WE ARE LEGAL! WOO-HOO!
We started our process to check in to the country at 10am and finished around 2:30. We’re in and legal! Our marina told us the process would take 45 minutes. I wish! If you are a fellow cruiser, here is the procedure for an Ensenada check-in and what you will need as of 9 December 2011. Of course this is subject to change.
One stop shop
You will need to visit Migracion, Banjercito, Capitania, Banamex, and Aduana. Luckily all but Banamex is in the same building.
1. Migracion.
Supply 4 copies of your crew list and your passport. There are many english/spanish examples available online.
2. Banjercito.
You will be sent here to pay $20 per person. They take dollars or pesos. They can also take credit cards, but their machine was down when we were there.
3. Migracion.
Go back to Migracion and they will approve your 6 month tourist visa and stamp all 4 copies of your crew list.
4. Capitania
This line takes the longest. They will look at your stamped crew list, proof of Mexican Liability Insurance, proof of boat ownership, passport. Then they send you to the Banamex about 5 minutes away to pay $203 pesos with a form (about $20).
5. Banamex (we just called it the banana bank)
The bank will only take pesos. Go to ATM outside to get pesos, go inside and in the lobby your will find an electronic stand with different options. Just press the red button and it will spit out a number for you. Sitting in the bank is like sitting in the DMV. Except a little faster. Sit in the waiting area and wait for your ticket number and window number to flash on the electronic signs on the walls. When you get to the window simply give them the form from the Capitania, 203 pesos, and they will give you a receipt.
6. Capitania
Go back to the Capitania and show them the Banamex receipt. They may tell you to wait in the lobby and then the second window will call you when they are ready. (It may be a while). The second window will give you your official stamped form for the initial import of your boat.
7. Banjercito
Now you are going to get your Temporary Import Permit which will clear your boat to stay in Mexico for 10 years. They will need a photocopy of the Captain’s Passport, photocopy of Mexican Liability Insurance, photocopy of proof of ownership, photocopy of both sides of the captain’s tourist visa, engine serial number, and 644 pesos. After you hand over these copies and monies, they will give you 2 forms to complete (they are the same and printed in spanish with english translations. Fill them out both the same way. The forms ask what types of accessories and equipment you have on board (ie. dishwasher, hand dryer, dish dryer, washer machine…. you know, the normal things on board. Ha!). The form will also ask for the serial number of both your boat engine and outboard. Then they will give you the fancy pink form in the photograph above.
8. Aduana
Fill out a customs form here. They will ask you to press the button on a small traffic light set up by the window. If the light is green you pass. If it is red they will search your boat. We got a green pase. Yeah!
9. Mexican Fishing License
If you do not yet have your fishing license you can also obtain this here. Go to the only window left in the building and they will have you fill out information, go to the Banjercito and pay a fee and then return to the fishing license window. I do not have more details for this process as we already obtained our Mexican Fishing Licenses in San Diego so we did not do this process here.
When you are done you are legal for 180 days your boat is legal for 10 years!!!
Note: You can make document copies on site but it costs about $1 per copy. Ouch! So make your copies beforehand if at all possible.
Also, we used DeAnne Amancio at Rowcliffe’s Insurance for our Mexican Liability Insurance. It is really easy. Her cards are all over San Diego. Click on this link for her contact information.
