a result of many things International that are out of my control.
But I feel we are getting to the finish line and will be establishing the start date soon.
I know you all plan as far in advance as possible so while I won’t have the start date for awhile let me give you and your friends down there some info as to what they should be planning.
1. The ferry will not start until 2014.
2. It is being targeted for a winter start hopefully by February.
If you all are planning to travel I would not delay any other travel arrangements in any way before these dates.

I have put together a list of all the people who have contacted us answering our questionnaires etc. That email list will be the first to know our specific plans when we announce them.
Tell the others that if they have not contacted us to send me their email address and I will add them to the list for the latest information and special rates when we start.
We also will have some special rates and deals for all of you that have been so patient.
You and your friends who live in the Yucatan and Q.R. will be our most important customers and be assured we will treat you all as special guests everyone you sail with us. We will have special rates for all of you that go frequently that will significantly reduce the cost of travel and of course make it safer as well.
I know you will all miss going to the airport to be abused!!
Thanks again for being so helpful and patient.
Feel free to share this info with you associates in the Yucatan and Q.R.
Best regards
Bruce”

This information was forwarded to me by a friend without contact information. However, I found Mr. Bruce Nierenberg through LinkedIn and signed up for further updates. It is a shame this was not running this year as originally planned! It certainly could have helped some of us with the vehicle crisis.


Written By:
Aura Holguin-Resch


Vehicle Importation Crisis

When I last addressed this issue, I was certain that I had found a solution for our vehicles a 2000 KIA that we use to run errands in and our 1995 Dodge Van that we use to transport my husband and his wheelchair to Doctor Appointments and excursions alike.
 In the maze of email and articles I received, I found what I thought was my salvation with TioCorp Insurance. They immediately informed me there was no hope for importing the KIA as it is Korean (NAFTA). However, they got my hopes up for the Van, our real necessity given my husband’s health. The brokerage firm they dealt with would express me the documents that I would need in order to get the Van Mexican plates (Imported without having to leave the country). They wrote that I would soon be contacted with the information on the fees. Instead, I received the following:
 “Thank you, for your request for a quote. Unfortunately, we are experiencing unreasonable delays and problems with our current Import Agency and are seeking an alternative. This may take up to a few weeks, hopefully sooner. We will keep your request pending and advice you when we have lined up the options.”
Weeks went by and I emailed again, worried as our first encounter with Immigration will be this June. My husband will be going from the old FM2 to the new resident status making our Van illegal. They replied:
“I have to say, we are becoming frustrated with our attempts to locate an alternative. At this point, we are weeks away from finding a solution, perhaps months. The only source we have found that does not require going to the border can only do vehicles in Jalisco State. I would say you may have to go to the border.”
We have spent a fortune this year replacing virtually everything in that Van except the tires and even had the body completely repaired and painted. Realistically, it is impossible for me to make the drive to Brownsville Texas and back. I would have to make the drive alone, the amount of money I would spend on gas and lodging, tolls, etc. cannot be justified for a 1995 Van.
Our home will not be paid for another three years, so it is financially impossible for us to purchase a new Van. My Florida plates are expired, so driving them to the border on a permit from Mexico is also not an option. I have not been able to reach anyone at the Aduana numbers. I will keep trying and keep you updated. For the first time readers, I leave you with questions instead of answers. To be continued……

UPDATE! I found a way to import the vehicles without leaving the island or country! It is too late to give you the details in this edition; I will have the instructions next issue. If you need to import your car NOW, contact me and I will get you the information right away.

Written By:
Aura Holguin-Resch

Savings of the Month: JUNE 2013

Alberto's Beach Bar Restaurant

Frente al arco del Cedral
Free Margarita
With purchase of an
Entree in our dinner menu!

Señor Iguanas Restaurant

Carretera Transversal Km.14
Free beverage
With purchase of an
Entree in our dinner menu.

HAKUNA MATATA PARASAIL
 
Located in the Ocean VIP Beach
Present your local ID and receive
15 minutes of
Parasailing for only $450 pesos

Ocean VIP Beach Club

Carretera Costera Sur Km.14
Free Order of Nachos
Per table

Mi México Lindo Restaurant

Carretera Costera Sur Km.4
Free Margarita
With purchase of an
Entree in our dinner menu.

Zona Oriental de la Isla
Frente a Playa San Martin
10% discount presenting this coupon.

Zona Oriental de la Isla
Frente a Playa San Martin
10% discount presenting this coupon.

Written By:
Aura Holguin-Resch

Sale on Diabetes Medication

My husband has significantly lowered his blood sugar level with his recent weight loss. I have a huge surplus of both Lantus and Humalog insulin as well as ultra fine syringes 1ml cc and 3/10 ml cc. Please contact me at auritaholguin@msn.com if you are interested.

Written by:
Aura Holguin-Resch