The vehicle is surrended to customs, the importation permit time is not stoped it continues whetether the owner is in the USA or Canada, the persons visa is canceled at the time of departure and a new one must be obtained upon returning, unless the immigration agents allaw the person to maintain the visa for a return to reclaim the surrendered vehicle, this has to prearranged with customs and immigration.
When the surrenderd vehicles 180 days expire and it has not been claimed and it is still in impound it is considered an abandoned vehicle and is now forefeited to the Mexican authorities, so make sure that the return trip to Mexico the persons visa has enough time to reclaim the vehicle and drive to the border.
Recreatinal vehicles are in a totally diferent area, they get to stay since they are isued a 10 year import permit, versus a 180 day import permit that goes along with the persons 180 day visa.
navegator
