Problem Exiting Mexico - Additional Information

Created by val. Last modified on 2009-06-28 15:26:28
Contributors:
Countries: Mexico

Today I was informed with problems checking out of Ensenada Baja for crew members who fly in to Mexico and then try to sail out.

Our boat is in transit to Canada from Panama and we picked up a crew member in Puerto Vallarta to help with the Baja Bash to San Diego. The officials in Ensenada refused to stamp an exit stamp for the one crew member who did not sail into Mexico.

After a lot of "hours" and a 150.00 fee. He was given the Stamp I had contacted US homeland security and they informed me that you can not arrive into the US without the exit stamp.

Lynda Patricia

We received this additional report from Rob Hendershot on 23rd June 2009

Subject: Flying into and sailing out of Mexico

I am not sure why you had this issue because the US could care less about any exit papers (Zarpas) from Mexico. Although Customs should, it has never in 15 years of crossing the boarder requested to see any documents from Mexico if you are a US Documented Vessel. Since you may not be such, perhaps this was the issue.

Secondly, there are two types of visa in Mexico; one is for travel by plane and sea. If your crew member had one of these, then there is no problems listing that crew member on the Zarpa. On the other hand, if that crew member had been moving around Mexico by boat without this type of visa, then you have to buy and pay a penalty for the correct visa; this was your $150 fee.

Otherwise, you would have only needed to obtain the crew members' correct visa once across the boarder and before departing on the boat at a cost of approximately $20 USD. BTW, this is the same visa that's provided to airline passengers in your ticket price --so technically it is free with a paid airline ticket when flying internationally into Mexico.

Things have changed in Mexico, so we were able to sail under the listing of ports from PV to USA with all intermediate ports in between without any issues, and we were boarded by the Mexican Navy who had no problems with this document.

But don't attempt to head south of Mexico without having a Zarpa from the most recent "exit" port from Mexico. You will have issues without a Zarpa south of the "Mexican" boarder.

Our thanks to Rob for this additional information.