Crossing The Border:

Inspection: There are two means of inspection: 1) Fiscal Traffic Light or 2) Integral Inspection.

The traffic light: As you cross the border you come upon a light. As you proceed slowly, the light is located on your left hand side in front of you and it will either flash red (alto - stop) or green (pase - go). If the light is red you will pull off to the left where an official will ask you some questions (such as where you are going and what you are bringing) and possibly look through your stuff. If you get the green light you can pass through without any inspection. Please note that you still may be pulled over and inspected even if you get a green light.

The Integral Inspection: This is the voluntary request for the examination of your articles, if you have items to declare which exceed your allowed limits. Before you pass through the light you will pull off to your left and park under the awning. You will need to go the small building which sits in the middle of the street and tell the person what items you have to declare and their value. When you are finished you will be handed a form to take to the bank to pay taxes. An agent may want to come and inspect your load. The taxes you pay are in pesos (they will accept dollars) and are to be paid directly to the bank and you will be issued a receipt. You will need that receipt to cross the border.

After you have paid the bank you will need to cross the border and go through the light. If you get the red light you will pull over and show the officer the receipt.

If you come through the fiscal traffic light and merchandise is found which was not declared you could pay a fine of 4x the commercial value of the articles. If you choose the Integral Inspection the fine will be 1 1/2 x the value. In both cases you forfeit the right to the tax exemption.

Re-Entering The U.S.

NOTICE TO TRAVELERS
U.S. Citizens re-entering the U.S. from Mexico, by the year 2007, will be required to have a valid U.S. Passport, this includes both adults and minors.

Agricultural Quarantine Info
Declare all agricultural items you bring from Mexico. Failure to do so may result in delays and fines of up to $1,000. Fruits, vegetables, meats, and birds taken from the United States to Mexico may not be allowed to re-enter. Consult in advance with inspectors of the U.S. Dept of Agriculture.

Prohibited Items

• Agricultural items are prohibited if they can carry plant pest or animal diseases.
• Fruits and Vegetables - all fruit not on the permitted list below is prohibited. Sugarcane is prohibited. Potatoes are prohibited, including Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, and yams. (Exceptions: Cooked potatoes are permitted. Avocados without seeds are permitted, except in California.
• Plants, Seeds and Soil - plants and seeds require special permits. Soil and some plants are prohibited. Check in advance with agricultural inspectors. (Exception: Some dried plant parts, such as for medicinal purposes, are permitted.)
• Meat and Game - Pork, raw and cooked, including sausages, cold cuts, skins and pork tacos is prohibited. (Exceptions: Shelf-stable, canned pork and hard cooked pork skins (cracklings) are permitted.) Poultry - raw meat from both domesticated and game fowl is prohibited. (Exception: Thoroughly cooked poultry is permitted.) Game - check with agricultural inspectors in advance. Other restrictions may apply; check in advance with agricultural inspectors.
• Eggs - prohibited. (Exceptions: Boiled and cooked eggs are permitted.)
• Live Birds - Wild and domesticated birds, including poultry are prohibited. To import personally owned pet birds, contact agricultural inspectors in advance.
• Straw - Generally prohibited. This includes wheat straw, seeds, animal feed, and all articles made from this material.
• In addition to the excepted items listed above, many agricultural items are permitted if they pass inspection to be sure that they are free of pests, soil and sand.

• Fruits and Vegetables - Permitted fruits are bananas, blackberries, cactus fruits, dates, dewberries, grapes, lemons, limes (sour), lychees, melons, papayas, pineapples, and strawberries. Vegetables are permitted, except for the ones on the prohibited list above. Okra, however, is subject to certain restrictions.
• Nuts - Permitted items are acorns, almonds, cocoa beans, chestnuts, coconuts (without husks or milk), peanuts, pecans, pinions (pine nuts), tamarind beans, walnuts and water nuts.
• Seafood - you are permitted 50 lbs of fish or shrimp per vehicle.
• Avoid customs penalties by declaring all articles acquired in Mexico and in your possession at the time of your re-entry into the United States. If in doubt whether an article should be declared, always declare it first and then direct your question to the customs officer.
• If you understate the value of an article you declare, you may have to pay a penalty in addition to the payment of duty. If you fail to declare an article acquired in Mexico, not only is the item subject to seizure, but you will be liable for a personal penalty.
• You are entitled to a $800 exemption in a 30 day period. Articles totaling $400 may be entered free of duty, subject to limitations on liquor, cigarettes and cigars.
• 100 cigars; 200 cigarettes; (Cuban cigars are not permitted in the United States); 1 liter (39.8 fl.oz.) per person 21 or older; Medicine: If you have purchased medicine in Mexico which requires a prescription in the U.S. you must carry your prescription.

Border / Free Zone Residents

When you enter national territory (beyond the Free Zone) by any means, you have the right to objects making up your travel luggage and the tax exemption of $300 as long as the articles have been acquired at the border or Free Zone of the country; you must show invoices. If you exceed the tax exemption, you must pay the corresponding tax.

Duty Free Items

• Items for personal use such as clothing, shoes and toiletries in reasonable amounts according the length of your stay.
• 1 photographic or motion video camera, including a power source & 12 rolls of film or video cassettes. (No professional equipment).
• Books and Magazines
• 1 used sports article or piece of equipment for individual use which can be transported by 1 person.
• 2 cartons of cigarettes or 50 cigars.
• 3 liters (approx. 3 quarts) of wine or alcohol if the passenger is an adult. You may import an additional 2 liters if you wish.
• Medicine for personal use (w/your prescription).
• Suitcase to transport your items.

• Binoculars
• Portable television, radio and max of 20 cassettes
• Typewriter or laptop computer.
• 5 used toys if the passenger is a child
• Fishing tackle,
• A pair of skis
• 2 tennis rackets
• A non-motorized boat up to 5 ½ meters in length or a surfboard with or without a sail.
• Camping equipment

• VCR
• Bicycle with or without a motor
• Household linens
• Kitchen utensils
• Living room & Bedroom furniture.

Importing

Personal Visa

To obtain your personal visa in Sonoyta as you cross the border, you will need to bring your birth certificate and/or valid drivers license. You can either park on the U.S. side and walk across or you can go through the border, park and go to the Immigration office. As you come through the border, Immigration is on your right hand side. Go inside and tell them you need an FMT. You will need to show your ID and fill out the necessary paperwork (it is in English and Spanish). Once you have filled out the paperwork you will take it over to the Banca Serfin, pay approx. $195 pesos (per person) and return to the office to give them a copy. At this time you cannot obtain your FMT in Penasco but they can stamp your FM3 or FM2 for travel beyond the Free Zone.

By law, anyone in Mexico for more than 72 hours needs to have an FMT whether they are in the Free Zone or not.

FM3 / Immigration

If you are applying for your FM3, you will need the following:

1. A letter (in Spanish) written to I.N.M> (Instituto Nacional de Migracion) requesting a change in your migratory status. You must specify your reason and your actual address and the letter must be signed by you.
2. Complete copy of each page of your U.S. Passport which must be current.
3. Your last three proofs of income which must be "apostiled" and translated into Spanish. (This can be bank statements, pension or social security receipts.)
4. A copy of a document proving your local address. (This can be your bank trust, rental agreement, electric, water or phone bill.)
5. A form called "SOLICITUD FDNI/02", available at Immigration office, filled out properly.
6. 3 forms "S.H.C.P.-5" (available at any office supply store in Rocky Point). This form is prepared to make your payment to the bank.
7. Four photos of you with the front view and three photos of your right profile. Passport size and in color.
8. The Immigration office Puerto Penasco is located on Benito Juarez, just south of La Bellota market.

Pets Only domestic animals (dogs and cats) are allowed into Mexico. You will need a current rabies vaccination certificate. Please keep an eye on your animal as many are lost in Rocky Point due to fireworks and unfamiliar surroundings.