Category Archives: Border Crossings

Vehicle Permits for Mexico

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ICI Mexico permit map

Do I need a vehicle permit for Mexico?

If you’re driving to a Mexican Border town, such as Tijuana, Mexicali, Cuidad Juarez, Piedras Negras, Nuevo Laredo, or Matamoros then you do not need a vehicle permit. This is considered a Free Zone or Frontera. Generally, the Free Zone extends approximately 20-26 kilometers (roughly 12-16 miles) until you reach an Aduana/Banjercito location (port or booth)

What about Permits for Sonora or Puerto Penasco, or Baja.

You also don’t need a Vehicle Permit if you are specifically traveling anywhere in Baja, or certain areas of Sonora, such as Puerto Penasco. Please view the map above, and check banjercito (link below) to make certain that all information is up to date.

Can I get my vehicle Permit before I leave home?

Yes. You may apply for it online through this link, Banjercito. You will, however, still need to stop at one of their locations as provided below.   What your doing is limiting the amount of time your waiting in line, since you will have already presented most of your information prior to entering Mexico via Banjercito. You must allow them 10 business days to process this application prior to their issuing you the permit.

How many days may I request for this Permit?

This is technically referred to as a Temporary Importation Permit, emphasis on Temporary. Provides the time you are allowed to be in the country with your U.S. or Canadian registered vehicle, prior to returning the vehicle back to its place of Registration (U.S. or Canada) Generally, can request from 180-386 days dependent upon the type of Visa. You may also request a lower number of days, if you wish. Some request 180 days with the intent of exiting and then returning again prior to their permits expiration date, thus avoiding this process again. (See important cancelation procedures below)

Ports of Entry to Mexico from Texas

Tamaulipas

  • Nuevo Laredo (Patio Fiscal) 8am-4pm Monday-Saturday Closed Sunday
  • Nuevo Laredo (Puente Internacional I & II) 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Reynosa 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Nuevo Amanecer 8am-12am – 7 days a week
  • Ciudad Camargo 8am-6pm – 7 days a week
  • San Jeronimo 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Matamoros Pta. Dos 6am-10pm Monday-Sunday
  • Puente Nuevo 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Puente Ignacio Zaragoza 8am-9pm – Monday-Friday 9am-7pm – Saturday and Sunday
  • Puente TLC 9am-6pm Monday-Friday 9am-4pm Saturday Closed Sunday  

Chihuahua

  • Cd. Juarez (Km. 30) 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Palomas 8am-12am – 7 days a week
  • Pte. Int. Ojinaga 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Piedras Negras (Km. 54.3) 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Acuña 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • San Jeronimo 6am-10pm – 7 days a week  

Ports of Entry to Mexico from Arizona

Sonora

  • San Luis Rio Colorado 8am-12am – 7 days a week
  • San Emeterio (Sonoyta) 8am-12am – 7 days a week
  • Nogales (Km 21) 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Naco – Anexo 4pm-10pm Thursday and 10am-10pm Friday-Sunday
  • Agua Prieta 24 hrs – 7 days a week
  • Cananea 8am-6pm Monday-Friday and 8am-4pm Saturday & Sunday

Ports of Entry to Mexico from California

Baja California Sur

  • La Paz (Pichilingue) 7am- 3pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday
    7am-6pm Tuesday and Thursday
    7am-3pm; 6:30pm-10:30pm Saturday
    8:30-4:30 Sunday

Baja California Norte (California Border Points)

    • Tijuana 7am-11pm – 7 days a week
    • Otay Mesa 8am-9pm – 7 days a week
    • Tecate 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-4pm Saturday and Sunday

  • Mexicali 6am-10pm – 7 days a week
  • Mexicali – Annex 8am-4pm Monday -Friday, 10am-2pm Saturday, Closed on Sunday.

Cost of your Vehicle Permit

Roughly $56 USD$ for a vehicle. Click here for the cost and the current exchange rate (Pesos to USD$) via Banjercito (give it a few moments to load) When you land on this page, you may choose your language of preference, Español or Inglés (English) in the upper right hand corner of this page.

If you are a Mexican citizen legally living in the U.S. or Canada then you must provide one of the following documents:

  • Permanent Resident Card (Resident Alien).

  • Certificate of Naturalization.

  • Passport (not Mexican).

  • Passport Card.

If you are a foreigner to Mexico, then you will need to provide a valid passport or Passport Card and the official document issued by the Instituto Nacional de Migración (National Immigration Institute).

Guaranteed Deposit for your Vehicle Permit

The following amounts are applied as a “Guarantee” or deposit to the Mexican Gov’t for the temporary importation of your vehicle into Mexico, and is based upon the year of your vehicle.  You may use a Debit or Credit Card, issued in your name. This deposit will be returned to your account after the Vehicle Permit is cancelled, and must occur prior to your vehicle permits expiration date. Something to remember if using a Debit Card.

Vehicle Year Model  
2007 and later 400 USD $
2001 until 2006 300 USD $
2000 and earlier 200 USD $

Cancelation of your Permit

THIS IS IMPORTANT. You must, YOU MUST, turn in your vehicle permit PRIOR to it’s expiration…period. Failure to do so will entail a long drawn out process to cancel the permit AFTER it has expired. Take our word for it and just don’t do it. You will lose your deposit (Guarantee, above), and suffer the possibility of not being allowed to return to Mexico until straightened out (removed from their system)

Why does Mexico make us do this?

The reason why Mexico requires this is simple, The cost of a new or used car in Mexico is expensive. Actually more expensive than the U.S. or Canada. Mexican citizens have to pay IVA (tax) on a vehicles purchase, and most cannot afford it. Consequently, many Mexicans just don’t pay the tax on an imported vehicle. Mexico then loses on the Importation Tax which amounts to millions! If you fail to return or cancel your vehciles permit prior to it’s expiration date, you will automatically forfeit the deposit that you paid based upon your vehicle value listed above.

Remember, for all of your Mexico Tourist Auto, Homeowners, Motorcycles, Boats and International Health Insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to immediately issue your own policy. We appreciate your business, Like us on Facebook, and tell your friends!

Bridge from San Diego to TJ, the Cross Border Xpress

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Since first making news in early 2014, the concept is now a reality.

Saving hours in international crossing times, as well as hooking up U.S. citizens to cheaper Mexican air fares, the Cross Border Xpress is now open!

This pedestrian bridge is the first to join a site with a foreign airport.

The bridge is currently free until the 18th of December. Then tickets will go on sale for $18 each way, with long term parking, at least on the U.S. side, at $10 a day. Long Bridge wait times, and lower air fares to and from TJ were two factors driving this project.

Tijuana airport passengers may cross within 24 hours of away air travel, with TJ arrivals permitted to cross within four hours after landing in TJ. To use the CBX skywalk bridge you must present an airline boarding pass. You may purchase your tickets online at https://www.crossborderxpress.com/tickets

Obviously those using this wonderful bridge aren’t going to need the Mexico Tourist Auto or the U.S.A. Tourist Auto, but when traveling anywhere out of the country you should seriously consider the International Health & Accident. Click here for more details.

Remember, for all of your Mexico Tourist Auto, Homeowners, Motorcycles, Boats and International Health Insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to issue your own policy via our easy and simple apps via your PC, tablet, or Cell Phone! We appreciate your business!

Pope to Mexico! What you need to visit Mexico.

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It’s somewhat official! Pope Francis intends on visiting Mexico, preferably in the coming new year.

It was also mentioned, though not confirmed by the EL Paso Times newspaper, that Cd. Juarez may be on the Popes itinerary.

Our local Catholic Bishop, Mark J. Seitz, is said to be “cautiously optimistic” about a visit to Cd. Juarez.

What a marvelous opportunity to witness this world event. If you plan on seeing the Pope while he is in Mexico, then you have to plan for your visit to Mexico.

If you are traveling by car, and the border area is on his itinerary, then the requirements are very simple.

* Everyone must posses a valid Passport from their country of citizenship to return through U.S.
* The driver or operator of the vehicle must posses a valid Drivers License from their home country
* You must posses an auto insurance policy from a legally licensed and authorized Mexico insurance company (Mexico does not recognize U.S. auto insurance)

If you intend on viewing Pope Francis if he travels to Chihuahua, CHIH. then you will be traveling into what is termed the interior of Mexico. The requirements are the same above with a few additional requirements:

* Everyone must posses a valid Passport from their country of citizenship to return through U.S.
* The driver or operator of the vehicle must posses a valid Drivers License from their home country
* You must posses an auto insurance policy from a legally licensed and authorized Mexico insurance company (Mexico does not recognize U.S. auto insurance)
* You must purchase a vehicle permit at roughly the 26 kilometer checkpoint if traveling from Cd. Juarez to Chihuahua.

Upon returning to the U.S. from Chihuahua you must, and this is really important, you must have the vehicle permit removed, no exceptions. If you do not, then your name is not removed from their entry computer system and the next time you travel into Mexico, it could cause you real headaches.

We would be delighted to answer your questions, comments or concerns.

Remember, for all of your Mexico Tourist Auto, Homeowners, Motorcycles, Boats and International Health Insurance needs, please call us at 1-800-434-3966 OR Email us at ici@mxici.com or visit us at mxici.com to issue your own policy. We appreciate your business!