Mexicali East | Customs and Immigration

March 19th, 2024 by Mad or Nomad

We crossed this border from USA to Mexico today on two British plated motorcycles.
It was an exceptionally smooth and easy crossing.
We pulled up for an inspection, which was basically a quick look in our top boxes.
We asked where the FMM and TIP offices were and they let us park our bikes right next to the inspection.

The FMM office was metres away, took a few minutes and could pay there using card without having to go to another office to pay.

They then directed us to the Banjercito, a few metres away but very easy to find. Perfect English both times, easy to sort the TIP, very professional.

Overall, fantastic experience and very impressed.

March 12th, 2024 by audramearns

Get in to the left lane immediately- the long line of cars. We accidentally went ahead and had to turn around. we turned into the line at the nearest stop sign and was honked at repeatedly. Once we made it to turn into the crossing, the guard made us go to the end of the line due to everyone honking. Save yourself the headache now and don't follow Google maps lol

March 8th, 2024 by sleigh622

US to MX super EASY! I uploaded a picture with arrows on where to go. If you are traveling with a dog, and you want to have the dog inspected, that happens at the FMM office. But there is NO paperwork for the dog. No one asked me about my dog, nothing. I asked since this was my first time and I had no paperwork for him. They said just bring it next time so they can see. They did a quick look at him to make sure he didn't have ticks or fleas. Next time I won't even say anything, I'll just leave him in the car.

FMM and TIP were easy, I was the only one there at 0730 on a Friday and was in and out in no time. I had my paperwork ready to go. $55 US for the TIP.

January 29th, 2024 by 287sds

Crossed the border going south this morning. Like everyone has said if you are in an RV, stay to the right and you will be directed to pull over for a quick inspection. Two custom officers looked in the travel trailer and the truck. Once finished they lets us leave the truck parked while we went back about 50m to the immigration office, the desk is on the right as you go in the door by the bathrooms. Super easy

January 24th, 2024 by lisa-nuber

Super relaxed and friendly border crossing! We were done with FMM and inspection of our van (2 minutes) in around half an hour.
You can also get your TIP here which you need if you would like to travel mainland Mexico.

December 26th, 2023 by hutmacherkm

US to Mexico. Crossed around noon on a Tuesday. Second time we’ve crossed here. There is nothing stopping you from driving right through after a green light or inspection (we learned this the hard way last year).

This time we got a green light, but still needed to stop for an FMM. Simply rolled down our window, confirmed the building to go into for the FMM and asked where to park. The lady pointed for us to pull off to the left after the inspection lines and park on along curb. Walked in, grabbed our FMM (card only, though we’d converted cash just in case), and went on our way.

FMM is the desk on the right. Ring the bell if no one is there. Super easy and friendly crossing. ¡Bienvenido a Mexico!

November 18th, 2023 by spirit-of-the-road.com

Easy and friendly crossing! Went from Us to Mexico on a Saturday around 2pm, we were in line for about 10-15min. Then they searched our camper for not even 5min. Staff was friendly! FMM took about 10min and TIP a little longer, but that’s probably because of our German registration. The lady at FMM and also the people for the TIP were really friendly! That was it. Welcome to Mexico:)

November 3rd, 2023 by Potholesandpictures

Really simple and fast crossing 1 hour total with no line at 715 am. Everyone was kind. One of the guards offered my daughter and I a chair while we waited for our FMM. The search through the vehicle was only about 5 minutes. They asked about alcohol several times, we had none. The guard also took a copy of our registration and checked it against the VIN on our door.

April 5th, 2023 by alex5577

USA to MEX

Left 2 lanes were signed as nothing to declare. Right lane was for declaring imports. We used the middle lane. We were directed into a stall for inspection. Two people took about 10 mins to look through the van thoroughly but not overly intrusively. They said we could go. We drove away and before realizing we were in Mexicali. We had to loop back around into line to the US then find parking near the inspection building. There was some construction so it may be more obvious normally. Went in with FMMs we got online and printed off but person working said we needed paper receipt. After looking at her confused for a bit she wrote down her email and kindly let us email her the receipts which she printed off. We got lucky that no one else was waiting or else I think she would have made us pay again. Passports stamped then we were good to go. It was a bit of a lengthy process to get the FMM online and some of the website is only in Spanish.

tldr; after inspection, park immediately and go inside the building for immigration. Probably easier to get the FMM in person but if you do it online ahead of time make sure to bring a hard copy of the receipt as well as the document itself.

March 19th, 2023 by 17daystransit

Mexico --> USA

Google map was sending us along the border line and then east bound on Abelardo L. Rodriguez but we decided instead to take the same street from the south (see pictures) and turning right in the "Ceda El Paso" toward the custom. There is concrete blocks between each lane and the only way to take the far rightlane is coming from the south/east. If you are coming from the west, looks like you only have access to ReadyLane and Sentri Lane to enter USA. By taking the good lane, we skipped dozens of cars. We crossed on a sunday morning 9h30 AM, 15 minutes total time.

February 27th, 2023 by Blake king

Crossed successfully USA to Mexico. Checked our drawers and a quick search under our mattress (sprinter van) but then directed us inside for FMM. They said no cards, and paid $80 US cash for 2 people.

February 7th, 2023 by c.chris.lewis

Easy crossing. One guy took a look inside our rig, no secondary screen, didn’t even look in our towed car. FMM office was attached the the inspection bldg and there was no wait at noon on a weekday. Credit card machine for FMM purchase was working; staff courteous and professional.

January 31st, 2023 by poudredescampette.com

Easy border crossing from US to Mexico. Customs officiers are very nice. At 8am we were alone.
We stay on the right lane and we parked our car under the shelter. 2 customs officiers checked quickly the front and the back of our camper and they explained to us where to go to get FMM and TIP.
1) FMM : go back by foot 50m to the main building, the office is directly on the right. You complete the form and pay in cash 687 Pesos ou 40$US by form (it is not possible to pay by credit card, or may be you can ask to pay to the Banjercito), you can asked for a receipt.
2) TIP : in front of the shelter go to the Banjercito. You need a copy of your passport and of the car registration. They do the copy of your FMM. They complete the form and you check it. We paid 1060,82 Pesos by credit card for our RV. They give me a copy of TIP and ask my email to send it in pdf.

In 1h we get all documents stamped and we entered in Mexico!

January 27th, 2023 by Willie_Van

Super easy and fast, it was a friday afternoon (1pm), and there was no wait! We paid credit for the FMM, got our stamp, and a receipt.
Quick inspection of our van, but thats it!
Amazingly surprised!!!

January 11th, 2023 by CamperX

We cross the border from US to Mex at 10 am. No line, it was easy and fast. A short view in our Motorhome ynd then we went to the Office for the Tourist Card. The Lady was very nice. Paying was only possible with Creditcard. She gave us a printed receipt inclouding the numbers of our Touristcard. So we think, we are fine when we leave Mexico. All in all a fast and easy bordercrossing.

December 27th, 2022 by bob

We always breeze right through that this border crossing. Short inspection, guards were polite. Then parked and went to immigration office for FMM. $36 USD each in cash. Turn left when you exit and it’s easy to get to Hwy 5 without going through town. There’s a huge Soriana store not too far - good place to stick up on groceries before heading towards San Felipe.

December 19th, 2022 by Colleen_JördTheVan

Crossing from US into Mexico early on a Monday. Had an extremely easy entry. Stayed far right as we entered. Van was searched but pretty routine/didn’t feel violating. Line for paperwork was a 30 minute wait, but we had our FMMs already paid for with receipts attached. Van was in good shape when we got back to it.

December 11th, 2022 by vancleaveeileen

USA to Mexico - they were nice but they searched every receipt, manual, map, books, paper we had looking for checks/checkbooks (at least that's what it seemed like they were looking for). if you have old checks either write void on them or destroy before coming to the crossing. beware that they will take a picture of your checkbook if you aren't watching them bc the one guy tried but I told him no multiple times. they did go through more than we thought they would, backpacks/enclosed things. We were stopped there for 20 minutes or so. then we went into the building on the right for the FMM cards - this lady was super nice & easy to deal with, make sure you ask for a receipt! just be very aware of your surroundings at all times!

October 22nd, 2022 by kleine.erlebnisse

crossed today and would summarize as easy and fast. would generally agree with previous posts but here is how it went:
1. stick to the very right lane even if they lane is marked with an red X as closed. you will get directed to customs inspection with roofed parking.
2. we haven't had an inspection - nice. did declare some veggies and a bear spray, they were not interested.
3. walk back 50 meters to immigration and get stamp and fmm. we had to pay cash even after playing nice and then dumb. got a receipt, printed with my name and fmm fee but not sure if "official" let's see if that's alright for exiting...
4. check in with banjercito directly at your parking spot for tip.

ADD AFTER EXITING MEXICO: as we thought from the start, our receipt from the cash payment was not the official one! Luckily they let us leave without paying again but it took some friendly discussion. In my opinion try to avoid cash payments! the receipt given is just a print-out where they hastily put in your name and amount payed, no FMM number etc. Try credit card or argue for a stamp to make it look official ...

September 16th, 2022 by peggyann.boucher

We entered Mexico at this border on a Friday morning, 6 am. There was no other person, so it went very fast.
We we asked to park over so they can check the van. 5 minutes later they were done.
We entered immigration to buy our FMM, get the stamps, paid cash (internet not working??) and gave us a fake receipt on a blanc paper... FMM is stamped, we asked the person at banjercito and he said it was ok... We will see!
We bought the Tip at banjercito as we are taking the ferry to Mazatlán.
Everything when smooth and fast!

En ce vendredi matin, tout à été très bien. À 6h am, nous étions seuls. Nous avons gardé la ligne de droite, ils ont demandé à vérifier l'intérieur de la van. Ceci a pris 5 min. Ils étaient deux. Un à l'intérieur, l'autre a l'arrière. Ouvert les tiroirs quelques questions et c'est tout. On est restes stationnés là (sous le toit) pour aller au bureau d'immigration acheter notre FMM. On a rempli les papiers sur place. Internet ne fonctionnant pas (est ce vrai?) elle a demandé de payer cash. Elle a étampé nos passeports et tourist cards. Lorsqu'on a demandé pour un reçu, elle a imprimé une demi feuille blanche déchirée avec très peu d'encre (peu visible) et à dit que c'était ça. Pas certaine! La personne à la banjercito à dit que c'était correct... On verra!
Nous avons aussi acheté notre Tip car nous allons traverser en ferry à Mazatlán.

En une heure tout était réglé pour nous trois!

April 26th, 2022 by sending.it.south

To cross from mexico to USA. make sure you stay in far right lane as other lanes are sentri or quick access and there is parking lot (first entrance is blocked, but you can enter 15m past) to go to cancel mexican TIP and FMM.

US border agent asks to see pasport before you cross bridge then you wait in queue for agent at booth.

I chose to cross here vs from nogales because I had 8L of mezcal from Oaxaca and Arizona does not allow importation of more than 1L of spirits per person. I read that CBP is random about enforcing this but people have had all of their expensive nice mezcal seized at Nogales. In california there is no such a rule and you can import spirits as long as you declare them and pay duty. The agent didnt care when I declared my booze and let me in without paying duty or secondary.

Whole process took 15 minutes at 5pm on a Monday.

March 31st, 2022 by alvise

Crossing from Mex to USA with motorhome at 3 pm on Thursday. The border is now open till 10pm. You can check the queue status at border crossing website. We got on the farther right lane, buses and Camion. No queue whatsoever. Mexico officer just controlled our passports and tourist card.
USA officer controlled passports and just checked briefly our storage space.
The all process took 15 min.

January 29th, 2022 by esmeralda.life

We followed the directions from “createyourownroadshow.com “ and it was 100% correct and easy.

January 11th, 2022 by createyourownroadshow.com

Crossed from the US to Mexico here around 8:30 AM. Easy experience, stayed all the way to the right lane for auto delcaration/ RVs. We had nothing to declare but parked under the roofed area to go into the customs building. Got our FMM and had stamped, no line. They only take Visa. Whole process took 15 mins or less.

March 30th, 2021 by carrothospital

Just be advised, this border is closed at 2pm every day. Wasn’t always that way, but it is now. If you arrive too late you’ve gotta go to the West crossing, which is a cluster.

March 30th, 2021 by holidayatsee

We tried to cross back into the United States here but the gate was closed. A woman who was nearby told us that they closed it off at 2PM today and that we needed to go to Mexicali West to cross.

January 28th, 2021 by freedomyogis.com

Crossed into Mexico at 7am on a Thursday, very quick search, no traffic. Crossing took about 30min total. Peeked inside and verified our water jug contained water, then asked us to open the back doors of our van, but then didn’t after realizing we’d have to move our bikes down. They saw our bananas and some other produce items (onions/potatoes) and didn’t say anything. Did not look in our fridge.
**Note: if you pre-pay for your FMM online, be sure you print the receipt document as well as the official form. We didn’t have the receipt printed and were forced to pay the $30 a second time - don’t make the same mistake as us! (From the looks of this post it might be smart to have a second copy of this receipt for exiting Mexico too..?)

December 15th, 2019 by kathleenepratt

Mex to USA. we got sent (via policia directions) thru the Sentri lane- DO NOT go thru that lane. we got off with a warning and a secondary Inspection...if you are traveling INTO USA at this crossing drive in center lane (past the huge line of cars)....when you get to the left hand turn that the cars are making into border CONTINUE STRAIGHT for 200 m and make U-TURN back and get in farthest RIGHT hand lane of border crossing...this is the ONLY way to get in to far right lane (where they want RVs). it is also faster.

January 5th, 2019 by neverathome.fr

USA>Mexico
Border crossed in one hour. Very easy !

November 13th, 2018 by m.m.e.gonecamping

From start to finish it took less than an hour. crossing from USA to Mexico was pretty easy.
got our tip and FMM here, again no problems. crossed with a one ton truck and camper.

March 6th, 2018 by meghanvosloo

Quicker than other Mexicali crossing but very confusing. It says RVs and motor homes to the right but there’s no way to get to the right until it’s too late. He let us through but he didn’t have to. So, stay to the RIGHT most lane for RVs or converted vans. Very poorly marked.

March 6th, 2018 by m.a.velasco83

For Foreigner/ non American citizens... WARNING.. this is probably one of the longest border crossings of all the America’s!!

Here’s our step by step Mexico>USA entry experience as best we can describe (we had to do it twice due to missing the aduana turning right at the beginning and no instructions or persons present to help until it’s too late and you are already blocked in queues)

1. When you drive through the border entrance gate, make sure you use the far right outside lane.
2. 100 meters and you’ll see the Aduana building on ur right. You need to pull into the parking lot just before.
3. Once parked up we had to cross to the road to the aduana on the other side to cancel our permit. you may be able to do it on this side so worth a check. The Aduana will take the sticker off your windscreen and refund the deposit.
4. Next you need to get your exit stamp. If on the other side, the building is a little north where the lady will ask for your entry forms from when you entered the country and stamp your passport. Make sure you have the receipt of payment too.
5. You can now get back into your car and continue the drive to the border. You’ll most likely stay on the far right lane or one over depending on traffic with the RVs.
6. Next you’ll come to a booth and asked for your passports, with a small inspection. They then choose to either let you got straight through or go into the deeper inspection lot with x ray and dogs.
7. Once you’ve gone through the deeper inspection or just asked to drive on, you’ll then need to go to immigration for your US entry stamp and visa.
8. This Immigration is located in another building on your right but you need to drive away from the border crossing first. When you drive out you’ll see a small booth and lane singed ‘SENTRI’. Pull into this booth and tell the guard you need to go for immigration. He’ll then direct you to the sentri carpark.
9. Once parked, follow the road to the big building, as if you going back towards Mexico. Here you’ll have to wait in a sitting queue before final immigration check and completion of your Visa.
10. British Citizens need a visa waiver W-2 application which will be done with the personnel inside the office. Charge of $6
11. DONE. Get the F*%+¥ out of there and enjoy your trip. Our record was 4hrs. hoping yours is A LOT less .

December 22nd, 2017 by We are Sane, Everyone Else is Crazy

Big border crossing. Confusing, but room for big rigs.