The following guideline is based on brochures supplied by SECTUR. Reprint of those brochures is made with approval of the Mexican Consulate. Be sure to check with SECTUR or the Mexican Consulate ( Brownsville, TX 724 E. Elizabeth St., Brownsville, TX 78520 Tel: (956) 542-4431 * Fax: (956) 542-7267) prior to your departure to make sure you have the most up to date information.

What papers do I need to enter my vessel temporarily into Mexico?

1. Title (lease agreement in your name if the vessel is rented).
2. Proof of citizenship or resisdency in a foreign country.
3. Choose one of the following depending on the way you entered the country:

a) Departure clearance from the original point of departure, or similar official document in the event that you enter by sea.

b) Title for the trailer (or lease agreement in your name if trailer is rented), in the event that you enter by land.

What should I do when I arrive in Mexico?

1. Obtain a Tourist Visa (FMT) from the immigration office.
2. Obtain from Customs a temporary import permit for the vessel and the trailer.
3. Pay $ 10.00 (in U.S. Currency) with an international credit card, or deposit with the Armed Forces Bank, BANJERCITO, a bond for the value of the vessel (this procedure is applicable only when the vessel enters by sea, if you enter by land the permit for your vehicle will cover your vessel).
Remember:
In the event that you decide to return to your country of origin and leave your vesel in the care of the marina, you must return to the marina at least once a year.

Requirements To Bring Your Boat Into Mexico

If you want to bring into the country a touring motor boat or a sailboat more than four and a half meters long (14'-6"), you must comply the following requirements:

I. If you are going to enter by sea:

1. Upon your arrival at the first port of entry in Mexico, go to the immigration office and obtain a Tourist Entry Form for each passenger aboard, if you had not previously obtained this form from a Mexican consulate, Mexican Government Tourism Office or embassy.

2. Proceed to customs and obtain a Temporary Import Permit, presenting the following information:
a) Vessel Ownership Title
b) Document verifying that the vessel's owner resides in a foreign country (Tourist Entry Form)
c) The credit card, bond or deposit mechanisms are three available alternatives.

1. The vessel is the property of the person residing in a foreign country.

2. Present identification verifying your nationality and a current Tourist Entry Form.

Your motor boat or sailboat can remain in the country for the period authorized on the Tourist Entry Form.

NOTES: In the event that rented sailboats or motor boats are involved, you must present proper rental agreement in your name.

The Temporary Import Permit for your car, together with the vessel information will provide legal authorization to enter your vessel into the country until you arrive to a tourist marina.

Requirements For The Temporary Entry Of Trailers

The trailer used to transport your vessel can be imported under two conditions:

• Tourist Marines Regulation which allows you to leave your trailer in the care of the marina for the length of time you desire.
  
• Temporary Immigration Regulations, according to which your trailer can remain in Mexico for the length of your authorized stay.
  

You may chose the tourist marine regulations whenever:

1. The trailer is your property,
2. It is registered with an authorized marina, which shall be resposible for the same; and
3. You file through the Marina, a notice to the customs Office or the local tax collection office for the area in which the marina is located , stating that said trailer shall not be taken out of the country while under the care of the marina.

You should take into account that trailers brought into the country, according to tourist marinas regulations, can only travel within the national territory while transporting said vessel, therefore, if the trailer leaves the country, so must the vessel.

In the event you want to leave your vessel in the care of a marina, but want to leave with your trailer, all you need to do is leave the vessel in the care of the marina meeting all the tourist marina regulations, and bring the trailer under the temporary import regulations, which allows trailers to be in the country for one month, having to be taken out of the country after that period of time.

When you bring your vessel on a trailer that does not belong to you, it shall enter the country under the temporary import regulations.

IMPORTANT

In those cases when a vessel has to be pulled by a three ton or larger tractor trailer, arrival and departure arrangements must be made with a Mexican carrier to transport your vessel inside national territory.

In those cases when a vessel is pulled by a private vehicle owned by a tourist importing the vessel, you shall register the vessel and it's trailer on the back side of the temporary import permit used for the vehicle, describing with precision the characteristics of both the vessel and trailer.

In those cases when a vessel is pulled by a foreign private vehicle not owned by the tourist importing the vessel, a permit shall be issued for the vessel and trailer and a separate temporary import permit for the vehicle, using the same forms used for automobiles.

It is important to point out that the marina operator where the vessel is docked can import any parts required for its maintenance and repair.

Requirements To Sail In Mexican Waters

Arrival and Departures Upon your arrival in Mexico, if you want to sail from one port or marina to another, even if you do not leave the country, you need to have the proper arrival and departure clearances:

I. ARRIVALS

To authorize the arrival of you vessel to a marina or port you need:

a) Coastal Sailing:
Departure clearance from the port of origin or any other legal document verifying the vessel's point of departure.
b) Open Sea Sailing:
1) A departure clearance from the port of origin or any other legal document verifying the vessel's point of departure.
2) A Health Permit, whenever so required by the proper authority, taking into account the vessel's original point of departure.*

*NOTE: Please check with the nearest Mexican Consulate if this regulation applies to you.  Brownsville, TX 724 E. Elizabeth St., Brownsville, TX 78520 Tel: (956) 542-4431 * Fax: (956) 542-7267

II. DEPARTURES

To authorize the departure of your vessel to a marina or port you need:

a) Sailing within the same port:
A verbal agreement from the Harbor Master or his representative.


b) Coastal Sailing:
1) Special form for vessel departure clearance. 2) Inspection Certificate from the vessel's country of origin or similar document to verify it. 3) Verification that there are no accounts pending at the marina.
4) Health permit, whenever so required by the proper authority, taking into account the vessel's original point of departure.*

*NOTE: Please check with the nearest Mexican Consulate if this regulation applies to you. Brownsville, TX 724 E. Elizabeth St., Brownsville, TX 78520 Tel: (956) 542-4431 * Fax: (956) 542-7267

Regulations For Renting Your Vessel When You Decide To Leave It In The Care Of The Tourist Marina

Tourist marinas can market for profit the vessel you left in thier care as long as the following requirements are met:

a) The recreational yachts or sailboats left in their care are 4.5 meters long (14'-6") or larger.b) The vessel is marketed through the tourist marina itself or a third party who, together with the owner of the vessel, is responsible for all fiscal obliagations.

c) The tourist marina or authorized third party has entered into a rental agreement with the owner of the vessel.

These vessels may not be marketed without the required permits issued by the Ministry of Treasury and the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.