BajaNomad

Car permits

daveyjoans - 9-23-2011 at 07:58 AM

Hi all. Does anybody know if you can get your car permit for mainland in La Paz at the ferry terminal. We have always picked them up at the border at Nogales before, but this time we are going to take the ferry across. Dave

Bill Collector - 9-23-2011 at 09:04 AM

Yes, you can

kiterkip - 9-24-2011 at 10:56 AM

Yep, Did this in January 2011. Super easy. I did this out at the ferry dock in Picheligue. I am reasonably certain that it cannot be done anywhere in town in La Paz.
You are aware of the changes in the system this year? You actually pay a "bond" on your vehicle according to it's age/value. This can supposedly be done with a credit card, or cash, and it is returned to you when you return to the US. Be sure to notify your US bank that you plan on a card transaction or you'll have more headaches when you attempt to charge the $300 at the Aduana.

Marc - 9-24-2011 at 02:13 PM

I,ve been getting my permit just south of Sonoyta for trips to Sonora, Los Moches & Copper Canyon etc. The credit card slip (bond) has been returned to me on the return trip to the same office.
So, what if I return via Mazatlan and La Paz? How will the bond be redeemed in La Paz??

[Edited on 9-24-2011 by Marc]

DianaT - 9-24-2011 at 04:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marc
I,ve been getting my permit just south of Sonoyta for trips to Sonora, Los Moches & Copper Canyon etc. The credit card slip (bond) has been returned to me on the return trip to the same office.
So, what if I return via Mazatlan and La Paz? How will the bond be redeemed in La Paz??

[Edited on 9-24-2011 by Marc]


Over the years we have taken our vehicles into the mainland of Mexico at one POE and left by another and never had a problem. The paper work was turned in and we did not worry about the credit card and there were never any charges. I can't imagine that it would be any different returning through La Paz as long as that hologram is returned. It has been 5 years, but I assume they are still using the holograms?

DavidE - 9-24-2011 at 07:15 PM

Be prepared to pay the 200-500 dollar deposit when you get the permit. It depends on the vehicle year.

Kimpatsu_Hekigan - 9-24-2011 at 08:03 PM

Marc asks:
Quote:
How will the bond be redeemed in La Paz??

I hope you'll report back on what you learn about whether you can get your cash bond returned or your bank card credited at the Banjercito office at La Paz.

In May of 2011 (before the new Aduana bond rules went into effect), friends from Arizona entered on a 180-day FMM tourist permit and got their All-of-Mexico vehicle Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) at Nogales, crossed on the ferry from Topolobampo to La Paz, and tried to turn the TIP in at Pichilingue. They couldn't do it.

They were told the hologram sticker could only be removed and the TIP cancelled at a Banjercito office along the border.

They had planned to leave their vehicle permanently in southern Baja anyway, so they just gave up on having the permit removed. Since, at that time, they didn't have to post a cash bond, or have their credit/debit card charged, they weren't out any money when the TIP expired (other than the initial cost of the TIP).

I don't know what they'll do if they ever try to drive another vehicle on the mainland.

Good luck,

-- K.H.

[Edited on 9-26-2011 by Kimpatsu_Hekigan]

Jack Swords - 9-25-2011 at 06:27 AM

We entered through Nogales and crossed on the ferry to La Paz. We stopped at the Banjercito office in Tijuana and had the hologram removed. We were removed from the computer data base, given a receipt (printout) and told to carry it with us in the car. Very nice folks, difficult parking but they moved vehicles so we could park as we just parked in the middle of the street.

daveyjoans - 9-25-2011 at 05:06 PM

Thanks for the replies. they keep making this more difficult, but its still worth it.

Marc - 9-26-2011 at 06:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by daveyjoans
Thanks for the replies. they keep making this more difficult, but its still worth it.


I am crossing the border at Lukeville next week. While I am doing the entry paperwork near Sonoyta I will try to have them explain the process for exiting in Baja.

kiterkip - 9-26-2011 at 12:53 PM

Marc, Please post as many details about your Sonoyta car permit crossing as you can. I will be there at the crack of dawn 12/18. I drove right past the office and needed to back-track 17KM when I tried to leave last May.
Thank You,
Kip

DianaT - 9-26-2011 at 04:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kiterkip
Marc, Please post as many details about your Sonoyta car permit crossing as you can. I will be there at the crack of dawn 12/18. I drove right past the office and needed to back-track 17KM when I tried to leave last May.
Thank You,
Kip


Please, do post as things probably have changed in the last 5 years.

Also, in the past since the California registration showed the owner as the lien holder, we had to have a permission letter from the bank---they would only give it for 30 days, so we paid off the vehicle. We would like to know if that is still the case.

Enjoy your trips!

Marc - 9-26-2011 at 05:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by kiterkip
Marc, Please post as many details about your Sonoyta car permit crossing as you can. I will be there at the crack of dawn 12/18. I drove right past the office and needed to back-track 17KM when I tried to leave last May.
Thank You,
Kip


Please, do post as things probably have changed in the last 5 years.


Also, in the past since the California registration showed the owner as the lien holder, we had to have a permission letter from the bank---they would only give it for 30 days, so we paid off the vehicle. We would like to know if that is still the case.

Enjoy your trips!



I'll post the latest when I return mid October.

About lien holder permission; the last three trips in three years they were not interested in that document. I have it with me anyway.

[Edited on 9-27-2011 by Marc]

DianaT - 9-26-2011 at 05:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marc



I'll post the latest when I return mid October.

About lien holder permission; the last three trips in three years they were not interested in that document. I've have it anyway.


If you do not mind saying, who is your lien holder? Sounds like you did not have a problem with them?

Marc - 9-27-2011 at 06:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by Marc



I'll post the latest when I return mid October.

About lien holder permission; the last three trips in three years they were not interested in that document. I've have it anyway.


If you do not mind saying, who is your lien holder? Sounds like you did not have a problem with them?


Mexican officials were not interested in the lien holder document. But I would suggest to always have one. Toyota Financial has always been good about providing the the paper.

[Edited on 9-27-2011 by Marc]

[Edited on 9-27-2011 by Marc]