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Going to Mexico. Do I need temp. import?
I'm going to ride to Mexico next month and I was wondering if I do need the Temporary Import documentation to go to Creel and surrounding.
My plan is to start from Tijuana, Baja California, to La Paz, cross by ferry, go to Creel and back thrught Nogales, Arizona. If I need the Temporary Import documentation, how do I do it? Thank you |
In theory, yes, you will need a temp import doc (although maybe not if you're from the USA?). You will get it at the border though I came in from Guatemala via a bizzare river crossing at Bethel and never managed to get a temp import for my bike as there was no Aduana there. I even tried for one at Palenque and the guys at the Immigration office there just weren't interested and said it wasn't necessary (even though it is apparently).
I was asked for it once while i was arguing with a Mexican cop about riding through the same stop sign twice but I somehow managed to change the subject! |
You need a temorary import permit if you plan on going beyond the frontier, which you will if your going to Creel. That being said it's hard to say what will happen if you don't. Sounds like MikeS got a little lucky IMHO. I've been checked numerous times in Mexico for the permit. Usually the police just see the sticker on your windshield and let you go. I think things could get kinda tricky if you put an ace in a Federally's pocket. I know they check your permit at the frontier after entering from Nogales, and also at AguaCaliente if entering from Douglass.
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so looks like it's a good idea to have one.
Now, I will be entering from Tijuana, very early in the morning (I had planned to enter around 5:30AM). Is the place to get this permit open at this time? Do you know that? Thank you again. |
imporacion temporal
Yes , definitely need to get the temp..import permit. The Tijuana border crossing is open 24/7 and I assume the folks of Banjercito are there all the time - - but assumptions can be wrong, perhaps they do not work all night as their services won't be needed by 99 % of the night traffic who just cross the border back and forth.Also the TJ office is a bit of a maze to find for the first timer like you.
I suggest that since you want to start early in the morning then why not start a day "early" by going to the TECATE border crossing which is open from 6 am to midnight. Tecate is never very busy and it will be extremely easy for you to find the Migracion and Banjercito offices . They are smack dab immediately at the border barricades as you enter Mexico. You will need a major credit card to pay for the vehicle import permit. No such card means you will have to pay a cash bond of up to $400US, depending on age of vehicle.The Cash bond wil be refunded promptly when you cancel your permit when you check out of Mexico. You can get your Mexico insurance set up before you leave home, or buy it on the US side at Tecate at the c-store/gas station. If you ride to Tecate in the evening you can if you wish do the paperwork first and take a room in Hotel Paradiso for the night ( Good with secure parking) or go to the migracion office first thing in the morning . That way you will be assured of an early, easy start and avoid getting up way too early to hit the border at 6 and the traffic of TJ as you head down to Ensenada on Mex 3. Enjoy the trip |
Hello Sjoerd,
I will consider that too. I really cannot leave a day early, but I may arrange to leave work one our early and that will put me at Tecate around 6:30PM. This hotel, Hotel Paradiso, I try google it, but could not find any neither on US nor on Mexico side. What side is it? Do you have a phone number by any chance? Then on the insurance, I check the Internet and I found a vendor that is willing to give me the insurance for the full Mexico, for 10 days, for U$150. Do you remember how much did you pay at the c-store/gas station? This is the web address for the one I found: Baja Bound Mexican Auto Insurance - Travel Safe in Mexico! Thank you for the info. Elton |
check it out. Adventure Mexican Insurance Services - Online Mexico Insurance
for bike permit; Importación Temporal de Vehículos click on the flashing "AQUI" and follow instructions. |
Tecate
Th c-store is about the only commercial development on the US side other than several trucking terminals , all the city stuff is in Mexico. This is not a problem . Once you have insurance you can just ride into Mexico ,the customs people will rarley stop you, very amable , it is still a very friendly crossing when going INTO Mexico, a lot of local to and fro traffic. Go straight south a few blocks till you get to the main street Benito Juarez at the plaza then turn west and go about five blocks . Hotel Paraiso ( sorry ,my error, no "d" in there) will be visible to your right - big name written on the upper wall- front entry is just around the corner on Alberto Aldrete. All rooms are second floor, parking below, nice place , can walk down to the plaza , lots of restaurants around , also McDonalds south of the plaza, and BK and Pollo Feliz farther west on B.Juarez.
That Hotel Paraiso didn't show up on a search is no surprise due to my spelling error .It is a normal low budget hotel (was $18 single in '03) of which there are many all over Mexico.I got lots of'em. .All businesses in Tecate and other border towns will accept US dollars and often post prices in same and have cash registers set up to handle both. They do however round up prices a bit to their advantage, and it makes sense to pay in pesos. For this you can go to any of the cash machines in Mexico with your home bank card and get the needed supply. There is a bank with such a machine( cajero automatico) on the corner right beside Hotel Paraiso. H.Paraiso is not the only hotel in town, I just like it and have stayed there multiple times.For the heck of it I just searched for it by name under Hotel Paraiso ,Tecate ,BCN,Mexico and got a bunch of sites , picked one which showed it had H.P. and it also listed all the others for Tecate, who'd a-thunk it ! The $150 quote for ten days is a bit steep ( liability only for bikes) . Three years ago I paid less at the c-store and elswhere this year too, like $115 for a month from Sanborns, but of course rates can change. Yesterday I spoke of made assumptions- and I was assuming that you were aware of the fact that it would be best for you if you carried your passport ( to get you back into the USA!) as ID as well as your current drivers license, had the bike registration and ownership current and in your own name, same as passport and credit card . Also assumed you know that fees for import permit and tourist tax are non-refundable, but if a bond is posted that it will be refunded upon clearing bike out of Mexico. Enjoy the trip! |
Excellent information. Thank you for posting it here.
I got the hotel directions and I used the link to pay for the temp import. I should receive it in few more days and I will post here for other to know how it works. Any additional info still welcome :) |
Going to Mexico
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Erik erik.wallbank@gmail.com |
If you take the ferry from La Paz, by all means get a cabin. It's expensive but you will get a good nights sleep and a shower as opposed to sitting up all night in a hot lounge full of crying kids. I was glad I did. My information may be a little dated, check it out.
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Baja customs
Alert for Erik : There is NO customs check at the BCN/BCS stateline at Guerrero Negro , hasn't been for decades, perhaps an occasional police or army checkpoint. Get the paperwork done and out of the way when you enter Mexico from USA . If absolutely necessary you can get the import permit at the ferry terminal customs in Pichilingue, but why procrastinate if you know you are going to cross?
As for getting a cabin, it depends on how much luxury and comfort you absolutely demand and the weather conditions. If you are sailing in mild dry weather there is no rule against taking your sleeping bag and finding a nice quiet corner on deck and snoozing away the remainder of the night after you do the wander around the ship, socializing etc.On some sailings you can even take a shower in the public accessible wash rooms without having a cabin as long as you bring your towel and soap. And so what if you have to go a night without a shower. Do take your bag etc. off the bike when you park it because you cannot go back to the cargo bay en route. I found this way of sleeping very satisfactory and it beats spending 50 bucks or more extra just to use a bed for 3 or 4 hours. |
You can always sleep out on the deck, just have your roll mat handy. They didn't turn the lights off all night in the lounge and people step on you all the time when you're lying on the floor. I found those eye patch things you get on planes and ear plugs came in very handy! The ferry from Los Mochis to La Paz is slightly shorter too.
ps- Theres a mad dirt road all the way from Chiox (nr Los Mochis to Divisadero nr Creel, will take about 8-10 hours (I left Divisadero at 11am-ish and got to Choix just before dark). Quite hard going as the road surface is like plaster dust but its welll worth it. Quote:
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I understand that each one has it's one judgment on bad road, but can you tell a little more on this road? I was planning on go around: Los Mochis go north to Navojoa and Ciudade obregon, then NorthEast to Curea (hwy 16) then East to Yecora, Yepachic and San Juanito, then finally south to Creel. to avoid a very bad road ridding two up on a big GS, loaded, and some sort of not very experienced rider for dirty roads. (but I do have more then 100K miles on paved and one trip to Alaska where I got dirty with my 1200LT. So I'm assuming that will be easy with the GS). If you or other know both ways, can you compare the North loop with the direct access to Creel? I understand that from Yecora to San Juanito will be dirty too, but was told that maybe it will be better. Any pictures on the road from Choix to Creel? How manageable one can do that with 2 up? Thank you PS: should I re-post it on a different topic? |
[QUOTE=strsout;152882]
Any pictures on the road from Choix to Creel? How manageable one can do that with 2 up?QUOTE] Hows these for you? IMG_0137.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting IMG_0143.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting IMG_0155.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting IMG_0132.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting IMG_0127.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting I thought it was a really beautiful ride. I did find it pretty slippy though but as long as you take it easy, you'll be fine. I didn't have a detailed map, just an intermittantly working GPS that didn't have the tracks anyway but was useful to at least know I was heading in the right direction to Choix. Just ask lots of locals! I did originally think about going the tarmac route but while in Divisadero, a woman working on one of the stalls there assured me that there was a dirt road all the way to Choix- That was as much planning as I did and I was hardly going to pass that one up! |
Roads to Creel
Here's my input on the paved route to Creel if you are coming up from Los Mochis. This route is very good , all excellent pavement of Mex 15 to Cd. Obregon , then ditto pavement of Mex 12 to Mex 16 through Yecora and Yepachic to Basaseachic. At Basaseachic you can either stay on Mex 16 till the paved turnoff to Creel or you can take the gravel road shortcut to San Juanito where you will regain the pavement to Creel. This section of gravel road , about 85km, is excellently laid out , all water crossings are with bridges and should be no problem for two up on a laden GS.Otherwise it is all top class pavement and some great mountain curves on Mex 16 . Personally I would be loath to take such a heavy rig ( I have an 1100GS too) on any of the so called short cuts into the interior e.g from Choix , where you will get into some real rough stuff, deep dirt, deep water crossings depending on recent rain. Down to Batopilas is somwewhat rough but possible if you take your time with care- at least there are no deep water crossings.I detest water crossings ,especially since I am a non swimmer and do most of my travels alone, no risk taker on that aspect.
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One thing to remember: You must RETURN your temporary vehicle import sticker.
Upon returning to the boarder after a 10 hour ride I was on top of the bridge to cross the Rio Grande after sitting in line for a while in the heat and realized I forgot to visit the Banjercito and return my sticker. No one/sign reminds or asks you to do it, you have to remember yourself. I was so tired I decided to say f'it and do a quick boarder trip the following week. I needed to stock up on Hot Nuts anyway. If you don't return the sticker (THEY have to peal if off your windshield and you can't do it at the Consulate), you get charged $100-300 USD depending on the year of your bike. Also, if any of ya'll are going to cross in Texas, use the Colombia crossing that is just north of Nuevo Laredo/Laredo. There is never any traffic, the Banjercito is right next to customs, and there is pretty secure parking. |
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So can I expect a fine now the next time I am in MEX? Rasmus |
Planning trip to Mexico
I'm new to the HUBB, do I need specical insurance and other special paperwork for Mexico?
Road Dog |
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My understanding regarding fines is that the credit card that you used to "guarantee" you wouldn't sell the bike should be charged $300 after the permit is not checked back at the Banercito. I just met a person here in Houston who did not check out their bike from a permit from about 7 months ago and he hasn't seen any charges yet. Who knows how well the permits are _actually_ enforced. I'm still waiting to hear back from him to see what the Mexican Consulate says.:confused1: DAveg |
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1. Passport or Drivers License & Birth Certificate 2. Original title for your bike 3. Credit Card Photocopies of everything above otherwise you have to pay to make em at the boarder. Insurance isn't mandatory for motorcycles but is recommended as traffic accidents are criminal, see post #7 on this thread for Mexico Adventures insurance link. I tried to buy insurance for my bike in person at the boarder and couldn't find a single place to get it. If you want it, get it online in advance. The above 3 things will enable you to get your temporary import permit (see post #7 also for link). You can get it ahead of time or easily at the boarder. DaveG |
Import permit and insurance
Just curious Dave , at which border crossing town were you unable to find sellers of Mexico insurance ?
If the bike is not processesd out at Banjercito this will definitely be come obvious the next time you enter and try to bring in the same or another vehicle in your name. It is all registered on their computer file, can't get around it. They will not chase you down in the USA if you leave without cancelling but if you come back after its term has expired you are apt to be fined. |
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I saw insurance EVERYWHERE. Every single one that I stopped at said they did not write motorcycle policies, just cars/trucks. Basically, I drove from the colombia crossing (north of Nuevo Lardeo, best crossing ever) all the way to the NL boarder downtown and couldn't find it anywhere. It didn't help that my spanish skills weren't up to the task at the time. Tienes seguros por los motos? :biggrin: DaVeg |
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The answer is Yes. I'm planning my trip to further South and you will need a Motorcycle Liability insurance (at least) since your US insurance will not be valid/accept there and if you are going main land (not Baja only) you will need a Temporary Import that is what this thread is about. Read it from the beginning and you will find great info here as I found. :) When are you planning to go? |
Mexico Insurance
Dave , I think you have 'splained why you couldn't find insurance . The way you write it it sounds as if you were already IN Mexico when you started your search. Que Lastima!.
You should be buying it in the USA on the TEXAS side of the border, and I know for a fact you can get liability for motorcycles then. For sure if you are in Laredo and Eagle Pass if you go to the Sanborns Insurance reps at Bravo Insurance Agency. In Laredo easy to find ,right beside I35 as you drive in,2212 Santa Ursula, Exit 1B, in Eagle Pass visit Capitol Insurance Services at 1115 Main St., Also in McAllen at Sanborns Insurance their head office and at other crossings accross the USA and in several cities not actually on the border e.g Tucson.That is just one compny , there are others . |
How long until US requires passports to return to US?
"From the US:
1. Passport or Drivers License & Birth Certificate 2. Original title for your bike 3. Credit Card" Dave- I've heard that shortly, when returning from Mexico, the US will require a passport and not accept a DL & birth cert. Maybe that has already happened? John |
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DHS | Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative: The Basics Fun fun fun. :censored: daveg |
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Back on the insurance issue, you wrote "liability only for bikes". The web insurer I'm getting cote offer comprehensive under that $150 with $1000 deductible. So I'm a bit confuse: Mexico will not accept comprehensive or that was your choice? |
insurance
It is a matter of which insurance company you deal with and what you think is necessary.
Most of the time I deal through Sanborns Insurance and the companies they write policy for and they and many other writers too will ONLY offer liability insurance for motorcycles,NO comprehensive .Period. They feel it is too much of a risk . Some other insurance companies will write the comprehensive insurance on motorcycles ..... for a price. As your example from online source shows, you get the comprehensive cover, which seems nice , but there is a deductible of $1000 . Now stand still for a moment and think : any incident you have where you damage the bike , the first $1000 of repairs will come out of your pocket. What do you have to break to do more than $1000 of damage on a robust touring bike like your GS ? If you drop it you bend a bit here or there , break a turnsignal , but not likely $1000 worth. You pay. Next incident, same thing, you pay. The insurance company is counting on this and collects your premium, you are not likely to collect unless you write off the bike in a serious crash, in which case you have greater worries about your own health .That will be covered by your travel insurance policy from your own insurance provider which you should arrange before you leave home. Personally I have never bought such comprehensive insurance cover for my motorcycles, not for travel in Mexico , not for living in Canada .The money I have not paid for such insurance over the course of 41 years of motorcycling is in the thousands of $ and more than covers any potential damage any bike could suffer. It will easily pay for a brand new big touring bike.Therefor if a bike should burn to a crisp , get broken under a buldozer , or be stolen it will be an emotional loss, but nothing with which I or you could not deal. Normal mechanical failures are not insurable, you pay. Some times if a bike purchase is paid on installments it is a requirement from the finance company that you have such insurance ,but if the bike is totally yours you have to do the calculation and see if it is worth it for you. You can pay the $150 fee for the extra cover included or you can pay $73 at the border insurance agent and take the calculated risk as your own.Save $50 on this trip and every trip and you soon have the deductible. Do it everytime and over the years you save more than enough to pay for a new bike. And the bike you are riding is not new , so not worth as much so you can recover the cost much quicker. Drive defensively, alert , adhere to speed limits, do not drive at night, no racing ,bla,bla,bla... and it is very unlikely you will ever have an accident. Even if you do have an accident involving another vehicle and it is not your fault ...and the other party is insured then you can claim your damage repairs against the other person's insurance companyThis is certainly the case in Canada and the USA,I found out the painful way 6 years ago.My Honda XL600R was ruined 2km from home , their insurance paid for it, but I got off lucky with scrapes and bruises . |
WHAT !!??
You mean each border crossind (with insurance and temp.import permit) cost arond 150 $$$....??? so ....if I do pan america... to south america..both ways....crossing more than 10 contries, 2 times it will cost me 150*10*2 = 3000 $$ :( just for that ?? :funmeterno: FranK |
insurance
Not necessarily Frank, the $150 is for a short trip into Mexico but you can get policies from other insurers which will cover you for such liability for multiple countries and for longer periods .Though not cheap it will be less than buying such insurance at each border, Check out the various sources. The $150 does NOT cover the temp import permit which is a totally different department, nor the tourist tax.
And the $150 quoted to strsout is high for the reasons I pointed out in my preceeding post, can do it for less. |
Strsout,
Great thread and a lot of useful info. I'm curious about your ride down baja. I'm planning a trip from Houton to L.A. via Creel, Durango, Mazatlan, ferry, La Paz. Sadly, we're not planning on spending too much time in Baja. What kind of time can I expect to make if we don't mess around too much. We want to keep our day to around 400-500 miles. Can we do it in 3 days? 4 days? |
Insurance for Mexico
I buy insurance on the net at this site.
They sell regular insurance and motorcycle driver's license policies too, so the insurance follows your license and not the bike. Pretty convenient if you own more than one bike cause you dont have to buy two policies! I found them here: Mexican Auto Insurance | Compare Your Choices At The STORE! |
Baja
Rocket , strsout wound up not doing the Baja at all during his trip , details on other threads by him, just check his posts list..
Now as to your question if you can do it in 3 or 4 days please say you do not intend to do the entire Houston -Creel-Durango-Mazatlan-ferry-Baja trip in that time ! The entire trip should take up 10 to 14 days, more if you can afford the time. Assuming you really meant to ask if you could do Baja from La Paz to Tijuana in 3 to 4 days , then yes that is possible, all on pavement and basically a steady ride north. But again if you can swing it and get more free time then you can easily fill a week- plus with the same main plan and you will have a much better chance to explore all the various side excursions e.g the loop around the south end of Baja through Cabo San Lucas via Mex 1 and Mex 19 |
Sjoerd knows what he is talking about. I would heed his advice. I went through Mexico back in August, and entered at Tijuana. The vehicle import office is to the right of the entry point, near the macdonalds arches you can see. I went up the wrong way of the two lane highway just after the checkpoint and it gets you there in seconds.. hear the actualy legit way is a little longer.
But if you are taking the ferry you can get the import document at the ferry terminal, (you will need proof of insurance) I got mine on the web from Baja Bound, proved fine. I think you can buy it by the day if you wish. You will be checked before you get on the boat but that is the only time. As mentioned the checkpoint at Guerra Negro is not checking for bike papers, but they will check for a visa in your passport, remember you will need this stamp if you pass the 30km free trade zone around the border. Hope it helps. Summary: Insurance : - Yes!! (get on web first its cheaper) Permit yes: - Costs about $30 get at Tijuana or at the La Paz Ferry, (you dont need the permit for Baja but you do for the rest of Mexico) and HAVE FUN!! |
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Sorry everyone. I could PM this info, but I don't have enough posts. |
Baja mileage
Rocket, just to be safe I rechecked my QUIMERA Road Atlas of Mexico distance table and saw that from La Paz BCS to Tijuana is 3293 km. Your musings about doing that section in 2 days are very very optimistic, unless you want to blitz the Baja through the night like the racers of the Baja 1000.Strongly advise against that. Three days of steady riding during daylight only is feasable but you will have not much time to linger very long in any scenic spots or to explore the towns. Basically just ride, stop for food ,feul,potty and snapshot here and there.
When is this ride going to take place? Remember we are now in late November and cold weather is setting in on the high country around Creel. There have already been a few cold alerts issued in Mexico's mountain areas. Snow around Creel in Dec.to Feb is not unheard of and you may get delayed by that if you travel there in the winter which would severely wreck your timetable. As for all the insurance and permits , you will do them when in Texas so no worries about the Baja ferry terminal. Just a few thoughts to mull over, best wishes |
TJ to La Paz is a little over 900 miles and not a problem to run in two days during daylight hours, if you leave early and stay on the bike.
But you missed a bunch of cool stuff in between..... |
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Well, I was ready to respond your first post when I read this one. So yes, you can do from La Paz to Tijuana em 2 full days or 3 lazy days. The roads are good for sure from Guerrero Negro to Tijuana (I did that last Xmas) and you can average 60 to 70mph in many miles. Our total average (with stops) was 48mph from Guerrero Negro to Tecate 440 miles. La Paz is 470 more miles. Tijuana is busy borders but Tecate is much better. Last time I went there they had change the way you get to the border, but did not change the sighs, so we follow the sighs and and up in a dead end road... The road from Tecate to El Cajon (Hwy 94) is very nice and new. You will need insurance that you can buy on the web site supra mention (best price. I checked the prices at the border in Mexicale and Sonoyta and then were slight higher and you still have to talk to then... so Internet was best for me. As well you will need the Temp Import Permit. I bought it over the internet, but buying at the bank on the border is easy and cheaper. Only inconvenient is if you cross when the bank is closed. Beawere of that. Unless you have time, I would not try to avoid the tool roads. I try for once, but I had to go thru many back roads and the time I spend saving $5 was much more then it worth for me. Another thing: the ferry from Topolobanbo to La Paz is a night one... Keep that in mind if you don't sleep well in ferry seats. |
Ooooops !
My booboo there on the distance table - I was reading the wrong column and gave the distance to Xalapa - now that was silly of me and way off :p
I should have known better, read the table more carefully. Lone Rider is right , it is only 1441km La Paz to TJ , and possible in two days of riding hard.The very first time we ever did Baja nearly 30 years ago we took 3 days to get down to Cabo San Lucas and three days and a bit to return to Tecate. The way I like to travel I have never since been able to do it any faster but everybody has their own preferences . |
I just re-read this thread...and hope I'm not too far off base. :)
If you don't know for a fact in your mind that you're comfortable riding off road in remote areas, forget about the Choix/El Fuerte/Alamos dirt routes to Creel. SB's suggested route via Rosario and then to Hwy 16 may really be what you want. That dirt short-cut to San Juanito is in the process of being graded, and will be paved sometime in the future, but it's the type of road that one rider could blow through in an hour and with a different rider spending 4 hrs to finish. If you're tight on time, maybe choose the paved route. We all do trips for our own reasons. I've seen so many posts about and met too many people who seem insistent on carving a notch or more by arriving at certain places - riding to them, but not taking time to see what's really there. Maybe that's a product of our society, I'm not smart enough to know. Creel isn't Copper Canyon, and nor is Hwy 1 Baja. But is this important..... It should always be for you, and not for what others may think. |
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