BajaNomad - Importing cabinets ?

Importing cabinets ?

bajadave1 - 3-12-2006 at 06:27 AM

Can anyone tell me if there are restrictions on bringing kitchen cabinets into Baja, or just the aduana necessary?
THX

Dave

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 08:03 AM

No problem....just don't exceed the $5000 mark.
Contact an importer if you exced $1000.

Expect to pay 24% of the invoice value :spingrin:

...and you CANNOT install them unless you have a work permit...
you'll need to hire someone

We also want standard cabinets...although local cabinetmakers do some excelent work.
Home Depot has some excellemt off-the-shelf stuff.

Tell us later what you did.

bajajudy - 3-12-2006 at 08:17 AM

Dave
I would expect to pay 30-35% of invoice(original must accompany the shipment to your importer in San Diego, where ever). That is what we have to pay to import our books.
Probably more like 35% because you will have to pay IVA.(10%) Books dont have IVA
Let me know if you need some advise on importers. Some are very difficult to deal with, others just fine. Unfortunately our's very seldom takes on new customers.

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 08:22 AM

But Judy you are Re-selling your books..

I think dave is building a house...

comitan - 3-12-2006 at 08:22 AM

Bob

In La Paz you can do any work on your own house. This is per immagration, you can't on your place because it a commercial business.

bajalou - 3-12-2006 at 08:23 AM

Quote:

...and you CANNOT install them unless you have a work permit...
you'll need to hire someone

Imigration here says a homeowner can work on his own property - no restrictions - but not on a neighbor or friends.

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 08:25 AM

probably....only with an fm3...not an fmt

I had to get an attachment to my fm3 so i could work on my property only...

but it is a corp....like you said

Local source?

djh - 3-12-2006 at 09:10 AM

With a few of the Big Box stores now in Baja, is there not a source for standard cabinets in Baja? (isn't there a Home Depot)

I'm enjoying the simplicity of the 27' Holiday Rambler on our lot for now... but we'll be building one day soon too.

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 09:26 AM

yea but they really don't have the complete line all the time....

we'll see when the ensenada home depot opens....

it looks really BIG :spingrin:

Bob H - 3-12-2006 at 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
yea but they really don't have the complete line all the time....

we'll see when the ensenada home depot opens....

it looks really BIG :spingrin:

Where is it (home depot) located in Ensenada?

bajajudy - 3-12-2006 at 10:04 AM

B&S
It has absolutely nothing to do with what I do with the books.....That is the tariff here in Los Cabos to bring something from the border for whatever purpose....we are farther down the road than Mulege. That 25-35% is mostly transportation, paper shuffling charges; the actual amount paid to the Mex gov't is less than 10%(not including IVA). I am not sure of the exact amount, but it is a processing fee imposed by aduana. The rest is renting the truck, hiring the driver, paying for the gas....etc. They could care less what you do with the stuff.

Home Depot in Baja

MrBillM - 3-12-2006 at 11:03 AM

As an avid Home Depot customer, I eagerly awaited the opening of the Mexicali Home Depot and stopped there the first week it was open. It was a huge disappointment. Although I've stopped there numerous times to check selection and prices, I have yet to purchase ANYTHING. I've found I'm not alone. Two Mexican friends of mine who do a lot of construction work told me they cross the border and shop at the Home Depot in El Centro unless it is too much to bring across without a broker.

The Walmart in Mexicali is another example of the above. I've never bought anything there, either. When people ask me why I don't shop there and avoid the border hassle, I tell them that I pass the Walmart in Calexico on every trip down and the parking lot is jammed at eight a.m. Most of the license plates in the parking lot are Mexican. That tells me I'm wasting my time checking out Mexicali.

For those farther down, of course, the options are more limited.

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 11:38 AM

judy...the actual import fee is 17%
broker get 5% more

that's 23%

transportation and handeling doesn't count if you bring it down yourself :bounce:

bill...home depot lumber sucks but...faucets parts tools and other hardware is almost the same price without the import fee

bajajudy - 3-12-2006 at 12:09 PM

BS
Driving up to get our books is not an option. I was talking about using an importer
Who gets the 17%
Where is the IVA in your figures? You have to pay that. Maybe that is 10% of your 17%, bringing the import fee down to 7% which is about what I thought it was.

FYI, the prices at Home Depot, Costco, reflect this 25-35% importation.

Interesting aside. The importer's trucks have to push the buttons too. Red light and you are going to unpack your truck and account for everything in there with the invoices. This can take up to 24 hours, according to how big the truck, how small the boxes.....etc.

[Edited on 3-12-2006 by bajajudy]

DanO - 3-12-2006 at 12:42 PM

The Home Depot in TJ has the full line of cabinets, does computerized kitchen design, and will deliver and install as far down as Santo Tomas (for a price of course).

17% Import Fee

MrBillM - 3-12-2006 at 12:46 PM

The Import fee charged at the border to an individual on goods produced in the U.S. is 17% and is levied on the cost of the goods only. The sales tax paid in the U.S. is NOT included. I have a stack of Customs forms reflecting the prices I have paid on numerous imported goods.

B and S: You're probably right. The lumber and other goods such as ladders (too large to hide) have been my primary focus. Small items I have never checked out unless I had forgotten to get them before crossing. For me, convenience is another factor to be considered. Since I normally cross the border once each month, it is a lot more convenient to pick up the items on the U.S. side. It is about to be more convenient since the Conditional Use Permit has been issued in Yucca Valley for the Walmart Supercenter and the Home Depot two miles from my house. Soon, except for Doctor's appointments, I won't have any reason to leave YV unless I'm heading to Baja.

bancoduo - 3-12-2006 at 12:46 PM

Why don't you go mexican. In the towns larger then a small village there are
craftmen that can build anything you want. When in mex buy mex. CHEAP and good quality. Or let us make Baja the next state. :mad:

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 12:57 PM

The import tax is 17%
Broker comission is 5%

IVA is 10% is only for resale not for construction.
The rest must be the costs for your importer charges you.

I did a cost comparison two years ago on 10 specific items at Home Depot in TJ...the result was that the prices were very close.

Actually some prices were lower and some were higher but not by much.

The Ensenada Home Deopt is right across the street from Costco.
BIG parking lot!!!
There is a sign there also that says a Walmart or SAMs Club is going in also.

I also contacted Home Depot Headquarters for assistance in importing or ordering in USA and picking up in Mexico and they were of NO ASSISTANCE!!

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 01:02 PM

Bill

"It is about to be more convenient since the Conditional Use Permit has been issued in Yucca Valley for the Walmart Supercenter and the Home Depot two miles from my house."

What's this???
Is it something we should look into?

____
Never mide I understand :lol:

[Edited on 3-12-2006 by Bob and Susan]

Go Mex

MrBillM - 3-12-2006 at 01:03 PM

I did have close neighbors in Percebu that had some kitchen cabinets built in San Felipe. They were pretty good with only a few defects and the price was decent too. They were constructed from Pine, which seems to be the rule. The neighbors who had them made were elderly so they didn't have the option of coming North and hauling them back.

Although Baja won't be the 51st State (and I'm glad), it WILL become whatever the U.S. markets decide. That's already apparent closer to the border. The San Felipe area is growing exponentially as a result of U.S. migration. The most notable aspect of the recent growth is the extent to which the service businesses are following the U.S. models. At business after business you see "Large" signs posted out front that say "We Speak English", "American-Style Food", etc. Money Talks (Loud).

One item that seems to always be cheaper and that I have bought a lot of over the years is PVC pipe and fittings. There may be others. Unfortunately, none of the Big-Ticket items have ever been cheaper even after paying the duty.

[Edited on 3-12-2006 by MrBillM]

Sharksbaja - 3-12-2006 at 02:11 PM

I agree with the Duo. I have seen some mighty fine cabinetry work. I like the clever use of Cardon and Organ Pipe.
Heck aren't those oak cabinets a thing of past generations? :lol:

I just hope they ARE made in the USA

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 02:12 PM

China...

Shark i remember seeing some pictures of yours
Can you post them again?

[Edited on 3-12-2006 by Bob and Susan]

bancoduo - 3-12-2006 at 02:48 PM

25 35% tariffs. What part of NAFTA do I not understand? :?:

Buy local and save the hassles....they're better anyhoo!

Pompano - 3-12-2006 at 03:15 PM

I brought down some Home Depot-type cabinets for my first Baja house a long time ago. The termites loved them for 5-6 years..and went looking for another meal. Then I ordered some custom-made local stuff..the termites are still loving them, but so do we.

It's fun to do the planning and design yourself, then go find the great craftsman in your town...just look for the woodshavings! I can recommend at least 3 great woodworkers in Mulege. They have made us bookcases, kitchen cabinets, computer desk, corner wine cupboard, dressers, dining tables, chairs, etc...nothing they cannot do and do well.

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 03:24 PM

there's cabinets in that picture???? :lol:

Pompano - 3-12-2006 at 03:33 PM

Yes, Bob y Susan...cabinets...right behind that woodworker.

Water heater

bajaguy - 3-12-2006 at 04:54 PM

has anyone seen or purchased from Home Depot in Baja one of those tankless whole house propane water heaters (ThermaStar, I think)??? If so, what was the cost (US=$425) and how does it work??.

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 05:23 PM

Here is THE GUY...

http://stores.ebay.com/ExcelAmerica

Call or email him...EXCELLENT!!!
He's in Florida

I got two and will get more.

bajajudy - 3-12-2006 at 06:42 PM

Yes they have them here in Los Cabos at Home Depot. Dont remember the exact price but I do remember they cost over twice as much as regular boilers.
BS..where did you put guts of your units?
do you have pix?

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 06:57 PM

Actually since we have the trailer we haven't hooked up the whole house one yet but....

The point of service one is all set up.

I had my neighbor install it in his palapa.
It works great.

These things use very little propane because they only heat when water goes thru them.

It does take about 10 seconds to heat the water at the faucet 20 feet away. I think I would have mounted it closer if I had known.

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 06:57 PM

another shot

The pump should be a little bigger with a tank..

[Edited on 3-13-2006 by Bob and Susan]

bancoduo - 3-12-2006 at 07:17 PM

Has anyone heard of a wood burning calientador. cheap and works great. Try going native. Tom and susans thing looks like a IED. :lol:

Pompano - 3-12-2006 at 08:36 PM

B y S...that photo? Are you guys running a still over there?

Bruce R Leech - 3-12-2006 at 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bancoduo
Has anyone heard of a wood burning calientador. cheap and works great. Try going native. Tom and susans thing looks like a IED. :lol:

these are grate and very fast work on wood, charcoal or LP if you have a small weed burner.

I had one at my ranch that would run on used motor oil or diesel.

Bob and Susan - 3-12-2006 at 09:14 PM

I wish i had a still....

Mexico...isn't a wonderful place....look at that wireing :lol:

and the volleyball storage :lol:

Remember my neighbor had no hot water in the palapa....

Sure Bob....or Susan

Sharksbaja - 3-12-2006 at 10:24 PM

Good synapse ya got there! Cabinets by Chacho.

again

Sharksbaja - 3-12-2006 at 10:25 PM

uno mas

Sharksbaja - 3-12-2006 at 10:26 PM

and the bar he built

Sharksbaja - 3-12-2006 at 10:35 PM

bajajudy - 3-13-2006 at 07:38 AM

BS
All of the hot water on demand units I have seen(in Europe) were mounted over the toilet. Would it be feasible to mount them outside. This one looks like it is in a garage or storage room...something not exposed to the elements. They make soooo much more sense. Who wants to pay for keeping water hot that you are not using but the logistics of mounting them has always puzzled me.
Thanks

Diver - 3-13-2006 at 07:50 AM

Judy,

You can mount them anywhere (depends if you buy vented or ventless) but they are typically placed in a location that is central to your hot water demands. This is usually the shower(s). Farther away allows for more pipe friction loss and heat loss on the way to the shower. Using slightly larger or low friction (PEX) pipe plus pipe insulation will help mitigate this losses.

Bob and Susan - 3-13-2006 at 08:15 AM

This was an indoor point of service ventless heater.
You should mount this near the use ...lets say a washer.
No venting is necessary.

Others are larger and can be mounted outside but little ones might have problems with wind blowing out the flame.

Most heaters are indoors now in the USA. Very few outside.
We're building little rooms for the units propane tank and heaters in the casitas but only acessed fron outside.

Just put it where the old one is and have some extra storage room.

PEX pipe is sometimes hard to get unless you're a contractor but is worth the effort.

It will be hard to find in Baja.

bajajudy - 3-13-2006 at 09:24 AM

Well since 9 months out of the year the surrounding environment is warm, I would guess that the distance thing is less of a problem. In the summer we turn ours down low, and only keep it on so that the dish washer has hot water.
This is for our new building which will have 2 bathroom sinks, one kitchen and one shower. I would like to mount it outside near the propane but worry about the wind blowing out the pilot light. today it would be out for sure. so should I go with vented or ventless. Seems like ventless would be better in this case?!?!?!

Bob and Susan - 3-13-2006 at 10:19 AM

They are sold by gallons per minute

You would need a whole house vented unit ~$388 plus shipping

location

bajaguy - 3-13-2006 at 08:50 PM

If the mounting location was enclosed and protected from the wind and (gulp) possibility of freezing, I think an outside mounting would be OK. I see by looking at the web site that it doesn't have a standing pilot light.....flame/burner is controlled by 2 "D" cell batteries and only activates when the hot water side is turned on.

[Edited on 3-14-2006 by bajaguy]

Should be ok outside

Sharksbaja - 3-14-2006 at 12:55 AM

If the units are newly manufactured they probably have the enclosed combustion chamber. Works well in drafty areas but is flameless ignition(piezo). I am getting used to them but it is harder diagnose a problem when you can't see a spark and you can't use a match to light them. On the upside, they are much safer at ground level.

[Edited on 3-14-2006 by Sharksbaja]

bajajudy - 3-14-2006 at 07:37 AM

Cool. I am sold. Will get a unit from Home Depot here. Dont know the brand but it is all I have access to.
Thanks for all the input.

Now about importing those cabinets....buy locally. Just make sure that they use treated pine. My cabinets have separated in a couple of places as the wood has dried. Treated wood was not an option when they were made. Heck I felt lucky just to have wood cabinets.