Mexico Tightens Enforcement on Foreign-Plated Vehicles for Permanent Residents in Baja

Since December 2025, reports have emerged about increased enforcement related to foreign-plated vehicles driven by Permanent Residents in Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Baja California and Baja California Sur form this economically significant region, designated as a "free zone" for foreign-plated vehicles, similar to zones in Sonora and Quintana Roo. In such Free Zones, foreign-plated vehicles do not require a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) provided they remain within the designated area. However, Mexican immigration law since 2012 explicitly prohibits Permanent Residents from importing foreign-plated vehicles into Mexico, allowing only visitors and Temporary Residents to apply for a TIP valid for the duration of their permit. Despite this law, enforcement in the Free Zones has historically been lax, permitting Permanent Residents to operate foreign-plated vehicles without issue. The recent emergence of roadside checkpoints in Baja, which verify drivers' immigration status, has led to some seizures and impoundments of foreign-plated vehicles owned by Permanent Residents. This represents a change in enforcement policy, although no official government communication has confirmed or clarified the situation. There is currently no information confirming whether similar enforcement measures are applied in Sonora and Quintana Roo Free Zones. Given the current enforcement trends, Permanent Residents should consider exporting their foreign-plated vehicles, regularizing their vehicles by obtaining Mexican plates through government programs, or legally importing them via Customs Brokers. Selling foreign-plated vehicles to Temporary Residents who may import them legally is another option. Mexico’s SAT offers a "Retorno Seguro" (Safe Return) program allowing owners to legally drive foreign-plated vehicles out of Mexico within five days to avoid seizure during transit. Prospective applicants for Permanent Residency should be aware that bringing or keeping foreign-plated vehicles in Mexico, even within Free Zones, may no longer be permissible. The evolving enforcement landscape necessitates consulting Customs Brokers for compliance, especially for vehicle registration, importation, or exportation matters. This shift underscores the importance of reconciling vehicle status with immigration classification and regulatory compliance in Mexico’s border regions.