Customs law defines the border strip as the land between the international line and a parallel line 20 km inside Mexico. Consular guidance says a TIP is needed when you drive outside the border free zone. A 2025 news report puts the limit at 25 km instead.
Baja California peninsula (Baja California and Baja California Sur)Sources disagree
Insurer and expat sources say no TIP is needed anywhere on the Baja peninsula. No official Mexican page fetched states this exemption. A 2025 report on Baja California Sur inspections says a TIP is needed beyond 25 km from the border, and drivers reported warnings and some seizures at checkpoints near La Paz in late 2025.
secondaryBaja Bound (insurer): Vehicle permits · A Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) is not required on the Baja California peninsula or in parts of Sonora. · Checked
Foreign vehicles may circulate freely in northwest Sonora. ANAM bounds it on the east by Federal Highway 2 from Agua Prieta to Imuris, then Highway 15 down to Empalme; on the west from San Luis Río Colorado along the state line and coast to Empalme. The southern limit is the Banjercito module at Km 98 near Empalme. Recreational units such as boats cannot use the free-zone benefit and need a permit.
officialANAM (Aduanas): Importación temporal de vehículos · hasta su entronque con la carretera Federal no. 15 en Imuris, Sonora y desde este último punto hasta Empalme, Sonora, por la carretera no 15 · Checked
secondarySanborns (insurer): Baja & Sonora · In Km. 98 of Empalme, ends the free circulation zone for vehicles of foreign citizens and Mexicans living abroad · Checked
Rest of Sonora (Sólo Sonora permit)Sources disagree
To take a foreign vehicle into the rest of Sonora (past the free zone) without going further into Mexico, you can get a Sólo Sonora permit, valid 180 days. Issued online and at the Empalme (Km 98), Agua Prieta and Cananea modules and the Phoenix consulate (ANAM also lists Naco). Mexpro says it is for autos only, not RVs or boats; Sanborns says up to 3 recreational vehicles including one boat up to 15 ft.
secondarySanborns (insurer): Baja & Sonora · The visitor is allowed to import up to 3 recreational vehicles, including one boat up to 15 feet length · Checked
Leaving Baja for the mainland by ferryOfficial source
A foreign-plated vehicle crossing from Baja to the mainland needs a temporary import permit. Baja Ferries tells foreign-plated drivers to get it at Banjercito's facilities; Banjercito has a module inside the Pichilingue ferry terminal in La Paz. No Banjercito module is listed at Santa Rosalía, Topolobampo, Mazatlán or Guaymas.