BORDER CROSSINGS

Here we list what we was necessary for us at each border crossing as UK citizens (non EU), with our UK registered vehicle, and our dog Evie (without EU Pet Passport).

UK TO CANADA

Shipped Liverpool  To Halifax

US:

  • 2-year IEC visa (applied for 1 year in advance) – Police records, fingerprints, lengthy online application.

Evie:

  • Standard vaccinations up to date including Rabies.
  • Animal Health Certificate.
  • UK Export Certificate.
  • We had to pay a small import fee at the airport in Canada.

Car:

  • Temporary Import Permit on vehicle arrival organised at Service Canada which worked in conjunction with our 2-year visas.
  • We used Seguro Gringo auto insurance.

CANADA TO USA

Carway Border

US:

  • Applied for ESTAs online in advance and paid at border on arrival for our I94 visa (3-month allowance).

Evie:

  • Up to date vaccinations including Rabies.
  • No official paperwork needed.

Car:

  • No official TIP process.
  • Just proof of auto insurance and the vehicle documentation (V5 for us).
  • We used Seguro Gringo auto insurance.

USA TO MEXICO

Tecate Border

US:

  • FMM (6-month allowance) applied for at border and paid a small fee.

Evie:

  • Up to date vaccinations including Rabies.
  • No official paperwork needed.
  • Parasite treatment necessary.

Car:

  • Our vehicle does not have RV/camper stated on the official documents (allows for 10 year TIP) so we were limited to the 6 month TIP which needed a large deposit to encourage you to make sure that the car leaves the country.
  • We used Seguro Gringo auto insurance.

MEXICO T0 BELIZE

Chac-Temal International Bridge

US:

  • Cancel FMM at Mexico exit port.
  • Do not lose official FMM card.
  • Immigration at border granted us 30 days.
  • No prior applications necessary.
  • Tourist tax paid at both borders (entry and exit).

Evie:

  • BAHA Pet Import Permit (applied for online in advance).
  • Up to date vaccinations and proof of parasite treatment.
  • Animal health certificate.
  • Import and border inspection fee.
  • We needed to show proof of Evie’s original UK export certificate.

Car:

  • Cancel TIP at Banjercito.
  • Upon leaving Mexico the deposit is returned IF you still have your original proof of payment receipt.
  • Essential vehicle fumigation between Mexico and Belize borders.
  • No prior application.
  • Pay at border for how many days TIP you need.
  • Purchase auto insurance online or at insurance broker office.

BELIZE TO GUATEMALA

Benque Viejo Del Carmen To Melchor De Mencos

US:

  • Stamp out passport.
  • Pay Belize tourist tax exit fee.
  • Easy immigration stamp in. We asked for 3 months.

Evie:

  • Animal Health certificate.
  • Small import fee at border.

Car:

  • Cancel TIP at Belize border.
  • Vehicle fumigation required between borders.
  • TIP process for us was long.
  • Officials required photocopies of passport, driving licence and vehicle documents (there are printing stores nearby).
  • Vehicle inspection necessary and they will apply TIP sticker to windscreen.
  • No auto insurance necessary for Guatemala.

GUATEMALA TO COLOMBIA

Shipped Puerto Barrios To Cartagena

US:

  • Check-MIG form applied for online maximum 72 hours before flight.
  • 90 days granted at Bogota airport.
  • We were not asked for proof of onward travel.
  • Proof of accommodation is required at immigration.

Evie:

  • Guatemala export certificate plus animal health certificate.
  • Evie flew in cabin with us so no need for a crate.
  • ICA pet import online form required before entry into Colombia and then visit the ICA office (open 24 hours in Bogota Airport) to confirm pet entry.
  • There is a small ICA fee which the website would not let us pay so we paid at the airport with no problems.

Car:

  • Guatemalan Export paperwork and Bill of Lading (all sorted by the shipping agent).
  • Colombian port inspection required before TIP is finalised (all sorted by shipping agent).
  • SOAT (auto/health insurance) necessary for Colombia.

COLOMBIA TO ECUADOR

Rumichaca International Bridge

Us:

  • Easy stamp out of Colombia.
  • Ecuador immigration was easy, only passport required.
  • If you state that you have a vehicle, they will automatically allow you 3-months.

Evie:

  • Animal health certificate.
  • Proof of parasite treatment.
  • Colombian ICA export form.
  • The ICA office at Colombian Immigration will finalise the pet export paperwork then no paperwork is necessary on the Ecuador side.

Car:

  • Cancel the TIP on the Colombian side at DIAN office.
  • Show the cancelled TIP to the Ecuador office.
  • They will take a photo of the vehicle and VIN then they will grant you the TIP.
  • No Soat or insurance necessary for Ecuador.

ECUADOR TO PERU