u/BumblebeeWeekly97

Hey everyone,

I’m currently looking at buying a new car in Tijuana, and I’m really leaning toward one of the Chinese brands (like BYD, MG, or Changan). They’re everywhere in Mexico right now and the price point is hard to beat.

However, I’ve heard there are some major restrictions on driving these into the U.S.

Has anyone here actually driven a Chinese-manufactured vehicle through the San Ysidro or Otay crossings recently? Did you run into any issues with CBP or law enforcement?

I’m specifically trying to figure out:

1. The "Resident" Rule: I’ve heard if you’re a U.S. resident, you can’t legally drive a Mexican-plated car into the U.S. for more than a quick trip—is that actually enforced for Chinese brands?
2. Safety/EPA Standards: Do these cars get flagged because they don’t meet U.S. DOT/EPA specs?
3. Data/Security Ban: I've seen news about the U.S. banning Chinese "connected" vehicle tech. Does that apply to personal cars just crossing for the day?

If you’ve done this or know someone who has, I’d love to hear your experience before I drop the money on one. Any advice or warnings are appreciated!