BajaNomad - $10 car permits required???

$10 car permits required???

thebajarunner - 3-3-2007 at 10:49 AM

One of my Baja traveling pals forwarded the Mexinsure.com page that includes the following....

anyone know anything about a car permit required south of Ensenada since Jan. 1 2006?

I have been down several times since then and have heard nothing about this.

What gives???

.....pasted from Mexinsure.com...

"Driving in Mexico:
An automobile permit is required when driving into the interior of Mexico beyond the border cities (in Baja, Ensenada is considered a "border city." The permit, as of January 2006 is good for up to 180 days and may be obtained at the border. There is a $10 fee for this permit. (Don't forget to return the permit before you return from Mexico.) "

As I re-read it, the reference is to "interior of Mexico"
I am guessing this means mainland, not Baja, but the wording is certainly confusing, at best.

Taco de Baja - 3-3-2007 at 11:56 AM

Another way to get money out of the Gringo$.
Although it is not advertised much looks like it is for real.

Quote:

Tourists wishing to travel beyond the border zone with their car must obtain a temporary import permit or risk having their car confiscated by Mexican customs officials. To acquire a permit, one must submit evidence of citizenship, title for the car, a car registration certificate, a driver's license, and a processing fee to either a Banjercito branch located at a Mexican Customs office at the port of entry, or at one of the Mexican Consulates located in Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Bernardino, or San Francisco.

Mexican law also requires the posting of a bond at a Banjercito (Mexican Army Bank) office to guarantee the departure of the car from Mexico within a time period determined at the time of the application. For this purpose, American Express, Visa or MasterCard credit card holders will be asked to provide credit card information; others will need to make a cash deposit of between $200 and $400, depending on the age of the car.

In order to recover this bond or avoid credit card charges, travelers must go to any Mexican Customs office immediately prior to departing Mexico. Disregard any advice, official or unofficial, that vehicle permits can be obtained at checkpoints in the interior of Mexico. Avoid individuals outside vehicle permit offices offering to obtain the permits without waiting in line.

If the proper permit cannot be obtained at the Banjercito branch at the port of entry, do not proceed to the interior where travelers may be incarcerated, fined and/or have their vehicle seized at immigration/customs checkpoints

. For further information, contact Mexican Customs about appropriate vehicle permits.

The web site for Mexican Customs, or “Aduanas,” is in Spanish only at http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2007/A_body.htm

US Department of State link

Link to frequently asked question about vehicle imports (in spanish)

[Edited on 3-3-2007 by Taco de Baja]

Mexitron - 3-3-2007 at 12:24 PM

It might be like the tourist visa--important if you're going below the Guerrero Negro checkpoint, but otherwise not checked for in Baja Norte.

Hook - 3-3-2007 at 12:28 PM

It's the fee that has been in place for going south of Sonora on the mainland. I have not heard of it being applied to Baja........but then the TIP for boats isn't supposed to apply to Baja, either.

Sharksbaja - 3-3-2007 at 12:34 PM

Quote:

In order to recover this bond or avoid credit card charges, travelers must go to any Mexican Customs office immediately prior to departing Mexico. Disregard any advice, official or unofficial, that vehicle permits can be obtained at checkpoints in the interior of Mexico. Avoid individuals outside vehicle permit offices offering to obtain the permits without waiting in line

Recover? Disregard officials advice?

"The above information is a general summary of travel regulations between the United States and Mexico as of November 2006. Mexico Insurance Services is not responsible for this information or any information that may have changed since publication. For updated information, please see the very informative Federal Travel Department website"

next.......

Trust Mexinsur.com they are the experts!

losfrailes - 3-3-2007 at 04:46 PM

I do not believe the 'car permit' is required in Baja unless you intend to cross from Baja to the Mexican Mainland on a ferry. And if that is your goal, you can usually purchase this 'car permit' at the customs office that serves the people crossing on the ferry.

I do know that in order to travel below a certain point on the Mainland you must have in your possession (and on the windshield) this guarantee that you will be bringing your vehicle back to the US. Typically the fee is charged to your credit card.

At least this is the way it was several years ago.

And living here for several years, travelling up and down the Baja several times a year, I have never had to purchase a 'car permit'.

Son rumores, son rumores!

Still perplexed!

thebajarunner - 3-3-2007 at 05:29 PM

Well, I started the thread, and so far no one knows nothin'.

I have been driving to Baja regularly since 1971, all over Baja.

I have also driven down the mainland, and gotten the car permits that this site seems to be referring to.

But, as Sharks sez, "mexinsure.com should be a reliable source" and they are saying 'South of Ensenada' and the other post from Taco de B seems to indicate the same.

Wow!!! Illegal all these years?
Are we all at risk making a simple drive down to Maneadero?

It does make one wonder.

Typical Mexico... just about the time you start to relax, they unload a new deal on you.... like military checkpoints, fresh fruit and meat confiscations, you name it , they come up with it.

BajaNomad - 3-3-2007 at 05:51 PM

Did you consider that they mean South of the Municipality of Ensenada? Which would mean needing it if you go into B.C.S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalities_of_Baja_Californ...

RICHARDH - 3-3-2007 at 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
Well, I started the thread, and so far no one knows nothin'.

I have been driving to Baja regularly since 1971, all over Baja.

I have also driven down the mainland, and gotten the car permits that this site seems to be referring to.

But, as Sharks sez, "mexinsure.com should be a reliable source" and they are saying 'South of Ensenada' and the other post from Taco de B seems to indicate the same.

Wow!!! Illegal all these years?
Are we all at risk making a simple drive down to Maneadero?

It does make one wonder.

Typical Mexico... just about the time you start to relax, they unload a new deal on you.... like military checkpoints, fresh fruit and meat confiscations, you name it , they come up with it.

I recall reading some official information on the Internet that the permit was required, and no exception was made in that information for Baja. But I also found either an official web site or at least a reputable source on the Internet that said that the requirement does not apply to travel in Baja but would be required if you plan to travel by ferry to the mainland. I don't recall the details of sources of information, but I was satisfied that the permit was not required in Baja.

Lots of official information on the Internet appears to be inconsitent, especially regarding Baja. It seems you just have to check this out for yourself and draw your own conclusions.

Some stated "regulations" seem to be not much more than a verbal "catechism", a kind of rote mumbo jumbo -- especially if they leave out important details or exceptions; others seems to be much more important. But I think it is important to figure out what is important and what is simply a vistigial "catechism" of sorts.

BajaGeoff - 3-6-2007 at 02:04 PM

Vehicle permits are never required for travel in Baja or Sonora. Additional details and a map of the corresponding "permit free" zone along the border can be found here:

http://bajabound.com/before/permits/vehicle.asp

BajaWarrior - 3-6-2007 at 02:44 PM

I like the explanation that Doug and BajaGeoff came up with and sticking to that.

Now we can all start breathing normal again. :lol:

CasaManzana - 3-6-2007 at 03:16 PM

I can say for certainty that the $10 permit IS NOT anything to do with bringing your car to the mainland from BAJA. I came over to TOPO from La Paz in Jan. The permit is $34 USD and paid O-N-L-Y with a major credit card. The sticker goes on the windshield right at the ferry terminal, and is removed upon your return right at the ferry terminal.

Crusoe - 3-6-2007 at 04:55 PM

Permits......Permits....... and more Permits......Sometimes you can only laugh....Over the years while traveling all over Baja I am always amazed at how many people ignore all the rules about getting even as much as a simple tourist card! I have met so many folks who travel Baja regurally who claim they just dont have the time to be bothered.On Land, by road, the only place Ive ever been checked is at the Guerrero Negro checkpoint.Most times they never bother to ask.Bieng the cautious type of traveler, I always play it straight to avoid any problems. However, over the years when we kept a sailboat in La Paz, it use to drive us completely nuts at all the ridiculous checking in and out and permits and crappy little fees and crappy, little petty crooked oficials we had to deal with......Again I knew people, and met lots of people on boats who had been their for years living,sailng around that never went by any rules and just chose to ignore all the officialdom. If and when, they were ever confronted, they played dumb and pretended to not speak any spainsh and if push came to shove you came up a $50 bill and you were square with the world and on your way. Its only just Baja...... :yes:

Simple question

thebajarunner - 3-6-2007 at 05:53 PM

Why is "Bajabound" a totally valid site
and "Mexinsure" is not?

Having said that, I find it hard to believe that the car permits are required in Baja, based on 35 years of experience, both in Baja and the interior.

But, I would not wish to rely on an insurance or travel company for 'the final truth'

Nor would I wish to be anywhere in the tourist card area and have an accident....
it is one thing to note that you never got asked, it is another to not have the right answer when you are peering out at Sr. Federale through your busted windshield.

runner

Baja Bernie - 3-6-2007 at 06:08 PM

Know this will not be good enough for you.............but it was my understanding that Baja was specifically excluded from this law. Why not just check with the Mexican Council in your area.

David K - 3-6-2007 at 06:17 PM

Why is this thing so hard to understand?

NO CAR PERMITS REQUIRED on the peninsula, period!

Baja is like an island to the rest of Mexico, and because of it being 'almost an island' it is easier to control movement to and from it. To help it develop so far from Mexico City, it has been given special considerations...

The permit is obtained WHEN you ferry your car to the mainland, that's all.

You can trust BajaBound.com and Baja Geoff, because he is a NOMAD and knows... BajaBound.com supports this web site and if they spread false information there are PLENTY of Nomads here who would have fun tearing them (or me) up if they made a mistake!

Hey! Davud

Baja Bernie - 3-6-2007 at 08:09 PM

Can you trust Bernie?

David K - 3-6-2007 at 09:18 PM

Davud??? You are making me wonder Bernie!!

Baja Bernie - 3-6-2007 at 09:31 PM

Thank you my friend...............and my fingers went where they were directed this time.
What was the hiss about?

BajaGeoff - 3-7-2007 at 01:00 PM

thebajarunner,

BajaBound has always worked hard to not only provide Mexican insurance to our clients, but also to be a reliable source of information about travel requirements in Baja and mainland Mexico. It is our business and what we are involved with day in and day out. Like David K said, if we were posting wrong information about Baja we would get taken apart by the other Nomads like a pack of wild dogs! Furthermore, any rookie relying on one single source of information before traveling to Mexico would be a fool to do so. Do your homework and reference numerous sources of current travel information before you go!