Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Crossing the Border for Medical Services

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MEXICO CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION

BORDER RULES

USA CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION

BORDER RULES

ENTRY

INTO

MEXICO

TRAFFIC

TICKETS

CUSTOMS

RESTRICTED

 ITEMS

DUTY FREE

PETS

TRAVELING

WITH

MEDICATION

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 into Mexico 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. At Immigration, they’ll attach a departure card to your passport to hand back when you leave the country.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 or 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.

 

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.

 

 

The Secretary of Interior (Secretaría de Gobernación, SEGOB) oversees federal police forces and they also oversee the Mexican Immigration Service (INAMI), whose officers have the right to detain suspected undocumented aliens. They have an office just across the border if you need a permit to travel further into Mexico or you just want your passport stamped as a souvenir. There is no need for this if you are only going to a border town.

 

RESTRICTED ITEMS

MEXICO BORDERS

 

Firearms & ammo, narcotics and illegal drugs, 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.

 

DUTY FREE

TOTAL ITEMS 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!!!

 

PETS

 

Must have an International Certificate of Good Health (Form 77-043)

& Proof of vaccination against rabies and distemper.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

https://help.cbp.govFor more info

ENTRY

INTO USA

ACCEPTED

FORMS of ID’S

CUSTOMS

RESTRICTED

ITEMS

DUTY FREE

PETS

TRAVELING

WITH

MEDICATION

 

Returning to the United States from Mexico through a land port of entry:

 

You must present a Passport (expired passports are accepted also). If you don’t, 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.

 

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.

ACCEPTED FORMS of ID’S

 

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.

 

U.S. CUSTOMS

 

Failure to declare any item, regardless of origin, may cause travel delays and result in fines up to $1,000.

 

Residents of the U.S. are required to declare ALL purchases made in Mexico. Total Tax free limit $800 value within 30 days.

 

Prescriptions: Not more than a 90 day supply. FDA regulated medications are not allowed without a written prescription.

 

 

RESTRICTED ITEMS

 

Firearms & ammo, narcotics and illegal drugs, protected and endangered species of flora & wildlife, certain fruits and vegetables, animal products and some animals.

 

DUTY FREE

TOTAL ITEMS Per person

 

Residents of the U.S. are required to declare ALL purchases made in Mexico.

Total Tax free limit $800 value within 30 days. This includes:

 

Alcohol (21 or older): Walking Across or California Residents up to 1 Liter. Driving Across up to 60 Liters

 

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.

 

Note:

Most medications in Mexico and in the United States are produced by the same pharmaceutical companies.

 

 

PETS

 

Proof of vaccination against rabies and distemper.

 

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.

MEXICO CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION

BORDER RULES

USA CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION

BORDER RULES

ENTRY

INTO

MEXICO

TRAFFIC

TICKETS

CUSTOMS

RESTRICTED

 ITEMS

DUTY FREE

PETS

TRAVELING

WITH

MEDICATION

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 Nuevo Progreso 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. At Immigration, they’ll attach a departure card to your passport to hand back when you leave the country.

 

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.

 

Note: Vehicles with temporary Plates must prove ownership and

that the car will return to the United States.

 

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

or 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.

CUSTOMS

 

Tourists are allowed to enter Mexico with their personal items and other items necessary for their trip. Value, up to $300/person, max $3000 per family Anything extra and items valued at $150 or higher, should be declared upon entry at the border.

 

RESTRICTED ITEMS  MEXICO BORDERS

 

Firearms & ammo, narcotics and illegal drugs, 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.

 

 

 

Per person

 

10 packs of cigarettes or 200 grams of

tobacco. Taxable for extra is 573.48%

 

3 liters of alcoholic beverages or wine.

Extra taxed at 90%

 

Household items, Tools and Construction Materials with

permit is charged 16% tax,

 

Declare all money, checks or other negotiable instruments

 totaling more than $10,000.00.

 

PETS

 

Must have an International Certificate of Good Health

(Form 77-043)

& Proof of vaccination against rabies and distemper.

 

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.

 

JUST IN CASE

US Consulate General

In Matamoros, Tamaulipas

 

MX 011 52 (868) 206-1076

US (844) 528-6611

 

Emergency after hours call:

011 52 (868) 208-2000

 

U.S. Embassy Mexico City

Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM-5:30 PM

 

MX  011-52-555-080-2000

 

For after-hour emergencies,

Call the Embassy and press “0”

FOR VISITOR ASSISTANCE

DIAL 078

 

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”

 

 

https://help.cbp.gov

for more information

 

 

US Consulate General

In Matamoros, Tamaulipas

 

MX 011 52 (868) 206-1076

US (844) 528-6611

ENTRY

INTO USA

ACCEPTED

FORMS of ID’S

CUSTOMS

RESTRICTED

ITEMS

DUTY FREE

PETS

TRAVELING

WITH

MEDICATION

 

Returning to the United States from  Mexico through a land port of entry:

 

You must present a Passport.

If you don’t, for a U.S. Citizen a U.S. birth

certificate plus a driver’s license might work, but expect delays while they verify your citizenship.

 

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.

 

ACCEPTED FORMS of ID’S

 

 

Passport or Passport Cards, Sentri, TTP, Nexus, Enhanced Drivers License,

Enhanced Permanent Resident Card or other trusted traveler Id’s.

 

Non-US Citizens will also need:

Visa or Resident Card. (Expect delays,

for entry into the USA without

the required documentation while Custom

 Officials verify your citizenship

using another  official form of ID,

such as a Birth Certificate

along with a Driver License)

 

U.S. CUSTOMS

 

Failure to declare any item, regardless of origin, may cause travel delays and result in fines up to $1,000.

 

Residents of the U.S. are required to declare ALL purchases made in Mexico. Total Tax free limit $800 value within 30 days.

 

Prescriptions: Not more than a 90 day supply. FDA regulated medications are not allowed without a written prescription.

 

 

RESTRICTED ITEMS

 

Firearms & ammo, narcotics and illegal drugs,

protected and endangered species of flora & wildlife,

certain fruits and vegetables, animal products and some animals.

 

DUTY FREE

TOTAL ITEMS Per person

 

Residents of the U.S. are required to declare ALL purchases made in Mexico.

Total Tax free limit $800 value within 30 days. This includes:

 

Residents of the U.S. are required to declare any purchases

made in Mexico.Total Tax free limit $800 value within 30 days.

This does not include alcohol or tobacco, tax on these items are as follows:

 

TAX RATES TABLE

(Including $ 3.00 administrative fees)

 

DISTILLED SPIRITS:

Miniatures to Half Pints                   $ 3.25

(up to 200 ml)

 

Pint to Fifth (200 - 500 ml)              $ 3.50

 

Quart (1 liter)                                  $ 3.75

 

1/2 Gallon (1.75 liter)                      $ 4.25

 

1 Gallon (3.8 liter)                           $ 5.50

 

BEER

6) 12 ounce containers                   $ 3.25

24) 12 ounce containers                 $ 3.50

 

MALT LIQUOR

24) 12 ounce containers                 $ 3.50

 

WINE

Fifth (750 ml)                                  $ 3.25

Gallon (3.8 liter)                              $ 3.75

 

CIGARETTES

Pack                                                $ 1.50

Carton (10 packs)                          $15.00

 

 

PETS

 

Proof of vaccination against rabies and distemper.

 

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.

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