BajaNomad

Experience with return of TIP @ Mexicali

bajamary1952 - 1-31-2018 at 09:45 AM

I entered the mainland of Mexico last October and traveled for 3 months before going to San Felipe so got my TIP at Piedras Negras at the Texas border. I left San Felipe and returned to the original Mexicali garita & was told I had to go to the Nueva Mexicali garita to the east to turn in my TIP. I had no problem with returning the permit & received my deposit on the 5th day. So just to let everyone know you have to go to the 2nd garita to get/return TIP if continuing on the mainland or returning at Mexicali. That day CBP was sending (it seemed) every 3 car to secondary inspection so don't know if that is normal at that border.

AKgringo - 1-31-2018 at 10:17 AM

Thank you very much for posting the details. I have wanted to do a loop similar to yours, and now I know where to go!

Pacifico - 2-2-2018 at 12:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajamary1952  
I entered the mainland of Mexico last October and traveled for 3 months before going to San Felipe so got my TIP at Piedras Negras at the Texas border. I left San Felipe and returned to the original Mexicali garita & was told I had to go to the Nueva Mexicali garita to the east to turn in my TIP. I had no problem with returning the permit & received my deposit on the 5th day. So just to let everyone know you have to go to the 2nd garita to get/return TIP if continuing on the mainland or returning at Mexicali. That day CBP was sending (it seemed) every 3 car to secondary inspection so don't know if that is normal at that border.


Thanks for the info, but where exactly did you turn in your TIP at Mexicali East? Did you start north in the line and then turn left to get to Mexican Customs?

Returning papers Mexicali East Crossing

John M - 2-2-2018 at 05:24 AM

I posted this earlier about returning a free 7-day FMM - probably the same

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=88280#pid1101...

John M

bajagrouper - 2-2-2018 at 09:34 AM

I need some clarification, I need to return my TIP in Mexicali also, is the 2nd garita by the border crossing from US highway 111 or the crossing from US highway 7...That is the one on Google Maps shows a Banjercito Office and large customs and Immigration buildings...Which I believe is called the East crossing......

[Edited on 2-2-2018 by bajagrouper]

David K - 2-2-2018 at 09:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajagrouper  
I need some clarification, I need to return my TIP in Mexicali also, is the 2nd garita by the border crossing from US highway 111 or the crossing from US highway 7...That is the one on Google Maps shows a Banjercito Office and large customs and Immigration buildings...Which I believe is called the East crossing......

[Edited on 2-2-2018 by bajagrouper]


If it helps: The original (or first or west) border between Calexico and Mexicali, at the south end of Hwy. 111 is Mexicali I. The newer border (garita) is Mexicali East or Mexicali II, at the south end of Hwy. 7. The city of Calexico does not reach that far east, either.

bajagrouper - 2-2-2018 at 10:54 AM

Thanks for the clarification, I am just turning in the TIP there then visiting friends at a Valle de Guadalupe winery...I am driving up from La Paz on the 15th of Feb. Love to meet any Nomads, I am in a Light green Subaru Outback with California Whale license plate SU BAJA...Thanks again...Bajagrouper / Rick

JZ - 2-2-2018 at 11:09 AM

I just returned a tip yesterday at Otay Mesa. Took about 15 mins and would have been faster if I had used a CC instead of cash.

Border crossing was less than 30mins at about 3pm.

unbob - 3-23-2018 at 09:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajagrouper  
I am just turning in the TIP there ...Bajagrouper / Rick
Just a follow-up - did you successfully return your TIP and receive your refund? And just to confirm what was said earlier in this thread, did you go to the east location (hwy 7 crossing)? Much appreciate any comments or details - I'm planning to return my TIP there also. Thx, Rob

wiltonh - 3-27-2018 at 07:41 PM

I returned my TIP at the East Crossing on Saturday the 24th of March. We missed finding the bank the first time and had to cross back into Mexico. There is construction going on, North of the entrance which messes things up. There are police directing traffic at the construction.

To turn in your TIP you do not need to wait through the line. You drive by the line to the policeman and they will direct you into the South bound traffic lanes. The far right lane goes North and it ends in orange barriers. You stop at the barriers and a guy with a clip board will motion you across the South bound lanes into a parking lot. He takes some data about your vehicle and then opens the cones so you can enter the parking lot. The bank is at the far end.

If you ask the bank guys, they have a way to get you into the line with out waiting. They take your drivers license and tell you that you will get it back when you are in the North bound lane. They take you back out of the parking lot the way you came in but across the South bound lanes and into the first North bound lane. At that point they give you your license back and you are good to go.

There are no signs or any way of knowing what is going on. My wife speaks good Spanish and we talked to 3 or 4 people before we got it all figured out.

We also entered the address for the bank into Google Maps but it takes you to the back of the bank on another road and there is no way to get across to the front side due to a large wall.



[Edited on 3-28-2018 by wiltonh]

Bruce R Leech - 3-27-2018 at 09:15 PM

how much is the deposit?

wiltonh - 3-27-2018 at 09:26 PM

It depends on the age of your motor home. The minimum is $200 but if you have a newer one it will be $400 or $600.

Bajabound has a good article on their site which lists all the banks in the US where you could turn in your TIP. If you live close to one or would be traveling near one, that might be your best choice.

Here is a link: https://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/vehicle.php