Boat Impounded in Mexico

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by captainKJ

being that I am a US citizen and have traveled about 1/2 the world on yachts and planes I have to agree with your statement.

Traveling by air the last 30 years I find the experience is more airport based than country based.

Top 5 worst in no order considering customs, immigration and getting in and out of the airport (bags and transport)

Mumbai
Charles De Gaule
JFK
Los Angeles
Jakarta

Top 5 best

Changi
Incheon
Haneda - not narita
San Francisco
Houston

About every third trip though San Francisco I get a sincere, "Welcome home sir, enjoy your stay." from the immigration person.

[zeehag]

is funny how some folks have a problem clearing into mexico and some do not--i have yet to have a problem. i usd only my fuel receipt for checking into ensenada without problem. in isla mujeres, friends have used same sans problems..... is not understandable....
i wont fly anymore-- bubba doesnt like it...

[Islander]

We entered Mexico last year as part of the Baja Haha, with over 180 other boats. There was never any mention of a zarpe or any other requirement. I'm not aware of anyone having any issues, despite various bits of the process taking place in Cabo, La Paz and even Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada for some.

Cheers.

[zeehag]

islander--a zarpe is NOT required to check into mexico from usa if you are a usa citizen.
i always save a fuel receipt to use in the off chance someone doesnt agree with that factoid. doesnt hurt to have that. mexican officials LOVE paperwork and stamps and all of that officiousness, so it is good to have stuff to show regarding your last port of call. fuel receipts work.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

Traveling by air the last 30 years I find the experience is more airport based than country based.

Top 5 worst in no order considering customs, immigration and getting in and out of the airport (bags and transport)

Mumbai
Charles De Gaule
JFK
Los Angeles
Jakarta

Top 5 best

Changi
Incheon
Haneda - not narita
San Francisco
Houston

About every third trip though San Francisco I get a sincere, "Welcome home sir, enjoy your stay." from the immigration person.

Need to give credit where credit is due. Through my own experience, add Schiphol (Amsterdam) to the top 5 best. So easy, that if my plane's takeoff is 2 hours away, no problem clearing, hoping a train to Central Station, take in a coffee shop, return and clear again, and enjoy being able to sleep through a trans Atlantic flight in coach, if you know what I mean. lol

[Mexdon]

+1 on Schiphol. Quickest clearance ever.

[Capt Phil]

Zee, the reason I went to the trouble of securing documentation for leaving the US, Canada or a foreign port was that most times I was delivering a boat that wasn't mine, travelling under a Letter of Permission and was usually on a deadline and not wanting any hassles that would delay me unecessarily. Quite a few deliveries were of foreign flag vessels either under a cruising permit in the US headed to a foreign port or the crew had a variety of different national passports. When you have these different anomolies along with a foreign flag vessel, the fewer reasons you give the customs, immigration and Port Captain officials to hold you up, the smoother things went.
Your comment about stamps and paperwork is right on the mark. On my own vessel, I had my own stamp and document seal which I used liberally on all documents I shared with Port officials. Speaking of which, on any boat I was moving, I had about 20 copies of vessel registration, documentation, insurance, crew lists, Letters of Permission, Statutory Declarations on ships stores and provisions, etc. It really helps to know the laws of the country you are visiting as they vary slightly as you cruise down/up the coasts. I witnessed some really dumb things cruisers did thinking they could jump the line or short circuit the system... none worked that I recall and in some cases landed them in hot water. That, combined with language difficulties, landed some in really serious trouble. Capt Phil

[Tripod]

The form is easy to find. You can fill it out in advance and take it to be signed prior to departure.

http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_1300.pdf

[Sailor g]

Originally Posted by Capt Phil

What many of us Norte Americanos don't understand is that reglations can be subject to interpretation. The concept that you are free to do whatever you damn well please whenever you damn well please to do it is uniquely American and is loosely wrapped up in our concept of freedom and liberty. This is NOT prevalent in other countries so get used to it or don't visit.
Respect begets respect and we are visitors in their country... it ain't all that hard to figger out! Capt Phil

I fully understand interpretation of rules-what I can't stand is a abuse of power! Someone said, it happens where they don't think they'll get caught. It's not just other countries.

I had this when I was driving though he middle of Wyoming. I was a single young female (pre cell phones) with 2 small children. My alternator went out on my car-so no gauges for speed, fuel,etc. Some small town cop stopped me & tried hard to get $$ mordida; threatening to keep me in jail overnight until Monday when I could see a judge (it scared me terribly because of my babies!) He finally understood I had no money so he gave me an official ticket (never a ticket before-only wanted $ to cover 'charges') so I could send a check.


I've only had one overcharge problem in Mexico (Mag Bay) I've always been respectful, checked in & out without incident. I don't mind official charges- I just don't like being intimidated into paying for things that are not. Who knows with s/v Judy. I don't think discussion & speculation is bad- people are just discussing what MAY have happened & I don't think necessarily accusing them. It may sound negative but I think it's just ideas bouncing around. I hope no one leaves because it sounds negative-stay & give the positive side. We need the balance-yin to yang.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by zeehag

islander--a zarpe is NOT required to check into mexico from usa if you are a usa citizen.
i always save a fuel receipt to use in the off chance someone doesnt agree with that factoid. doesnt hurt to have that. mexican officials LOVE paperwork and stamps and all of that officiousness, so it is good to have stuff to show regarding your last port of call. fuel receipts work.

Zee, is your opinion on Mexican Zarpe requirements based on what is written in Mexican law or on past experience (yours and/or others); i.e. common practice.

Unless it is written in the legislation that a Zarpe is not required to check into mexico from usa if you are a usa citizen, then the Mexican immigration folk can make life difficult for those without one if they choose to do so. The fact that they have never made it difficult for you or hundreds/thousands of others in the past is immaterial should somewhere, someone feel the need to be difficult.

Can anyone provide a link to the official Mexican entry requirements as opinions (and experience) seems to vary significantly. I have tried a quick google search but I am not so good at finding my way around the Mexican government sites! There are several unofficial (ex-Mexican) sites that support the notion that a Zarpe is now required, like this one Mexico Customs and Immigration

[daddle]

Historically west coast cruisers from the USA did not acquire a Zarpe. Nor did they need one upon return. But things can change. Maybe some San Diego homie could call one of the geezers at Downwind Marine for the best folklore and scuttlebutt.

[Sailmonkey]

Mexico has a law on the books that requires a Zarpe. However it is entirely up to the port captain how to handle US boats.

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by Svdestiny

Yes, but I would also give them the "benefit of a doubt" until I know the facts. Let's not blame the victim until we know more.

How did the cruisers become victims when you admit you don't have all the facts?

[bobconnie]

I hate to day it ! But your wrong ZEE ! A zarpe is required in Mexico ! has been and will be untill their law is changed !! The Port capt in Isl M has been reported as a stickler for Zarpes !! and this time for some reason the mexican Coasties, Navy, etall got involved, I don't know why they did but the matter stands as there boat is Impounded. I know that serveral local offshore fishermen have in the past paid LARGE Fines for not having Zarpes in hand when they pulled in to Isl M for fuel or repairs !!Now every fisherman, and the few cruisers we have down the Bayou get a Zarpe from Homeland localy and now don't have such problems !! I can not find in Mexcios zarpe regs where a recite or bill from a fuel purchase or a Marina are exceptable for a Zarpe !! I know your getting away with it out there but thats not the case in the gulf area and Im sure it could change anyday in your area !! better to be forwarned! just a thought

[Geoduck]

PEOPLE! PEOPLE! PEOPLE! GET WITH IT!!! Zarpes have been required by Mexican law for as long as I can remember - going back to the 70's for sure! I tuna fished for a few years and we always fueled up for the return trip (cheap fuel) These forms were used then to clear in. When I delivered boats, up and down, they were required! I dont care what some of you have gotten away with in the past or what you think you know - I'm telling you that zarpe has been around for years! Some harbor masters dont care - some do! We left Mazatlan and had to turn around and send the captain home. We forgot (or just didnt know) that the captain had to sign off the document and the new one signed on - we got to Cabo and all wound up in jail over night because of a technicality!!! The new captain had to pay a fine, we all got out and were escorted to the boat, told to leave Mexico and DO NOT STOP!
We broke down at Turtle Bay for a few days and were sweating our asses off untill we got out of there!
Then, in San Diego before clearing in - one of the crew jumps off the boat and swims to shore and splits! Try explaining that to customs!! Evidently the guy had warrants out for him we new nothing about!
So, the moral of this story is - GET YOUR DAMN ZARPE AND EVERY OTHER PIECE OF PAPER YOU CAN THINK OF AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!!!!