How to Get Past Mexican Immigration

Preparing ahead of time and knowing what to expect when you cross the border to Mexico lets you go through customs more efficiently. Travelers to Mexico can expect to go through 2 distinct processes: Immigration and Customs. Airline travelers must also fill out some pre-arrival paperwork. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport or currently required documents

1. Prepare by obtaining a passport 12 to 24 weeks ahead of time. As of January 23, 2007, U.S. citizens are required to have passports for air travel to and from Mexico and Canada. Backlogs have caused some backpedaling on this requirement and changes can happen daily or weekly. Be sure to contact the State Department for the latest updates.
2. Fill out paperwork if traveling by plane. Flight attendants hand out tourist card paperwork and customs forms. This "tourist card" is sufficient for short trips to Mexico instead of an actual Visa. Fill out these bilingual forms fully.
3. Line up to speak to an immigration official once you deplane or cross the border. They look over your passport and/or other supporting documents and ask you simple questions about the nature of your visit and your citizenship.
4. Go through customs. If you arrived via plane, pick up your baggage first. Some customs check points have a system that enables them to check bags or cars randomly. Every passenger must press a button that randomly displays a green or red light. Officials search baggage with red lights, while they waive green lights through.
5. Relax. Customs agents are only searching for contraband such as items to sell, drugs or weaponry. You can bring in items for your own personal use and shouldn't fret over a search. Once through customs, you are free to roam the country.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are bringing prescription medications into Mexico, be sure to place them in their labeled container and bring a copy of the prescription paperwork.
• Begin your paperwork or passport application far ahead of time.
• Don't bring multiple CD's, DVD's, laptops or other electronic equipment. Customs officials may suspect you plan to sell these items.
• Don't bring used clothing for donation into Mexico. It is prohibited to import used textiles.