Mexico Importation Rules

Posted By: Tom Reubens
Date: 10/29/07 3:29p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Boat permits - read me (Tom Reubens)

I thought I'd clarify my last post and state the facts as I know them as of 12/06: When importing a boat over 16' you need a 10 year importation permit. You may obtain one at kilometer 21 Mexican Immigration (Migra) on Mexican Highway 15 South. It's a toll road and the best one for towing anything over. The boat permit cost was $52 U.S.D. as of 12/06 subject to currency flux and the whims of the powers that be. It also covers your tow vehicle only in Sonora. You will need the following: Copies of your tow vehicle registration, trailer registration, boat registration, and passport declaration page, (The one with your photo on it), and your outboard motor serial number. If you have a dingy motor that info as well. Watch your dingy and lock motor to the dingy/boat, and dingy to the dock every time you leave it. Thieves don't want your dingy, rather your motor. The boat itself will be fine in the marina, but make sure the motor is locked to the boat. I bring copies of my titles also, but haven't needed them so far. All parties on the paperwork must be present or you will not get in the country. Though you most likely won't be asked for your papers after you obtain them until you launch at a marina, you can't launch without papers, and Mexican boat insurance. You will be asked to fill out a paper at K-21, Banjercito declaring equipment onboard. They are pre printed with what they need as far as equipment listed. They ask if you have a C.B. radio, but not a VHF! Make two copies of everything, three to be safe and so you have copies also. You can get copies made at K-21, but the wait can be long, and you have to stand in line at another building, $1.00 per page. You get your tourist visa @ Migra, at the same stop, but a different building behind Migra you get your car/boat permits. It's at Banjercito. You will need Mexican vehicle insurance, no matter WHAT your U.S. insurer says. Don Smith at Mexico Auto Insurance Exit 4, 475 W. Mariposa Rd Nogales AZ. 85621 520-281-2268 or 1-800-258-2268. It's convenient and the exit to take if you don't want to drive all the way through the city of Nogales MX. Exit 4, to AZ.189 known as the Mariposa truck crossing on U.S. Interstate 19 South will dump you directly onto MX 15 Sur (south). After exiting 19 south turn left and under the under pass and insurance is on the right with a Safeway to stock up at. Don't forget to gas up there also, higher octane than Mexican regular gas. If you turn right the border is only 5 min away. If you don't get Mexican vehicle insurance and have an accident have fun in a Mexican Jail. You WILL go there unless you bribe the cop on the spot. If your vehicle is drivable and you think you can make the border go for it. If you get caught bribe the cop. If you make it good for you. I buy enough insurance to get to my destination and to launch, then store my tow vehicle. When I leave I buy enough to get out of country. Remember you can't launch at a Mexican marina without Mexican boat insurance. You can't get it at the border and won't need it until you launch. You can get it before you leave but I never have. Your Mexican car insurance will cover the boat when towing. Tell the issuer that your towing a boat. Six months of $20,000 basic liability boat insurance is the least you can buy. No daily rates like for cars. I use Hambone Agency, P.O. Box 300 San Carlos, Sonora, MX. 01(622) 226-02-74 Yolanda Armenta Acosta is the issuing agent for General de Seguos, S. A. in Hermosillo, Sonora @ 289-29-00 or 289-29-05. Country code 52 and I think area code 622. You best speak excellent Spanish if you call them directly. Hambone is at the east end of town on the right side access road, next to the post office. and across from XOXO. Kitty corner from Rosa's Cantina when you enter town. U.S.D. $126 for $30,000 basic liability for my C-22. Call Wendy Ochoa Santos @ Marina San Carlos 52-622-226-12-30 or 52-622-226-12-02 fax 622-226-05-65 www.sancarlosmarina.com She's THE woman to know. A great help, a friendly person. She can set you up with all your boating needs once you get to S.C. If you are going further into Mexico by car/truck you will need an all of Mexico permit. It's only available at Migra @ K-21 as of 12/06. When you get to Empalme, just beyond Guaymas, Sonora you WILL need it. if you don't have it turn around and go back to K-21. If your sailing down south of Sonora or to Baja, talk to Wendy at S.C. marina. She can set you up with the current, proper papers for your destination. If you have to tow your boat back from south of Sonora you will have to go to Migra @ K-21 and get a car/truck permit if you don't have one. Another word about S.C. Marina, it's a world class marina. The best on the mainland side of the Gulf of California, the Mexicans don't call it the Sea of Cortez. They aren't very fond of that brutal, conquistador. Mexicans are very gracious on the whole, and respect given, gets respect in return. I feel safer in an average Mexican town than any like size town in the U. S. There are exceptions. Oh yeah, bring a good Spanish/English dictionary if your Spanish isn't very good. The people at Migra, and Marina S. C. speak English very well. Buena suerte y buena navegación! Tom treubens@gmail.com - if you have questions not answered here.