If you are going for vacation, entering into Mexico can be a very simple process. Below are the procedures for crossing the border. We also included are the items you are allowed to bring into, as well as bring back from Mexico. This is your last chance to purchase U.S. gas, ice and use the bathrooms. In the corner of the little shopping center, there is a store called UTEA. This is a duty-free store featuring the following imports: liquor, cigarettes, perfume, sunglass (i.e. a 1.75 liters of Absolut is $11. You are allowed to bring up to 3 liters per adult into Mexico. A cartoon of cigarettes is $19.) Once you purchase items at this store, you must immediately cross into Mexico. After you cross into Mexico, the first thing you will encounter is an inspection (see questions 2-5).
There are two means of inspection:
a.) Fiscal Traffic Light and
b.) Integral Inspection. If you are importing items in excess the allowable limits, you will need to do the
integral inspection. (i.e. you are bringing down furniture, appliances, building supplies, etc.) If you are just
coming down for a vacation, the fiscal traffic light is the inspection that you may be subject to.
The nothing to declare Lane - Fiscal Traffic Light:
This lane is used when your exemptions do not exceed the premitted limits. The inspection traffic light:
As you cross the border you come upon a light. As you proceed slowly through a light which is located on
your left hand side in front of you and will flash either red (alto - stop) or green (pase - go).
If the light is red, you will need to pull over to the left parking stalls where an official will ask you some
questions (such as where you are going and what you are bringing) and possibly look completely through your
whole car and possessions.
If you receive the green light, this indicates that you can drive through the Customs facilities without inspection.
This lane is used when you bring goods worth more than the personal or family exemptions, or when the amounts of goods exceed those amounts allowed in your personal luggage. This is the voluntary request for the examination of your articles. If you have items to declare which exceed your allowed limits, you will need to park in the parking lot to the left before you cross the border. You will need to go to the small building which sits in the middle of the street and tell the person what items you have to declare and their value.
When you are finished you will be handed a form to take to the bank to pay taxes. An agent may want to come and inspect your load. The taxes you pay are in pesos (they will accept dollars) and are to be paid directly to the bank and you will be issued a receipt. If you are not using a broker - do not pay anyone except the bank. You will need a stamped receipt to cross the border. After you have paid the bank you will need to cross the border and go through the light. If you get the red light you will pull over and show your receipt to the Officer.
If you or your vehicle has been selected for inspection, a Customs Inspector will conduct the examination. If the Customs Inspector finds goods that should have been declared and you did not do it, the inspector will classify & appraise the goods & will impose the corresponding sanctions.The sanctions you will have to pay is equal to four times commercial value of the articles. If you choose the Integral Inspection the fine will be one and a half times the value. In both cases, you forfeit the right to the tax exemption and pay a 32.8% tax on all merchandise.
In the event you have more than the limit, you may use an import broker, who for a fee will process your paper work and handle the customs people.
See our import/export (immigration) page: Importing items.
The U.S. Embassy has noted an increase of American citizens being detained for illegally smuggling arms and ammunitions into Mexico. U.S. Citizens should comply with all Mexican laws on arms or ammunition, including any arms they may wish to bring in for hunting. In Mexico, possession of any firearm without proper authorization by the Mexican authorities is considered a "Firearms Offense" and carries stiff penalties.
Possession of a single weapon carries a penalty of up to 5 years in Mexican prison. Sentences for possession of firearms in Mexico can be as long as 30 years. A permit from a Mexican Consulate in the U.S. is required in order to import firearms or ammunition into Mexico, whether or not the firearm is legally registered in the U.S. Some Mexican cities have ordinances prohibiting the possession of knives or anything that might be construed as a weapon.
The border is closed between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 AM. Arizona Time. Arizona does not change for daylight savings. Mexico closes their border at the same time, in response to our border closing.
You have the right to a tax exemption of $50 per person in premitted goods. Passagers traveling with family members (spouse and children) may combine their personal exemptions only when arriving together in the same vehicle. You must have the corresponding commercial invoices or receipts available. Beer, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, and motor vehicle fuel (except for the fuel contained in the vehicles fuel tank) may not be included in this additional exemption. The following is a list of items that you may bring into Mexico tax-free:
Items for personal use such as clothing, shoes and toiletries in reasonable amounts according to the length of
your stay. 1 photographic or motion video camera, including a power source and up to 12 rolls of film or
videocassettes. No professional equipment. Books & magazines. 1 used sports article or piece of equipment for
individual use, which can be transported by one person. 2 cartons of cigarettes or 50 cigars. 3 liters of
wine or alcohol. Medicine for personal use (with your prescription). Suitcases to transport your items.
Legal Residence of another country: If you are legally a resident of another country, in addition to the items listed,
you may bring into Mexico free:
• Binoculars • Portable television • Radio and a
maximum of 20 tapes • Fishing Tackle • Typewriter or portable
computer
• 5 used toys if the passenger is a child • A pair of skis • 2
tennis rackets • A non-motorized boat up to 5½ meters in length
or a surfboard with or
without a sail • Camping equipment
Traveling in a Camper, Trailer or motor
home: If you are traveling
by a camper, trailer or motor home you may also bring in: • VCR • Bicycle
with or without a motor • Household linens • Kitchen
utensils • Living room & bedroom furniture
Absolutely do not bring in:
You cannot
bring any of the following into Mexico: •
Used Computers • Pine wood or firewood • Used Clothing •
Gas • Expired can goods • GUNS and/or AMMUNIATION
If you are bring in any of these items, you will need the title work showing ownership. We have been told that a you won't need the original title, a copy will suffice. However you have traveled this far, it would be a shame to need it & not have it.
If you are not the owner of the "toy", you will either need the lease agreement giving you permission to take the toy to Mexico or a notarized statement from the owner giving you that permission. The statement should include pertinent information such as; The owner of record, vehicle id numbers, make, model etc…
Be sure to have the proper insurance to cover your vehicle. Come on down and have fun, but be respectful of the desert and others.
If you are bring in a motorized boat, see our motorized boat importation & permit page: Importing & permiting boats.
You will need to have auto insurance coverage prior to entering into Mexico. You will not need to provide proof, however police can ask for it, just as in the U.S. However they may be able confiscate the vehicle without proof. (We have never heard of this being done, but it is a possibility.)
Most U.S. auto policies do not provide coverage without an additional rider (check with your agent). If your company does not provide coverage outside the U.S., then there are multiple sources to purchase Auto Insurance in the U.S. or just prior to reaching the border. Policies are sold by the day or a full year policy. In many cases, if you are in Mexico for more than 20 days a year, it maybe better to purchase the full year policy.
For more information regarding this see our Auto Insurance page: Mexican auto insurance
Only domestic animals (dogs & cats) are allowed into Mexico. You will need a current (less than 6 months) rabies vaccination certificate. If you are renting, you will need to check with the owner/property manager. Many of the rental properties prohibit pets, check ahead.
To re-enter the United States, you will be asked to declare if you are a citizen of the U.S. and be able to prove it through a driver’s license or passport. You will also will be asked the following: Where are you coming from and where are you going to? Are you are bring anything back from Mexico, for instance, fruits and vegetables, medicine or alcohol? Avoid customs penalties by declaring all articles acquired in Mexico and in your possession at the time of your reentry into the United States. This includes articles you purchased in regular and duty free stores, gifts presented to you, items you have been asked to bring home for another person and any articles you intend to sell or use in your business. If in doubt whether an article should be declared, always declare it first and then direct your question to the Customs Officer. If you understate the value of an article you declare, you may have to pay a penalty in addition to the payment of duty.
If you fail to declare an article acquired
in Mexico, not only is the item subject to seizure, but also you will be liable for a personal penalty. The following items are permitted: You are
entitled to a $400 exemption in a 30-day period. Articles totaling $400 may be entered free of duty, subject to the limitations on liquor,
cigarettes and cigars. • 100 cigars, 200 cigarettes • 1 liter (39.8 fl. oz.) or one 6 pack of beer per person 21 or older. •
Medicine: If you have purchased medicine in Mexico, which requires a prescription in the U.S., you must carry your prescription with you.
The following items are not
permitted:• Natural wildlife • Whale bones or coral • Houseplants • Fruits or vegetables,
Pork or Ham • Uncooked eggs or potatoes • Avocados (unless the seeds have been removed) • Fireworks • Birds
(If you have a pet bird - leave it in the U.S., You will have to exit through San Luis and the bird will be quarantined for 30 days.
In order to purchase prescription medicines (especially pain killers), you will need a Mexican Prescription to buy them at the pharmacy. In order to take them back into America, you then must have an American prescription. In order to get a Mexican Prescription, you will need to see a Mexican doctor. On some of the less powerful drugs, i.e. – thyroid medicine may not require a Mexican prescription.
For more Mexican drugs & prescription information, see or Pharmacy page:
Medical & Pharmacies Information
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