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Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco): Customs

Crossing the Border and Customs into Rocky Point Mexico

Crossing into and out of Mexico can be a little weird if you've never done it before. There are many different little things you must be aware of, which we've compiled here.  

This table shows the current estimated border wait times at each port of entry. The 'passenger traffic' column is the one that applies to people crossing in personal cars.

Entry	Date	Commercial lanes	Commercial standard	Commercial fast	Passenger lanes	Passenger standard	Passenger SENTRI
Lukeville	6am-Midnight 5/9/2008	1	Lanes Closed	No traffic	3	At 3pm PST 5 min delay 1 lanes open	No traffic
Nogales  Mariposa	6am-10pm 5/9/2008	4	At 3pm PST 10 min delay 3 lanes open	At 3pm PST no delay 1 lanes open	4	At 3pm PST 20 min delay 4 lanes open	No traffic
Nogales  Deconcini	24 hrs/day 5/9/2008	0	No traffic	No traffic	8	At 3pm PST 5 min delay 7 lanes open	At 3pm PST no delay 1 lanes open

BORDER HOURS: Closed midnight to 6am

VEHICLE ENTRY INSPECTIONS:

-- Random Penasco photo! -- Construction on Sandy Beach, April 2007.

Just like crossing into Mexico on foot, they employ the green-light,red-light system for random searches. When you cross into Mexico, there will often be a traffic-light signal for you to press (if on foot) or it'll activate when your car pulls through the lane.

• Green Light: Drive right on through (Again, unless you have a truck or van or a large car and they think you may have quantities of taxable items, then they may tell you to pull over anyway!)
• Red Light: Pull your vehicle over to the parking spaces in the center for inspection of your vehicle's contents

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Customs officer(s) may ask what you have/where you are going - Then they may pass you through, or do a quick visual search of your vehicle's passenger areas, and or trunk,etc. If you're in an RV, towing recreational vehicles, or just have a 'big' car, expect to get pulled over and given the once-over. Don't take any offense - the bigger the car, the more interesting it is, so they'll want to take a look.

Then again, they may take one look at you and wave you through.

If you have anything over the legal import amount you will pay a fine to the bank there & will be given a receipt (The tax/fine may be from 30%+ to 2 times the item's value - they will ask for your receipts)

NOTE: If you are importing something pull over to the left parking area-don't go up to the light - Walk up to the tax clerks window, and you will only pay a tax of .15 (15%) times the items value (T.V., air conditioner, building supplies, couple cases of Budwiser, etc!)


HOT TIP:; Buy what you can in Sonoyta or Puerto Peñasco!

Carry all vehicle registration paperwork, or you may be turned back at the border (or may get them confiscated) by Mexican Customs (includes quads, motorcycles, dune buggies, etc.) The car's title is not necessary (a xerox copy in your wallet wouldn't be a bad idea) but you should have proof of ownership of some sort.

Always carry Mexican auto insurance on your vehicle (Keep a copy in a safe place - away from your car). If you need to purchase Mexican car insurance before your trip, click here!

PETS: (Dogs & Cats Only) Bring a valid U.S. Veterinarian Health Certificate Form  & Rabies Certificate # 77043 (not more than 6 months old) While many people say 'we've never had a problem bringing our pet back and forth across the border', you really, really, really should get valid U.S. Veterinarian Health Certificate & Rabies Certificate - not more than 6 months old. Any local vet should be able to provide these for you. The thing is, most border checks aren't going to give you a hard time about it -- but should they, and they have the right to do so, they can hold/quarantine your pet which is both traumatic and expensive. So get the forms!

See also this excellent resource: http://www.peoplesguide.com/mexico/pets/pets-in-mexico.shtml

Special warning - see also: 'Rewards spark dog thefts in Mexico' from azstarnet.com

 

VISA'S/AUTO PERMITS:  Are not required for vacation/tourist travel within the 'Free Zone' of Puerto Peñasco/Sonoyta or generally within the 'Border Zone' - usually up to 20 kilometers into Mexico.

If you're going further into Mexico than that, however, it is a fairly lengthy process to get a permit. (See also US Consular Mexico Travel Tips under 'travel by car')

NOTE: If you encounter any problems or harassment from Mexican border officials, write down their name, badge/employee number & report it to 'The Federal Office of Investigations' at 91-800-00-148

Returning to the U.S.

F.Y.I. U.S.Customs Service (Arizona)   520-387-6005. They have a ton of Arizona offices.

BORDER HOURS:
Closed midnight to 6am. So get there with some time to spare... Note that seasonal, holiday, and/or spring break traffic can bump crossing waits into several hours. Labor disputes, trucker strikes, etc. can also snarl up the border crossings.

Re-entry:
When you re-enter, you'll be asked what you purchased - declare everything you are bringing back from Mexico. Anybody who says 'nothing' is almost automatically searched.

Searches:
Authorities have the right to search your vehicle. Don't give them a hard time. Again, if you're driving a high profile vehicle such as a van or an RV or a truck or an SUV, you are more likely to be searched.

Citizenship:
Be sure all occupants in your vehicle can prove U.S. Citizenship, or legal entry into the U.S. You are technically required to have proof of citizenship - and a US driver's license is NOT proof of citizenship. You should carry a U.S. passport, a birth certificate, or a voter's registration card -- as well as a photo ID, such as your driver's license.

Big purchases:
Have receipts for any big ticket, high dollar items.

Liquor and smokes!
You are allowed to enter free of duty any purchases with a combined value of up $400 per 30 day time period. Every visitor over 21 years old may bring into the United States, duty-free, the following:

• 1 liter of wine or hard liquor
• 200 cigarettes, OR 100 cigars (but not from Cuba), OR 3 pounds of smoking tobacco
• $100 worth of gifts

... and while we're on the subject of cigars, if U.S. Customs catches you with Cuban cigars, they're taking them. They might fine you. They're gonna yell at you, that's for sure. We hereby refer you to this site for some more info on the subject, lest we get into the specific details of how Cuban cigars are distinguished from non-Cuban cigars.

PRESCRIPTIONS
It is becoming more and more popular for US Citizens to buy prescription drugs in Mexico as the prices are cheaper. Canada is another popular alternative source for prescription drugs.

As a rule, you have to have a U.S. prescription for any prescription drugs you pick up in Mexico, even though you probably won't have to use said prescription to buy the drugs. Certain limitations on quantity (usually a 3 month supply) may also apply.

Even though the rules and legislation on the prescription drug situation is changing pretty frequently, U.S. Customs agents are aware of the 'good' and the 'bad' drugs out there, and will strictly enforce the current law. If you're picking up Retin-A, it probably won't be a problem. If you've got a bunch of Valium or Viagra, expect to be asked for your U.S. prescription. As they say, 'US Customs reserves the right to use its judgment in allowing the transport of prescription drugs. '

For more info, the University of Arizona Department of Pediatrics, oddly enough, has a well-written writeup that covers some of the specifics on picking up prescriptions in Mexico, and the U.S. Customs website has more up-to-date details.

CONTRABAND/ILLEGAL ITEMS:

• Desert/Marine Wildlife or Plants
• Freon-12
• Coral/Whale skeleton parts
• Plants
• Fruits/Vegetables
• Pork products
• Eggs/Potatoes
• Avocados (with seeds/pits) or mangos
• Pork/Ham
• Birds
• Fireworks
• Firearms - Weapons

BORDER PATROL STOPS?

 

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