In compliance with the WHTI, an approved document must be submitted in order to cross the border between Mexico and California. Approved documents include a passport, passport card or an enhanced driver's license, and the travelers should be able to present the document to customs officials when crossing the border between California and Mexico.
A passport is a universally accepted international document that is sufficient for crossing the border by land, sea and air. The document provides a person's identity and nationality and is obtained through the U.S. State Department.
In July 2008, the U.S. government began issuing a new document, known as the U.S. passport card, for travel by land or sea. The card is less expensive and more convenient than a passport, but it cannot be used for international air travel.
An enhanced driver's license is a state-issued document that provides proof of citizenship and is used to enter the United States by sea or land. These cards are also an inexpensive and more convenient alternative to a passport while also serving as a driver's license throughout the United States.
If your stay in Mexico is more than 72 hours and you traveled outside of the "border zone" (20 to 30 kilometers from the border), a tourist card must be purchased. The tourist card, or FM-T, is available at border crossing points, and if the person crossing the border is not in possession of the card upon re-entry into the United States, a fine can be assessed by Mexican immigration officials.
When taking your vehicle into Mexico, a temporary import permit to travel outside of the border zone must be obtained from custom's officials. Upon re-entry into the United States, vehicles and their contents may be subject to inspection to ensure border safety is maintained.
