BajaNomad

Returning a free FMM at Mexicali East

John M - 11-20-2017 at 06:26 PM

With the tighter rules about returning a free FMM sometimes enforced, we decided to do that this past Saturday at Mexicali East. We had gotten the free 7 day FMM at the San Ysidro port of entry.

We chose Mexicali East because it's relatively less crowded than the Mexicali West exit.

It was EASY. Took less than five minutes. I've attached a map. Pretty self-explanatory I think.

John M

David K - 11-20-2017 at 07:11 PM

Thank John. Looking forward to the trip report!!!

Trip report

John M - 11-20-2017 at 07:46 PM

Went to watch the 1000 with my daughter. Had fun.

John

Paco Facullo - 11-20-2017 at 07:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John M  
Went to watch the 1000 with my daughter. Had fun.

John


Hey,

Simply one of the best trip reports ever !
.
.

woody with a view - 11-20-2017 at 08:06 PM

Fotos or it didn’t happen!

bkbend - 11-20-2017 at 10:29 PM

That's at the stop sign, correct? I thought it was just an inelegant U-turn to the southbound lanes.

Returning FMM

John M - 11-21-2017 at 06:35 AM

Yes, it is at a stop sign.

It is also at this stop sign that US Customs and Border Protection says it's the place for drivers in the SENTRI line to drop off non-SENTRI passengers to walk across the border though many wait until much closer to the inspection booths.

David K - 11-21-2017 at 07:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John M  
Went to watch the 1000 with my daughter. Had fun.

John


Oh, you think you can get by with just that??? LOL :lol::lol::lol:
Thank you!

Stay on topic

John M - 11-21-2017 at 07:31 AM

This is about the FMM return process

David K - 11-21-2017 at 07:36 AM

OK boss...
So, what would you do if there was a mile or more long line of cars? I have used Mexicali East a couple times, and it was never short. Do you think it isn't a problem to merge back into the northbound lane? If it is a 4-way stop, would that be honored with a gap for you to get into?

woody with a view - 11-21-2017 at 07:49 AM

Throw it away.

rts551 - 11-21-2017 at 08:44 AM

Thank you for the excellent report. I thought it might put an end to its impossible to return...but I guess not.

cutting in line

John M - 11-21-2017 at 08:52 AM

At the stop sign where you'd turn left to go over to the Mexican office there was a fellow there that held up northbound cars in both the Fast Pass & SENTRI lanes. A few cars behind us were impatient and began honking their horns but the guy eased us across with only a minute or so delay. So, you are not on your own to make the left across other lanes and not reliant on the courtesy of other drivers to accommodate you.

Returning to get in line there was no issue as traffic wasn't backed up that far at that time.

This stop sign is actually pretty far from where traffic normally backs up. Maybe we got lucky but this fellow was on the ball.

My daughter & her husband went through this same routine two months ago with the same minimal delay.

John M

[Edited on 11-21-2017 by John M]

David K - 11-21-2017 at 08:54 AM

Not impossible, I described the return process at Tecate in detail a year or so ago. It is Tijuana and Mexicali downtown that would border on impossible or unrealistic (for the driver).

A reminder, that this return deal applies only to the FREE 7 day or less FMM. The Pay 180-day FMM (for land travelers) does not require returning.

sancho - 11-21-2017 at 12:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
It is Tijuana and Mexicali downtown that would border on impossible or unrealistic (for the driver).










I usually cross into Mexicali Downtown, last 3 yrs. they are adament
about returning the 7 day fmm, had a Imm guy stand in front
of the Imm office, telling me to come no., drive in the sentri
lane (I believe) to his office to return it. Looked like a cluster,
I get in the lanes going into Calexico, let the wife drive and
walk the 5 blks. to the office. TJ is another story. But I've
yet to see, here or any other place, any report of Imm
penalizing, hassling one who did not return a 7 day fmm,
I don't believe it happens, but they ask at Mexicali West
so I comply

David K - 11-21-2017 at 12:54 PM

Exactly why paying for a 6 month FMM is so worth it... 500 pesos... 30 bucks, and no fuss coming north, plus use it again before the 180 days expires.

DawnPatrol - 11-21-2017 at 06:19 PM

years ago I posted on BloodyDecks the address to MAIL the FMM in. Do not know if its any good any longer. But I did mail them and they never have got them back
of course that doesnt prove anything

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE MIGRACION
PUENTE PUERTA S/N
COLONIA FEDERAL
TIJUANA, B.C. MEXICO C.P. 22310

PHONE # FROM U.S. 011-52-664-682-9862
FROM MEXICO 01-664-682-9862
FROM TIJUANA 682-9862

[Edited on 11-22-2017 by DawnPatrol]

David K - 11-21-2017 at 07:27 PM

That was in the days of the FM-T (and no free 7-day FMM). Discover Baja provided that address. Ferna de Tijuana (DEP) said the building where that address was torn down when the new border crossing was constructed.

DawnPatrol - 11-22-2017 at 10:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
That was in the days of the FM-T (and no free 7-day FMM). Discover Baja provided that address. Ferna de Tijuana (DEP) said the building where that address was torn down when the new border crossing was constructed.


oops! wish we had the NEW address David!

Mexitron - 11-22-2017 at 10:54 AM

What is the point of returning the 7-day and not the 180-day FMM?

Mexitron - 11-22-2017 at 10:57 AM

And how can all the cars stop at the border to hand them in without creating a bottleneck? As I read it, all cars, even short one day trips need the 7-day now. That's a lot of folks.

David K - 11-22-2017 at 11:03 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
What is the point of returning the 7-day and not the 180-day FMM?


Because it's free... they must want to discourage people from avoiding the 500 peso fee/tax by making sure they see that you are back by Day 7! Your passport is stamped. If you pay(180-day FMM) then they don't care to see you again.
***If you don't turn the free one back in, they can get you next time you apply for an FMM!***

David K - 11-22-2017 at 11:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by DawnPatrol  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
That was in the days of the FM-T (and no free 7-day FMM). Discover Baja provided that address. Ferna de Tijuana (DEP) said the building where that address was torn down when the new border crossing was constructed.


oops! wish we had the NEW address David!


Well, you spend more than 7 days in Baja over a 6 month period, yes? The 180-day FMM does NOT need to be returned. I think the 500 pesos ($28=30) is well worth avoiding the hassle of returning the free ones... unless you only go 1-2 times a year for 7 days or less.

sancho - 11-22-2017 at 11:50 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
What is the point of returning the 7-day and not the 180-day FMM?










With you on that, turning in the 7 day supposedly shows you
left Mex, shows you haven't over stayed. I see no difference
in the 180, just an allowed # of days, one could over stay
with a 180 as well as a 7, absurd. Has anyone had Mex Imm levy a fine or penalty on them or know of such an incident? I have
yet to experience, nor have read ANY report of a tourist being
penalized for failure to turn in an fmm, if that were the case,
there would be dozens of reports here and elsewhere

rts551 - 11-22-2017 at 11:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by sancho  
Quote: Originally posted by Mexitron  
What is the point of returning the 7-day and not the 180-day FMM?


Years ago, before the free 7 day pass and the 180 day pass said return it, it was explained to me by INM that they would like to track people coming and going...They just did not have the mechanism to do it in the free zone (unlike the mainland). Maybe the tracking of the 7 day pass is a sign of things to come?









With you on that, turning in the 7 day supposedly shows you
left Mex, shows you haven't over stayed. I see no difference
in the 180, just an allowed # of days, one could over stay
with a 180 as well as a 7, absurd. Has anyone had Mex Imm levy a fine or penalty on them or know of such an incident? I have
yet to experience, nor have read ANY report of a tourist being
penalized for failure to turn in an fmm, if that were the case,
there would be dozens of reports here and elsewhere

geoffff - 11-22-2017 at 03:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
A reminder, that this return deal applies only to the FREE 7 day or less FMM. The Pay 180-day FMM (for land travelers) does not require returning.


Ack! I didn't know that. I guess I went through that rigmarole for no no reason during my last trip - I returned my paid-for FMM. Except waited in that car line twice. I didn't know I could turn left and squeeze back into the line, so I turned right, exited, waited in line all over again, and swore I'd not do it again.

-- Geoff

bajaguy - 11-22-2017 at 03:42 PM

INM needs to hire the Churro guy to collect the FMM's

Paco Facullo - 11-22-2017 at 04:07 PM

I have NEVER returned squat ...

Years ado when they started the 7 day free fmm I tried to return it and asked . They said there wasn't anyone to collect them, don't worry so I never did. But things do change.

Now I always get the 180 day FMM and never return them either. Just get a new one once the old one expires.