Traveling from the United States to Mexico by car may seem simple if you already have a passport, license, and insurance. But there is a procedure that many drivers are unaware of until they are about to cross the border: the temporary vehicle import permit, managed through Banjercito.

This permission is not always necessary. It depends on what part of Mexico you travel to and how far you go into the country. But if you need it and do not process it, you may have problems legally driving a vehicle with foreign plates.

What is Banjercito

Banjercito is the National Bank of the Army, Air Force and Navy of Mexico. Among its functions is operating the permit system to temporarily enter Mexico with vehicles of foreign origin.

In simple terms: if you drive from the US to Mexico with a car registered outside the country, Banjercito may be the institution through which you process the temporary permit for the vehicle.

You can see: Are you going to Mexico by car? The mistake with Banjercito that can cost you money when you return to the US.

When do you need permission

The permit is usually necessary when you are going to drive your vehicle beyond the border area or areas where Mexico allows driving without this procedure.

The National Customs Agency of Mexico indicates that those arriving from abroad with their vehicle must obtain a permit to enter the country and that processing it in advance helps avoid delays at the border. The procedure can be done online, in certain Mexican consulates in the United States or in CIITEV modules when entering Mexico.

So if you're only going to a border town for a few hours, you may not need it. But if you plan to travel to the interior of Mexico, it is advisable to check beforehand if your route requires a permit.

How much does it cost

The permit has an administrative cost. According to ANAM, processing it at CIITEV modules or authorized Mexican consulates costs $51 plus VAT. If done online, it costs $45 plus VAT.

In addition, a security deposit must be left for the vehicle. The amount depends on the year of the car:

That deposit can be recovered, but only if the vehicle returns within the authorized period and the return is recorded correctly.

What documents can they ask for?

To process the permit, the driver must prove his or her identity, immigration status, and legal ownership or possession of the vehicle.

ANAM mentions documents such as a valid passport or Passport Card, immigration document issued by the INM and car papers, such as the title of ownership, current license plate registration, credit contract or lease contract with authorization from the lessor, as the case may be.

The key point: don't forget to cancel it when you return

One of the most common mistakes occurs when leaving Mexico. It is not enough to cross back into the United States. If you processed the temporary permit, you must present the vehicle at a CIITEV module at the border to register the return and recover the deposit.

The Mexican authority indicates that, upon returning, the traveler must present the vehicle at these modules to obtain proof of return and receive the return of the guarantee deposit.

If you do not do this step, you may lose the deposit or be left with the permit unclosed, which can complicate future trips.

What should be done before traveling

Before driving to Mexico, check three things: if your destination requires a permit, if you have the car documents in order and where you can cancel the procedure when you return.

It is also advisable to process it in advance if you travel in high season. ANAM indicates that it can be managed online between 10 and 60 days before the trip, or at authorized Mexican consulates up to six months before.

The key is not to leave the permit until the last minute and, above all, not to forget to cancel it when leaving. On a road trip, that detail can avoid delays, loss of money and administrative problems.