Mexico Pre-Arrival Procedures for Yachts

Documents

Laws and regulations are interpreted differently in different parts of Mexico, and historically there have been some differences between the Pacific and Caribbean sides. Generally speaking, officialdom on the Pacific side has been extremely easy to get along with, especially since they did away with having to clear from one domestic port to the other. However, be prepared for time-consuming and frustrating clearance procedures on the Caribbean side of Mexico. In the major ports, there are maritime agents who will do the formalities for a fee, as will some of the marinas. While this may appear expensive, in ports that are notoriously difficult (Islas Mujeres being one), it will save a great deal of time and alot of headaches.

It is strongly advised that ALL foreign boats visiting the EAST coast of Mexico (including those from the USA) arrive with a zarpe from their last port of call. Islas Mujeres, the most common port of entry on this coast, make a big deal out of having a zarpe. This is rarely a problem on the WEST coast. See details about this requirement and other documents needed in Mexico Documents.

Immigration

Immigration requirements can now be processed prior to your arrival in Mexico by using the new internet portal:https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroEmbarques/. Here you can complete passport and vessel details and pay your immigration fee. Details on how to complete this process can be found here.

Temporary Import Permit (TIP)

A TIP (Importada, or referred to by some as a cruising permit) is required for boats normally planning to stay in Mexican waters for more than 3-5 days. This can be applied for in advance if you are a US/Canadian or Mexican boat. All other nationalities must get the TIP at the first port of entry.

See Documents for more details. Note: Latitude38 reports that applying for any Mexican documents online including the TIP, a tourist card (FMM) or Fishing License, can be expensive, confusing and difficult. They recommend doing all three in person.

Remember to cancel your boat’s TIP before you sell the boat. Canceling old/expired TIPs has proven expensive, time consuming or sometimes outright impossible. See our article about The Importance of Cancelling TIPs in Mexicofor more information and advice.

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Mexico Arrival Procedures for Yachts

Ports of Entry

On arrival in Mexico, yachts must go to the nearest Port of Entry, with the Q and courtesy flags flying.

General Procedure

Depending on the port it will likely be one of two processes:

  1. Go to the immigration office and get the Crew List properly stamped and have FMMs (Forma Migratoria Multiple) issued for all passengers.
  2. Go to the Port Captain’s Office with the completed form to pay the Clear-In Fee and have the document duly authorized and stamped. In some ports you may be required to pay a Port Use Fee with the API (Port Administrator). The Port Captain requires an Exit Zarpe from your last port of call (which includes a crew list) for ALL boats, including those arriving from the USA. See details about this requirement in Mexico Documents.

or

  1. Health inspection – either at the local hospital or, the Port Captain will ask the doctor to come to his office. This is not always required.
  2. Immigration
  3. Agriculture
  4. Customs
  5. Port Captain

Note:

Make sure all documents you receive are stamped properly by the official, with good ink and legible. If documents are not properly stamped, they will not be accepted by the subsequent authority and you will have to go back and start the process all over again.

Health Inspection (Sanitation):

The doctor will ask the crew health-related questions, take body temperatures, ask about vaccinations and do possible further tests depending on which port you came from (Haiti, for example, will demand more scrutiny). After completing the interview, the doctor will stamp all the necessary documents, ask for a fee and give you a Health Permit for cruising Mexican waters.

Immigration:

Immigration will want to see:

  • The stamped documents from the Doctor
  • Registration of the vessel
  • Copies of the passports of crew travelling on board
  • Boat Insurance
  • Zarpe from last port of call
  • Captain’s license

See Immigration for full details on the Immigration procedure.

Agriculture:

The Agriculture officer may be seen before or after Customs and is not obligatory in every port. They will ask some questions about ship’s stores and provisions (as officially you cannot bring meat and fresh produce into Mexico) and complete some forms. They may do a boat inspection.

Customs:

Customs will want to see the ship’s papers, the FMMs and clearance papers.

  • The Temporary Import Permit (TIP – see Documents) is not part of the clearing in procedure and is obtained from Customs immediately after a vessel has cleared in.
  • A TIP is only required if staying in Mexico for longer than 5 days.

Port Captain:

Give the Port Captain all the documents and forms you have been given at the various offices. The Port Authority (API) will calculate a fee based on tonnage and it’s likely you will have to make this payment at a local bank in cash. Return with your receipt and you will be given your cruising permit. You can now proceed to get a TIP if required.

Mexico Departure Procedures for Yachts

Domestic Clearance

If you are navigating from one Mexican port to another, you must inform the Port Captain or marina of your arrival or departure by means of an “Aviso” (Notification). Depending on the Port Captain’s office, some may require a written notification, while others allow a verbal one via VHF, channel 16.

In some ports you must pay a Port Use Fee when arriving and anchoring (if you anchor out). These fees are paid to the API (Port Administration).

Cruisers warn (2022) that domestic clearance in Zihuatenejo, on the Pacific side of MX, is lengthy and there are fees paid. This is very different from other domestic ports where most port captains are efficient, fast and domestic clearance is a free process.

International Clearance

A minimum of eight hours notice of departure is required by law. You will need six more copies of the crew list and must visit Immigration and the Port Captains Office.

1. Go to the Immigration office to get the crew list stamped and surrender the FMM forms. If you have lost your FMM form, you will be charged again.
2. Go to the Port Captain’s office to pay the Vessel’s Check-out fees and have the crew list stamped with the authorization to exit the country of Mexico. They will issue you with a Zarpe.

Although this document may not be requested when clearing into the next country (note: Hawaii require an exit zarpe from Mexico), it is necessary to have it in the event of being stopped by a Mexican Navy boat while still in Mexican waters. If wishing to stop anywhere in Mexico after clearing out, this should be put on the outward clearance by the relevant official.

Any registered marina may be able to clear boats in and out of port for their clients, which means that boats can be serviced during marina working hours, not just during bureaucratic hours at the Capitania and Migracion.