Temporary Vehicle Import Permit for Mexico

It is recommended that you carry three black and white copies of each of these documents. (Mexico considers color copies to be attempts at forgeries.)

1. Passport, passport card or green card

2. If you are not a Mexican citizen, a Mexican immigration permit — such as a tourist (FMM), business or immigrant permit/visa.

3. A non-Mexican driver's license with photo

4. Original and photocopy of the title and registration of the vehicle issued by a foreign authority in the applicant's name. If the title or registration is in the name of a spouse, a marriage certificate must be presented. Only the owner of the vehicle and/or his/her spouse can get a TIP.

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

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.

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 canceled 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) or cash 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.

Banjercito recommends buying online. Applying for the Permit online on the Banjercito Website will speed up the process and allow you to avoid potentially long lines at the border.

You must first get your FMM online to be able to get the TIP. Don’t forget that when you buy your FMM online, you must stop at the border and get immigration (INM) to stamp/validate it. Bring both your printed FMM and your receipt to show proof of payment.

You will receive your permit by email. Print it and your receipt, and keep the printed copy with you while driving in Mexico. Use your email as verification of your TIP purchase. If you do not have Internet, your printed copy will be your backup.

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

Banjercito will send you an email with your TIP and give you a printed copy, along with your receipts. Keep your email and copy with you at all times while driving in Mexico.

You can also buy a permit at one of the following Mexican Consulates in the U.S.

• Arizona: Phoenix
• California: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Sacramento
• Colorado: Denver
• Illinois: Chicago
• New Mexico: Albuquerque
• Texas: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston

Banjercito will give you your receipts and a copy of the TIP, which will also be sent to your email. Keep a copy with you at all times while driving in Mexico.

If you are stopped for TIP verification the officer should scan your TIP using a cell phone application. Sometimes there will be no cell service so you will need to verify using your paperwork.

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.

The owner’s adult spouse, children, parents, and siblings are permitted to drive the temporarily imported vehicle in Mexico, without the owner present, as long as they are not permanent residents of Mexico, and have a non-Mexican driver's license. One should carry documentation verifying your relationship to the owner.

Other persons may drive the vehicle as long as the owner is in the vehicle and they have a non-Mexican driver's license.

You MUST CANCEL/SURRENDER YOUR VEHICLE IMPORT PERMIT UPON YOUR FINAL RE-ENTRY INTO THE U.S. If you do not, you will lose your deposit, and will not be allowed to get another Temporary Import Permit. This is how Mexico verifies the vehicle has left the country. You CANNOT surrender and buy a new permit online or anywhere within the interior of Mexico.

You do not have to exit Mexico from the same port as you entered to cancel your permit. You must cancel and surrender your permit at an approved Banjercito TIP return location on the border. Find border locations for Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

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

The following will result in the loss of your deposit fee.

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

• Temporary Vehicle Import Permits (TIPs) cannot be renewed.
• You cannot surrender and obtain a new TIP within the interior of Mexico.
• You cannot surrender and obtain a new temporary permit through a Mexican Consulate abroad.
• You cannot surrender and obtain a new TIP online.
• If a vehicle has not been returned to Banjercito offices at the border and the TIP cancelled, a new permit cannot be issued.
• You will not be given a TIP if your vehicle has any restrictions in the U.S. or Canada (determined by the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN), like 'salvage' or theft.

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