Getting Back

Getting into Mexico is one thing, but getting back into the United States is something else. The good news is that the process is fairly straightforward, and is getting more and more efficient every year. The bad news is that the border wait to re-enter can be anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, and it can be tough to predict exactly how long it will be.

To check current border traffic from San Diego, call (619) 690-8999. From Tijuana, call 01 (664) 700-7000. Or check border traffic online (scroll down to San Ysidro).

You can bring back $800 per person duty-free, including 1 liter of alcohol. Mexican arts and crafts are duty-free and don't count toward your $800 limit. If traveling by common carrier (bus, cruise ship, plane or train), more than 1 liter of alcohol is allowed; however, only the first is duty-free.

Many U.S. prescription pharmaceuticals, from Premarin to Retin A to blood-pressure and heart medications, are available over the counter in Mexico at considerable savings. Most tourist areas have several high-volume pharmacies per block. Amounts purchased must be for personal use, not for resale.

Cuban cigars are legal in Mexico and readily available everywhere in the border area, but cannot be brought into the United States. Also legal in Mexico, but prohibited in the United states, are turtle products, switchblades, butterfly knives and fireworks.

For complete details on what you can and can't bring back into the United States, check out our customs section.

Of course, if you plan on being a regular visitor to Mexico, the easiest and fastest way to get across the border is by obtaining a SENTRI Pass. The SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection) program, launched by US Customs and Border Protection, are dedicated commuter lanes where prescreened applicants and vehicles are allowed to cross the border Northbound into the US usually more quickly and efficiently. The enrollees have been rigorously background checked and have been determined to be a low risk to the security of the US border.

Wait times in the SENTRI lanes rarely exceed 20 minutes (at peak crossing times) and during normal times there is usually no wait whatsover. For complete details on this program check out the FAQ section of the Border Patrol's website.