Tag Archives: Motorcycles

When is 13th Annual Rocky Point Bike Rally?

I just became aware of a unique, and fun filled annual event called the Rocky Point Bike Rally. It takes place every year, and this is their 13th year.

A customer and friend of ICI brought it to my attention today. He purchased his motorcycle policy online and filled me in on the event.

The rally apparently is extremely popular, notching almost 5,000 riders. It begins November 7th and goes thru the 10th. Sounds like a great 3 day weekend.

They charge a nominal registration fee of $ 10.00 that goes to charity. The event draws from riders throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

Puerto Peñasco, or Rocky Point to gringos, is an extremely popular travel destination, especially if you live in Arizona, New Mexico or certain areas of Texas. This tourist village is usually the closest to theses three States to the ocean. People with RV’s, and especially college students of Arizona and Arizona State frequent this gorgeous spot on Mexico’s north end of the Sea of Cortez.

We have included a link that provides information on where the event begins, and answers a couple of simple questions regarding what is needed to cross into Mexico. The link is: http://www.rockypointrally.com/

We have a fantastic insurance product for your bike, if you intend on joining. OR, if not this rally, maybe in the future you may be considering a ride with a few friends. You might also really, really consider purchasing your International Health & Accident insurance at the same time, as your U.S. or Canadian Health insurance most probably will not cover you in Mexico, and many Mexican Motorcycle insurance policies provide very little if any medical coverage on their policies.

So call a few friends, and join like minded biker enthusiasts for a fun filled weekend!

For all of your Mexico Tourist Auto, Mexico Tourist Motorcycle, Mexico Homeowners, Mexico Tourist 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!

What is needed to apply for a Vehicle Permit in Mexico?

According to the Official site for Aduana/Banjercito, the following Fee, and deposit for your vehicles Temporary Import Permit (TIP) is as follows:

$ 48.84 USD$ is the cost of the Temporary Import Permit or TIP for short.

Car Permits

This service is provided to foreigners and foreign legal Mexican Residents who wish to enter Mexican territory with a vehicle from abroad with foreign license plates. (Other than Mexican license plates)

Only Sonora Car Permits

This service is provided to foreigners and foreign legal Mexican residents wishing only to the state of Sonora, with a vehicle from abroad.

Boat Permits

This service is provided to foreigners and Mexicans who wish to enter Mexican territory a vessel of foreign origin.

Mobile Home Permits

This service is provided to foreigners and foreign legal Mexican residents who wish to enter Mexican territory with a mobile home from abroad.

In addition to the aforementioned TIP, there is yet another charge that is determined by your vehicles year model. This is a “Bond” that is charged against your Credit, Debit (VISA or MasterCard) or if preferred, cash ($) This charge will be converted into pesos at the current exchange rate. Below is the table that reflects the amount of the applicable bond. This amount will be returned or credited, in the manner in which the bond was paid, upon your cancellation of the permit. Note: Turning in or cancelling of your vehicles TIP needs to occur prior to the expiration of the permits date, because if not, you will forfeit the bond. Your refund will be applied to the same card used for your Bonds payment, the next business day.

Amount to be paid in Mexican Pesos based on applicable exchange rate

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

Again, a very important item to remember is this. You must turn in your Vehicle Permit/paperwork prior to it’s expiration date. If you do not, you will forfeit the Bond, and you will not be allowed to import a vehicle in the future into Mexico. In the old days, it wasn’t as much a problem because not every Aduana/Banjercito office was networked nationally…they are now!

Please feel free to call us with any questions you may have regarding this process.

For all of your Mexico 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!

When do I need a Vehicle Permit to travel into Mexico?

Technically, it is referred to as a Temporary Import Permit, but from here forward, will be referred to as Vehicle Permit. You are temporarily importing the vehicle into the Republic of Mexico, for your personal use when traveling into the interior of mainland Mexico.

There is NO need for a Vehicle Permit if you are traveling anywhere in Baja California.
NO Vehicle Permit is needed if traveling to what is referred to as the “Frontera” or immediate border that contacts Mexico to the U.S mainland of Mexico (NOT Baja California) This area generally covers all mainland Mexican border cities and towns, such as Cd. Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoras, customarily up to 26 kilometers…You only need a Vehicle Permit along the Frontera if your stay is going to be longer than 72 consecutive hours.

You will need a Vehicle Permit when traveling into the interior of mainland Mexico, generally just outside of each Mexican border city, heading into the interior of mainland Mexico. Left click your mouse onto the Map of Mexico below. Note: This is informational only, and subject to change, as everything is. It is your responsibility to verify requirements prior to your trip.

WARNING: if you proceed past the last Port of Entry outside of the Free Zone or Frontera, as mentioned above or denoted on the map, without applying and acquiring the Vehicle Permit, your vehicle will be subject to confiscation, which is NOT a covered condition on your Mexican Tourist Auto Policy.

Vehicle Permit Expirations are determined by the type of visit you are making in Mexico. As a tourist/visitor to Mexico, they are good for up to 180 days. It is important that you know when your Permit is scheduled to expire, and that you not be in the mainland interior of Mexico with an expired permit. You are also required, by Mexican law, to turn in your Vehicle Permit prior to its expiration date, and prior to reentering the U.S. You can do this at any Port of Entry while exiting Mexico, but the Port that issued your Permit is best. Failure to follow this requirement could lead to fines, revocation of the importation bond you purchased when getting your Vehicle Permit, and quite probably a huge inconvenience if you ever visit the interior of Mexico in the future. Advice: DON”T DO IT!

If you leave Mexico to reenter the U.S. prior to your Permits expiration with plans to reenter Mexico in the future, you (the owner) should stop at the Aduana (Banjercito) offices at the border to request a permit to exit and return multiple times, or have Aduana remove the import-sticker. Most people accustomed to frequenting Mexico do not do this, as it is an inconvenience. However, and I saw this on another blog, and it is correct, if your permitted vehicle is stolen, totaled, or sold while in the U.S. then you have lost the opportunity to properly turn in your Mexico Vehicle Permit, and brother, you are already in the system! Your Bond is forfeited, and your right to import another future vehicle is jeopardized and possibly permanently terminated.

All countries have their sovereign laws, and some might seem quirky, or unnecessary. The primary reason(s) behind Mexico’s vehicle laws is because for years hundreds of thousands of U.S. Registered vehicles were sold illegally in Mexico without the proper importation duties and taxes paid. This is how they combat that…

We are here to assist, advise, council, and educate our friends who travel, and not just sell them a piece of paper.

Now go enjoy your adventure! If you have any questions, please feel free to call or E Mail.

For all of your Mexico 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!