Do I need a permit to take a car towed behind an RV to the Sonora free zone?
It depends
A towed car is a vehicle: no permit inside the free zone; beyond it Mexpro says towed road vehicles need their own TIP. If the tow vehicle is a motorhome, check the RV rule.
secondaryMexpro (insurer): RV vehicle import permit · Towed vehicles designed to be driven on the road (for example, an auto or motorcycle), require their own TIP. · Checked
Where to get it
Sólo Sonora or full TIP, as for a car.
Documents
Passport or US Passport Card (foreigners); green card, non-Mexican passport, Passport Card or work visa valid 1+ year (Mexicans living abroad)
Immigration form issued by INM (foreigners); INM pre-authorization if applying online or at a consulate
Proof of ownership: title or current registration
If financed: credit contract in your name dated within 3 months
If leased: lease contract showing the VIN plus a letter from the leasing company authorizing the import
Credit or debit card in the importer's name (cash only at border modules)
Fee and deposit
Sólo Sonora (Only Sonora) permit, onlineOfficial source
$45 USD + IVA tax
Same as the regular online permit; IVA is added. Valid 180 days, Sonora only.
Sólo Sonora permit at Cananea, Agua Prieta or Empalme modules, or the Phoenix consulateSources disagree
$51 USD + IVA tax
Banjercito's tariff gives 51 USD plus IVA. Mexpro says 'about $30.00 USD' at the border. ANAM's page also names the Naco customs module for this permit; the tariff does not.
Banjercito's tariff lists 45 USD for online permits, plus IVA (16% VAT). Apply 10 to 60 days before entry; online payment only by card in the importer's name. Banjercito publishes no separate motorcycle tariff; the 'Auto Americano' line is the general vehicle permit.
Temporary import permit (TIP), car/pickup/SUV/motorcycle, at a Banjercito border module or US consulateSources disagree
$51 USD + IVA tax
51 USD plus IVA at border modules and at the Mexican consulates that issue permits. Cash is accepted only at border modules. 51 USD + 16% IVA works out to 59.16 USD. The Oklahoma consulate instead states 939.60 pesos (about 53 USD).
secondaryMexpro (insurer): Vehicle import permit FAQs · The boat TIP costs the same as a regular vehicle TIP; about $51.00 USD including IVA (tax), or about $45.00 USD online. · Checked
Guarantee deposit for a vehicle permit, by model yearOfficial source
2007 and newer
$400 USD
2001–2006
$300 USD
2000 and older
$200 USD
Paid on top of the permit fee and refunded when the permit is definitively cancelled at a border module before the maximum return date. All official sources fetched agree on the three amounts.