Local section · Evacuation to Mexico
Crossing documents
In this section (5)
What stops people at the bridge.
Per person
- Mexican citizens: valid passport or INE.
- Non-Mexicans: passport + FMM (online or at the INM office; stays of more than 7 days pay a fee).
Car with U.S. plates: temporary import permit (Banjercito)
- Required to drive outside the border strip (Nuevo León and Tamaulipas are not a free zone).
- Requirements: title or registration in the name of the person crossing with the car (that person does the paperwork), license, passport/INE, a credit card in their name for the USD 400 deposit (2007+ models) and a fee of ~USD 51 + VAT.
- There's a Banjercito office at the Colombia Bridge and at Bridge II; it can also be done online ahead of time.
Car with Mexican plates
With Mexican plates: only the tarjeta de circulación and current plates; no permit needed. With Texas plates: the same process as above.
Insurance
U.S. policies don't cover liability in Mexico. Buy a yearly Mexican policy for both cars now (online brokers issue it in minutes). Print the proof.
Dogs
- Record with current rabies and a microchip. SENASICA checks at the bridge that they're clean, healthy and without wounds; check gob.mx/senasica to see whether they ask for a certificate at the time.
- To return to the U.S.: the CDC Dog Import Form (free, online) and a microchip; dogs 6 months or older.
