Driving Central America & South America.
Repercusions of entering and exiting Mexico at different border crossings???
November 20, 2008 - 1:51pm
My husband and I will spend 4 months this winter driving to and through Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras with our own vehicle. We plan to drive south along the Gulf of Mexico and back north through Central Mexico. Along the way we will enter/re-enter Mexico from Guatemala and Belize at a number of different border crossings. My question/concern is in regard to the following;
According to a page on the Sanborns Insurance website concerning Mexico entry/exit requirements: "4. Payment of guarantee for the return of the vehicle (approx. $30.00 USD) by international credit or debit card (AMEX, DC, MC, VISA) forwarded abroad under the importer's name, or by making a guarantee deposit. The amount for this will be determined by the vehicle's model and will be refunded upon reentry to the USA. (1999-2002 models, USD$400.00; 1994-1998 models, USD$300.00; models previous to 1994, USD$200.00). * In order to recover this bond or avoid credit card charges, travelers must return to the same Mexican Customs office immediately prior to departing Mexico."
If I understand correctly and this is accurate, these charges could add up to quite a hefty sum for our planned trip.
I have noticed other travelers have entered and departed Mexico at different cities. Can anybody comment or clarify?
November 20, 2008 - 9:13pm
#2
Sounds inaccurate to me. In reality, in Mexico nobody really even bothers to look at your paperwork at borders. You even have to go out of your way to figure out where to turn in your hologram when you reenter the states.
When I crossed from Belize to Mexico at Chetumal on my way home, the customs guy was so confused that he just told me to go away and quite bothering him. He didn't even bother to look at a passport or my registration paperwork.
November 20, 2008 - 11:50pm
#3
hahahahah. awesome.
November 21, 2008 - 7:23am
#4
reality versus repercussions
Hey thanks for your comments. I have spent some time in Mexico, but never driven there from home. I came across that bit of info about using the same entry/exit point on Sanborns wepage and it kind of threw me. I also found the following from the Mexico Embassy FAQ webpage:
"What are the procedures for crossing the border when you leave Mexico?
1. You must go to any Banjercito (Mexican Army Bank) office.
2. Turn in form: TEMPORARYIMPORT PERMIT and VEHICLE RETURN PROMISE AGREEMENT.
3. Turn in: Tourist Card (FMT or FME).
4. Your vehicle security deposit will be returned or your bond agreement, depending which method you used."
Thanks again!
I don't know why they would say that, I've certainly done it at different crossings.