Crossing into Mexico on a Sunday in Nogales AZ
 

I am planning to cross from Nogales, AZ into Mexico on a Sunday morning on my way to Creel, Copper Canyon.
My question is: Can I complete all the crossing process the evening before? I want to complete the Tourist card business and the temporary importation permit via the Banjercito Bank by crossing the day before (Saturday evening) then return to the US side to meet up with my group then we all cross again the next day (Sunday)?. I want to do this to avoid wasting time on Sunday morning.

If this is not possible, then, does anyone know at what time do the Mexican immigration, importation & banjercito bank offices open on Sunday mornings in Nogales, Mexico?

I am afraid that if the Bank is not open Saturday late evenings or Sunday early mornings, the it would be a showstopper.

Any tips or suggestions would be most helpful.

Thanks,

A.T.

OK I can answer this all by myself.

FYI FWIW:
Crossing the border.


I called the Mexican Authorities directly (Secretaria de Funciones Publicas, SACTEL USA: 1 800 475 2393) and they assured me that all the vehicle importation paperwork can be done at any time, day or night, at Nogales, Mx. The Banjercito bank window is open 24/7. (This is true of any 24hr border crossing town)

They recommended that we fill out then print out this form online to get things done even faster at the window:

https://www.banjercito.com.mx/iitv/iitv.php

Supposedly by carrying a receipt copy of this completed and numbered form, you will save yourself (and them) a lot of time from having to reenter (and possibly make mistakes) of your vehicle importation data.

Also, it is cheaper to pay the importation fee at the border ($27) than at any local Mexican consulate ($35.20).

I recently did a trip through Mexico. I entered at Larado, Texas and ran down the east coast and up and over the continent to the west coast at Ixtapa then up the west coast and back up and over the mountains through Durango to Larado, Texas. Nine days and 3,000 miles later and I turned my notes and photos into a book. La Ropa Sucia is available at www.amazon.com

I'd like to visit the cooper canyon next, what was your experience?

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 04 April 2006).]

I had a great time. I went for the HU meeting in Creel. You definitely need a dual purpose mc to fully appreciate the beauty of the Copper Canyon area. It's huge. The main roads in and out of the area are paved, (2-lane with lots of curves, but most internal roads are dirt. There is a real spiderweb of dirt roads and the Maps are all mostly wrong.
If you go, your would be wise to consult here at this forum for more info.