I am traveling to Baja in October for the first time in a couple of years, and have a few questions. I have seen most of these asked/answered in the
past, but rules in Mexico seem to change over time.
1) Are gas stations taking credit cards now?
2) Is a tourist permit required to visit Gonzaga Bay for 1 week?
3) Is a fishing license required if you are not taking fish back? If so, where can I get one?
4) Is a boat permit required for a 15 ft aluminum with a 25 hp outboard? If so, where can I get one?
5) How much beer/liqour can you bring into Mexico, and how much can you bring back?
Thanks in advance!shari - 8-23-2015 at 07:28 AM
I would say get your tourist card just to be safe....your boat doesnt need a permit.
Most gas stations take cards....but I'm not sure if they all take USA credit cards. We pay with our Mexican credit & debit card and also take
advantage of that to get extra cash out too.
Here is a link for your fishing license which you will need...anyone fishing from a boat whether you get fish or not...get it for a week. http://www.bajasursportfishing.com/#license
not exactly sure about the booze limits....have fun!TMW - 8-23-2015 at 08:52 AM
I don't know what the alcohol limits really are but I was told at the Tecate border that a six pack of beer was the limit. So what ever you have just
don't admit to more. Any hard liquor should be out of sight.
I usually get plenty of pesos for gas etc. But have used credit cards on occasion. Bajazly - 8-23-2015 at 09:10 AM
Does this license cover all of Baja or just Baja Sur? It wasn't clear on their site.
Also on the boat permit thing. We went down in May and crossed at Mexicali about midnight hence they weren't too busy. I had a 12' zodiac packed up
and on the roof rack along with my 15 hp motor. The guy told me I would have to go to the other crossing Monday morning to do the paperwork for the
motor as they were closed at that time of night. He offered to let me turn around and go back to the US to store the motor then come back thru to
continue my trip. I told him it was for my boat right up there and I couldn't use the boat without the motor. My thought is because he didn't see a
boat he figured I was taking the motor down to sell it and they were not going to get their cut. Well, I kept talking, he went and talked to some
other officials and after about 30 minutes I was in the office filling out a form which I had to return to that office upon my exit of Baja to prove I
had the motor still in my possession. When we left we went to the other crossing in Mexicali where my buddy had to clear their vehicle and get their
deposit back from when they took the ferry from La Paz back in November. I talked to the officer on duty there, gave him the paperwork, showed him the
serial number on the motor and off we went. They never wanted any money just the official paperwork which I imagine got filed in the round file as
soon as we left the office. Cant imagine it was put into any database for future reference but who knows.
While in the office I picked up a pamphlet about how to get the temporary vessel permit. I have not done this yet and the site is a little English
challenged it seems but this is where you get the permit apparently, for $51 Us and it is good for 10 years. It is mailed to you at your address they
say within 7 days.
Not POSITIVE that one sixer is the limit, but my last trip thru TKT, I was scrutinized carefully for booze coming in as well as leaving. Keep it
simple, support the local merchant economy and buy liquor down there. The beer choices have dwindled thru the years, but if you are a tequila buff,
experement! Many brands that are smoother than you may imagine!David K - 8-23-2015 at 10:59 AM
The limit for California residents in a passenger vehicle is 1 qt. of booze (3 cans of beer) per 21 year old person.sancho - 8-23-2015 at 10:59 AM
I've crossed at the West Mexicali crossing and got the free 6 nt,
7 day tourist card, otherwise $24 dlls for 180 days,
fishing license good for all Mex, as
posted, is needed for fishing from a boat, not needed for
shorefishing. You can get licenses near the border
in the US at
tackle stores, San Diego has some, you didn't say where you're
crossing
[Edited on 8-23-2015 by sancho]basautter - 8-23-2015 at 11:29 AM
Thanks everyone for the input! My takeaway - Fishing license needed, tourist permit needed, no boat permit, maybe on the credit card, 6 pack max.
Lee - 8-23-2015 at 11:32 AM
Permit for fishing from a boat: everyone in the boat needs a permit. 2 people in the boat, 2 permits.shari - 8-23-2015 at 12:08 PM
the fishing license should be good anywhere in Mexicowilderone - 8-23-2015 at 05:09 PM
Passengers 18 years old and older can bring into Mexico, up to 3 liters of alcoholic beverages AND up to six liters of wine without paying taxes or
duties. One litre (33.2 oz) of alcohol beverage per person over 21 into the USA.Martyman - 8-24-2015 at 03:53 PM
I'm going to have to say that you do need a boat permit (sorry Shari). I checked it out and I was required to get a 10 year TIP (boat permit) for my
16 ft boat.
Of course fishing licenses are required.
I could be wrong...but it would be the first time ever!! Bob53 - 8-24-2015 at 04:06 PM
The temporary boat importation laws have changed for Baja and now every boat over 4.5 meters (15 feet) that will be going down to Baja needs to have a
temporary boat import permit. Inflatable boats that can collapse and fit into a bag, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, wave runners, etc. are the only boats
that are exempt from this law. StuckSucks - 8-24-2015 at 04:26 PM
On your way to Gonzaga, you'll pass the Puertecitos Pemex station - it may or may not be open.
The temporary boat importation laws have changed for Baja and now every boat over 4.5 meters (15 feet) that will be going down to Baja needs to have a
temporary boat import permit.
4.5 meters is 14.76 feet, or a little bit over 14 feet 9 inches.
I know, picky, picky, picky.
But using a metric tape measure, a 15 foot boat will measure more than 4.5 meters.
[Edited on 8-25-2015 by SFandH]basautter - 8-24-2015 at 06:47 PM
I rounded up! My boat is 14.5 ft long. I will bring a measuring tape. Thanks again! SFandH - 8-24-2015 at 07:01 PM
You're in! My boat is the same as yours.David K - 8-24-2015 at 07:03 PM
The Puertecitos station is not along the highway so you need to take the paved side road at km 74+ and go a mile.basautter - 8-24-2015 at 07:08 PM
Are you close by, David K?? I would like to take you fishing for a day to gain from your wealth of Baja knowledge! shari - 8-24-2015 at 07:15 PM
so Martyman.....was this a first??? har har harbajaguy - 8-24-2015 at 07:31 PM
One litre (33.2 oz) of alcohol beverage per person over 21 into the USA.
Not necessarily correct
The one liter is a California Alcoholic Beverage Control regulation.......
This is what CBP has to say:
Please be aware that State ABC laws govern how much alcohol a person may import into their state without a license and those laws are enforced by CBP.
You must check with the state ABC board where your shipment will enter the country to determine their limits.
There is no federal limit on the amount of alcohol someone may import into the U.S. for personal use, however, large quantities might raise the
suspicion that the importation is for commercial purposes, and a CBP Officer could require you to obtain an Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
(TTB) import license before releasing it.
