.png)
TIP Part 1: Official TIP
Go to the Parkin Permit station at KM 21 on I-15. I will say that I never saw a mile marker 21. In fact, I'm pretty sure I saw mile 256 right after I passed it. My tip would be to click your odometer when you cross the border so you can see when you've gone 21 miles - then keep your eyes peeled at mile 20. I almost missed it, but I saw these signs at the last minute and was able to pull in to the station (if you miss the first entrance, you can get the second entrance).
There are three places to stop during your time at this station.
First, you are going to go to the Immigration building where they will fill out Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM)
Second, you will go the Copy Booth where they will make the appropriate number of copies of all of the required documents for Banjercito
Last, head over to Banjercito with all of your paperwork so you can get you TIP
If you do not already have Mexican auto insurance, you can take care of that here. There is an insurance place (Seguro) next to the copy booth. I got a Mexican insurance agent/auto insurance before I left NC.
STEP 1 - INM
Stop at Immigration and they will fill out your FMM (see what this looks like below). You have to present copies of this to Banjercito, which is why this is step numero uno.
STEP 2: Copies
Next, you head over to the copy booth. They charge 30 pesos to make all of the appropriate copies for Banjercito. I don't have a picture of the copy hut, but I got a picture of ALL of the required paperwork to get your TIP.
Migration Permit (Mexican Visa)
Passport or MICA (I have no idea what a MICA is)
Registration or Title (They required both for me - no idea why....)
License or ID
AND PROOF OF MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE (which is not listed, but required all the same)
STEP 3: Banjercito
With all of your paperwork in hand, head to Banjercito and be prepared to wait. It is a slow process, but these guys are great! They are professional and kind. And we made friends with other expats. They had some GREAT tips for us on our journey! Please know that you are not allowed to wear sunglasses or hats or be on the phone while you are at Banjercito. Their guard will politely make sure the rules are enforced. Also, it is only one person per "caja", but since I don't know spanish, they let me bend the rules so my mom could translate.
Once you are done with that, you will get your Temporary Import Permit (TIP), aka "Permiso de Importacion Temporal de Vihiculos".
They will tell you that you have 30 days to go to SAT to complete the TIP process. Somehow, while I was told it was 30 days, she told us we had to have it done in two weeks. I could not understand why, but I also knew that I needed to do it ASAP! Read the second half of this article to avoid some confusion that I ran into when I started on step 2 of the TIP process once I got to Mazatlan.
TIP Part 2: TIP Extension
Before you can do your TIP extension, you HAVE TO have your Residente Temporal. If you do not have this, you will not be able to get your TIP extension. SO.... read my blog on the Residency Process to find out how to secure your Residente Temporal.
First things first - the SAT INM had no idea what the TIP was. That is because they have nothing to do with this. You have to go to the SAT Aduana (Customs) as the TIP is in their purvue.
You will take all of your paperwork to the Aduana in Mazatlan.
Av. Emilio Barragán 115, Lázaro Cárdenas, 82040 Mazatlán, Sin., Mexico (directions via the link)
In all, you will need 4 copies of TIP request paper "Condición de Estancia Migratoria". If you have read my Residency Process you will know that you can just visit Hogla and she will help you fill out everything you need to get this done right on your first try!
You will need the following:
4 copies of the Condición de Estancia Migratoria. DO NOT SIGN any of these before you go to the Aduana. You have to do this while they watch you sign, so leave them blank until you are there.
As that document points out, you will need 2 copies of each of your:
Passport
TIP
INM documentation (in my case the Residente Temporal)
The good news is that, unlike at INM, you will be in and out of the Aduana in less than 30 minutes and there is no extra money to pay. All of your fees were collected at the Banjercito. Once you sign your papers, you will get this document back and your car will be good for as long as your residency. I keep a copy of my Mexican auto insurance, the Banjercito TIP, and this document in my car in my glove compartment at all times.
Hope this helps!
Take a leap; choose JOY!