MEXICO

TRAVELING INTO THE INTERIOR

Entry Requirments Customs Tips Mexico Mike's Homepage E-mail Mike

Your Tour Guide: Mexico Mike (photo by Sandy Hall) Who IS This Guy? "Mexico" Mike and Roads Scholar Press will help you discover the "real" Mexico. He has published a dozen books on Mexico, from the Sanborn's Travelog driver's guides to Live Better South of the Border and Spas & Hot Springs of Mexico.

Entry requirements and customs

Ok, you want to drive to Mexico (good for you!) and now you need to know what it will take to get you and your vehicle into the country. Here is the straight scoop:

Immigration and Car Permits

A friend of mine got in with a student ID and a smile, but she was much prettier than I am. All minors (under 18) need either both parents with them, or notarized permission from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian.

 

MEXICO ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (the official version).

1. Vehicle Title or Registration Receipt.

Owner is considered the name(s) on title only. For example: a wife cannot take the car if the title is only in the husband's name. If names of both husband and wife appear on title, either one may take the car.

2. Birth certificate, passport or notarized proof of citizenship, or voter's registration card.

3. Visa, MasterCard, Diner's, or American Express card with the same name as on title.

4. Valid driver's license (with photo and same name as on title).

5. Notarized letter of permission from the bank or lienholder is required on financed cars, rental cars, leased cars, or company cars (on company stationary).

6. No borrowed cars or borrowed credit cards are accepted.

7. You must sign an affidavit of promise to return vehicle back to the United States.

Failure to turn in your vehicle permit before the expiration date may result in fines.

* This is subject to change without notice.

In order to get your vehicle permit, you will pay an approximately $10-11 fee with a Visa, MasterCard or American Express. If you do not have a credit card, you will have to post a bond (which you will get back on your return). Your permit is good for multiple entries, but you MUST turn it in at border BEFORE it expires.

CUSTOMS TIPS

We might as well warn you about customs before it is too late to do anything about it. Technically, both foreigners and Mexicans are only allowed to bring $50 worth of "merchandise" (mercancia, a word you will soon learn). Since nobody takes long trips to Mexico with only $50 worth of stuff, this is obviously impossible to enforce. What customs is looking for is new items that could be sold. The secret is not to have new-looking items with you. For example, if you have new clothes, take the tags off. If you have new camping gear, take it out of the shiny boxes and make the boxes look old. Get the idea?

One thing that will get you into trouble is a lot of stuff in Wal-Mart etc. sacks. If you have bought a lot of items for your trip, take them out of the sacks, remove the price tags and distribute them among your baggage. I was once delayed for having too much film. I am a photographer and regularly take fifty rolls of film. Technically that is illegal, but I have only had a problem one time. That was when the rolls were still in a plastic bag from the store. From then on, I spread them out and haven't had a problem since.

Laptop computers are never (a dangerous phrase to use in Mexico, but I will go out on a limb here) a problem. Desktops can usually be brought in. A journalist friend of mine was moving to Mexico and had a lot of stuff, including a desktop computer. The customs inspector wanted to do his job, but he was a practical man. "Your computer," he asked, "it is small, no?" "Si," Ron replied, "muy pequeño." Be honest and friendly and things will work out. Be arrogant and you will have trouble.

Allow at least 30 minutes for customs clearing. Early in the AM (6-7:30) is best. After 9:00 AM, it could take 30 minutes up to an hour. Weekends are the worst time, especially holidays. If you got a late start, please spend the night in Reynosa or McAllen. Don't drive at night. You can't see a black cow at night and we haven't seen one yet with tail lights. Our tip for driving at night is - DON'T.

Don't know where to go or what to do? Take Mexico Mike with you!

<Back to Mexico index