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roundtuit
Senior Nomad
Posts: 607
Registered: 12-21-2004
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Mood: Wife's Job
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Friends used new road and had to pay import fees on food they had to bring down
Never learned from a book-Only from mistakes, mine and yours
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by roundtuit
Friends used new road and had to pay import fees on food they had to bring down |
How much food and what was the duty/
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roundtuit
Senior Nomad
Posts: 607
Registered: 12-21-2004
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Will ck on food,but they said just about every one was paying 200 pescos or $ 20.00
Never learned from a book-Only from mistakes, mine and yours
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5847
Registered: 7-18-2011
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I just crossed the border and there are many new updates. Will post when I get home later. No fmm facility yet. Otay closest facility.
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Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: Bahía Asuncion BCS
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I would be interested in knowing about getting our visa's as well, as wel plan on going down again in December, and Tijuana always makes Mr. Gypsy a
bit cranky.  I would rather have it mostly figured out prior to getting to that
border crossing!
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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just crossed the new crossing, pretty slick. the only trouble spot is entering the international road, but they are working on that.
lots and lots of cars going to secondary, checking registrations and I.D.s and everyone get a look under the hood.
upon exiting secondary there's a group of young ladies in schoolgirl uniforms that hand you an ice cold tecate,give you a little peck on the cheek and
say welcome to mexico!
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5847
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Just ate shrimp at La Fonda. Time to take a nap. My wife wants another margarita. I love the new border crossing.
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AlanDow
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 1-23-2011
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Here is the latest info from Baja Bound regarding getting FMM - before November 5th it appears we could be in for a "long walk" if the old crossing is
not open when we cross:
Hi Alan,
We tracked down a phone number for Mexican Immigration at the San Ysidro crossing (Puerto Mexico).
I spoke to two different people, yesterday and today to try to get a more complete story.
At this time, the Immigration office is still at Puerto Mexico/San Ysidro. The one at El Chaparral will not open apparently until November 5th.
First a bit of background of what is going on with the crossings in my personal experience.
In the last almost week, sometimes they are:
1) Using only Puerto Mexico/San Ysidro
2) Using only El Chaparral
3) Using both
If they are only using Puerto Mexico/San Ysidro, you may cross as usual. We recommend crossing in the declaration lane since this allows you to park
easily inside the Mexican Customs (Aduana) facility. Then the Immigration office (and banks where you pay for the FMM Tourist Card) is right there
near the parking.
If they are only using El Chaparral, the Immigration officer I spoke to said to go ahead and cross, then park in the El Chaparral facility. For those
who are new to El Chaparral, it is set up differently from Puerto Mexico/San Ysidro. As soon as you cross into Mexico, the El Chaparral facility has
parking spots that you drive past. She told me you may park there and then walk to the Puerto Mexico/San Ysidro border crossing. (Ask around how to
walk back there, I'm not clear on how to find it exactly.)
If both are open, for obvious reasons it is best to cross through Puerto Mexico/San Ysidro.
I hope this is helpful! If you have any additional questions, we'll try to find out for you.
Thanks,
Jennifer Hill
VP Agency Development
Baja Bound Insurance Services, Inc.
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Norm
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: AUBURN CA
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Mood: GOOD!!!!!
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WILL THEY ALLOW MOTOR HOMES TO CROSS THERE ??
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5847
Registered: 7-18-2011
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We crossed south yesterday and I must say it was quite an impressive experience. As we made the hard left into El Chapparal, I was amazed to see what
looked like 20 lanes, each manned by an agent directing people where to go. As we went thru the gate we were directed to secondary, parking spot 4.
EVERY VEHICLE WAS GETTING PULLED INTO SECONDARY.
We were greeted by a young Aduana agent and he asked where we were headed and coming from. He had some cool ipad tablet-like computer that he was
punching info into. He asked for the vehicle registration, my passport, and my OK to search the vehicle. Another agent stopped by to assist him.
They were very professional and polite.
As we sat in the vehicle, looking around this new POE, we noticed a television screen for every secondary inspection parking spot. The screen had a
color picture of my vehicle, the license plate number and some other info. They were not messing around. If they do this procedure for every
southbound vehicle I'd reckon they'd be collecting a huge amount of data. The days of being anonymous in Mexico are over. It felt like I was
crossing into the USA, except the customs agent was respectful, polite, and courteous.
We asked the agent if this was the new procedure for south bound vehicles (doing a thorough inspection) and he said, "yep, forever.......", and
jokingly said he'd be doing these long, intense inspections for the rest of his life.
I doubt they can do this thorough of an inspection during peak crossing times, without seriously backing up traffic, although I swear there was at
least 150 agents conducting inspections. Jobs, jobs, jobs.....................and all were between the ages of 20-30.
So we pulled out of secondary quite impressed by the new POE. Clean, hi-tech, fast, efficient, and best of all, not a cluster FU%$ like the old POE.
If you have something illegal to bring into Mexico, you better hide it well, because they are checking!!!
Oh yeah, I was also coming down to get my tourist card for the Baja 1000 next month. The FMM office is not open yet at El Chapparal, like mentioned
in other threads. The agent told us the office at San Ysidro was closed and the closest place to get a card would be Otay. He asked where I'd be
going and I told him La Paz. Then came the epic statement of confusion that is the FMM card when he told me I didn't need a tourist card for coming
down for the Baja 1000 for a few days. I'm aware of the 72 hour thing....if you're in the "border zone" so I'm guessing he was stating that
exemption, although I told him I'd BE ALL THE WAY IN LA PAZ. I said, "what about the inspection booth in Guerrero Negro? Won't they ask for the FMM
there?" and he just kind of laughed. How to interpret that? No idea...............maybe he didn't know where La Paz was or never heard of Guerrero
Negro, or maybe he was just trying to say, "dude, no one is gonna check so why waste your time?"
Moving past this border................we had an epic day of pottery shopping in Rosarito. Then ate at La Fonda. Got to the border and entered the
Ready Lane at San Ysidro. I HATE THE READY LANE AT SY. Took longet than the regular lanes and actually ended up merging WITH THE REGULAR LANES!!!
WTF?
The agent was cool but sent our butts to secondary for an x-ray. Some dude waved us into the wrong place, and no one gave us any direction as to
where to go once we were in that wrong place. I told an agent they sent us for an x-ray and in a very condescending voice told me I entered the wrong
area. I TOLD HIM I WAS FOLLOWING ORDERS and he redirected me to the x-ray machine. It was disgusting how unorganized they were. I was trying to
make eye contact to get some direction the whole time, but everyone was heads down, staring at computer screens, while occupants sat in vehicles,
waiting to be searched by agents that were in no hurry to do anything.
Welcome home fellow US citizen, may I treat you like crap?
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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 4969
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
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Mood: INTP-A
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When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting:
https://www.regionalinternet.com |
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bryanmckenzie
Senior Nomad
Posts: 561
Registered: 9-23-2009
Location: 400 Km from Mexico Beach, Florida
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Mood: Hot & humid --- not hot & dry.
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Project Fact Sheet (PDF)
From Wikipedia:
2013
1922
[Edited on 2012-11-5 by bryanmckenzie]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I like 1922 better!
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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I just went into the new Port of Entry today. It is huge and very impressive, sort of like a newly built prison in the United States. It is very
sterile looking, but clean and modern. I went because my school requires me to keep my VISA to get my official medical license in Mexicali. So I had
to stop at Aduanas. After a few minute walk, I was directed to a small office, all white, and a diminuitive Mexican man was there, who started
screaming at me, "YOU are in Mexico, not the USA, you UNDERSTAND?" This guy was clearly on a power trip. He directed me to a Bancomer office around
the bend in the new complex, I paid my $30 American and headed back to the gentleman, who gave me my tourist visa for 60 days so the school can
process my FM3. I don't understand what this big huge complex is all about. It reminds me of the old days when the new Pelican stores opened up and
and there were 25 lanes with cashiers waving you to come to their line. There was hardly any traffic but I can't imagine what it is like on a Friday
evening. Oh yeah, there was a second story like they have in the prisons and military are on the lookout with their machine guns...that's why it
reminded me of a prison.
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5847
Registered: 7-18-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I just went into the new Port of Entry today. It is huge and very impressive, sort of like a newly built prison in the United States. It is very
sterile looking, but clean and modern. I went because my school requires me to keep my VISA to get my official medical license in Mexicali. So I had
to stop at Aduanas. After a few minute walk, I was directed to a small office, all white, and a diminuitive Mexican man was there, who started
screaming at me, "YOU are in Mexico, not the USA, you UNDERSTAND?" This guy was clearly on a power trip. He directed me to a Bancomer office around
the bend in the new complex, I paid my $30 American and headed back to the gentleman, who gave me my tourist visa for 60 days so the school can
process my FM3. I don't understand what this big huge complex is all about. It reminds me of the old days when the new Pelican stores opened up and
and there were 25 lanes with cashiers waving you to come to their line. There was hardly any traffic but I can't imagine what it is like on a Friday
evening. Oh yeah, there was a second story like they have in the prisons and military are on the lookout with their machine guns...that's why it
reminded me of a prison. |
Thanks for the update. Can you describe where you walked to get to the office? Sounds like you walked across and then over to El Chap? If you were
driving across, it would be the buildings on the right correct? Gracias.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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The Visa office is on the right of the crossing lanes before you cross over in the new complex
Before you cross the border in San Ysidro, you are directed to the right and there are the lanes to cross into Mexico in that new cement road and
complex. El Chaparral, what a name. Is that what the Mexicans call it...they should call it CEMEX Grande: A tribute to Carlos Slim. I asked one of
the men where I go to Aduanas. They told me to back up and not cross into Mexico in one of the lanes, unlike the old port of entry where you crossed
first and then immediately you pulled over to the right and got your visa. So as you are looking at the lanes to cross, you go around the to your
right before reaching the lanes, (if you are looking into Mexico), and its right around the bend. It is a huge building, you enter it and immediately
make a left into this tiny room. The building reminds me of a huge mausoleum. | Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I just went into the new Port of Entry today. It is huge and very impressive, sort of like a newly built prison in the United States. It is very
sterile looking, but clean and modern. I went because my school requires me to keep my VISA to get my official medical license in Mexicali. So I had
to stop at Aduanas. After a few minute walk, I was directed to a small office, all white, and a diminuitive Mexican man was there, who started
screaming at me, "YOU are in Mexico, not the USA, you UNDERSTAND?" This guy was clearly on a power trip. He directed me to a Bancomer office around
the bend in the new complex, I paid my $30 American and headed back to the gentleman, who gave me my tourist visa for 60 days so the school can
process my FM3. I don't understand what this big huge complex is all about. It reminds me of the old days when the new Pelican stores opened up and
and there were 25 lanes with cashiers waving you to come to their line. There was hardly any traffic but I can't imagine what it is like on a Friday
evening. Oh yeah, there was a second story like they have in the prisons and military are on the lookout with their machine guns...that's why it
reminded me of a prison. |
Thanks for the update. Can you describe where you walked to get to the office? Sounds like you walked across and then over to El Chap? If you were
driving across, it would be the buildings on the right correct? Gracias. |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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So, if you don't mind my dumbness... You said they told you to "go back up" what does that mean?
We drive south on I-5 or I-805, they come together and then, right in front of the old entry, is a sharp right bend and then a sharp left bend to the
new border entry...
Where do you park for the INM office and where is the office compared to where you park?
[Edited on 11-6-2012 by David K]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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In the past, had they been inclined to send someone back for whatever reason, they would simply open a gate and direct the vehicle through to the US
side to sit there and wait for a good hearted driver to let him in line.
I wonder how they'll do that today.
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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I reached the border crossing, and they told me to go back and not cross to Mexico, in other words I had to back up in the lane, turn around, thank
God there was not much traffic and then facing towards the US you make a left about after 50 feet and go around a short bend, there is a huge parking
lot and the building is right there. It's very close to the crossing you can't miss it and just ask anyone, they will show you, it's very
simple. | Quote: | Originally posted by David K
So, if you don't mind my dumbness... You said they told you to "go back up" what does that mean?
We drive south on I-5 or I-805, they come together and then, right in front of the old entry, is a sharp right bend and then a sharp left bend to the
new border entry...
Where do you park for the INM office and where is the office compared to where you park?
[Edited on 11-6-2012 by David K] |
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64479
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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So you had to re-enter the U.S., or were you always inside of Mexico. Is this a a two-way street or did you go against traffic? Thank you.
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