Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Crossing the Border for Medical Services
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CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION INFORMATION
CALIFORNIA BORDERS
Federal law is the same at every border but state laws could be different. Choose the appropriete border for Rules and Regulations.
Mexico Custom and Immigration
Information into Mexico
Mexico Custom and Immigration
Information into USA
Andrade
Open from
6am to 10pm Daily
760-572-0089
Andrade-Los Algodones border
observes California Time,
but Los Algodones businesses
observes Arizona Time.
INFORMATION CENTER
Calle Mariano Ma Lee
Los Algodones, BC.
M-F 8am - 3pm California Time
011 52 (658) 517-3528
FOR VISITOR ASSISTANCE
IN MEXICO DIAL 078
BORDER HOURS
Calexico East
Open from
6am to 12am Daily
Calexico West/Downtown
Open 24/7
INFORMATION CENTER
State Ministry of Tourism Mexicali
Blvd. Benito Juarez y
Calle Francisco Montejano #1,
Mexicali, Baja California
011 52 (686) 566-1277
FOR VISITOR ASSISTANCE DIAL 078
Entry into Mexico
VISA TO MEXICO
If you enter by land and plan to stay more than 7 days in any part of Mexico, you should stop at the immigration office next to the border entrance in Los Algodones to obtain an entry permit, or Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM), to present at immigration checkpoints, this is a simple declaration of your intention to vacation in Mexico for no more than 180 days. Current Price is $32.00. At Immigration, they’ll attach a departure card to your passport to hand back when you leave the country.
CUSTOMS
Tourists are allowed to enter Mexico with their personal items and other items necessary for their trip. Anything extra and high value items, should be declared upon entry at the border.
Minors will need to be accompanied by their parents or have a notarized letter authorizing the minor to enter Mexico and present it with their valid passport.
Traveling by car into Mexico
With the exception of travel to the Baja Peninsula, tourists wishing to travel beyond the border zone with their car must obtain a temporary import permit. Requirements: Vehicle registration or title, Valid driver license (U.S. or Canada), Proof of citizenship and Mexican auto insurance.
TRAFFIC TICKETS
Cost varies by city and are in Mexican Pesos.
Running a red light, not having or using a seat belt, using a mobile phone while driving, driving without a valid license (Current USA & Canadian Drivers Accepted in Mexico), or valid registration, drinking alcoholic beverages in the streets, sidewalks or on public property, exceeding the speed limit, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) you may also be detained.
Speed limits are 55 mph on highways and 25 mph in city limits.
Duty free into Mexico
Per person
40 packs of cigarettes or 200 grams of tobacco---Taxable for extra is 573.48%
6 liters of alcoholic beverages or wine---Extra taxed at 90%
Household items with permit is charged 16% tax
Declare all money, checks or other negotiable
instruments totaling more than $10,000.00.
If you don’t declare:
Expect items to be confiscated with fines!!!
rESTRICTED iTEMS
RESTRICTED ITEMS into MEXICO BORDERS
Firearms & ammo, narcotics and illegal drugs (marijuana is strickly prohibited), cans of gas, protected and endangered species of flora & wildlife, certain fruits and vegetables, images of children represented in degrading and violent ways and used clothing or shoes not part of your personal luggage.
TRAVELING WITH PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor’s prescription printed on the container or a copy of your prescription.
Bringing Pets into mexico
Effective 12/16/2019: A health certificate for dogs and cats is no longer needed to enter Mexico. Dogs and cats may be taken to the border without health certificate documentation, they will be inspected by SENASICA upon arrival.
JUST IN CASE
The U.S. Embassy is in Mexico City
Open From Mon-Fri,
8:30 AM-5:30 PM
From Mexico: 01-55- 5080-2000
From U.S.: 011-52-55-5080-2000
For after-hour emergencies, Call the Embassy and
press “0”
U.S. Consulate Tijuana, B.C.
011-52 (664) 977-2000
wHAT TO EXPECT
WHAT TO EXPECT
When you approach the officials at the border, they will interview you one by one, examine your ID and ask what you purchased (keep receipts handy). You may be chosen for an inspection for any reason including being selected for a random search. CBP has the Authority to Search all persons, baggage and merchandise arriving in or departing from The United States and are subject to inspection, search and detention. You should expect to be treated in a courteous, dignified and professional manner, if you have any concerns you can always ask to speak to a CBP supervisor.
Failure to declare any item, regardless of origin, may cause travel delays and result in fines up to $1,000.
Accepted Forms of id
Passport or Passport Card (expired passports are accepted also), Enhanced Driver's License, Enhanced Tribal Card or Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry GE, Sentri, Nexus or FAST), . If you don’t have one of these: for a U.S. Citizen a U.S. birth certificate plus a driver’s license might work, but expect long delays while they verify your citizenship.
Duty free
Residents of the U.S. are required to declare ALL purchases made in Mexico.
Total Tax free limit $800 value within 31 days. This includes:
Alcohol (21 or older):
Walking Across or California Residents up to 1 Liter.
Driving Across in a non-commercial vehical you can bring up to 60 Liters, although only 1 liter is duty free.
Tobacco:
1 carton per person. Note: Cuban Cigars are now legal to purchase in Mexico and import through U.S. Customs only for personal use.
Prescriptions
Not more than a 90 day supply. FDA regulated medications are not allowed without a written prescription.
restricted items
RESTRICTED ITEMS
Firearms & ammo, narcotics and illegal drugs, protected and endangered species of flora & wildlife, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products and some animals.
TRAVELING WITH PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
Prescription medications should be in their original containers with the doctor’s prescription printed on the container or a copy of your prescription. When buying medication make sure there is no restriction for purchases over the counter.
***To buy controlled medication you need the original signature issued by a
doctor which must include the seal from State Health Authorities and a serial number.
Bringing Pets into usa
Proof of vaccination against rabies and distemper.
***Before Traveling***
Make copies of all your travel documents, credit cards, airline tickets and a list of all your traveler’s checks and keep them in a safe place.
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