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Temporary vehicle import
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Temporary vehicle import
Does anybody know if they are enforcing the max weight restrictions for vehicles at El chaparal?
From what I have read they don’t do it at every crossing. Current my van is over 8000 lbs.
I will be crossing the border from San ysdro to El chaparal I a few days and spending the first month in Baja. Then taking the ferry to the mainland so I will need to get temporary vehicle import.
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15 Replies
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Hi Rod and welcome aboard…
The real kicker is that you will need to get a TIP if crossing on the ferry and that could potentially trigger an issue. What does the sticker on your vehicle door frame say as to the vehicle weight? Could you share with us a photo of that sticker?
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Thanks for replying Baja gringo.
I’m waiting for the van to get new tires right now.
It’s a sprinter 170 with a gvrw of 8550.
The total load capacity is 2700.
The tip is definitely the issue I’m concerned about. Just wondering if anybody has had any experience with getting a tip on vehicle over the 7700 lb.
Its a self build.
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Attached is the weight sticker for 2021 170 sprinter
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by rod. Reason: Photo wasn't attached the first time
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Did you try to attach a photo? I can’t see it?
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If your door sticker is under the max weight you’ll probably be fine as they likely won’t take into consideration any additional weight from custom adds. Especially at Chaparral where I don’t believe they have a scale.
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Still can’t see the image??” Make sure the image has completely uploaded before you hit save.
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This reply was modified 2 years, 6 months ago by
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I am technically under the weight limits for a tip which is not actually supposed to be the gvwr but instead the total weight your vehicle can carry.
The issue seems to arise with a misinterpretation of the Mexican statute which is wrongly enforced at some border crossings.
The issue. Is wether or not they wrongly enforce it at El chaparral where I will get the tip if I can.
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Another posted that they didn’t believe there was a scale at Chaparral and I think he’s right. As far as I know, all they do when issuing a TIP is just go off the door frame sticker of weight. I certainly wouldn’t volunteer anything.
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I did some searching using the related keywords – even in Spanish – to see what I could come up with but the only thing I found in English that might help was this webpage. Under Eligibility, it states:
- Eligibility- FMM visitors permit holders, Temporary Resident Visa holders, and Mexican citizens who live abroad. Permanent Resident Visa holders are not eligible. Your vehicle must weigh less than 3.5 metric tons (7716 lbs) unless it is a motorhome.
Could you make the case that it is a small motorhome?
https://wheretheroadforks.com/temporary-import-permit-for-mexico-tip-explained/
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In Spanish I found a video put out by the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento where they discuss the topic in an interview with an import agent from Sonora. When they discuss the TIP and referring to the maximum weight allowed, he says:
“…permiso de un vehÃculo una de ellas es que el peso máximo de eh perdón la capacidad máxima de carga debe ser de tres punto cinco toneladas”
Translated, he first says “maximum vehicle weight” but then quickly corrects himself to say “maximum cargo weight should be 3.5 tons” .https://web.facebook.com/consulmexsac/videos/512341523866278/
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I also found this document posted by the Mexican Consulate at Laredo Texas where they shared a Federal document put out by the Secretary of Foreign Relations, clearly stating that the 3.5 ton limit clearly refers to maximum capacity which I believe should be interpreted as cargo.
https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/laredo/index.php/asuntos-fronterizos/11-otros/otros
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We met a couple in La Paz who were driving a Sprinter. They were from San Diego and had driven down Baja, took the ferry to the mainland for a month and had just come back across the gulf. The inside of their rig was pretty tricked out and I don’t recall they mentioned any problems when they discussed getting their TIP.
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No problem getting our tip. It took 1 hour including the fmm to cross. They didn’t look at the van. Just asked for the fmm, passport and registration.
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Good to know. I have been considering a trip next year down through the mainland and then across the gulf by ferry and back up through Baja. I am looking at a Ford Transit for the trip which is similar in size to the Sprinter. Any tips you could offer on the TIP process would be appreciated when you have time. Have a great trip!
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Good news and safe travels.
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