Tramites! (Paperwork)

Yesterday (Wednesday) after Art's Spanish class finished at 1:00 PM we visited the insurance office here in Puerto Vallarta and took along our very good friend and Spanish teacher, Melchor, to help with translating. We didn't want any misunderstandings.

The big problem is if course we have none of the original documents which of course they require. Essentially, what was resolved was they would forward the file to Mexico City for them to advise the local office. I must say that the staff in the Qualitas office here in Puerta really tried to help and were very understanding and sympathetic. They also directed us to the airport so see Aduana there. (Customs) about the loss of the temporary import documents and windshield hologram as well as of course the theft of the Jeep.

The Jeep not being recovered is going to be expensive: Customs can consider it sold if not found and not taken out of  Mexico and therefore subject to import duty which is very high. We have heard that it is 40% of their assessed value. This amount is not covered by insurance

What we need to have done is: Duty paid, then have our temporary import permits cancelled. Otherwise, Gillian would not be allowed to bring another vehicle into Mexico. 

Back to the rig for some lunch and give the dogs some much needed attention, then we caught the bus to the airport. -First we walked towards the big building marked ADUANA. Of  course this was only for exporters, so back across the parking lot to the main entrance as directed by a helpful security guard. At the arrivals entrance another security guard directed us to another in a small cubbyhole who dialed an extension for us and we spoke to an agent.

He arrived shortly and we discussed the problem. He said we would have to call an 800 number to request the forms we would need and that he would return in a moment with an address to send to forms to! We weren't really sure what he meant but hung around for maybe 10 minutes and he returned with a paper printed in English and pointed out a small paragraph that we had to read and understand, then he would return in another ten minutes!

True to his word, he was soon back with an explanation that we had to write in Spanish an explanation of how and why the documents and the Jeep were missing. We would then return with this letter and he would have the forms that we needed to fill out! Art said that it would probably be tomorrow. He said that he would be here. All the staff at the airport was very courteous and helpful.  It was now approaching 5:00 PM and Art hadn't eaten much for lunch and was hungry and sore from standing: All the preceding discussions had taken place at the arrivals gate and there was no seating available.

Back at the rig he soon took care of that and began composing the required letter. We then emailed it to Melchor asking him if he would please put it in Spanish for us. We could probably have managed ourselves but again, we wanted no misunderstandings!

So now we are waiting for that, then probably Friday after class we will catch the bus once again to the airport.

Now as to why Mexican customs charge duty for stolen but not recovered vehicles: It would appear that many foreigners who could not be bothered  to take their vehicle out of Mexico, or no longer wanted it would do just that: Sell the vehicle (which is illegal) then report it stolen so they could get the temporary import permit cancelled properly. 

As our Zihuatanejo musician friend Jimi Mamou is fond of saying, "Aiii, Chihuahua!"