Bond for Mexico??

[nugentch]

I know this has been covered before on the HUBB and I have searched but for the life of me I cannot find it. I am planning a trip to Mexico this summer to visit my son. I have just read in some AAA literature that you must put up a bond for your vehicle at the border crossing. To recover the bond you must exit Mexico via the same border crossing. Is this true?? My plan was to cross from Texas into Mexico, visit son number 1 and then ferry to La Paz, Baja and ride up to San Diego to see son number 2. I have heard from several riders that have made just such a trip, but this is the first I have heard of this bond thing. Information please?!?

[RickMcD]

Originally Posted by nugentch

Information please?!?

Kurt, I just sent an email to your travel blog address with some information. Let me know if you have more questions.
Rick

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Whoever told you this at AAA is off the track.

You can enter Mexico without paying a bond as long as all your documents are in order, the bike is in YOUR name, the same name as appears on your drivers luicense and passport and credit card.
You pay your temporary import fee with a credit card only. Tourist tax can be paid for in cash pesos or dollars
IF you do NOT have a credit card or if for some rerason the computers at the borders reject your credit card you can still enter Mexico by posting this security bond IN CASH US dollars. This is the bond the AAA guy was talking about.
You will get it back right away as you cancel your documents at ANY mexican border crossing with the offices for Aduana ,Migracion and Banjercito
The bond can be as high as $400 depending on vehicle age

[dboisclair]

Hi There
Hope this helps
Last Jan I rode all the way through: I entered at Nogales and left by crossing into Guatemala. All we had to do was be very explicit when we obtained our import permit so that they recorded it as "transmigrante." If you don't do this then yes, I think you have to exit at the same crossing you entered.

On a different note - I'm heading down in another couple of weeks and this time I made all the arrangements in advance online through the Mexican Govt website: Banco Nacional del Ejercito Fuerza Aérea y Armada S.N.C.
Just follow the links on the right hand side. It worked slicker than poop through a goose. I paid online and ten days later I received all the required doc's by FedEx. I still have to stop to get my tourist visa and my passport stamped but that's only five minutes vs an hour to import a vehicle.

Cheers

[mollydog]

It actually is a bond, but your credit card,

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Further to the comments by dboisclair :
Yes it is true that you can get through as "transito" but do not make more problems for yourself than necessary. "Transito " may get you a limited time frame to move from border to border and is only for one trip. If you are planning to make a roundtrip back thru Mexico you will be better of by just gettting a 180 tourist permit and temp import . If your return trip will be within the 180 days you DO NOT need to cancel either of these documents , you can visit Central America and use them on the return trip , so saving the time and expense of getting these forms anew on the return leg.
All you need to do on leaving Mexico for Central America is get an exit stamp in the passport. LEAVE THE TEMP IMPORT ALONE!. Re entering Mexico from CA get a n Entry stamp in passport. Leave the import documents alone! If you did pay a bond that is no problem , you WILL get your money back when you finally cancel the temp import permit at your final exit point cancellation of documents as you EXIT to the USA

[yellowbirdrs]

direct link to the temporary importation vehicle permit instruccionesIITV_ing or Banejercito permit page www.banjercito.com.mx

[nugentch]

Thanks guys!! All the information you have posted seems more in line with other travelers I have met.

Thanks

Muchas gracias, mi amigos!!! :alucard:

[dboisclair]

Sorry for the misinformation. The comment about transmigrante not being applicable if you're coming back through Mexico is absolutley right. We only obtained it that way because we were on a one-way trip and sold our bikes in Panama and flew home. We were told it was neccessary if we were leaving form a different border point than we entered from but maybe not.
What I can tell you is that, the language barrier notwithstanding, it was all very professional. Yes, it took a little while but everyone along the way - both coming in and leaving - were very helpfull. And trust me, once you've crossed the borders into and out of any of the Central Amercian countries you'll look back fondly on the Mexico crossing. And I'll NEVER complain again about crossing into the US or back into Canada.
One final note - no matter how frustrating it gets, it's ALL worth it. Mexico and CA is amazing!