Texas State Travel Guide: 1988 Page: 11
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HEXItO
Entrance and Exit Regulations
much of Texas. Visitors find Mexican shops and mar-
he enchantment of Mexico is but a bridge away from
kets colorful and fascinating, filled with a variety of
gift, handicraft and art items at attractive prices. The
people of Mexico are gracious and friendly.
Border crossing is easy and simple; there are no fees other than for auto
insurance or special permits such as hunting and fishing licenses, bridge
tolls, and U.S. Customs duties as mentioned below.
General
U.S. citizens must carry proof of citizenship when crossing into Mexico.
Officials of the National Immigration Institute, posted at border entry points,
require a passport, birth certificate, voter registration card, or any other docu-
ment that proves citizenship. This is a change from the past. The law applies
to all border cities, and is an attempt to implement uniform immigration laws
on both northern and southern borders.
On returning to Texas from Mexico, a stop at U.S. Customs is required,
stating nationality and declaring Mexican purchases.
A Mexican tourist card is required for visiting Mexico beyond the border
cities, or for stays longer than 72 hours. The free tourist cards are available
from Mexican immigration authorities at the border, and also from Mexican
consulates and Mexican government tourist offices in the U.S. A birth certifi-
cate or other proof of U.S. citizenship, such as voter registration, military I.D.
showing place of birth, or passport, is required to obtain the tourist card.
Canadian citizens who visit Mexico from Texas should have a passport or
birth certificate. Other foreign nationals should have a passport and appropri-
ate visas both for entering Mexico and returning to the U.S.
Driving Into Mexico
An automobile permit is required when driving into the interior of
Mexico beyond the border cities. The permits, good for up to 180 days, may
be obtained at the border after the tourist card has been stamped by Mexican
immigration officials. A $10 fee must be paid by the vehicle's owner using a
major credit card on whose face the word "bank" appears. Vehicle Title of
Ownership is required. If the vehicle owner is not in the party, written per-
mission from the owner for a specific time period must be presented. The
individual to whom the car permit is issued will have his tourist card
stamped to that effect, and it is mandatory that he accompany the auto and
surrender the permit upon leaving Mexico.
Auto tourists must stop at Mexico's Federal Inspection Points located on
all principal highways to the interior, usually about 12 miles from the border.
There the auto permit must be presented for inspection, and baggage inspec-
tion may also be required.
Mexican Auto Insurance
According to Mexican civil statutes, it is unlawful to operate a motor
vehicle in Mexico without automobile insurance issued by a Mexican insur-
ance company. In the past, most U.S. insurance companies offered provisions
to adjust claims arising from auto accidents in the immediate border cities of
Mexico (Endorsement 74). Although that endorsement may still be carried on
U.S. policies, Mexican authorities no longer recognize it, and their law is
explicit: drivers must be covered by Mexican insurance. Auto accidents are
considered criminal offenses in Mexico, and regardless of fault, involved
vehicles are usually impounded.
Short-term Mexican auto insurance is available from numerous agencies
and travel services on the Texas side of the border.
Returning to the U.S.
Each U.S. citizen may bring back Mexican purchases valued to $400
retail, duty free every 30 days. Federal duty fees will be assessed on the
value of articles above the $400 exemption. NOTE: Many items of Mexican
manufacture, such as handicrafts and jewelry, may qualify for exemption
even above the $400 limit; ask for GSP brochure from U.S. Customs.
Federal law permits only one liter of duty-free alcoholic beverages to be
brought back by each adult U.S. citizen each 30 days. Alcoholic beverages in\lA<
-J p'
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excess of the limit are subject to duty and internal revenue tax. In addition,
Texas law requires a state tax on all alcoholic beverages brought in from
Mexico.
Foreign"Made Articles Taken Into Mexico
Foreign-made articles such as cameras, watches, and jewelry previously
acquired in the U.S. or elsewhere, should be registered with U.S. Customs
before entering Mexico. Without proof of prior possession, such articles may
be dutiable when brought back into the U.S.
0
Mexican Currency
visitors to Mexican border cities will seldom need Mexican currency. U.S.
dollars are readily accepted at the current exchange rate. Mexican banks,
large hotels-motels and tourist service facilities provide currency exchange if
needed.
Pets
Both Mexico and the U.S. enforce rather stringent regulations about ani-
mal pets, and many visitors to Mexico find it more convenient to leave pets
at veterinary boarding facilities in Texas border cities. For pets taken into
Mexico and returned to the U.S., owners must present a rabies vaccination
certificate dated not less than one month nor more than 12 months previous-
ly, and International Health Certificate (form 77-043) signed by a veterinarian
no more than 72 hours before the pet enters Mexico. The certificate can be
stamped (fee $20) at the border or at a Mexican consulate where tourist
cards are obtained.
Prohibited Imports
Upon entering the U.S. from Mexico, certain articles are either prohibited
or subject to various quarantines, limitations or special permit requirements.
Those articles include all narcotics or drugs, weapons, certain trademarked
articles, most fruits, vegetables, plants, animals, birds and meats, and prod-
ucts made from the hides, shells, feathers, or teeth of endangered species. If
you are unsure of regulations governing the import of a wildlife product,
check with local authorities of U.S. Embassy before making a purchase. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Law Enforcement, P.O. Box 28006,
Washington, D.C. 20005, or TRAFFIC (U.S.A.), World Wildlife Fund, 1255
23rd St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, can provide information.
Hunting and Fishing In Mexico
Mexican authorities must be contacted for current regulations, hunting
and fishing licenses, and procedures for taking in firearms and ammunition.
Any game legally taken in Mexico may be brought into Texas, but must be
accompanied by a statement, issued by U.S. Customs at the border, that the
game originated in Mexico. There are no restrictions on bringing fish caught
in Mexico into Texas, but they must be declared at the Texas port of entry.
NOTE
The above information is only a general summary of primary travel regu-
lations between the U.S. and Mexico. For further details or significant
changes that may have been effected since this printing, contact the
Immigration and Customs authorities of the appropriate country.11
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Texas. Department of Transportation. Texas State Travel Guide: 1988, book, 1988; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1203617/m1/13/?q=waco+tornado: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.