100% agree on this report. I am a Certified Customs Specialist in Canada and former Customs Officer in Switzerland plus have 30 years International Logistics experience dealing with Import/Export in many countries on Customer's behalf. Importing cars, especially as non-resident are the worst and most costly nightmare around the world you can ever do to yourself.
Ugh... what's the best option for those of us who have dogs, but can't afford a private plane? Fly into Nicaragua, buy a car, drive it back to the USA, pick up the dogs, then drive them to Nicaragua?
You can not buy a car in Nicaragua unless you have residency - If you do one of those shady "you buy a car and put it in the name of a national and then drive it" will be very difficult to cross borders as the car will not be in your name and you have to have notarised documents to cross borders. Very messy.
Haha, just board them. When we need to travel we just pay the vet to keep the dogs. That's only an emergency, we have the facilities and people to always have people at the house with the dogs. But when sick or an emergency, our dogs stay with the vet and even sleep in bed with him as they are not prepared to sleep alone (they might be a little pampered.)
Hello Scott. You forgot to mention that the vehicle that one brings in has to meet the no older than 10 years rule. 2013 or newer are only allowed as of this year.
I've heard multiple people post this but there are old cars all over the place now and I've not heard anyone mention this in Nicaragua. Do you have any info on this law and how it works? Does this only apply to cars being imported? That would make sense, and really should affect anyone. Someone trying to import an old car is really missing the idea, lol.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog It applies to cars that are imported. One foreigner wanted to bring down a vehicle as a classic car, but I don't think he could get classic designations here. Good advice on the cars, by the way. I sold my Yaris in the US and didn't buy another car here.
As Scott says - Answer is NO!! Nicaragua receives the “Global” version of vehicles . Your Toyota or Nissan or Hyundai sold in Nicaragua will have a suite of parts that is different than yours. Case in point my Toyota Prado (Japan import 1997) has a full airbag system - Nicaraguan equivalents of 1997 Toyota Prado did not have airbags. If you have a recent Toyota you may not even be able to buy OEM parts as Pellas (the Toyota importer) will not typically sell for cars that were not imported by them. For us - For the Nicaragua drive - Is a Hyundai Galloper - This is a truck that was sold in Nicaragua - We only plan staying for 60 days before returning to Canada again. For entrance you have 30 days for the car - Then you are allowed one renewal of 30 days - It may have been more allowed in COVID, but I understand you are back to one renewal. All of this has to be within the context of the CA-4 90 days (for the vehical) as well. AND…. it get worse you are only allowed to do a TIP into Costa Rica once in 180 days - So in practicality you can only get 120 days before you have to go back to Mexico. There is blogger - Kelvin - He has a page called “Nica biz” - He has a good few articles on importing a vehicle. One thing not broached is 1) Aduna uses a wetted finger to the wind for the value of the vehicle 2) The duty is determined by enging displacement - 4L or more motor size is a 40% tax upon the arbitrary value in #1
Yeah, that's such a dumb idea. It's not a special car, he's going to pay double or triple for having a car that is cute and fun but ultimately, a huge expensive pain in the butt.
You also mentioned in this video that you have to be a resident to buy a vehicle? Is that correct? Do you have other videos about the ins and outs of becoming a Nica resident?
Assuming you are coming from the US. But the problems that I list here are universal for those coming from Southern Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, etc. as well.
Thank you I enjoy your videos. I’m moving end of July to Esteli from Tampa Florida cigar capital. Do you by any chance if Kia advance driving assistance works in Nicaragau. If so I’m planing to import a new Kia with the technology. Lafise bank make sound as an easy process with them. I will appreciate any info. Thank you
The driving assist should be enabled. But I have a feeling that many of its features will not function well or correctly. The driving features common in the US are rarely useful here. Unless you have unlimited funds and are importing a car because you are a car collector and you don't care about money, I'd absolutely never entertain the idea of importing a car.
Was a private jet cheaper than actually importing your vehicle? Seems like an expensive way to bring in your dogs. Good info though. I will probably just buy a vehicle there if I even need one.
About the same price while being easier and safer. The drive, the borders, the taxes... it's huge. And keep in mind importation takes years. So we'd have been totally screwed in the meantime. If we were already residents, the flight and driving would have been similar. As we were doing our initial move, the drive would have been epically more expensive for reasons we didn't realize. At the time we thought the flight was just more convenient. Now we know we got really lucky.
I know you advice to not bring your vehicle BUT I am driving from USA and plan on at least a 3-6 month tour to get there..did this before but made it just to Palenque..My question is to get the retirado visa one has to be in country for 180 days straight but the visitor visa is 90 days..do they allow you to get another while in country to satisfy the 180 requirement or do they giver you a 180 day one once one applies and if so can the car also be used during that time or what happens?
The visitors visa is 180 days. I have no idea how you do that with a car. That sounds wrong about the visa needing 180 days straight. That means staying to the very limit possible, with zero room for error, just to apply and guarantees you have to leave to apply. That doesn't make any sense. Never heard of anything like that. And it's a popular visa. ruclips.net/video/yssSTBFGqrk/видео.html
We are currently living in Belize with our F150 and camper top. This vehicles holds all our belongings. If we were to visit/move to Nicaragua considering if we sold our truck before moving there, how do we get our belongings into the country?
Establish residency first - That gives you an import exception for householld goods - Importing things that are not "Touristy" on a tourist visa (90 day visit) will make your eyes water...
You can't realistically bring your belongings all with you as a visitor. That's something you do when you fully relocate as a resident, not something you do as a tourist. If you try to do that, it'll likely get hit as an import of goods and be super expensive.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog If I drive my Ford E150 camper and apply for residency can I leave Nicaragua till the residency comes through and then import the van back? Or do I have to keep van in Mexico and takerbus there?
What if I drive my car there and park it while there and just use a quad or something to get around town? If I did decide to stay then maybe look at import cost of a Toyota sienna?. I might love nicaragua or I might hate it but having a reliable vehicle makes me feel safe like I can leave anytime anywhere I want. I reeeeally need my escape pod for emotional support and safety just in case ❤🚙💨
Hello Alan, Am I reading this correctly. Every 2 weeks I must renew the papers for a vehicle? Riding down in Nov. and have rented an airbnb for 2 months. This means 4 to 5 renewals. Es verdad?
It's officially every month, I believe. But because of the problems and complexities of the process, it seems that every two weeks something is needed. In THEORY, if all goes well, and a moto "should" be easier, it will just be two renewals for you.
It seems that importing is cheaper than buying a car in nicaragua my car is paid for and I have to pay 7K usd to pay import taxes but the same car in nicaragua is 80K USD. Not worth buying.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog I have a GMC Truck with a wheelchair lift that cost me an arm an a leg to get installed now imagine looking for one in Nicaragua - I was told to go TIP to Costa Rica every 90 days - do you think that is an option ? My friend works in costa rica and lives in Nicaragua and does this often
Jaja, sadly no, I don't think so. But it's good creative thinking. But you are not allowed to sell the vehicle here, so you'd have a massive complication of importing a vehicle and not having a way to remove the ongoing responsibility of it. There's no "surrender" process for that, it would be like surrendering a child almost (just in the mechanisms of how it works... you'd remain liable forever.) It's not like some food or a toy that you just say "keep it" if they say you can't have it, they want the taxes paid so people can't just look the other way (which you could with something little that isn't tracked with a VIN number.) It would pose a legal problem in both countries.
Wow! I thought it will be better deal to travel in Nicaragua with your car, especially if you have pets to take with you. Our pets are members of our family and I get stressed too much, thinking about how stressed will be my three cats, flying in carry boxes somewhere in language department. I am sure people will not care to drop them like they drop a suitcase and can abuse my pets in any way they only can when none is watching them. But what about to bring your belongings as furniture and so on? Is it possible to use shipping company to move or my belongings will be counted as imported?
You can - Just make sure it is "Expendable" A $2K or $3K Toyota Corolla or similar and just surender it to Aduna / DGI after the 60 days is up. Side note - 2 Brother in laws and extended family drove down i the 90's with Microwaves and all sorts of household goods - Then turned around and drove back to the Honduran/Guatamala border - Apparently it was the thing(and still today a thing according to them) to unload a vehical for a fair price no questions asked.
IT is also dangerous to drive through México You have cartels, thieves on the roads ambushing. Police may stop you. Roads full of potholes, may be re routed to dirt dangerous roads. Make,a list of all items in your vehicle for immigration. Import fees are expensive. Can buy a car for $3000. and up. I did a driver with his vehicle.
Yeah, living in Mexico is generally safe because you pick smart places to live, but driving the entire length requires long periods of time in some of the most dangerous areas and in a dangerous mode. Certainly most people who do it are totally safe. But it's a risk.
100% agree on this report. I am a Certified Customs Specialist in Canada and former Customs Officer in Switzerland plus have 30 years International Logistics experience dealing with Import/Export in many countries on Customer's behalf.
Importing cars, especially as non-resident are the worst and most costly nightmare around the world you can ever do to yourself.
Do you have other videos about bringing a dog to Nica? What kind of private jet service did you use? How did your dog adjust to Nica?
I've got an upcoming video that should answer a little bit of this.
What a blessing that you took the private jet!
We are so glad that we did. Money well spent.
Thank you Scott !!
My pleasure!
Great video as always Scott thanks!
Ugh... what's the best option for those of us who have dogs, but can't afford a private plane? Fly into Nicaragua, buy a car, drive it back to the USA, pick up the dogs, then drive them to Nicaragua?
Or just make friends with rich people 🤣🤣?
You can not buy a car in Nicaragua unless you have residency - If you do one of those shady "you buy a car and put it in the name of a national and then drive it" will be very difficult to cross borders as the car will not be in your name and you have to have notarised documents to cross borders. Very messy.
You would buy a car in the US, drive your dogs to Nicaragua, drive the car back to the US and sell it. Then just fly down normally.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog okay. Can I leave my dogs at your house while I do that? I don't know anyone else in Nicaragua. Do you like poodles? 😂😂
Haha, just board them. When we need to travel we just pay the vet to keep the dogs. That's only an emergency, we have the facilities and people to always have people at the house with the dogs. But when sick or an emergency, our dogs stay with the vet and even sleep in bed with him as they are not prepared to sleep alone (they might be a little pampered.)
Hello Scott. You forgot to mention that the vehicle that one brings in has to meet the no older than 10 years rule. 2013 or newer are only allowed as of this year.
I've heard multiple people post this but there are old cars all over the place now and I've not heard anyone mention this in Nicaragua. Do you have any info on this law and how it works? Does this only apply to cars being imported? That would make sense, and really should affect anyone. Someone trying to import an old car is really missing the idea, lol.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog It applies to cars that are imported. One foreigner wanted to bring down a vehicle as a classic car, but I don't think he could get classic designations here. Good advice on the cars, by the way. I sold my Yaris in the US and didn't buy another car here.
Great Advice, and Accout Scott!
Thanks for the heads up.
As Scott says - Answer is NO!!
Nicaragua receives the “Global” version of vehicles . Your Toyota or Nissan or Hyundai sold in Nicaragua will have a suite of parts that is different than yours. Case in point my Toyota Prado (Japan import 1997) has a full airbag system - Nicaraguan equivalents of 1997 Toyota Prado did not have airbags. If you have a recent Toyota you may not even be able to buy OEM parts as Pellas (the Toyota importer) will not typically sell for cars that were not imported by them.
For us - For the Nicaragua drive - Is a Hyundai Galloper - This is a truck that was sold in Nicaragua - We only plan staying for 60 days before returning to Canada again.
For entrance you have 30 days for the car - Then you are allowed one renewal of 30 days - It may have been more allowed in COVID, but I understand you are back to one renewal. All of this has to be within the context of the CA-4 90 days (for the vehical) as well.
AND…. it get worse you are only allowed to do a TIP into Costa Rica once in 180 days - So in practicality you can only get 120 days before you have to go back to Mexico.
There is blogger - Kelvin - He has a page called “Nica biz” - He has a good few articles on importing a vehicle.
One thing not broached is 1) Aduna uses a wetted finger to the wind for the value of the vehicle 2) The duty is determined by enging displacement - 4L or more motor size is a 40% tax upon the arbitrary value in #1
Yeah, that's such a dumb idea. It's not a special car, he's going to pay double or triple for having a car that is cute and fun but ultimately, a huge expensive pain in the butt.
When I go back to Costa Rica, I want a car with a diesel engine, 4 x 4 with manual trans, You can not find that in USA. Ron USCG RET
It's true, I forget that people don't just not buy them, they don't sell them there.
You also mentioned in this video that you have to be a resident to buy a vehicle? Is that correct? Do you have other videos about the ins and outs of becoming a Nica resident?
You do, I just made a short about it too, but need to trim it to upload it.
You can buy the car but the tittle cannot be in your name. Until you become a resident.
Driving your car to Nicaragua is a very risky move. You have to go through Mexico Cartel territory to get there.
Assuming you are coming from the US. But the problems that I list here are universal for those coming from Southern Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, etc. as well.
Thank you I enjoy your videos. I’m moving end of July to Esteli from Tampa Florida cigar capital. Do you by any chance if Kia advance driving assistance works in Nicaragau. If so I’m planing to import a new Kia with the technology. Lafise bank make sound as an easy process with them. I will appreciate any info. Thank you
The driving assist should be enabled. But I have a feeling that many of its features will not function well or correctly. The driving features common in the US are rarely useful here. Unless you have unlimited funds and are importing a car because you are a car collector and you don't care about money, I'd absolutely never entertain the idea of importing a car.
Hey Scott
Wondering if it’s the same for a motorcycle? Planning on riding down end of July
Pretty sure that it is the same. I need to ask but motos are just cars here under most circumstances.
Was a private jet cheaper than actually importing your vehicle? Seems like an expensive way to bring in your dogs. Good info though. I will probably just buy a vehicle there if I even need one.
About the same price while being easier and safer. The drive, the borders, the taxes... it's huge. And keep in mind importation takes years. So we'd have been totally screwed in the meantime. If we were already residents, the flight and driving would have been similar. As we were doing our initial move, the drive would have been epically more expensive for reasons we didn't realize. At the time we thought the flight was just more convenient. Now we know we got really lucky.
I know you advice to not bring your vehicle BUT I am driving from USA and plan on at least a 3-6 month tour to get there..did this before but made it just to Palenque..My question is to get the retirado visa one has to be in country for 180 days straight but the visitor visa is 90 days..do they allow you to get another while in country to satisfy the 180 requirement or do they giver you a 180 day one once one applies and if so can the car also be used during that time or what happens?
The visitors visa is 180 days. I have no idea how you do that with a car. That sounds wrong about the visa needing 180 days straight. That means staying to the very limit possible, with zero room for error, just to apply and guarantees you have to leave to apply. That doesn't make any sense. Never heard of anything like that. And it's a popular visa.
ruclips.net/video/yssSTBFGqrk/видео.html
We are currently living in Belize with our F150 and camper top. This vehicles holds all our belongings. If we were to visit/move to Nicaragua considering if we sold our truck before moving there, how do we get our belongings into the country?
Establish residency first - That gives you an import exception for householld goods - Importing things that are not "Touristy" on a tourist visa (90 day visit) will make your eyes water...
You can't realistically bring your belongings all with you as a visitor. That's something you do when you fully relocate as a resident, not something you do as a tourist. If you try to do that, it'll likely get hit as an import of goods and be super expensive.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog If I drive my Ford E150 camper and apply for residency can I leave Nicaragua till the residency comes through and then import the van back? Or do I have to keep van in Mexico and takerbus there?
Hello Scott Do you know how it works for Nicaraguans bringing their vehicles permanently?
For citizens to import a car? It's just a normal, full import process.
Thank you.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog
What if I drive my car there and park it while there and just use a quad or something to get around town?
If I did decide to stay then maybe look at import cost of a Toyota sienna?.
I might love nicaragua or I might hate it but having a reliable vehicle makes me feel safe like I can leave anytime anywhere I want. I reeeeally need my escape pod for emotional support and safety just in case ❤🚙💨
No matter what the reason (except "I'm rich and I collect cars and I don't care if it makes sense"
Hello Alan, Am I reading this correctly. Every 2 weeks I must renew the papers for a vehicle? Riding down in Nov. and have rented an airbnb for 2 months. This means 4 to 5 renewals. Es verdad?
It's officially every month, I believe. But because of the problems and complexities of the process, it seems that every two weeks something is needed. In THEORY, if all goes well, and a moto "should" be easier, it will just be two renewals for you.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Thanks for your prompt and informative response. I enjoy your videos.
@@jimthompson229 thanks!
So unless I rent a Lear Jet my Chihuahua could be severely hurt in transport from Canada?
That's always a risk if you put your pet in cargo. Cargo is very dangerous. But Chihuahuas are small, why wouldn't you keep it in the cabin with you?
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog I will check that out did not know that was possible. At six pounds she is too big for my pockets.
Im assuming if you still have a loan on your vehicle that you cant settle in with it with residency?
If you have a loan Nicaragua would not know about it. But the US is unlikely to let you export a car that you don't own outright.
You can buy dogs in nicaragua.
Yes, quite easily, lol. You can definitely get all you want for free, too.
I guess that I need an attorney.
That's nearly always advisable.
It seems that importing is cheaper than buying a car in nicaragua my car is paid for and I have to pay 7K usd to pay import taxes but the same car in nicaragua is 80K USD. Not worth buying.
What kind of car is that?
Mine is a 2015 jeep wrangler. $7000 taxes and they have them for 70-80 k 😅crazy
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog I have a GMC Truck with a wheelchair lift that cost me an arm an a leg to get installed now imagine looking for one in Nicaragua - I was told to go TIP to Costa Rica every 90 days - do you think that is an option ? My friend works in costa rica and lives in Nicaragua and does this often
hey Scott would it be plausible to drive us and our pets into the country and then just surrender our vehicle
Jaja, sadly no, I don't think so. But it's good creative thinking. But you are not allowed to sell the vehicle here, so you'd have a massive complication of importing a vehicle and not having a way to remove the ongoing responsibility of it. There's no "surrender" process for that, it would be like surrendering a child almost (just in the mechanisms of how it works... you'd remain liable forever.) It's not like some food or a toy that you just say "keep it" if they say you can't have it, they want the taxes paid so people can't just look the other way (which you could with something little that isn't tracked with a VIN number.) It would pose a legal problem in both countries.
maybe if i take it to the junk yard, just really would rather drive but sounds like a whole entire mess.thanks for the warnings
Did you get the private plane out of Miami?
Yes, Ft Lauderdale.
Wow! I thought it will be better deal to travel in Nicaragua with your car, especially if you have pets to take with you. Our pets are members of our family and I get stressed too much, thinking about how stressed will be my three cats, flying in carry boxes somewhere in language department. I am sure people will not care to drop them like they drop a suitcase and can abuse my pets in any way they only can when none is watching them. But what about to bring your belongings as furniture and so on? Is it possible to use shipping company to move or my belongings will be counted as imported?
You can - Just make sure it is "Expendable" A $2K or $3K Toyota Corolla or similar and just surender it to Aduna / DGI after the 60 days is up.
Side note - 2 Brother in laws and extended family drove down i the 90's with Microwaves and all sorts of household goods - Then turned around and drove back to the Honduran/Guatamala border - Apparently it was the thing(and still today a thing according to them) to unload a vehical for a fair price no questions asked.
Can unload in Honduras? That's really good to know.
IT is also dangerous to drive through México You have cartels, thieves on the roads ambushing. Police may stop you. Roads full of potholes, may be re routed to dirt dangerous roads. Make,a list of all items in your vehicle for immigration. Import fees are expensive. Can buy a car for $3000. and up. I did a driver with his vehicle.
Yeah, living in Mexico is generally safe because you pick smart places to live, but driving the entire length requires long periods of time in some of the most dangerous areas and in a dangerous mode. Certainly most people who do it are totally safe. But it's a risk.
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog Thank you Scott. Appreciate all responds I've got.
Zero fucks bye
Cool, thanks for dropping in.