Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit for Mexico

It is recommended that one carry three copies of each of these documents.

1. Passport

2. Driver's License issued outside of Mexico

3. If you are not a Mexican citizen, a Mexican immigration permit-such as a tourist, business or immigrant permit/visa.

4. Original and photocopy of Bill of Sale, Deed to Property and Vehicle Registration issued by a foreign authority in the applicant's name. If the title of the vehicle is in the name of a spouse, child, or parent - a birth certificate or marriage license must be presented.

5. Proof of temporary Mexican auto insurance for your vehicle.

6. Certificate of cancelled import permit for any prior temporary import permits.

In addition, if you have a leased, financed or company car you will also need the following:

• Leased Vehicles: Lease contract and notarized letter of permission from the leasing company.

• Financed Vehicles: Credit contract and notarized letter of permission from the lienholder or lending institution.

• Company Car: A notarized letter of permission confirming the employment relationship and authorizing the employee to import the vehicle into Mexico.

In addition to having the required documents, you will 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 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.

3. Pay a deposit:

   • $400 US - 2007 model year and newer

   • $300 US - 2001 – 2006 model years

   • $200 US – 2000 model year or older

   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.

Temporary import permits may be purchased at CIITEV offices located at Aduanas locations at various U.S./Mexico border locations. Find Banjercito locations in Arizona, California, New Mexico or Texas.

You can also buy a permit at Mexican Consulates in the U.S. located in Albuquerque, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Sacramento or San Bernardino (scroll to the bottom of the list for contact information).

Applying for the Permit online on the Banjercito Website will speed up the process and allow you to potentially avoid long lines at the border. 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 (on the US/Mexico border) 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 for Mexico.
• You need a minimum of seven (7) days between when you apply and pay online for your permit and your departure to Mexico.
• You must cancel your permit at a Banjercito location on the border upon your return to the US.

Once you have a vehicle import permit you may drive your vehicle across the border multiple times during the valid length of your permit.

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.

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.

You MUST CANCEL YOUR VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT UPON YOUR FINAL RE-ENTRY INTO THE US. If you do not, you may not be allowed to drive into Mexico again without the permit.

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. Find border locations on our blog for Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

Get more details on how to cancel your Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit on Mexpro's blog.

Any of the following will result in the deposit fee being cashed by the Mexican government.

• Not returning the vehicle to the US border within 180 days to exit Mexico or to renew the permit.

• Driving a vehicle with an expired vehicle import permit in Mexico.

• Selling an imported vehicle in Mexico.

• Temporary Vehicle Import Permits cannot be renewed through a Mexican Consulate abroad.

• TIPs cannot be renewed within the interior of Mexico.

• Vehicle Import Permits cannot be renewed online.

• If a vehicle has not been returned to Banjercito offices at the border, a new permit cannot be issued.

• You will not be given a TIP if your vehicle has any restrictions in the US or Canada (determined by the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN).

Temporary Mexican automobile insurance is required in order to obtain a temporary vehicle import permit. Buy Mexican Auto Insurance now from Mexpro.