You will not be required to show a passport, proof of citizenship or obtain visa for a day trip to Juarez. Proof of citizenship and visas are required for travel farther south. If you enter Juarez by motor vehicle you may be stopped so your vehicle can be inspected. There are limits on how much merchandise you carry into Mexico and these limits seem to change frequently. Tourists are rarely questioned in detail about what they are bringing. Do not carry firearms into Mexico.

No passport is required for United States or Canadian citizens. Non-resident citizens of other countries are required to present their passports and visas when reentering the United States.

Each resident may bring back $400 worth of articles duty free once every 30 days (subject to limitations on liquors, cigarettes, and cigars). It is unlawful to bring back most fresh fruits and vegetables, uncooked poultry and pork, exotic animal furs and hides and live birds. You can talk with U.S. Customs officials at any of the bridges before crossing into Mexico for a more complete list.

Texas residents, 21 years or older, may bring back one liter of alcohol, one liter of beer and one liter of wine once every 30 days. Residents of other states, 21 years or older, may bring back up to four liters of alcohol and one case of beer once every 30 days. Anything over these amounts is subject to customs duty and internal revenue tax.

Texas state tax is collected on all liquor (amounts range from 55¢ for a miniature bottle of liquor to 94¢ for a case of beer and $1.10 on a quart of liquor.

One duty free carton of cigarettes per person is allowed. Additional cartons are subject to duty and tax. It is illegal to import Cuban cigars into the U.S., but you will find them in Juarez.

United States Customs, call 915-540-5800.
United States Consulate in Juarez, Av. Lopez Mateos #924, call 11-30-00.
United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, call 915-534-6366.
Mexican Consulate in El Paso, 910 E. San Antonio Street, call 915-533-3644.

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