Who Is Banjercito? What Mexico Drivers Need to Know
- Last Updated: July 6, 2026 by Ann Reid
- Categories:
- Before You Go, Border Crossing, Driving to Mexico
If you plan to drive a U.S. or Canadian-plated vehicle beyond Mexico’s permit-free areas (also known as free zones), you may need a Temporary Import Permit, also called a TIP. The permit is handled by Banjercito, short for Banco Nacional del Ejército, Fuerza Aérea y Armada, S.N.C. It is the Mexican government bank in charge of processing TIPs, collecting permit fees, and managing returns through CIITEV modules.
You’ll likely see the Banjercito name on your permit, receipt, credit card statement, online application, and on signs at border offices. Knowing what Banjercito does can help you avoid confusion, extra fees, and problems getting your deposit back.
What Is a Temporary Import Permit?
A Temporary Import Permit, or TIP, is the official document that lets a foreign-plated vehicle drive in the parts of Mexico that require one.
You usually do not need a TIP if you stay in Mexico’s permit-free zones, such as the Baja California peninsula, the border zone, and qualifying parts of Sonora. If your route goes into mainland Mexico or outside a permit-free area, confirm the requirements first.
If you are towing a boat, motorcycle, ATV, UTV, or other recreational vehicle, the rules can change. Do not assume your vehicle is covered just because your destination is in a permit-free zone. ANAM’s (Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México, or Mexico’s National Customs Agency) has special rules for recreational vehicles and boats up to 4.5 meters long (approximately 15 feet), including the trailer. In Sonora, transporting these units may require a permit even in the free zone.
ANAM is Mexico’s customs authority. For Temporary Import Permits, ANAM sets and oversees the customs rules, while Banjercito handles the permit payment, deposit, issuance, and cancellation process.
The Job of Banjercito
Banjercito handles the payment and permit side of the TIP process. It:
- Processes TIP applications
- Collects the permit fee
- Collects the refundable deposit
- Issues the permit documents
- Keeps permit records
- Registers when the vehicle leaves Mexico
- Refunds the deposit when the permit is properly canceled, before it expires.
Banjercito does not sell Mexico auto insurance, and it is not the same as Mexpro.
Why Is Banjercito Charging My Card?
If you apply for a TIP online or pay by card at a border or consulate location, expect a charge from Banjercito for the permit fee and the refundable vehicle deposit.
The permit fee depends on where you apply. ANAM lists the cost as $45 USD plus IVA (tax) for online permits and $51 USD plus IVA at CIITEV border modules or eligible Mexican consulates. The refundable deposit is based on the vehicle model year: $400 for 2007 and newer, $300 for 2001-2006, and $200 for 2000 and older.
Currency conversion and foreign transaction fees can make final charge on your card look higher than expected. You get your deposit back only if the vehicle’s return is registered before the permit expires.
See Mexpro’s Temporary Importation Permit page for more information on TIP requirements, fees, documents, and Free Zone travel.
Avoiding TIP Scams
Use official Banjercito channels only. ANAM lists the official options as online through Banjercito, at eligible Mexican consulates in the U.S., or at CIITEV modules at the border.
Watch out for third-party websites that look official but charge extra processing or convenience fees. Mexico’s Programa Héroes Paisanos guide warns travelers that Banjercito does not work through agencies, social media, or private individuals outside its official facilities.
You never need to pay a “fixer,” “expediter,” or private person at the border to get a TIP. If you are unsure where to go, ask uniformed personnel at the official module.
Note: The online system can be glitchy, and it sometimes rejects uploaded documents. If your trip is coming up soon or you’re unsure about the process, buying the permit at the border may be easier.
Banjercito, Aduana, and CIITEV: What’s the Difference?
You may hear Banjercito, Aduana, and CIITEV mentioned together because the permit offices are often located near customs facilities at the border. They are related, but they are not the same thing.
- Aduana: Mexico’s customs authority. It oversees the legal entry and exit of vehicles and goods.
- Banjercito: The government bank that processes the permit fee, deposit, permit documents, returns, and deposit refunds.
- CIITEV: The physical module where vehicle import permits are processed or canceled. Banjercito operates these modules for temporary vehicle imports.
Do I Need to Stop at Banjercito at the Border?
Yes, if your route requires a TIP and you have not already completed the process before crossing. Do not assume border officials will stop you or remind you to get a permit. If your route requires one, it is your responsibility to get the TIP before driving into the interior.
You can get a TIP online 10 to 60 days before entering Mexico, at eligible Mexican consulates up to six months before travel, or at a CIITEV module when entering Mexico.
You also need to cancel the permit, before it expires, when you leave Mexico. To do this, present the vehicle at a CIITEV module at a customs exit point and get proof of the return. Not every crossing handles TIP cancellations, so check the Banjercito module directory before choosing your return route.
Think of it as a two-step process: get the permit before you drive where it is required, and cancel it before it expires when you leave.
Your permit allows multiple entries and exits before it expires, so you can cross the border more than once during that time.
Will My Vehicle Be Inspected?
Maybe. Banjercito or customs officials may check that your vehicle information matches your permit documents, including the VIN, license plate number, vehicle registration and/or title.
Before you leave the counter, review the permit carefully. ANAM specifically recommends verifying that the vehicle make, year, model, type, VIN, and importer information are all correct.
When you cancel the permit, you must present the vehicle at the CIITEV module so Banjercito can register the return and process your deposit refund. If possible, verify that your VIN is listed correctly.
Insurance Requirements
Mexico auto insurance and the TIP are separate things. Buying Mexico insurance does not get you a TIP, and getting a TIP does not replace your need for Mexico auto liability insurance.
Mexico federal law requires vehicles traveling on federal roads and bridges to carry liability insurance that covers damage to other people or their property. Bring a printed copy of your Mexico insurance policy when you apply for or pick up your TIP. Banjercito or CIITEV personnel may ask to see it.
Is Banjercito the Same as Mexpro?
No. Mexpro can help you buy the Mexico auto insurance you need for your trip, but we do not issue Temporary Import Permits. Banjercito handles the TIP. Your Mexico insurance provider handles your policy.
Common Mistakes That Can Delay or Deny a TIP
Banjercito may reject or delay a TIP application if your documents do not match or your vehicle does not qualify. Common problems include:
- Name mismatch between the applicant and vehicle documents
- VIN typo
- Wrong license plate number
- Missing title, registration, lease contract, financing contract, or company vehicle authorization
- Driving a financed, leased, borrowed, rented, or company vehicle without the required permission documents
- Vehicle plates that do not match the documents
- Expired or invalid registration.
- Vehicle reported as salvage, stolen, restricted, prohibited, or otherwise blocked from temporary import
- Vehicle exceeding the GVWR limit of 3.5 metric tons (7,716 pounds)
- Applying as a Permanent Resident. Official guidance lists visitors, Temporary Residents, and Temporary Resident Students as eligible foreign applicants, but not Permanent Residents.
- Paying with a card that is not in the importer’s name
- Not having your immigration document, such as an FMM, Temporary Resident card, or Temporary Resident Student document. Banjercito requires proof of legal entry before issuing a TIP.
Temporary Residents
If you enter Mexico as a Temporary Resident or Temporary Resident Student and later renew or exchange your immigration status, your vehicle permit can stay valid as long as your immigration status stays continuous.
To protect your deposit, notify the customs authority within 15 days after your status is renewed or changed. Keep proof of the notice, along with your immigration document and TIP paperwork.
Your Pre-Trip Checklist
Before you drive into the interior of Mexico in your U.S. or Canadian-plated vehicle:
- Confirm whether your route or destination requires a TIP
- Buy Mexico auto liability insurance
- Gather your vehicle title, registration, and permission documents, if needed
- Have your passport, passport card, FMM, or residency document ready
- Apply online 10 to 60 days before travel, at an eligible consulate up to six months before travel, or at the border
- Use official Banjercito channels only
- Review your permit before leaving the counter
- Keep printed copies of your permit, insurance, immigration, and vehicle documents
- Cancel your TIP at the border before it expires when leaving Mexico
Summary
Banjercito is not an insurance company, and it is not Mexpro. It is the Mexican government bank that handles the Temporary Import Permit process for foreign-plated vehicles. If you are driving beyond Mexico’s permit-free zones, Banjercito is the name you will see when you apply for the TIP, pay the deposit, stop at the border, and cancel the permit when you leave.