The Columbus New Mexico port of entry borders Palomas, Chihuahua and has been a site for inspections since 1902 and has quite a colorful history; the current building has been in use since 1989. The old building is now a museum.
Please note during the COVID-19 situation some of the FAQ info below might be subject to change. Please let us know of any corrections required. Live and average Columbus border wait times below remain accurate and are sourced from the US Customs & Border Patrol.
You can walk across the border at Columbus. However, the crossing is on the main road, and the expectation is that most people will drive across the border.
There is no toll for passing over the US/Mexico border. If you are planning on staying near the border there are no costs. If, however, your visit to Mexico is for longer, or you will be driving more than 12 miles from the border you will need to get a temporary vehicle importation permit, which will cost $44. You will also need to pay a refundable deposit of up to $400, depending on the age of your car.
The border crossing at Columbus is open 24 hours a day. The wait times are generally quite short. At peak times, the wait can reach around 15 minutes. The shortest delays in the evenings are just shy of 5 minutes.
On the US side of the border, there is a Border Shoppers Duty-Free store. It is on the same road as the border crossing and hard to miss. The store is closed on Sundays. It opens at 10 am for the rest of the week.
On the Mexican side of the border is the town of Palomas. There are many shops in the town, with several specializing in Mexican arts and crafts. There are also a number of pharmacies and opticians.
In the past, there was no need to bring a passport to travel to Mexico. Now, however, you will need to bring your passport to travel either way over the border. For American citizens, other acceptable forms of ID, apart from a valid passport, include an Enhanced Driver's License, a PASS card, Enhanced Tribal Cards, and trusted traveler cards.
Columbus / Palomas border wait time data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Times may take a few seconds to load…
