Can You Sell a Foreign-Plated Motorcycle in Mexico? Here’s the Real Deal
- Antonia Issa
- Oct 30
- 3 min read
One of the most common questions I get from riders heading south is:
“Can I sell my motorcycle in Mexico?”
The short answer? No. Not legally, anyway.
Foreign-plated vehicles that enter Mexico on a Temporary Import Permit (TIP or TVIP) are strictly for temporary use. The rules are clear: you can ride it, but you can’t sell it. Try to, and you risk fines, confiscation, and getting banned from future permits. So what happens if you fall in love with Mexico, have decided to take up horseback riding,
and want to stay longer than your permit allows? Or you’ve decided you’re a one-way fairweather traveller and want to sell the bike? Let’s talk it through.
Riding with a Temporary Import Permit (TIP)
If you’re travelling beyond Mexico’s “Free Zones” (like Baja California, parts of Sonora, and Quintana Roo), you’ll need a TIP from Banjercito.
Where to get it: Online, at certain Mexican consulates, or right at the border.
What it costs: A refundable deposit ($200–400 USD, depending on your bike’s age) plus a processing fee.
Don’t forget: Cancel the TIP when you leave Mexico or you’ll lose your deposit and risk being blocked from getting another permit in the future.
Read my full article here, plus FAQs here.
Extending Your Stay
If you move from a tourist visa (FMM) to a Temporary Resident visa, you can usually extend your TIP to match your new status. The c
atch is that you need to notify Aduana (Customs) and keep your paperwork in order.
If you become a Permanent Resident, TIPs are off the table. You either keep your bike inside a Free Zone or start the process of making it a true Mexican citizen.
Permanently Importing (a.k.a. Legalizing) Your Motorcycle
Want to keep your foreign-plated motorcycle in Mexico long term? You’ll need to go through permanent importation. This isn’t a quick stop at the border; it’s a full process that requires a licensed customs agent (agente aduanal).
Here’s how it works:
Hire a customs broker: They can handle paperwork and the pedimento (the official import document).
Pay the fees: You’ll need to pay import taxes (often around 10%), IVA (sales tax), customs duties, and the broker’s fee.
Register locally: Once imported, you’ll get Mexican license plates from your state’s Departamento de Registro de Control Vehicular.
It’s a PITA and a big wallet hit, but it’s the only way to legally keep and ride your foreign motorcycle in Mexico for the long haul.
What If You Really Really Want to Sell Your Bike?
You can’t just slap a “For Sale” sign on your handlebars in Mexico. But there are other solutions if you really need to part ways with your motorcycle:
1. Ride it back to the U.S. or Canada
The cleanest, easiest option. Cancel your TIP at the border, sell it at home, and avoid the headaches. If you have a European motorcycle, this isn’t usually possible since non-U.S. bikes don’t meet DOT/EPA standards unless they’re over 25 years old. In that case, check the options below.
2. Sell at a border crossing to another traveller
Many riders arrange sales with fellow overlanders at the U.S.–Mexico or Mexico–Guatemala borders. The new owner then imports it under their own name and paperwork.
3. Sell in Central America (Guatemala, Belize, etc.)
Some countries allow you to permanently import and plate foreign bikes.
Guatemala is known for being relatively straightforward with the help of a customs broker and payment of taxes.
Belize is possible but expensive, with high import duties (often 30% or more). Demand is limited, so this only makes sense if you’re continuing south.
4. Import then sell in Mexico
If you’re set on selling in Mexico, your only legal option is to permanently import (legalize) the bike first, then register and sell it as a Mexican-plated motorcycle.
The Bottom Line
Selling a foreign-plated bike in Mexico? Not allowed.
Riding longer than your TVIP? Possible with the right visa extensions.
Staying permanently? Import it through a licensed customs agent and register it in Mexico.
Want to sell? Your cleanest options are riding home, arranging a border sale with another traveller, or legalizing first.
So if you’re planning a quick ride through Mexico, a TIP will do the job. But if you want your bike to call Mexico home, then legalization is the way forward.
👉 Have you gone through the permanent import process yourself? Drop a comment or send me a note. I’d love to hear about your experience and what it cost you.
