Found articles online...........
https://www.mexpro.com/blog/mexico-free-border-zone
What is the Mexico Free/Border Zone?
Posted August 1, 2017 by Roxanna Brock McDade & filed under Border Crossing, Driving to Mexico, Free Zone.
The Mexico Free or Border Zone was designated by the Mexican government to make it easier for travelers to enter Mexico and improve tourism along the U.S. border. Vehicles driving in these zones do not need a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit (TIP). And, for stays less than 72 hours in the Free Zone, a tourist visa is not required.
Additionally, goodsโwith the exclusion of alcohol, cigarettes, cigars and race horsesโcan be imported into Mexico duty free, as long as within these boundaries. This way resources can be moved easily across the border for manufacturing and assembly plants. And, once produced, the items can be exported outside of Mexico duty free, giving companies incentive to produce in Mexico, and in turn, creating more jobs for Mexicans living there.
The โFree zoneโ designation is actually short for โHassle Free Zone,โ but the area has many other names including: Border Zone, Perimeter Zone, Liberated Zone and the Free Trade Zone.
What are the free zone perimeters?
The Mexico Free zone encompasses areas along Mexicoโs northern border. Yet, the entire Baja peninsula and a large portion of Sonora are included in the free zone. For all other Mexican border states, it is the area between 20 and 26 km (12 to 16 miles) from the border.
The Sonora designation is important, because itโs illegal to cross out of the Free Zone without a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit. The free zone in Sonora lies to the northwest of Mexico Federal Highway Number 2, starting at Agua Prieta. It extends through Cananea, to where it intersects with Mexican Federal Highway 15 in Imuris. From Imuris, all of the areas to the north and west of Mexico Federal Highway 15 are included. Kilometer 98, southeast of Empalme, is where the free zone ends.
Mexico makes it easier for those traveling outside the Free Zone in Sonora by offering the Sonora-only Temporary Importation Permit.
What are the benefits of traveling in the free zone?
The primary benefit is you do not need a TIP, which saves time and money. Quick and last minute trips to Mexico are faster and easier, as a TIP requires time at the border or online to obtain the permit. You will need proof of citizenship, proof that you own the vehicle and a Mexican tourist card (Forma Migratoria Mรบltiple or FMM), a refundable deposit and a fee. All requires some preplanning.
What if I accidentally travel outside the free zone without a TIP?
It is illegal to travel outside the Mexico free zone without a TIP. Your vehicle could be confiscated and you could be escorted back to the border or taken to jail.
Do I need Mexico Insurance if I travel in the Free Zone?
Absolutely. Liability insurance provided by a Mexican insurer is required to drive your vehicle in Mexico. Without liability insurance, you could be detained until you can prove the ability to pay damages in an at-fault accident. Mexico laws continue to get stricter, so be prepared with Mexico insurance.
Do I need a passport to travel to the Free Zone?
Yes, a passport or passport card is required to travel anywhere in Mexico. It is possible you will not be asked to present it, but it is the law.
If youโre on the fence about where to travel in Mexico, you may want to consider the free zone for the ease of access, quick border crossings and loads of fun!
https://www.mexpro.com/blog/mexico-hassle-free-vehicle-zone
Mexico Hassle Free Vehicle Zone
Posted February 14, 2014 by Mike Mercer & filed under Baja, Driving to Mexico, Free Zone, Sonora, Vehicle Import Permit.
Mexicoโs Hassle Free Vehicle Zone or โFree Zoneโ
The Hassle Free Vehicle Zone, which is also sometimes referred to as the Perimeter Zone, the Liberated Zone or the Free Trade Zone, are areas along the international border that have been designated by the Mexican government to have reduced customs requirements.
The free zone initiative was begun to help promote Mexico tourism and create greater economic growth for the areas along the U.S. border. Within the free zone, customs importation requirements are essentially removed, allowing goods from other countries to enter Mexico duty free. The Mexican customs checkpoints have been moved further into the interior of Mexico, typically 20 to 26 kilometers, to create a zone that extends along the entire northern border of Mexico.
A few Mexican states have extended free zones
All of Mexicoโs Baja Peninsula, including the states Baja California and Baja California Sur are inside the free zone. Also, the northwest portion of the state of Sonora, where the zone is delineated by a couple of Mexican Federal Highways. The Free Zone includes the portion of the state of Sonora that lies to the northwest of Mexico Federal Highway Number 2, starting at Agua Prieta, extending through Cananea, up to where it intersects with Mexican Federal Highway Number 15 in Imuris. From Imuris, the free zone is again all of the areas to the north and/or west of Mexico Federal Highway Number 15, which runs south through Magdalena, Santa Ana, Casa Blanca, Benjamin Hill and Hemosillo.
Just north of Guaymas, Highway 15 splits with the Libramiento Guaymas portion extending towards the southeast. Here the free zone encompasses the areas to the south and to the west of Highway 15, to include the areas of Santa Clara, Hacienda El Pardo, Guaymas, and Empalme. The end of the free zone is marked on Mexican Federal Highway Number 15 at kilometer 98, southeast of Empalme.
Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit not required
Within the free zone, the temporary import permit is not required. However, if you travel outside of the free zone, you will have to pass through the customs checkpoint, and will need to pay a deposit to obtain a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit Sticker, which you will need to display on your windshield. Temporary vehicle import stickers must be returned at the border. If you do not return the sticker, not only will you forfeit your deposit, but you also will not be allowed to apply for any future Temporary Vehicle Importation Permits. So, until you return the sticker, you wonโt be able to bring any other vehicles into Mexico.
Once you return the importation sticker, then your deposit can be returned. For more information about obtaining Temporary Vehicle Importation Permits, you can contact the Banco Nacional del Ejรฉrcito, Fuerza Aรฉrea y Armada, a.k.a. the Banjercito.
Even in the free zone, you still need to purchase insurance
If plan to drive your car, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle or motorhome across the border, even if you will be staying inside the free zone the entire time, you will need to have a valid in-force policy that includes Mexican liability insurance coverage.
It does not matter if you are only driving a few feet across the border, you are required to have Mexican liability coverage anywhere inside of Mexico. It is also important to remember that by Mexico law, no U.S. insurer can sell Mexican liability insurance, and the mandatory coverage may only be obtained from an actual Mexican insurance company.
So, even if your U.S. insurance includes an extension of physical damage coverage for Mexico, you still must purchase a separate policy that includes liability coverage from a Mexico insurance carrier. If you would like to learn more about what is included in Mexico Liability insurance policy, as well as the other coverage items that are available, please visit the Mexico Insurance
Professionals website at:
https://www.mexpro.com/mexico/coverage.html.
The page also has links to an online form where you can get quick and easy comparative quotes for Mexico Tourist Auto Insurance from all โA ratedโ Mexican Insurance Carriers. You can even purchase and print your policy, right from your own computer, anytime, day or night.
If you have other questions about the Mexico free zone, temporary vehicle importation permit requirements or about Mexico Tourist Auto Insurance in general, you can call to speak with a Mexico insurance specialist agent at 888-467-4639.
Also Lewis and Lewis for insurance online
https://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/
