Belize Border Crossing

This article describes how to enter and exit Belize with a vehicle.  General instructions as well as specific descriptions for different borders are included as well. 

Border Crossing Information

Entry Requirements

Necessary documents:

• Passport
• Vehicle Title
• Vehicle Registration
• Valid Drivers License
• Several photocopies of each of these documents
• Insurance must be purchased after finishing with customs
• There is no ENTRY FEE

Belize is a relatively easy border crossing.  At the border crossing you will be approached by people trying to sell you insurance. Insurance is required in Belize but you will be able to buy it from the Insurance Corporation of Belize located near after customs has approved your permit and let you drive through.

First head to immigration to get your passport stamped as well as your car permit. You may be approached by someone who can help you work through the process, keep in mind that these are not "official" immigration employees and they will require a tip for their assistance. After immigration has approved your passport, head to Customs to start the paperwork to import your car.

The car importation was simple as well. Make sure you have all your original documents as well as photocopies of everything. Everything seems to move a bit slower in Belize so be patient and don't push the officers to hurry, as things are laid-back and all documents are filled out by hand. A car inspection is required but it may be pretty slack. Once everything is filled out and the car has been inspected you will receive a car permit slip. Don't lose this document as it must be canceled when exiting Belize.

Insurance is purchased from the Insurance Corporation of Belize. Make sure to have sufficient coverage for the time you are in Belize as the insurance is set to expire at a specific time. There are other locations where you can renew your insurance as well. You will be a given an insurance sticker to put in the upper right-hand corner of your windshield.

Exit Requirements

Necessary documents:

• Passport
• Belize Vehicle Import Permit

Costs

• $37.50 Belize Dollars exit fee per person

Canceling the Belize Vehicle Import Permit and Tourist Permit: To cancel the vehicle permit, first head to immigration where they will stamp your passports for exit. You will then be directed to Customs. Present your car permit to the official and request that it be canceled.

Individual Border Crossing Experiences

Entering Belize

Subteniente Lopez, Mexico to Santa Elena, Belize
November 2008
Belize is a relatively easy border crossing. When you leave Chetumal, Mexico and cross the border you will be approached by people trying to sell you insurance. Purchasing insurance is required in Belize but you will be able to buy it from the Insurance Corporation of Belize located behind immigration after customs has approved your permit and let you drive through.

Park in the parking lot in front of immigration and head in to get your passport stamped as well as your car permit. We were approached by a man who helped us work through the process, keep in mind that these are not "official" immigration employees and they will require a tip for their assistance. After immigration has approved your passport head to the Customs desk located behind the immigration desk to start the paperwork to import your car.

The car importation was simple for us. Make sure you have all your original documents, they will ask to see them, as well as photocopies of everything. Everything seems to move a bit slower in Belize so be patient and don't push the officers to hurry, things are laid-back and all the documents are filled out by hand. A car inspection is required though, for us, it was pretty slack. Once everything is filled out and the car has been inspected they will give you a car permit slip.

Insurance is purchased from the Insurance Corporation of Belize. Make sure you have sufficient coverage for the time you are in Belize as the insurance is set to expire at specific time. There are other locations where you can renew your insurance either way make sure you have it. You will be a given an insurance sticker to put in the upper right-hand corner of your windshield.
-- Posted by Kelsey

Exiting Belize

Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize to Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala
November 2008
There is only one border crossing point for cars between Belize and Guatemala, at Benque del Carmen/Melchor de Mencos. To cancel the vehicle permit, first head to Belize immigration where they will stamp your passports for exit. You will then be directed to the Customs desk in the Entry building. This seems pretty weird because you are basically walking into the building the wrong way. Once you reach the desk, present your car permit to the official and request that it be canceled. Simple.
-- Posted by Kelsey