BajaNomad - FMM collected on land crossing

FMM collected on land crossing

Alan - 4-1-2024 at 08:26 AM

This was a first for me in almost 50 years of crossings. I came back north through CBX on Saturday, and I had a Mexican official ask to see my passport just shortly after the turnstiles for CBX. That was unusual in itself, but then she asked for and collected my FMM. I didn't recognize her uniform patch and the print was too small to read, but she wasn't INM. Maybe their National Guard but the uniform was different from what I see them wearing in La Paz.

I have no idea if they are starting to do this anywhere else. I'm just sharing my experience because it was something new for me.

wilderone - 4-2-2024 at 09:31 AM

Was it random, or were people queued up and everyone was asked to see passport, hand over FMM?

Alan - 4-3-2024 at 08:09 AM

They asked everyone for their documentation. I showed my passport and I use my FMM to mark the photo page. When I started to put it back away she indicated she wanted my FMM.

AKgringo - 4-3-2024 at 08:35 AM

So they are enforcing a one visit per FMM policy instead of multiple visits over the 180 days?

BeachSeeker - 4-4-2024 at 03:03 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

So they are enforcing a one visit per FMM policy instead of multiple visits over the 180 days?

I don't think that is what is happening. The CBX has never accepted 180 day FMMs. If you show up with one, they'll direct you to the kiosk to get a new FMM with the specific dates of your trip, and you'll have to pay again. Remember, CBX is only allowed if you have plane tickets and a boarding pass, so your travel dates are known.

I've had my FMM collected once that I can remember. My guess is that the guy saw it in the passport and thought, "Hey I think I'm supposed to collect it, and since it's right there and now no longer valid, I'll grab it and throw it in the trash for the guy." Of course, this is a big assumption.

mtgoat666 - 4-4-2024 at 09:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

So they are enforcing a one visit per FMM policy instead of multiple visits over the 180 days?

I have flown via cbx on one way tickets and asked for and received 180 day fmms.
Makes sense they dont honor fmms for repeat xings, since that is the law, and cbx employees follow law since they are a pvt firm operating under govt license and got eyeballs on them.

Purdyd - 4-5-2024 at 05:08 AM

That’s interesting because I just flew in and out of Cabo and no fmn form, you just get a stamp and they write 180.

Maybe I need to look closer but I don’t recall any mark to invalidate that at departure.

surabi - 4-5-2024 at 09:56 AM

Flying is different from entering at a land border. They did away with the FMM forms and have been stamping passports at most airports for about 2 years now.

BeachSeeker - 4-5-2024 at 11:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

Makes sense they dont honor fmms for repeat xings, since that is the law, and cbx employees follow law since they are a pvt firm operating under govt license and got eyeballs on them.

I don't have a government source, but here is what Baja Bound has to say about multiple entries to Baja California:

"Is it possible to enter and exit Baja multiple times with the same tourist card (FMM)?

Yes. The INM delegate for Baja California Norte announced in September 2015 that the FMM is now multiple entry for land travel in Baja California Norte only."

surabi - 4-5-2024 at 11:24 AM

Things can change in 9 years.

BeachSeeker - 4-5-2024 at 11:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

Things can change in 9 years.

Baja Bound says that info was updated on March 29, 2023.

Also, I've asked the agents the last couple times I bought a 180 day FMM in Mexicali. They told me it was good for multiple entries as well. This is all anecdotal, I know.

Here's what really matters, you will rarely get asked for your FMM. I've only heard about it when crossing to Baja Sur. When you drive North across the border they won't collect it. So sure, you can throw it away and buy a new one, or you can just continue to use the one you have in your possession until it expires. We can argue all day about this, but for those of us who cross the border a dozen times or more a year, we don't even think twice about the FMM if the dates are valid.

[Edited on 4-5-2024 by BeachSeeker]

surabi - 4-5-2024 at 12:01 PM

While Baja Norte INM may have decided to create its own rules, the wording on the back of the FMM form has always said that the FMM is only valid for the duration of your stay. Meaning once you exit the country, your "stay" is over. (I don't have a spare form around, as I always fly now, so I can't quote the exact wording)

And I found out years ago that Baja Norte customs officials are not necessarily up to date on the federal customs regulations, I guess because BN is a free zone.
I had recently become a permanent resident, and as such, had to get my Canadian-plated car out of the country, as PRs can't drive a foreign-plated vehicle. I live on the mainland but haad taken the ferry to Baja and crossed at Tecate. I needed to get my TIP sticker removed and a receipt showing the vehicle had been taken out. They kept telling me no, I could just drive out.

I had to explain the regs about PRs not being allowed
to drive a foreign plated vehicle to the head Customs official. He asked me "Where did you hear that?" (Everyone on the mainland was well aware of it)
I tapped the Customs logo on his shirt and said, "From your jefe in Mexico City".

[Edited on 4-5-2024 by surabi]

SFandH - 4-5-2024 at 03:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Alan

This was a first for me in almost 50 years of crossings. I came back north through CBX on Saturday, and I had a Mexican official ask to see my passport just shortly after the turnstiles for CBX. That was unusual in itself, but then she asked for and collected my FMM.

Isn't CBX used by airline passengers? Air travel and land crossing rules, as far as FMMs are concerned, differ for some strange reason. I haven't flown in a long time but my FMM was collected in the Mex airport the last time I flew from Mex to the US.

[Edited on 4-5-2024 by SFandH]

surabi - 4-5-2024 at 04:31 PM

You don't specify how long "a long time" is, but up until a couple of years ago, FMMs were used for air as well as land travel. Then they started phasing in the "stamped passport only" and phasing out the FMMs, starting with the major airports. Not sure if all Mexican airports have now done away with the FMMs.