Driving to Mexico

Driving to Mexico

If you are driving to Mexico, you will be able to temporarily import your car for a maximum period of 180 days, and the vehicle import permit will be good for multiple crossings during its validity.


At the Customs Vehicle Control Module you will need:

1. The immigration form.

2. The vehicle’s State Registration Certificate or a document that certifies the legal ownership of the vehicle (original and photocopy).

3. A valid driver’s license issued outside Mexico (original and photocopy).

4. An international Credit Card, also issued outside Mexico (American Express, Diner’s Club, Visa or MasterCard), in the name of the owner of the vehicle.  If you do not have a credit card, you will be required to post a bond, payable to the Federal Treasury and based on the car’s value. As an alternative to posting bond, you may make a cash deposit at the “Banco del Ejército” (the Bank of the Armed Forces) in an amount equal to the value of your vehicle.

5. Declaration Form stating that you will remove the vehicle from Mexico; this will be provided by a Customs Officer at the border. This Form must be returned to a Mexican Customs Office at the end of your trip.


Please be aware that:

  • All documents and the credit card must be in the name of the owner, who must also be in the vehicle when crossing the border.
  • Upon your departure from Mexico, and if the vehicle will not be driven back into Mexico, the temporary import permit must be cancelled at Customs.  If you neglect to do so, Mexican Customs will assume that your car is still in Mexico and legal sanctions could be applied.
  • If your car is found in Mexico after the authorized import validity has expired, or without the appropriate documents, it will be subject to immediate confiscation
  • You are not permitted to sell the car while you are in Mexico.
  • Car insurance in Mexico is mandatory. Your Canadian auto insurance is not valid in Mexico. Mexican Insurance is available for purchase at the border.
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