Can You Import Pickup Trucks From Mexico?

You can legally import a car or pickup truck from Mexico. You may find models that are not for sale in the U.S. such the Chevy Tornado from Mexico, for sale only across the border.  These unfortunately are more difficult to get legalized than full sized trucks from Mexico. Other more modern vehicles such as Mexico Chevrolet trucks for sale along the border can be legalized more easily since they already have much of the required emissions and safety equipment required by U.S. law.

A Mexico pickup truck for sale across the border.

“Legalizaciones de camionetas en Texas” is the Spanish phrase most often seen on advertisements at shops  along the Texas – Mexico border that specialize in converting a pickup truck from Mexico to pass U.S. emissions test. Most cars sold in Mexico do not have all of the features such as catalytic converters, smog pumps, etc, that U.S. law requires.  Many Mexicans who immigrate to the United States  bring along their vehicles but if they want to keep them for more than one year all Mexican pickups and cars must be legalized in Texas. There are pickups sold in Mexico that already have the necessary safety and emissions equipment but it must be proved that they are acceptable by completing  EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7. Other state forms may also be required as well as a federal import tax of 2.5%.

The law is so complicated that most people who import pickup trucks from Mexico go to a shop that does “legalizaciones de camionetas”  or conversions of Mexico pickup trucks and cars.  You can find these shops in great numbers along the Texas border in cities such as Laredo and also farther inland, in cities like San Antonio and Houston.  Since these shops cater to Spanish speaking patrons you may have to use search terms on Google such as “legalizaciones de camionetas” to find a  shop in Texas that converts Mexico pickups for sale from across the border.  Conversion of Mexico pickup trucks for sale costs as much as $2500 plus an importation fee so the cost may not justify the importation, unless the Mexican peso falls abruptly, as it has done in the past. In that case buying Mexico pickups for sale across the border and having them legalized can be worthwhile. In Texas you can contact the Texas DMW.