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beegees2 Member

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Posted: Tue Jun 24th, 2008 04:42 pm |
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| After researching this issue, I realize that our situation is a bit unique. Our new house will be ready around the beginning of the new year. We want to move some household goods down around that time. We are not going to be staying in Mexico more than 6 months so don't really need an FM3, or do we? What is the cost and/or procedure to move the household goods down without one? Or is it just better to get one to go through the moving process? Any info is appreciated. I have looked up Rollybrook and our situation is not addressed there.
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Inde Member
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Posted: Tue Jun 24th, 2008 08:32 pm |
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| Strongly suggest you get FM3's and menage de casa. It is a legal requirement in you circumstances although a lot of people do not and get away with it.
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beegees2 Member

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Posted: Wed Jun 25th, 2008 02:17 am |
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| ok thanks for that, Inde. We have the opportunity to go to Calgary in about 3 weeks and can visit the Mexican embassy there. Can you tell me why it is advisble to go the FM3 route? Is it legalities? Tax opportunities?
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Master98 Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 26th, 2008 02:37 pm |
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We have FM3's that we got over a year ago in Tucson and then registered in Guaymas which you have to do. The process of local registration was difficult and if we did all over again we would do the whole process in Guaymas. We don't speak much Spanish but there are several people in San Carlos who will help do the paperwork and even take it to the Immigration office in Guaymas. The cost to start and renew each year is over $100 per FM3 each time plus fees for those helping do the paperwork.
We would recommend waiting until after you get down here and get settled and decide whether to do it or not. Many people who own property here do the regular 6 month visas to avoid the hassle and costs of the FM3. Even though we don't stay over 6 months, we wanted to be conservative and have the FM3's when we moved in our Condo last year. We have read that if you own property here but don't stay longer than 6 months you don't legally need an FM3. Selling your property might be a different issue but we have an LLC so that shouldn't effect it. You can check with your Mexican embassy in Canada but don't expect to get the same answers as you get in the Guaymas or Hermosillo Immigration offices.
Bottom line, if we had to do it all over again we would not have done it at all. We have just renewed which took another 4-6 weeks to process and might not do again next year. Good luck
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Inde Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 26th, 2008 04:26 pm |
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I cannot speak to the renewal issue because we have not done it. All I no is that you have to have an FM3 to get a Menage de Casa because it is stamped in your FM3. $134 for FM3 for each person + $127 for Menage de Casa for one person (head of household). When yo cross the border you have to get the FM3(s) stamped. and then go to Imigration to register.
Best of luck, we will be going down in two days.
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Master98 Member
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Posted: Thu Jun 26th, 2008 06:32 pm |
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| Inde brings up a good point and we're not sure on that because we didn't do the one time Menage de Casa. We did multiple trips with a trailer bringing in loads under $1000 and didn't need a Broker or the FM3 stamped, even though we had it. If you don't have a huge amount to bring in you might consider doing it on your own without a Broker. But if it's more than $1000 you need to use one ($50 exemption per person).
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gbates Member
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Posted: Fri Jun 27th, 2008 04:22 am |
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| We have owned property in SC for over 10 years and do not have a FM3. ...also have friends who have owned property for over 30 years and they also see no need for FM3. We purchased everything for our home in Mexico so did not need the one time duty exemption. We get a tourist visa each time for 6 months.
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beegees2 Member

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Posted: Fri Jun 27th, 2008 02:37 pm |
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| thanks all for the info. We will probably go the FM3 route. Whew sure does get complicated.
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Susura Member
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Posted: Sat Jun 28th, 2008 01:03 pm |
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| It is our understanding that if you own property in Mexico that an FM3 is required by law. Just because many do not have FM3s does not mean that it is correct.
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bournemouth Member
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Posted: Sat Jun 28th, 2008 01:57 pm |
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Can you cite the law please. If that was actually the case, closings would not take place until the Notario saw the buyers' FM3's. I'm inclined to think it is an urban myth. Some areas may have notarios who require an FM3 however.
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gbates Member
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Posted: Sat Jun 28th, 2008 02:49 pm |
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| We work closely with a Mexican attorney...were told that if a FM3 should become necessary they would let us know. I always take their advice rather than "advice" from the gringo community.
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Susura Member
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Posted: Sat Jun 28th, 2008 05:52 pm |
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Just renewed our trust and yes FM3 was required, as was a passport.
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beegees2 Member

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Posted: Sun Jun 29th, 2008 05:01 am |
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| well, that is most informative, thank you Susura
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Master98 Member
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Posted: Sun Jun 29th, 2008 04:13 pm |
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| As we continue to learn, in Mexico "Be Prepared", because you just never know what is going to be required when your number is called !!!
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Susura Member
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Posted: Sun Jun 29th, 2008 10:25 pm |
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Yes, it is a bit like waiting for the other shoe to drop?
Think the next thing will be the Mexican Corporation or the LLCs which seems to have gotten very popular.
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gbates Member
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Posted: Sun Jun 29th, 2008 10:29 pm |
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| It must be based on the attorney that you use for your Trust and if you are in Mexico more than 6 months at a time.
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Susura Member
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Posted: Sun Jun 29th, 2008 10:54 pm |
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Checking further, also have an email sent to Rollybrook too, but check out these sites: If you have an LLC or Mex.Corporation, you cannot live in the residence. plus the info on FM3s.
[url=http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ21/Mexico_Risks.htmlFhttp://FM-3.com]http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ21/Mexico_Risks.htmlFhttp://FM-3.com[/url]http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ21/Mexico_Risks.htmlFhttp://FM-3.com]http://www.escapeartist.com/OREQ21/Mexico_Risks.htmlFhttp://FM-3.com[/url][/url]
http://www.travelgroupmexico.com/?cat=11
http://www.discoverbajacalifornia.com/information/how_to_buy.htm
Last edited on Sun Jun 29th, 2008 10:56 pm by Susura
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beegees2 Member

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Posted: Mon Jun 30th, 2008 05:45 pm |
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| what's an LLC?
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Sandman Member
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Posted: Mon Jun 30th, 2008 06:18 pm |
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| LLC - Limited Liability Corporation, Many people get these to form a company to buy property so they can write off expenses, etc., but you still file a regular IRS income tax form, plus special forms for LLC. Sometimes it does not pay to get an LLC, your tax burden may be higher. You need to talk with your CPA and a RE Attorney. You do not need a FM3. You don't have to be a resident to buy property and you do not have to qualify for resident status under immigration laws to own property. You can continue to come to Mexico either on your free 7 day visitor visa or get your 6 month visitor visa if you are going to come a lot and do not want to stop all the time, unless you have something to declare. You can bring many things in as your luggage. If your bringing a truck load that is another story and not difficult either. Remember everything is priced as cheap yard sale. If you buy bed linens, bath linens, cut tags, and wash them first, put them in your luggage, like beach towels, lay them in the bottom. A little imagination and planning will go a long way.
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ManU Member
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Posted: Sat Jul 26th, 2008 06:28 am |
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| We are going to be taking possession of a new home in the late fall. We are looking into buying furniture in Mexico rather than transporting it the whole way from Edmonton. Would like to talk to you on what you have learnt about the process of bringing household belongings from Canada through the US and in to Mexico. I have also considered buying it in Phoenix and transporting it but the problem then seems to be renting a U-haul and getting insurance and/or permission to take the U-haul into Mexico. I did see one person who said they took it in anyway but that is a big risk. Does anyone have any ideas? I am looking at buying more contemporary furniture rather than traditional Mexican.
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