Border Crossing – USA to Mexico

I thought I would do something useful and provide some information for anybody who wishes to transport themselves and their vehicle across the border between the USA and Mexico.

We recently accomplished the trip and I have to say it was a lot easier than anticipated but that was because we had done our homework. So here is my assignment in full.

Firstly, either you go the way we did, which was to buy a vehicle in the states or you may already have one. The former needs a little extra work but the latter would mean you already have your title and registration for the vehicle.

Buying a car in the states is easy enough. Craigslist is a good source of used cars sold privately, but we went for a dealer as they do the work of registering and changing title for you and also you have a sort of guarantee that the car is gonna make the trip by way of a warranty. Ours came with 3 months for engine and gearbox, which is adequate, but if you can get more, go for it.

We crossed the border at Sonoyta. The reason being that it is less busy than most of the others and it was then a direct route south to Guatemala and beyond. But wherever you cross the format will be the same.

To cross the border you need these documents.

Mexican Visa (printed copy in the name of the owner of the vehicle)

Title (original plus photocopy again in the name of the person who is applying for the Temporary Import Permit, TIP)

Registration (Original plus copy and in the name of the owner)

ID and Passport (I.D. can be any foreign drivers license)

You need to apply for a mexican tourist visa before you travel because it is easier to already have the copies when you go. This can be done online here. There is a fee but it is less than when getting a visa on the border. Once you have submitted the details and paid the fee you will be emailed a receipt and a link to your visa to download. Do this and print off copies of the receipt AND the Visa document (FMM). The authorities want to see proof that you paid the fee!

Next you need copies of your title for the vehicle and the registration. These both need to be in the name of the person who is importing the vehicle.

Also make photocopies of your passport and ID (driving license which can be any foreign license)

If you are crossing more borders make more copies as we did. We intend to cross five so we got lots of copies.

On arrival at the border America will likely just wave you through. They can’t wait for people to leave it’s getting in that’s the hard part!

Then you will go through the Mexican area. They are pretty relaxed but may search your vehicle. Don’t carry any contraband it’s just not worth the aggravation. Immediately afterwards pull in to a spot and go back and ask the officials to stamp your passport. This is proof you just entered and a nice memory to have in the future.

Now some borders may differ but generally you will find an office called BANJERCITO. This is where you need to go to import your vehicle. At Sonoyta the office is some distance from the border (30km). This seems odd but it is because you can legally drive an American registered vehicle in the Sonora Free Zone but just ask an official where the nearest Banjercito is.

Once there and hopefully with not too much of a queue you will be asked for all your evidence as mentioned. Give it all to the person and he/she will gruffly and irritably take as long as he/she wants to complete your import permit. You will have to pay a fee which is about $50 and a returnable deposit which depends on the age of the vehicle. Ours was a 2005 and we paid $300.

The really important thing is not to lose the receipt the man gives you for the deposit. You will need it when you return or exit the country to get your deposit back, so be warned.

You should, all being well, now have a TIP for your vehicle that will be good for the duration of your tourist visa. It is what you show to any officers who may pull you over for doing nothing! But you can pat yourself on the back for crossing a border with a vehicle in one piece with as little hastle as you deserve. Well done.