Deep Breath, its no big deal
Border crossings can be nerve racking. They're intimidating. They're meant to be that way. The border guards job in both directions is to figure out who the good folks are and who the bad folks are. But have your things in order and know the rules and things will go smoothly and you will be on your way in no time, even if you are stopped and inspected. If you are traveling to us for a van restoration, likely you are bringing parts down with you. Window seals, hoses, whathaveyou. The first thing you should do before leaving home is take all of those things out of their boxes and shiny plastic wrap and tuck them away inside your cabinets, under your bench seat, etc. Nothing gets a border inspector more excited than an excuse to charge you some import taxes. But you're not importing them, they will be leaving with you. And therein is the game. Their game is to try to hit you with import fees, justified or not, and your job is to not tempt them. Tuck your stuff of value away and cross with a neat clean van and you will greatly reduce the problems you will encounter.
The next thing is to make sure you have your documentation on hand and in good order. Registration current? Have you gotten your Mexican insurance (www.BajaBound.com). If you are stopped and questioned, they will ask you where you are coming from (Los Angeles for example), and where are you going (I'm going to La Paz woohoo!). Thats usually it. Then they may ask to see your registration and insurance. Don't offer up any more information then asked, and be polite and smile, and you will be on your way in minutes. Remember, you have done nothing wrong, and so you have nothing to worry about. If they find any parts you are bringing down with you, then have your receipt handy for those items and you'll have to pay the 16% import tax on them. If you get challenged and you dont have a receipt, they will use a magical version of ebay where all of the prices are drastically inflated (see, its a game). Play the game right, follow what i've said above, and you will be absolutely fine. Guaranteed.
After crossing the border you will need to stop and get a visitors permit, called an FMM. Heres more information about it from our friends at Baja Bound...www.bajabound.com/before/permits/visa
Heres the directions to the FMM offices at the different border crossings...
Calexico / Mexicali West CrossingPuerto Fronterizo Mexicali ICalz. de los Presidentes S/N, Río Nuevo, 21120 Mexicali, B.C.
Keep to the left. Park in the declarations lot and walk into the building next to it to get your stamp. (Ignore the map image, it hasn’t been updated since construction was completed.
San Diego / Tijuana CrossingTijuana Customs - Garita El ChaparralCanalización Rio Tijuana s/n, Federal, 22010 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
When approaching the border on I-5 stay in the far right lane. When I-805 merges into I-5, immediately move to the far right lane. Follow signs saying "Something to Declare (Autodeclaración)" When approaching the plaza, the crossing will be a sharp left. Instead continue straight to reach the other side of the plaza and there will be a small parking lot for declarations. Park here and have your FMM stamped inside.
Tecate CrossingControl de Aduanas de TecatePdte. Lázaro Cárdenas 190, Primera, 21400 Tecate, B.C., Mexico
Make a right turn immediately after you cross the inspection area.
The next thing is to make sure you have your documentation on hand and in good order. Registration current? Have you gotten your Mexican insurance (www.BajaBound.com). If you are stopped and questioned, they will ask you where you are coming from (Los Angeles for example), and where are you going (I'm going to La Paz woohoo!). Thats usually it. Then they may ask to see your registration and insurance. Don't offer up any more information then asked, and be polite and smile, and you will be on your way in minutes. Remember, you have done nothing wrong, and so you have nothing to worry about. If they find any parts you are bringing down with you, then have your receipt handy for those items and you'll have to pay the 16% import tax on them. If you get challenged and you dont have a receipt, they will use a magical version of ebay where all of the prices are drastically inflated (see, its a game). Play the game right, follow what i've said above, and you will be absolutely fine. Guaranteed.
After crossing the border you will need to stop and get a visitors permit, called an FMM. Heres more information about it from our friends at Baja Bound...www.bajabound.com/before/permits/visa
Heres the directions to the FMM offices at the different border crossings...
Calexico / Mexicali West CrossingPuerto Fronterizo Mexicali ICalz. de los Presidentes S/N, Río Nuevo, 21120 Mexicali, B.C.
Keep to the left. Park in the declarations lot and walk into the building next to it to get your stamp. (Ignore the map image, it hasn’t been updated since construction was completed.
San Diego / Tijuana CrossingTijuana Customs - Garita El ChaparralCanalización Rio Tijuana s/n, Federal, 22010 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
When approaching the border on I-5 stay in the far right lane. When I-805 merges into I-5, immediately move to the far right lane. Follow signs saying "Something to Declare (Autodeclaración)" When approaching the plaza, the crossing will be a sharp left. Instead continue straight to reach the other side of the plaza and there will be a small parking lot for declarations. Park here and have your FMM stamped inside.
Tecate CrossingControl de Aduanas de TecatePdte. Lázaro Cárdenas 190, Primera, 21400 Tecate, B.C., Mexico
Make a right turn immediately after you cross the inspection area.