The 2026 customs rules set a refundable vehicle deposit of US$200, US$300 or US$400 by model year. The processing fee is separate. Keep proof of the vehicle’s return and permit cancellation to support the deposit refund.
In this guide
What a Mexico TIP does
A Temporary Import Permit records the temporary entry of a qualifying foreign vehicle. It does not permanently import the car, replace immigration permission or provide insurance. If you are still deciding whether to drive, start with our border and driving checklist.
The practical job is to keep three records aligned: the vehicle, the importer and the authorized stay. Check the VIN and dates when the permit is issued; correcting an error is easier before you travel farther inland.
TIP fees and refundable deposits
Under 2026 customs rule 4.2.7, the processing fee is US$45 plus VAT online, or US$51 plus VAT at border and authorized consular modules, payable as specified by the issuing channel. The refundable guarantee is separate:
| Vehicle model year | Deposit in USD equivalent |
|---|---|
| 2007 and newer | $400 |
| 2001–2006 | $300 |
| 2000 and older | $200 |
Swipe or scroll sideways to compare all columns.
Confirm the checkout total, peso conversion and payment method before paying. The deposit is money you must make available for the trip; it is not an everyday travel expense if refunded. The processing fee is not refunded simply because the vehicle returns on time.
For example, a 2015 car falls in the US$400 deposit band. Your border budget must also cover the application fee and tax, insurance, fuel and tolls. Do not use the deposit itself as spending money for the drive.
Apply through the official channel
Use the Banjercito vehicle import service to identify the current online process or an authorized module. Verify the address carefully before entering passport, vehicle or payment details. A third-party booking or insurance website is not necessarily the permit issuer.
The 2026 rule sets the online application window at 10–60 days before entry. Confirm the current service instructions, appointment availability and module hours for your crossing. Leave time to resolve document mismatches and save the issued permit in the form provided.
Prepare the immigration and vehicle documents listed in the border checklist. If someone other than you owns, leases or finances the car, ask what evidence of authorized use is required for that arrangement.
Track immigration and vehicle deadlines
Do not assume every visitor receives 180 days, or that a resident-card renewal automatically protects the deposit. Record the dates actually issued. If you enter to exchange a residency visa for a card, ask customs how to document the change.
For continuous temporary residence renewals, the 2026 rule says vehicle-permit validity is evidenced by the immigration document without separate customs authorization. To preserve the deposit, it also requires a notice to customs or the DGOA within 15 days after approval of the resident-card exchange or renewal, with supporting documents. Confirm the current submission procedure, obtain an acknowledgment and keep it for the final vehicle return. Permit validity and deposit protection are related but distinct tasks.
Permanent residence is not an eligible category for the standard foreign visitor/temporary-resident TIP. If you are changing to permanent residence, settle the vehicle plan before the change. Ask about lawful export or definitive importation eligibility; do not assume every vehicle can be nationalized.
Cancel the TIP when ending the importation
For the normal border cancellation process, present the vehicle and permit at the appropriate Banjercito module. Obtain the cancellation receipt. The rules provide for refund by the original payment method; a bank may take additional time to display a card credit.
Before your departure:
- Confirm where and when the module processes vehicle returns.
- Check whether any trailer or other unit recorded on the permit also needs to be presented.
- Allow time to stop on the Mexican side before completing the international crossing.
- Review the cancellation record for the correct VIN and permit number.
- Keep that record with the original payment receipt and check the refund afterward.
A brief departure during an ongoing stay can raise different questions from a final cancellation. Ask which procedure matches your intended return to Mexico before closing a permit you still expect to use.
What to do if the record is wrong or the car cannot return
Contact Banjercito and customs promptly if the vehicle is stolen, seriously damaged or unable to leave before the deadline. Save police reports, insurer correspondence and repair documentation. Those documents may support a formal procedure; they do not by themselves cancel the permit.
If you crossed out without completing cancellation, request the official remedy rather than assuming the permit expired harmlessly. An unresolved record can affect a future vehicle application. Do not use a broker who promises to erase the record without an official receipt.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TIP deposit the same as the fee?
No. The processing fee pays for the application. The model-year deposit is a guarantee associated with returning the vehicle and completing the required procedure.
Does a new residency card automatically update my TIP?
Do not rely on automatic updating. Ask customs for the current notification procedure and retain the acknowledgment for your records.
Can I cancel the permit just by leaving Mexico?
Crossing the international border alone does not provide a cancellation receipt. Arrange the official vehicle return process with Banjercito.
Sources and scope
Reviewed October 7, 2026. Fee, deposit and border-return details come from 2026 customs rule 4.2.7, pages 257–259. The Mexican consulate vehicle leaflet provides supporting document examples. Older leaflets may differ from current rules; confirm your transaction with Banjercito.