BajaNomad

Towing Vehicles Into Baja?

jakecard - 7-13-2011 at 06:35 PM

If anyone knows the rules around towing one or more vehicles on a trailer into Baja California could you please point me to the Mexican government web-page or publication which explains those rules? I am looking to understand what fees, permits, paperwork and restrictions are associated with towing vehicles that are titled but not registered, into the Baja.

Many thanks,

Jake

DENNIS - 7-13-2011 at 06:59 PM

Well...I don't have a link for you, but it's good that you asked. I know it's not as simple as a "drive through." I've seen, on more than one occasion, trucks towing trailers with a vehicle [not a race car] being turned back north.

You may have some luck gathering info if you call a customs agent and present your questions. They should be easy enough to find on the net.

jakecard - 7-13-2011 at 07:07 PM

Will do. Thanks, Dennis.


Jake

ncampion - 7-13-2011 at 07:49 PM

Lots of Motorhomes tow cars all the time. It can't be that difficult. I have brought motorcycles (plated and off road) through on trailers and all they want to see is registration papers for each vehicle and that the name on the papers is yours of someone in your party.

J.P. - 7-13-2011 at 08:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ncampion
Lots of Motorhomes tow cars all the time. It can't be that difficult. I have brought motorcycles (plated and off road) through on trailers and all they want to see is registration papers for each vehicle and that the name on the papers is yours of someone in your party.


I think you just said the key word "Registered" I dont think they will let it cross If its not registered..

bajalou - 7-13-2011 at 08:11 PM

I was towing a car into Baja and they wanted the registration for it and also I had to start it. If it didn't run I couldn't bring it in. (about 9-10 years ago, I guess)

BajaWarrior - 7-13-2011 at 08:14 PM

We tow across the border southbound all the time with various trucks. Make sure the vehicle is in your name or someone in your party. They do ask to see the registration and they want to see that they are currently registered from
whatever state they are from.




jakecard - 7-13-2011 at 08:29 PM

Thank you for your reply, ncampion. Do you know whether the rules for motorcycles are the same as for cars? Or whether the rules for cars are the same as for trucks? Is a dump truck okay? What about non-operational vehicles? What is the definition of a "vehicle," anyway? If trailered, must the vehicle have current U.S. registration to cross the border? Or is a title and the title holder's presence at the time of crossing all that is necessary?


Jake

jakecard - 7-13-2011 at 08:43 PM

I am really slow to the post. Just saw that others replied while I was last typing. Thank you, all.

Any links?


Jake

thebajarunner - 7-13-2011 at 08:46 PM

Several years back we were making our annual spring trek and I decided to buy a new 10 foot open trailer to haul some of our camping gear, etc.

Good old inefficient CA DMV did not get the paperwork processed, so on DDay I had a nice shiny trailer with no license, paperwork, nada.

We beat that around a bit on this board, got the usual helpful and not-so helpful input.

Long story short, I just hooked it up and hauled butt.....
Nary a look, nor a glimmer,
Our usual 2 weeks of beating around the beaches, back across the border and home again.

What is the moral of this story???? Quien Sabe????

All I know is that no one seemed to care,
and yes, I did get the Bajabound insurance for a "towed trailer"
that was all the documents I had on board.

bajalou - 7-13-2011 at 08:54 PM

I spent 30 minutes talking to customs when I brought my Quad into Baja with a Title, but no registration.
they keep insisting they had to have registration, which I did not have. I didn't have a OH permit. They finally let me go, but insisted i had to have registration next time. (I do have it now)

ncampion - 7-13-2011 at 09:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
I spent 30 minutes talking to customs when I brought my Quad into Baja with a Title, but no registration.
they keep insisting they had to have registration, which I did not have. I didn't have a OH permit. They finally let me go, but insisted i had to have registration next time. (I do have it now)


It's always been registration that they want to see, not the Title. They check the dates and the VIN numbers. I do think that a $50 might take the place of a proper registration paper = just kidding.....:lol::lol:

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