A Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit or TIP is a permit that allows non-Mexican citizens to take a vehicle across the border into Mexico from other countries, such as the US and Canada. It is required for areas outside the free or border zone. A TIP can ONLY be obtained through Mexico’s Banjercito government agency.

Please note: Assuremex has no affiliation, authority or connections with Banjercito.

You plan to drive a vehicle beyond the Mexico Free Zone you will need to purchase a Mexico Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit (TIP). The temporary vehicle importation permit can ONLY be obtained from Banjercito, the official Mexican issuing agency. It is valid for any type of vehicle weighing less than three tons, for up to six months (180 days). The permit may be purchased online at the Banjercito website or at the Mexico border. One can purchase the permit online 7-60 days prior to travel into Mexico.

You do NOT need a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit for driving in any part of the Baja Peninsula or the Sonoran Free Zone. In Sonora, you are only required to obtain a permit if driving further than kilometer 98 of Mexican Federal Highway No. 15.

You can obtain a Sonora ONLY Vehicle Permit if you only plan to travel in the Mexican State of Sonora. Despite any advice, official or unofficial, vehicle permits cannot be obtained at checkpoints in the interior of Mexico.

Please note: Assuremex has no affiliation, authority or connections with Banjercito

Required Documents

  • It is recommended that one carry three copies of each of these documents.
  • Passport
  • Driver’s License issued outside of Mexico
  • If you are not a Mexican citizen, a Mexican immigration permit-such as a tourist, business or immigrants permit/visa.
  • Original and photocopy of Bill of Sale, Deed to Property and Vehicle Registration issued by a foreign authority in the applicant’s name. If the title of the vehicle is in the name of a spouse, child, or parent – a birth certificate or marriage license must be presented.
  • Proof of temporary Mexican auto insurance for your vehicle.
  • Certificate of cancelled import permit for any prior temporary import permits.
  • In addition, if you have a leased, financed or company car you will also need the following:
  • Leased Vehicles: Lease contract and notarized letter of permission from the leasing company.
  • Financed Vehicles: Credit contract and notarized letter of permission from the lienholder or lending institution.
  • Company Car: A notarized letter of permission confirming the employment relationship and authorizing the employee to import the vehicle into Mexico.
  • TIP Declarations and Payment
  • Obtaining a TIP in Person
  • Obtaining Your Permit Online
  • Multiple Entries with Your Vehicle
  • Other Driver
  • Cancelling Your Permit
  • Vehicle Import Violations
  • Other Important Fact
  • Mexican Auto Insurance

 

WARNING!

Travelers should avoid individuals outside vehicle permit offices offering to obtain the permits without waiting in line, even if they appear to be government officials. There have been reports of fraudulent or counterfeit permits being issued adjacent to the temporary vehicle importation permit offices in border areas. If the proper permit is not obtained before entering Mexico and cannot be obtained at the Banjercito branch at the port of entry, do not proceed to the interior. Travelers without the proper permit may be incarcerated, fined and/or have their vehicle seized at immigration/customs checkpoints.

 

SONORA ONLY TIP

In Sonora, you are only required to obtain a permit if driving further than kilometer 98 of Mexican Federal Highway No. 15. If you do drive outside the free zone, you have the option to purchase a “Sonora Only” Vehicle Importation Permit for a reduced price (unless you buy online). Purchasing a Sonora Only permit may also speed up the process at the border.

 

RV/TRAVEL TRAILER TIP

RVs and Travel Trailers require a TIP specifically for those vehicles. If you plan to drive your RV outside the free zone in Mexico get an RV Importation permit.

Who Is Banjercito? And Why Do I Need to Know About Them? Posted November 14, 2017 by Roxanna Brock McDade & filed under Border Crossing, Driving to Mexico, Vehicle Import Permit.

Temporary Importation Permit Banjercito When it comes to importing a vehicle into Mexico for temporary use, you need to know about Banjercito. Are you traveling to Mexico soon and need more information? Keep reading.

What’s a TIP?

Banjercito is a military bank that helps individuals obtain temporary importation permits for vehicles being brought into Mexico by those visiting the country. If you intend to travel into Mexico past the “free zone,” obtaining a permit is vital. And failure to obtain one could result in the surrender your vehicle to Mexican authorities. Fortunately, these permits cost approximately $44 USD plus taxes and will cover your vehicle for trips and temporary stays in Mexico.

How to Obtain a TIP

You can obtain a TIP online on the Banjercito website, at most border locations or get one in person at one of the following U.S.-based Banjercito locations:

Chicago, ILL:
204 S. Ashland Ave. Chicago, ILL 60607.
Tel: 312-738 -3052

Houston, Texas:
4507 San Jacinto Street, Houston, TX, 77004.
Tel: 713-529-4764

Dallas, Texas:
1210 River Bend, Dallas, TX, 75247
Tel: 214- 932 -0668 / 214- 630- 6151

Austin, Texas:
410 Baylor St., Austin, TX 78703.
Tel: 512-476-3232

Fort Worth, Texas:
North West 18 Street Fort Worth, TX 76164
Tel: 817-740-9036

Los Angeles, California:
2401 W. 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057,
Tel: (213) 383 7352 / (213) 383 7465

Sacramento, CA:
2093 Arena Blvd. Room. 275
Tel: (916) 928 4440 / (916) 928 4442

San Bernardino, California:
293 North D St., San Bernardino, CA 92401,
Tel: (909) 885 9653

Phoenix Arizona:
320 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85004.
Tel: (602) 249 9253

Albuquerque, New Mexico:
1610 – 4th Street, NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Tel: 505-243-0538 / 505- 243-0717

Denver Colorado:
Leetsdale Drive Suite 100, Denver, Colorado, 80246,
Tel: (303) 399 0586Required Information

In addition to the cost of the permit, vehicle owners must also make a refundable deposit of

$400 USD for vehicles manufactured in 2007 and newer, $300 for vehicles produced between 2001 and 2006, and $200 for those older than 2001. Furthermore, with regards to documents, the following information must be submitted:

  • Original/ photocopy of Passport.
  • Original/ photocopy of Driver’s License issued outside of Mexico.
  • A Mexican immigration permit, such as a tourist, business or immigrant permit for non- Mexicans.
  • The original and duplicate of Bill of Sale, Deed to Property and Vehicle Registration issued by a foreign authority in the applicant’s name. Also, if the title is in the name of a spouse, child or parent, you must present a birth certificate or marriage license.
  • If the vehicle is leased, bring the lease contract as well as a notarized letter of consent from the leasing company.
  • If the vehicle is financed, bring the credit contract as well as a notarized letter of consent from the lien-holder.
  • If you’re driving a company car, bring a notarized letter of consent confirming employment and authorizing the employee to import the vehicle into Mexico.
  • Certificate of cancelled import permit for any prior temporary import permits. Provide proof of provisional Mexican auto insurance for your automobile.

Overall, getting a TIP can be easy if you follow this short guide. Moreover, when you are finished with the permit, simply return it to any Banjercito Bank located on the border.

Get more information about getting a Temporary Importation permit on our website or from the Mexican government’s information page.

Find Banjercito locations at the border:

Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas.