Vehicle Permits and Fees For Mexico

Vehicle Permits and Fees For Mexico

This section discusses Vehicle Permits and fees – who needs them, where to get them and what documents are required to apply for them.

Warning

Travelers should avoid individuals outside vehicle permit offices offering to obtain the permits without waiting in line, even if they appear to be government officials. There have been reports of fraudulent or counterfeit permits being issued adjacent to the vehicle import permit office in Nuevo Laredo and other border areas. If the proper permit is not obtained before entering Mexico and cannot be obtained at the Banjercito branch at the port of entry, do not proceed to the interior. Travelers without the proper permit may be incarcerated, fined and/or have their vehicle seized at immigration/customs checkpoints.

 

             Mexico Free Zone – No vehicle Permit Required

Vehicle Permits are required throughout Mexico except for:

  1. The Baja Peninsula
  2. Puerto Peñasco
  3. Border Zone (25 kms across the border)
  4. Sonora if you acquire a Sonora Only Permit

The Mexico Free Zone encompasses areas along Mexico’s northern and southern borders. Yet, the entire Baja peninsula and a large portion of Sonora are included in the free zone. For all other Mexican border states, it is the area between 20 and 26 km (12 to 16 miles) from the border.

The Sonora designation is important, because it’s illegal to cross out of the Free Zone without a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit. The free zone in Sonora lies to the northwest of Mexico Federal Highway Number 2, starting at Agua Prieta. It extends through Cananea, to where it intersects with Mexican Federal Highway 15 in Imuris. From Imuris, all of the areas to the north and west of Mexico Federal Highway 15 are included. Kilometer 98, southeast of Empalme, is where the free zone ends.

Mexico makes it easier for those traveling outside the Free Zone in Sonora by offering the Sonora-only Temporary Importation Permit.

Documents Required for a Vehicle Permit

    1. Passport or entry documents
    2. Tourist Card
    3. Drivers License
    4. Vehicle Registration
    5. If the title of the vehicle is in the name of a spouse, child, or parents – a birth certificate must be presented or a marriage license.
    6. You must provide a “Letter of Authorization” if the registration indicates that the vehicle is leased or financed. The letter is provided by your bank or leasing company. Generally either requires proof of Mexican Vehicle Insurance.
    7. A Credit Card in the Drivers/owners name. (MasterCard or Visa) You can make a cash deposit if you do not have a credit card.
    8. Pay approximately $51.00 USD at the border or $45.00 USD online, plus IVA (tax) with cash or a non-Mexico issued credit card. The cost can vary based on the peso exchange rate and will likely increase from time to time. You must pay with a non-Mexican credit card or in cash. The person listed as the owner on the registration must be present.

NOTE: Before Banjercito issues a permit, they will verify the VIN # to make sure the vehicle does not have any restrictions to be driven in the US or Canada, in which case the permit will not be allowed.

In addition to having the required documents, you will ALSO need to do the following:

  1. Sign a declaration, pledging to return the vehicle within the 180-day period for which the permit is valid and not disobey any other regulations.
  2. Pay a deposit:
    • $400 US – 2007 model year and newer
    • $300 US – 2001 – 2006 model years
    • $200 US – 2000 model year or older
  3. Return the vehicle import permit when leaving the country. The deposit will be refunded if the vehicle import permit is returned within the 180-day period and no violations have taken place.

According to the Banjercito website, the IVA and deposit amount can vary depending on the peso to dollar exchange rate.

An International credit card (American Express, MasterCard, Visa) in the name of the driver of the vehicle (importer) will be needed to pay the fees. Your card number could be held or charged for the import amount. Be sure to contact your credit card company upon your return, to be sure you’ve received a refund.

Where Can you get a Vehicle Permit

Vehicle permits CANNOT be obtained at checkpoints in the interior of Mexico.

1. IN PERSON
For driving tourists, vehicle permits are obtained from Banjercito offices that are located at and near the US border – usually at the same place you receive your Mexican Tourist Card.

2. ON_LINE

Purchasing a Vehicle Import Permit Online: The temporary vehicle import permit can also be obtained from the Banjercito website. After submitting the required information to the website, you will receive a pass code. After 24 hours and within 15 days of obtaining the pass code, you can visit any Banjercito location to obtain your permit document.

  • Mexico import permits may be purchased online for auto, RV and boat/watercraft.
  • The permit will be mailed to you.
  • The permit may be purchased up to 60 days before you depart to Mexico.
  • You need a minimum of 10 days between when you apply online and pay for your permit via credit card and your departure to Mexico date.

3. FROM AN AMERICAN CONSULATE at the following locations:

Phoenix, Albuquerque, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Denver and Chicago.

One can purchase the permit up to six months prior to travel into Mexico.

Important Information About the Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TIP)

  1. RV or Travel Trailer Vehicle Import Permit (for up to 10 Years).
  2. Multiple Entries with your Vehicle Import Permit. Once you have a vehicle import permit you may drive your vehicle across the border multiple times during the valid length of your permit.
  3. Other persons driving your vehicle in Mexico If the documentation shows the vehicle is registered in the name of a spouse, the importation can be done as long as the marriage certificate (and a copy) is presented.
  4. A vehicle temporarily imported by the owner may be driven in Mexico by a spouse or adult children, as long as they have the same immigration status. Other persons may drive the vehicle as long as the owner is in the vehicle.

CANCELING THE PERMIT UPON EXITING MEXICO

You do not have to exit Mexico from the same port as you entered to cancel your permit. Your temporary vehicle import permit can be cancelled at any Banjercito location along the border. You MUST CANCEL YOUR VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT UPON YOUR FINAL RE-ENTRY INTO THE U.S. If you do not, you may not be allowed to drive into Mexico again without the permit.