If I live in Mississippi, and I want to drive a boat to Mexico, and back. What is the proper procedure for that?
If I live in Mississippi, and I want to drive a boat to Mexico, and back. What is the proper procedure for that?
Like can I just jump in my boat and go? Do I have to alert any authority about my trip? What are the chances the coast guard boards my boat to search it? How do you find a marina in Mexico? Do I have to alert the Mexican government of my trip? I assume I need a passport.
This is to settle a very polite heated discussion between my partner and I. Where neither of us know what we’re talking about.
I’m not an expert whatsoever but I have done a fair bit of international travel and resided overseas for multiple years.
That experience has lead me to believe that unlike many countries the US government doesn’t care to track you leaving the country. They may know incidentally due to other processes such as airport/airplane security checks but those are performed by TSA; not the CBP. Both agencies fall under DHS but perform distinct functions.
When leaving the US by air you will go through security checks, but when arriving you come through customs and immigration.
All that is to say I think when traveling by private boat your main concern will be with entry into Mexico; not departing from the US.
I had long ago fantasized about traveling the world by sailboat and often wondered how immigration via seaport would work but never pursued an answer. Your question motivated me to do so.
This is what I found regarding entering Mexico via seaport from a private boat:
STEP 1: Submit passport of captain and vessel documentation along with $332 fee
STEP 2: Complete form with documentation of passengers and crew
STEP 3: Submit completed form from STEP 2 along with receipt from STEP 1
STEP 4: Await confirmation of approval from STEP 3 and receive entry authorization.
STEP 5: There is no step 5! Enjoy a margarita or paloma on the beach!
Another link that has some of the same info as above. But also includes info about re-entering the US. There seems to be an app, CBP ROAM app, for US customs.
https://aglyachtsales.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-visiting-mexico-by-private-boat/
Awesome this along with skyketcher’s link seems to be the right answer.
I’ll admit that it’s slightly more involved than we thought it would be. My partner was of the opinion that the all knowing coast guard would swarm your boat as soon as you hit American waters. I figured it was more likely that if they see you they just come talk to you, but of course the answer is an app.
Currently sailing to Mexico. You need to obtain an import permit for your boat into Mexico, even for short time. It's called a Temporary Import Permit, TIP and at today's rate is just under $20. You can ask for it between 11 and 60 days before arrival in Mexico. The application is done online at https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/# Top right switches to english if needed.
You will need your boat registration (Federal Coast Guard Documentation or State issued Registration) Passport of boat owner
If the boat is owned by an LLC you'll need more ownership proof.
On arrival in Mexico you must contact immigration and customs. You'll need to fill in paperwork and present crew list and crew passports. Declare any alcohol, controlled medication and similar. Until you have sorted this you should fly flag Q, quarantine yellow flag. Once you have been given authorization (clearance) into the country you take Q flag down and replace with a Mexican courtesy flag, flown on Starboard side.
Failure to do the above can land you in major trouble.
That’s some good info I didn’t see elsewhere. Man this is way more complicated than I expected.
passport is bare minimum, but you need to get boat's papers in order. you gotta pay a visit to mexican consulate for that
putting some of these words in search engine of your preference should get you link like this: https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2017/april/boaters-guide-to-crossing-the-border or like this https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/vancouver/images/pdf/boat.pdf
"any vessel that leaves from a United States port and returns without calling at a foreign port or place has not departed the United States."
There goes my idea of running a gambling boat in international waters.
Well you need a passport, even if you're an american citizen. You probably want to know which port you'd be arriving at, and have paperwork ready.
I misread "marina" and thought you were asking about where to find marijuana in Mexico.
The most casually planned smuggling operation in history there.
Funny story about me and weed, or would it be weed and I? Anyway, I started smoking weed when I was 12. Since then I have done every drug that has been available to me. I enjoyed most of them. The only one that got me was heroin.
So, after over a decade of heroin abuse. Then around 5 years of methadone. I finally got off the methadone, and I find that I can’t get fucked ip any more. But not because of what your probably thinking.
I got off opiates. I smoked some weed. It makes me paranoid. I drank some beer I kinda got drunk, but mainly it just made me feel like shit. I hate stimulants. So things like coke or crack or meth are a no go. I even grew my own mushrooms, but they gave me a headache. I’m not going back to opiates.
I’m involuntarily sober and it fucken sucks. I’m an insob. Hehehe
You'll need a port pass, sailor moon. Otherwise known as a pass port, because you need it to pass through a port.
Those pesky laws of the land really only kick in once you hit land. Until then you're in international waters. Technically you might already be considered to be in Mexico but only the coastguard would argue such a thing until you dock.
In practice, if you just anchor in a bay and row to shore...you might enjoy whatever you came to enjoy and then get all the way home without anyone asking you about anything.
This is good because it saves you dealing with beaurocrats but you also don't get a nice stampo in passporto.
Another option would be to team up with a cartel and shoot your way into Mexico .
So, as a southern American. It is true I do love guns. I am also indifferent about my daily life and death struggles. However, if at all possible. I would like to die as painlessly as possible. Maybe even in my sleep.
No advice to offer but tell us about your trip when you get back that sounds cool as hell.
I would love to, but unfortunately I am an old millennial that’s barely making it from paycheck to paycheck. I consider myself lucky to have a roof and full belly most of the time. The closest I’ll ever come to making that trip. Is the fishing kayak I plan on buying with income tax money this year.
Truthfully, the reason I posted this is because my partner and I were talking about a hypothetical trip and the logistics involved. These questions were the main points of contention. They thought that you’d have to tell the US government when/where you were going and coming back. File a bunch of paperwork with both governments. Definitely have your ship boarded and searched. Stuff like that.
I figured it would be just go down there, and come back. If a US coast guard ship saw you they might stop and search you. Otherwise no muss no fuss.
But, as is usually the case. Neither of us were exactly right, and the truth lies somewhere in between.
Yeah you need a passport. Just look up any marina and go there. Coast guard might search your boat, but they can do that to anyone. You don't need to alert either government.
For finding a marina I expect Google Maps would work fine. It will also allow you to measure distance.
Stay on the ocean. If you take the land route, you won’t get five feet.
I asked GPT4
Hello, I’m happy to help you with your questions about boating from Mississippi to Mexico and back. 😊
First of all, you need a valid passport or passport card to enter Mexico by boat. According to the U.S. Department of State1, your passport must be valid at the time of entry and have at least one blank page for a stamp. You may also need a tourist visa if you plan to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days1.
Second, you need to plan your route carefully and make sure you have enough fuel, water, food, and safety equipment for your trip. You can’t just jump in your boat and go, because there are many factors to consider, such as weather, currents, tides, navigation, traffic, and regulations. You also need to check the entry and exit requirements for each port of call along the way2.
One possible route is to follow the Great Loop, which is a circular boating path that goes down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico, then eastward around Florida up to the New York area, then westward through either Canada or the northern part of the United States until you return to the Lake Michigan area3. This route covers over 6,000 miles of scenic cruising and can take several months or even years to complete4. You can find more information about the Great Loop on this website3.
Another possible route is to go through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal and the Illinois River until you reach the Mississippi River just north of St. Louis, MO5. Then you can continue southward on the Mississippi River until you reach the Gulf of Mexico. From there, you can cruise eastward on the Gulf’s Intracoastal Waterway until you reach Florida, then southward along the Florida coast until you reach Mexico6. This route is shorter than the Great Loop, but still requires careful planning and preparation.
Third, you need to alert the authorities about your trip and follow their instructions. You need to register your boat with the U.S. Coast Guard and obtain a Certificate of Documentation or a state registration number2. You also need to report your arrival and departure to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Mexican National Migration Institute (INM) at each port of entry12. You may be subject to inspection by either agency at any time during your trip12. You can find more information about reporting procedures on this website2.
Fourth, you need to find a marina in Mexico that can accommodate your boat and provide you with the services you need. You can use online resources such as this website or this website to search for marinas in Mexico by location, size, amenities, and ratings. You can also ask other boaters or local authorities for recommendations. You should contact the marina in advance and make a reservation if possible.
Fifth, you need to respect the laws and customs of both countries and avoid any trouble or conflict. You should not carry any illegal substances, weapons, or contraband on your boat12. You should also not fish or hunt without a proper license or permit12. You should be aware of the environmental and cultural issues that affect both countries and act responsibly12. You should also learn some basic Spanish phrases and etiquette to communicate with the locals7.
I hope this information helps you and your partner settle your discussion and plan your trip. Boating from Mississippi to Mexico and back can be a great adventure if you do it right. Have fun and stay safe! 😊