Frequently Asked QuestionsOnline Mexican Fishing License Application Temporary Boat Importation: http://www.banjercito.com.mx/site/siteBanjer/index.html and the online Instructions for obtaining a customs document for returning equipment to the US for repair and bringing them in either via La Paz airport or Cabo airport. UPS Shipments, Customs and Tax free with TIP - Info Here Park Passes (Info: Park passes, or “Pasaporte de La Conservacion” are required by the Comision Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas or CONANP in order to anchor (20 pesos/day) and to go ashore (40 pesos/day) anywhere at Espiritu Santo & Partida and further north at nearly all of the Islands near Loreto, and who knows what in between or after, in order to protect the environment of the islands and surrounding waters. Boats are being stopped and asked to pay. The protected area includes 900 islands and islets. A yearly park pass which includes everything, anchoring, going ashore, etc. is available for $261 pesos per person, starting and ending Jan of each year and is good throughout Mexico. Everyone who is not a local citizen & resident able to show a local voter’s ID card, no matter what age (other than children), are required to pay. The La Paz Office is located at Altamirano 650 e/ Torre Iglesias y Republica |
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Thank you to Marina de La Paz for this information
1. How long can
my boat stay in Mexico? 1. How long can my boat stay in Mexico? All countries regulate foreign marine traffic within their boundaries, whether for commercial or pleasure purposes. Mexico's law allows an owner/captain to enter Mexico with a pleasure boat and keep it in the country for the duration of the original visit, which is determined by a "tourist card", which can be issued for up to 6 months. Someone wishing to keep his boat in the country for longer than the original visa can do so by requesting a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for up to 10 years. The temporary import does not change the registry or nationality of the boat; there are no taxes to pay or any other legal encumbrance. It is simply a permit to keep a boat in Mexico for up to 10 years. It is recommended that you get a TIP at your first port of entry by going to the Customs office and requesting the "Solicitud de Importacion Temporal de Embarcaciones". In La Paz the process can take one to two weeks; in other ports it is quicker, so you should plan accordingly. The permit is also needed to import maintenance and repair parts and materials for your boat. The forms must be typed or printed very legibly (outside most government offices you will find a stand where forms are sold and for a small fee can have the typing done) and submitted in duplicate, along with a copy of proof of ownership and a valid tourist card. Be sure to know where the hull number on your boat is located, to show the inspector. When you are given a stamped copy of your TIP, it will have a "Folio" number under which the permit will be registered. Before your boat leaves Mexico, your permit must be canceled at the port of exit. 2. Can I charter or sell my boat while in Mexico? The boat may not be used for commercial purposes without goverment authorization, nor may the boat be sold while the permit is in effect. If you intend to leave the country and leave your boat in Marina La Paz, we will require a copy of your Temporary Import Permit. The TIP does NOT eliminate the need to check in and out of each port with the Port Captain. We can advise you on how to obtain this permit. 3. Can packages marked "boat or yacht in transit" enter Mexico duty free? Contrary to another old-time belief, there is no law allowing importation of goods for "boats in transit". Importation of repair and maintenance materials for pleasure vessels can be arranged for boats with a TIP. The form is called "Solicitud de Autorizacion de Importacion Temporal de Mercancias, Destinadas al Mantenimiento y Reparacion de las Mercancias Importadas Temporalmente" Ask for one when you apply for a TIP, and keep it in your file for future use. 4. Does a Temporary Import Permit allow me to bring ANYTHING for my boat into Mexico duty free? The items to be imported must be for repair or maintenance. Other items must be declared and duty paid. That is, anything that could possibly be sold separately from the boat is subject to duties. Importation must be done at the point the goods enter the country: at the border if you drive over, in La Paz if it comes on a direct flight from Los Angeles, or in Guadalajara or Toluca, if that is where the plane first touches down. We recommend you only ship parts on direct flights to La Paz. Following is a suggested procedure for importing parts and materials. Bear in mind that each Customs port, even each official, may do things differently. Fill out and present original and two copies of SAITMDMRMIT form mentioned above, being sure to include serial numbers and accurate description of the merchandise, as well as: two copies of TIP, two copies of the invoices for the merchandise, and two copies of third party voucher (usually a marina, and usually they don't ask for this). B.- Merchandise shipped direct to La Paz by air.
In three days the office will issue you a letter to present to the Customs official at the airport (Vista) instructing him to inspect the merchandise and release it to you if all is in order. C. Merchandise sent by overnight or express mail like DHL, UPS, or FEDEX This is a more difficult proposition. You must deal directly with these companies and a customs agent to get your merchandise out of customs in Toluca or Guadalajara, which is their first port of entry. The TIP sometimes doesn't work for lack of information on the part of the shipping company and the authorities not acquainted with maritime law, and often a definitive (rather than temporary) importation must be done, which entails paying taxes and duties. 5. Do I have to check in and out of every port in Mexico? Mexico requires that every boat check out of the port with the Port Captain "Capitania de Puerto" every time it leaves for more than 24 hours. Even if you are staying within the same port district, you must clear out and clear back in when you return. In La Paz you are requested to contact the Capitania verbally on Channel 16 and the Navy (Cuarta Zona Naval) on Channel 11 as you leave port. The checkin/checkout laws changed in May, 2005. You must still complete the international arrival and departure clearances upon entering or leaving Mexico. After checking into Mexico and travelling along the coastline or in the Sea of Cortes, or when changing crew, you must inform the marina office or the local port captain's office. This can be done using VHF radio or filling out a simple form. 6. Do I have to file a new Despacho every time I have guests on board? The valid Despacho on board when at sea must have a correct passenger list. In port, it doesn't matter who is aboard. Any registered tourist marina can do the clear out/in procedure for most of its clients. In addition you must check out with immigration if you are leaving for another country. The laws changed in May, 2005. Please check with your marina office for the latest information. 7. Is there a fee for anchoring my boat in La Paz? In 1997 the administration of many ports in Mexico, including those in our area except for Cabo San Lucas, was turned over to a State owned company (API). The current port tax, paid on checking INTO the port, is $1.88 pesos per gross ton for vessels 40 tons or over. Currently vessels under this tonnage will pay a flat fee of $63.13 pesos including tax. The API of La Paz charges for anchoring in the harbors under its jurisdiction according to the following table:
When you clear into La Paz, API will ask you to estimate the length of your stay in the harbor and will charge you according to the days you estimate. If you stay longer, go to API to pay the difference before taking your papers to the Capitania to check out. Boats in marinas do not pay an anchoring fee; show API your receipts from the marina to be exempt for any time you spent in one. 8. How long does it take for mail to arrive in La Paz from the U.S. or Canada? Mail service between Canada or the USA and Baja California Sur is dependable and moderately fast. Regular letter mail takes between 5-10 days. Small packages, including gifts or parts, can be sent regular air mail; expect them to take 3 weeks for delivery except at Christmas time. From the U.S. Post Office, International Express Mail service works well and the sender will get an ID number for tracing purposes; delivery time is from 8 to 10 days and there is a small Custom's charge at this end. 9. What mailing address should I use to receive mail in La Paz? Please use the following address for mail sent through the regular postal service: Your Name Your Boat Name Apdo. Postal 366 La Paz, CP 23000, BCS, Mexico The mail is sorted and placed in the Club Cruceros de La Paz building at MLP; as a courtesy for Club handling of your mail you should join the Club ($10.00dls per year per person). Bring a supply of U.S. stamps, as there is an informal hand delivery system in place, whereby cruiser/guests are willing to carry letter mail when the fly north. If mail is being sent by a family member via one of the special delivery services, like UPS, tell them not to include a surprise gift, or medicines, as this will sidetrack the shipment in Customs on the mainland of Mexico where the shipments are first checked. 10. What about the non-postal express delivery services? Letter items sent by UPS, Fed Ex, or DHL can take from 1-4 days to arrive. Be sure to give a street address, as delivery companies will not accept a postal address. Our street address is: Topete 3040 y Legaspy, La Paz 23060, BCS, Mexico. See II above for shipment of parts. 11. Can I have faxes or e-mail sent to me at Marina de La Paz? Faxes, yes. Be sure to tell the sending party to put your name and your boat name on all faxes, otherwise they might not reach you. There are a number of businesses to and from which e-mails can be sent. 12. Can I keep my car in Mexico? Cruisers who stay more than 6 months in the La Paz area often end up with cars. Be sure you keep your U. S. or Canadian driver's license as well as your car registration current. It is illegal to leave your car behind when you leave, or to sell it to a Mexican. If you take it to the mainland of Mexico you must obtain a special temporary import permit (you must have title, tourist visa, passport, a major credit card, insurance. This paper work is done at the ferry terminal, north end, near the water. A sticker will be attached to your windshield and the car can remain on the mainland for 6 months, period. Many cars change hands between cruisers, but only another Canadian can buy a Canadian registered vehicle because ownership cannot change hands outside of the country. Don't leave a car without changing ownership; you will be liable for any fines or other legal problems accumulated by others. Be sure you have the required liability insurance on your auto. It may save you an unpleasant stay in jail in the event of an accident. 13. Do I need to have boat insurance? Liability insurance is required on your vessel. 14. Is there still a problem with "mordida" (bribes) in Mexico? The Mexican government has gone to great lengths to stamp out corruption in recent years. Don't pay mordida or offer to bribe an official or police officer unless you feel there is no possible alternative. If you are stopped by a traffic policeman, take the time to go to the police station and ask for a clarification, or to pay the real fine. If you feel you were unjustly detained, say you want to go to the tourism office for translation or an explanation. 15. Who do I turn to if I have a problem in Mexico? The tourism department can be of help to you. If you feel you have been the victim of a scam, go to them and file a written report. If you feel you need help with translation at some government agency, ask them to help you. If you are broke, don't expect them to help you get money or get out of town. 16. How close is the nearest U.S. Consular Representative? The U.S. maintains a consular office in Cabo San Lucas. The consular agent can renew passports, and notarize documents. The agent visits La Paz once a month. The number in Cabo San Lucas is 01 624 143-3566, and office hours are M-F from 10:00 to 1:00 P.M. The rest of the time you can leave a message on an answering machine. 17. What is the best way to get money while I'm in La Paz? Aside from what you carry in cash and travelers checks, ATM machines are one way to have access to funds. However, in the past the ATM system has been subject to problems; sometimes the machine has not made a payout but money has been deducted from the account, and it is time consuming to rectify the error. Some other suggestions for ways to receive funds: Arrange for bank-to-bank transfers by filling out the proper forms at your financial institution before you leave home; such transfers can then be requested by voice or fax; payment is the same day; pay out can be made in U.S. currency or pesos. Get a telephone number from your bank which will put you in touch with a person, rather than a "communications system". An American Express office will sell Traveler's Checks to their card holders. Money can also be sent via Western Union; there is a new office, Electra, in La Paz and most other towns; which receives funds by wire; pay out is in pesos. Personal checks are rarely accepted except by businesses or persons that know you. Foreign coins are useless to anyone, as the banks will not accept them; please don't use them for tips. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Local businesses and banks WILL NOT TAKE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ON. Inspect the bills you are bringing with you and exchange any that have been marked in any way. 18. Are good medical and dental services available in La Paz? Yes. Medical and dental services in La Paz are excellent and reasonably priced. You can find specialists in most fields, general medical practice is very competent, many doctors and dentists are bilingual, and the hospitals provide adequate service for very moderate prices. However, conditions in the public hospital may be different from those you are accustomed to, where family or friends are expected to provide needed services, like purchasing medicines or fetching water or bedpans. The private hospitals provide a higher quality of service. 19. What is the best way to make telephone calls in Mexico? The least expensive way to telephone is by using the prepaid LADATEL cards at the phones located all over most towns. The cards come in $30, $50, and $100 peso amounts and can be used for calls within and out of Mexico. In-city calls cost about $.50 centavos a minute. Other phones located outside many businesses and hotels are the Dial "O" phone. Ease of use is offset by the high cost per minute. You can ask the operator who answers what the call is going to cost you per minute and keep that in mind. There are ways of using ATT and other carriers. Ask your server for its number via an 800 (or 880) number before leaving home. Finally, there are two cell phone companies in La Paz. 20. Where can I connect my computer to send and receive e-mail? Some businesses will let those with their own equipment plug in modems to send and receive E-mail. Most towns, including La Paz, now have some form of "Internet cafe" where you can rent time on their machines. Marina de La Paz now has a wireless internet connection for your convenience. 21. How important is it to speak Spanish? Many people in La Paz are bilingual, but Spanish is the primary language. Whatever amount you can learn will be useful and just as important to your successful cruising as any of the other skills you are practicing. So carry a dictionary always and PRACTICE YOUR SPANISH ! ! Marina de La Paz
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