1. Temporary Import Permit. What do I need to keep my boat legally in Mexico?
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All countries regulate foreign marine traffic within their boundaries, whether for commercial or pleasure purposes. Mexico’s Customs law allows an owner/captain to enter Mexico with a pleasure boat and keep it in the country for up to 10 years. The legal document which allows you to do this is called a Temporary Import Permit (Permiso de Importación Temporal). It does not change the registry or nationality of the vessel; It is simply a permit to keep a vessel in Mexico for up to 10 years. There is a one-time $60.00 US fee.
All vessels larger than 4.5 M are required to have a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) no matter how long you intend to stay in the country. It is the document that allows your vessel to be legally in Mexico and you should not be in Mexico without it, weather you are on board or not, or in a marina or not. If you do not have this permit, Customs will consider that the vessel is illegally in the country and, according to law, subject to fines and/or confiscation. The custom rule 4.2.5 outlines this process. (Reglas de Carácter General de Comercio Exterior 4.2.5)
Along with your boat you are allowed to bring in mobile accessories such as jet skis, dinghy, motor cycle, quads and a helicopter for non commercial personal use. These items are listed on a form called “Listado de Equipos Móviles” to be filled out at the same time you apply for your Temporary Import Permit.
The TIP can be obtained either on line before you depart for Mexico or at the first official port of entry. If in USA or Canada you can apply on line by going to this site, https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/ 7 days to 60 months prior to departure. (The new TIP is a PDF document with a QR Code that they e mail to you in a couple of days after receiving the on line request). If you do not do it on line, and are coming from the USA on the Pacific side, we recommend you stop in Ensenada at the one-stop office and do all entry paperwork there (Immigration, Port Captain, and the Temporary Import Permit). The Temporary Import Permit is issued by a special BANJERCITO CIITEV office. If you wish to obtain the TIP at another port, go to the Customs (Aduana) office and ask where to do it. In La Paz the permit is issued at the Banjército office in the ferry terminal in Pichilingue, 10 miles from town. You take the original and a copy of the following documents: Passport, tourist card, and vessel documentation or registration, the hull identification number (HIN), and engine numbers. If you have a tender 4.5 Mt or less and/or any other “mobile accessories” like a motor cycle, jet ski, etc. you would take an original and copy of its ownership document, and have them listed on the “Mobile Accessories” document that will be attached to your Temporary Import Permit. If your tender is larger than 4.5 Mt (about 15 feet) you must get it its own Temporary Import Permit for it also. If you don´t have a car to go to Pichilingue, take the bus that runs to Pichilingue from the downtown waterfront bus depot in the morning. You will need $60.00 in US dollars or a credit card. Banjercito will print the document and also send it by e mail. Be sure to make several copies of the Temporary Import Permit as well as save the digital PDF.
The permit is valid for multiple entry into the country for the 10 year period, so you do not have to cancel it when you leave Mexico, if you are planning to return. It can also be renewed for an additional 10 year period. If you are not sure about returning we recommend you cancel it since it will be harder to cancel later on or if you sell your vessel, it may complicate getting a new Temporary Import Permit for the buyer if vessel returns to Mexico.
The TIP is also needed to import vessel equipment, maintenance and repair parts for your boat. There is a new format for registering the temporary importation of merchandise destined for the maintenance and repair of temporarily imported vessels. (“Registro de importación temporal de mercancias destinadas al mantenimiento y reparación de las embarcaciones temporalmente importadas”).
