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Mexico Ends 'Chocolate Car' Legalization Program Effective Jan. 1, 2026

The decree ends a 2022 scheme that legalized nearly 3 million vehicles.

Overview

  • The Presidency published a decree in the Diario Oficial de la Federación abrogating the October 18, 2021 agreement and the December 29, 2022 decree, along with their modifications, with effect from January 1, 2026.
  • No new regularization applications will be accepted, while transitional provisions allow in‑process cases to conclude under revised terms.
  • Used‑vehicle imports must now proceed under general foreign‑trade rules in line with TMEC, which sets limits on vehicle age and physical‑mechanical condition.
  • The government says the program met its aims of legal certainty and public security and notes the 2,500‑peso fee funded municipal paving projects.
  • The move rolls back a November extension toward December 2026, wins backing from AMDA and its president Guillermo Rosales Zárate, and draws criticism from used‑vehicle importers who had enjoyed free plates and minimal import costs.