Yes. Reputable brokerages, such as Blue Yonder Yachts, are here to guide you successfully through the process of closing on a boat purchase in complicance with Mexican law and with all documentation appropriately completed for smooth ownership transition.

Many boats for sale in Mexico are foreign-flagged, which means they will have a TIP (Temporary Import Permit) associated with them that allows them to be in Mexico. While it is not permitted to sell a temporarily imported vessel within Mexico or its territorial waters, reputable brokers ensure that the sale is closed outside of Mexico (called an "Offshore Sale") and that the existing TIP is properly cancelled with a new one issued in the new owner's name.

A TIP is required for foreign-owned recreational and sport boats, boats, yacht or sailboats of more than 4.5m long to stay in Mexico. As of April 1, 2026, the duration of a TIP is 5 years; previously it was 10 years. 

When purchasing a used boat, the existing TIP must be properly handled (either transferred, cancelled, or renewed) to ensure legal compliance.

If you see a boat you would like to make an offer on, contact us and we will prepare an "Offer to Purchase and Sales Agreement" for both you and the seller.

When your offer is accepted, we will provide instructions for sending a 10% deposit to be held in escrow by a professional vessel title and marine documentation company in the USA. 

The next stage is to satisfy the conditions of sale, which may include completion of a Pre-Purchase Survey, Sea Trial, and/or other requirements. We are happy to work with you to facilitate the arrangement of any services you may require. In the unlikely event that requirements are not met, the deposit in escrow is returned to you.

When all conditions are satisfied, the agreement can be signed off by both parties and the outstanding amount owing for the purchase can be sent to the title company. All documentation processes to complete the clean ownership transfer, vessel documentation and registration, and Mexican TIP cancellation/issuance takes place more or less concurrently at this time.

We are happy to answer any specific questions about the process - just get in touch!

Yes. A marine survey is a highly recommended aspect of a boat purchase to determine the yacht’s seaworthiness, value, and to satisfy potential insurance requirements.

There are several surveyors throughout Mexico who are more than qualified to provide this service, many of whom are associates or full members of internationally recognized marine surveyor societies such as SAMS (USA) or NAMSGlobal (USA). Many clients visit these websites to find surveyors who are already here or are willing to travel to do a survey. 

We have worked with many local and travelling surveyors over the years, and can provide insight on who may be available. Remember that whomever you choose, you must be comfortable with them as they work for you and you alone to provide an unbiased assessment of the vessel's condition. 

Purchasing a vessel in Mexico is an offshore purchase and may yield tax advantages. We are not in the tax business so we suggest you contact professionals in that area to ensure that you understand your obligations, especially if you plan to take the boat into US or Canadian waters, where obligations can change by state/province and country.

Most certainly you can. Depending on which municipality your boat is near, or where you plan to take it to get work done, there are numerous options for marine yards throughout the Sea of Cortez. Major cities like Guaymas/San Carlos, La Paz, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta are very large cruising communities with the full spectrum of marine-related services and suppliers of goods and equipment from chandleries, sailmakers, riggers, refrigeration and diesel mechanics, canvas & upholstery manufacturers, and general boat maintenance workers.

As sailmakers ourselves, and dealers for marine equipment such as Blue Wave rigging, Rainman watermakers, Ultra anchors, etc. we have deep knowledge of the import process for marine goods into Mexico. 

We are happy to chat about any specific work you may want done or supplies/goods you may need, and can recommend good locations and services.

You’ll need to have the current documents and paperwork mentioned below — both the originals and copies:

• The original of your vessel documentation, with current stamp, state registration or Notarized Bill of Sale
• Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for your vessel
• Your passport
• A Mexican “Tourist Card” (called Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM), Mexican Temporary Resident Visa (Residente Temporal), or Mexican Permanent Resident Visa (Residente Permanente)
• Proof of liability insurance (mostly only required by marinas)
• Fishing Permit for each person aboard, even if you’re just carrying fishing gear
• Crew List (Lista de Tripulantes), with stamped authorization from your first port of entry
• Notarized permission letter for children who are minors if they are not accompanied by both their parents
• Maritime Letter of Authorization (colloquially called a Captain's Letter) that gives owner's permission to an individual to be on / use the vessel in their absence