OK all,
This is a direct reply posted on the Southbound group by a couple that we know and trust A LOT! We consider them good friends and,
are down there NOW. Of every one down there, I would stake it all on what they have to say!!!!!!
You can read the original post at;
Yahoo Groups
Here it is.......
Re: Impounded Boats in Mexico!?!
Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:17 am (PST) . Posted by:
sueross50
There are a lot of rumors flying around over the recent inspections carried out by Mexican officials in 12 marinas and boatyards in seven different locations throughout Mexico. The intent of the inspections is to make sure that all foreign flagged vessels have current documentation, temporary import permit, insurance, and immigration documents of the owners. The requirements are not new--only the enforcement technique.
This is the first time in many years that there has been a concerted push to check the paperwork for foreign flagged vessels. The agency doing the inspections is tasked with making sure that all goods and commerce that enter Mexico have done so legally and have paid appropriate fees and duties including proper permits.
The surprise inspections caught many vessel owners and marinas off-guard because some of the required paperwork was missing, misfiled, expired, or had irregularities such as transposed serial numbers or misspelled names. If everything was not in perfect order in the marina's file, the vessel was placed on a list for further investigation and officially placed in precautionary embargo. Like all government processes (not just in Mexico) once on the list there is a formal procedure that must be followed in order to have the vessel removed from the list.
Vessels that have current documents onboard should not have any problems. These documents include originals of the registration/ title/documentat ion, original temporary import permit papers (permit/hologram, list of equipment, and payment receipt), current insurance binder that includes Mexican liability insurance, copy of the owner's passport, and copy of the owner's immigration document. Copies of all of the current documents should also be on file in the marina or boatyard office.
In some cases the officials were looking to physically match vessel identification numbers and official numbers (USCG, Transport Canada, etc.) and may not have been familiar with the locations of those numbers and without someone onboard to show them were automatically placed on the list for followup.
Every vessel that plans on entering Mexico should apply online for a temporary import permit before they arrive. The process is simple and efficient. Be sure to make sure that all of your documents are consistent -- HINs, official numbers, spelling of boat name and owner's names, Make sure that everything is current. Make sure that your HIN is clearly visible on the hull (on or near the starboard transom near the cap rail.)
As long as all of your paperwork is in order, you should not have any trouble. Mexico is a great place to visit and you should not let the rumors dissuade you from experiencing the great cruising grounds and ports of call.
Dennis and Susan Ross
S/V Two Can Play
Marina Palmira
La Paz, BCS, Mexico