Douglas, Arizona, USA to Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico | Customs and Immigration

September 4th, 2023 by thewongspot

After reading a couple of comments here, I am worried I may have missed a few steps. As a Canadian with a valid passport and a Canadian plated motorcycle, I was expecting a bit of a procedure. But no, I was just waved through. They didn't even want to look at my passport. I tried to get off my bike to show my passport but the Mexican customs agent insisted I was to get going. So I did. The whole process took all of 5 seconds. Did I miss something?

June 14th, 2023 by Roasters

Entered Mexico from Douglas AZ to Auga Prieta at 830am. Super Mellow crossing, practically no one there. For immigration and vehicle TIP take first street after crossing the border and then immediately turn right at yellow gates into small parking lot. Enter the building and on the left you will find immigration, and when you finish getting your visa, on the right you will find the Banjercito for your vehicle TIP. Whole process was very quick less than 45 min. We headed from Auga Prieta to Chihuahua after.. lots of work going on east of Auga Prieta in the mountains, take it slow.

September 29th, 2022 by magirusbulli

We wanted to pass the border crossing towards Mexico. Our vehicle has camper papers. Size: height 3.60m, width 2.50m, length 7.60m, no chance the customs officials didn't want to let our vehicle through, although it has lanes for trucks and buses. We were not allowed to use these. They didn't want to open the gate for the bus crossing. We had to turn around and dodge via Nogales.

September 29th, 2022 by magirusbulli

We wanted to pass the border crossing towards Mexico. Our vehicle has camper papers. Size: height 3.60m, width 2.50m, length 7.60m, no chance the customs officials didn't want to let our vehicle through, although it has lanes for trucks and buses. We were not allowed to use these. They didn't want to open the gate for the bus crossing. We had to turn around and dodge via Nogales.

August 29th, 2021 by Bruce in Mexico

Tried to cross the border today into the USA (as an Australian and a Canadian) and were rejected entry to the USA. The staff were unsympathetic to our plight ,- our vehicle is registered in California and needs to be smogged to be re-registered. Without physically visiting California with the vehicle there is no way to keep it legally circulating in Mexico.

We spoke to the most superior officer there and were told there was nothing they could do. That we could come and try again the following day (Monday) when there would be a higher ranking officer there that could perhaps help us.

I will update tomorrow.

September 2nd, 2019 by Elle on Wheels

Good place to cross into Mexico. Small, no line up. Aduana and immigration in the same building.
Just don't miss the building. Turn right as soon as you can after crossing the border, then right again into a gated entryway. Park and walk up the ramp and into the door.

June 25th, 2019 by mdjmarsh

Exit Mexico/Enter USA. Very quick crossing. Passports exit stamp and tvip refund at the Banjercito which is marked on IOverlander. 10 minutes. Skipped passed the cars in the right hand express lane and cut through the barriers to the correct lane on the US entry. Took half an hour for a quick bag search and our entry visa exemption. Courteous professional staff on both sides. Happy days.

December 4th, 2018 by Disfrute La Naturaleza

To give back the I94 paper, go down G Avenue and turn right on 1st Street. Parking allowed along the Street for 30minutes. Go by feet to the US customs.
Give the paper back, then back into the car, take back G Avenue, turn left on 6th Street and again left on Pan American Avenue.
Take right on 5th avenue, follow the signs to the mexican border.
Easy crossing. Friendly mexican staff.

November 11th, 2016 by visiterra

When enter to Mexico, keep te bank receipts for the Tourist Cards (25$ each) to avoid paying again when leaving Mexico. This is a big scam... when leaving they call that exit fee.

November 12th, 2013 by borderhelper.com

--Into Mexico 
Douglas/Agua Prieta is a very easy border crossing. Coming south from AZ 80 (Bisbee) or US 191 is the typical way to get to Douglas.  If you don't need to stop in Douglas, It's best to make a right at Chino Road (Just past US 191).  A Border Patrol agent told me this shortcut.  Follow Chino Road and it will lead you straight into the Border crossing.
After leaving the Mexican checkpoint, the Immigration and Vehicle registration is an immediate right and another right through the yellow guard-operated gates.  The parking is safe.  You'll be fine.  Go in through the unmarked beige door and you'll find everything you need.  It's fast, easy and efficient.  It's helpful to have two copies of your passport and vehicle registration.  You'll need to make copies of the Immigration visa anyway so have some pesos on hand to give.  It took me 10 minutes, in and out.

If you need a place to stay or eat, the Plaza Hotel is very good.  It has secure parking and a great restaurant.  Go straight down the Panamericana road through the double arches and make a right on Calle 7.  look for the 5 story brick building.  Keep heading away from the border until you get to the main highway to find Pemex Stations.  They are on either side of town and have Premium (Red/Rojo) fuel.

--Leaving Mexico

Get to Calle Primera Avenida.  It's well marked.  On motorcycles, Get in the right cargo lane and sweep past the sign in the middle of the street.  once you make a right, you're in the US.  There are no special lanes for motorbikes, but you can split lanes on the Mexico side.  The US Customs agents aren't as gracious to motorcycles.  It took 20-25 minutes on Saturday at 1pm to get through.  The BP agent was very professional.  Asked for my passport and just wanted to know where I was coming from.  He quickly looked through my luggage. Go to the same Immigration office described above before leaving Mexico. All in all, an easy border crossing.  If you want to eat in AZ, follow AZ 80 to Bisbee.  It's a neat town with lots of good dining choices.