Mexico – Border Crossing Tips

Story and Photo By Paul Beddows  

    So, you've finally decided that you can take an RV into Mexico safely and are ready to take the next step. This can actually be more daunting than the decision to go. Apart from Baja California and northern Sonora State, the Mexican government has placed more than a few roadblocks in the way. The purpose of this article is to help you deal with them.

    The first thing you need to consider is insurance, both auto and medical. Your Canadian auto policy will not cover you in Mexico, you need to purchase Mexican Insurance from an agent for one of the major Mexican Insurance Companies. Prices and coverage can vary, so shop around and compare. Some, like Lewis and Lewis, also include some medical coverage so if you need that anyway, you may want to factor that in. I have researched and used several myself and you will find a list of ones I consider reputable on my website at www.mexicorvforums.com. The most economical policy is 6 months. You can expect a cost of $100 for each 10k of coverage as a rule of thumb. The good news is that many Canadian insurance companies will reimburse you for the time your vehicle is in Mexico. Check with them and make sure you keep any proof you can that the vehicle has been there, such as toll road receipts, campground receipts, etc. Another money saving trick is to put storage insurance on vehicles left at home. You may find that with a trip of 4 months and more, you actually come out ahead.

     Medical insurance is another consideration. Many provinces will cover expenses up to what it would cost in Canada. This is usually sufficient to cover any costs in Mexico, but you also need to cover the transit period through the US and potential evacuation costs. You really need to check out what your own situation is, then ensure you are adequately covered. Try to find someone who does not charge rates as if you were in the US for the entire period.

       OK, you have your auto and medical insurance covered, now the fun bit begins, getting your RV and yourself legally into Mexico. This is a daunting prospect for any first timer and one reason I encourage people to buddy up for the first few days with someone who has done it before. What you actually require in the way of documentation often varies with individual officials. There are a few documents you definetely will need and they need to be originals. They are the registration documents for all vehicles, your drivers license and your passport. If the vehicle is leased, you require a notorized letter from the lessor giving permission to take the vehicle into Mexico. If the vehicle is in joint ownership and the joint owner is not with you, you will need a notorized letter from them as well. If you can get them done in Spanish, that is the best.

     If you have any non-licenced vehicles, like an ATV, carry the sales agreement. If married, have your marriage certificate. I saw someone being asked for it last year, believe it or not. You are, in theory, allowed to include 2 extra items on the primary permit; motorcycles under 150cc, trailers, ATV's, etc. A tow car or larger motorcycle will require a separate permit and you are only allowed one permit per driver. Make at least 2 copies of each document, as well as copies of your drivers license and a credit card, ensuring the copies are the same size as the originals.

      Vehicle permits are good for 180 days. RV's may get a 10 year permit, but in practice this will apply only to Class A, B and C's. In the case of 5th wheels, travel trailers and truck campers, the truck is granted a permit for only 180 days. You may get away with a 10 year permit on a truck and camper if the official decides it is a single integrated unit, but it is a very gray area. In most cases with a truck camper, they just permit the truck and ignore the the camper. If you have a truck camper that is unlicensed, try to carry the original sales invoice if you have it. The permit for both classifications is about $40. The advantage of the 10 year is that you can legally leave the vehicle in Mexico, if for example, you fly back home at Christmas. The disadvantage is the hassle of cancelling the permit if you sell or write off the RV back home. Some people simply get a new 10 year permit each year and cancel it when they exit Mexico.

    Under new regulations introduced in 2011, a vehicle deposit must be paid when you enter Mexico. This ranges from $200 to $400 depending on the year of the vehicle. You may pay this in cash or by credit card and it is refundable when you leave. Do not lose the receipt they give you.

   The location for obtaining the vehicle permit varies by border crossing. Not all crossings handle them. The best bet is to pick up a copy of Mike and Terri Churches book, "Mexican Camping", which describes where each location is. They are frequently 20 km or so south of the actual border and you have to locate them at your crossing of exit if you return a different route.

   The procedure at most border crossings is to first obtain your tourist card, make a copy (if  a copy station is available) then proceed to the Banercito office for your vehicle permit. You may now also obtain your permits on line  before your trip and this is actually a good way to do it. The link is https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/. Allow 2 weeks, but most people find the permit arrives in 3 or 4 days. This can save you a lot of time, especially at the busier crossings. You will then have some assurance all your ducks are in a row without finding youself 3000 km from home and missing an important piece of paper.

     When you exit Mexico it is very-very important to stop and cancel your vehicle permit. They will rebate your deposit, photograph your VIN numbers and give you a receipt. Keep this receipt if you intend to drive into Mexico in future. You may want to send a copy to your insurance company if they offer a rebate, as it indicates both your entry and exit dates. You may exit at a different crossing from your entry, as everything is now computerized, but keep in mind there are crossings where you cannot cancel the permit. My preference is to always enter and exit at the same crossing.

    If you have to fly home in an emergency, take your vehicle paperwork with you to the airport. Your visa will indicate you entered by road and you may have a hassle trying to exit by air. A return ticket will probably be enough to convince them the situation is temporary, but you technically cannot leave a vehicle with a 6 month permit in Mexico while you leave. For this reason, if you suspect you may have to fly home, get the permit in your spouse's name. My wife flies home each year so I ensure her name is not on any vehicle permits, but they have asked to see them on at least one occasion. This is one of those gray areas.

    You are probably wondering if all of this is worth the hassle. The only thing I can say is that after the first time, it gets easier. One option of course, is to use a caravan company. This is a pricier option. Caravans are far more common in the Baja, although Gabriel Romero, who wrote an article for this magazine last year is testing the waters for a mainland caravan down the west coast in January 2013. You can contact me at paul@natcoa.com if that interests you and I will put you in touch. Another option is to form an ad-hoc one of your own using www.mexicotravelbuddies.com, a site to match you up with others. You will also find links there to 2 other sites doing the same. I would post a request on all three.

And finally I’ll provide a word of advice regarding your pet. Last year Mexico tightened up its regulations. In practice they are not enforcing them, but the rule is that you require a certificate of health (on your vets letterhead) that has been signed no more than 10 days before you cross the border. I have only heard of one person who was actually asked for it last year. However, it truly is better to be safe than sorry.

      I hope I have not managed to discourage anyone, it is not as daunting as it may seem. Most people continue to travel to Mexico year after year after taking the first step. Once you experience inexpensive ocean front campgrounds, warm friendly people, cheap fuel prices and guaranteed warm temperatures, you will come to view the United States as part of your journey, not your destination.

     If you have any questions, I will attempt to answer them if you email me paul@natcoa.com . You can also try posting them on www.mexicorvforums/forum or at www.rv.net/forum.

Paul Beddows is former President of the North American Truck Camper Owners Association and lives in Abbotsford, B.C in summer and Mexico in winter.