| Pages:
1
2 |
philodog
Nomad
Posts: 163
Registered: 10-9-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
Anyone else getting charged duty this year?
Crossing at Mexicali East, after the xray machine I had a young female customs employee give my trailer a thorough going over and at the end she comes
up with a duty of $435. I asked for what and she said my surfboards, you're only allowed one. I had three surfboards and two windsurf boards. She also
pointed out that I had a big bag of dog food and a tool box. This is the first time in 30 years I have been asked to pay duty. I was a bit incredulous
so she called her supervisor over and I got it down to $200 but I still had to pay. Normally I would think it was just a case of mordida but I paid by
credit card and got an itemized computerized list and receipt. Another friend got dinged a few weeks later over some normal vacation items and then
another friend crossing at Algadones got a $16 charge for two small solar panels.
I'm not complaining about paying duty, $200 for 30 years is pretty cheap, and I'm sure any Mexican entering the US carrying all the crap I carry
in my trailer would be taxed also. Just wondering if this is a new Mexican attitude towards tourists based on new US-Mexico trade/wall/immigration
policies.
|
|
|
ReTire
Nomad
Posts: 129
Registered: 9-16-2018
Location: PNW
Member Is Offline
|
|
Really? I don’t understand the entire “duty” charge at all. Is it for the possibility that you might sell something?
Hoping your fee was in Pesos!
|
|
|
sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
Was wondering that, since he quoted $16 for solar panels,
I assume it dlls. Have heard of dog food being dinged.
The allowable non taxed 'personal' stuff is $350 dlls or I've
heard of $500. Guessing it is a case of the wrong Mex customs
Officer, but the supervisor thing is a bit worrysome
|
|
|
BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1106
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
Mood: Got Baja fever!!
|
|
Did you get the red light?
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by ReTire  | | I don’t understand the entire “duty” charge at all. Is it for the possibility that you might sell something? |
Underlying reasons that customs law makers were considering are irrelevant at this point.
Sport equipment is tax-free, generally. 3 surfboards - she might be right, amount should fit the purpose, i.e. for your own use.
Toolbox - probably free, as an item necessary to service the vehicle on the road. Depends on how big/new/expensive. The exemption on things not
included in sport items on ground crossing is $US 300 per person. Plus, things that are really your personal - clothes, one photo camera etc. $300 is
a new amount, until recently they allowed ~$100. Airport customs allow $500, but not ground crossings.
They are giving people a break most of the time. New Year and Christmas are "special circumstances" for Mexican law enforcement, any fines and duties
that "might" be charged - will, even when they are not quite right. nothing new.
[Edited on 12-31-2018 by Alm]
|
|
|
Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
|
|
Maybe Mexico is collection Trumps "wall rebuild" via charging the Canadians and gringo's when they "go south for the winter. Then they will forward it
to Donald once they have collected 3 bil $
|
|
|
yumawill
Nomad
Posts: 103
Registered: 10-11-2016
Member Is Offline
|
|
If you live close to the Line, as I do. You will see mas quantities of packaging tossed in parking lots at retail centers. Once unpack-aged, "new"
items are now" used" and perhaps "personal" items. Not taxed for import. Anything not "Hecho in Mexico" is taxable as an import item. Think "
children's bicycles or new clothing. Sad really, that Mexicans can't purchase these items locally. When will Mexico catch up with China and the U.S.?
Perhaps once they figure out how to put water into round things called pipes. And that it is clean and Potable. Or sent to the sewage treatment plant.
Until then, good luck to all you "smugglers". I mean it. Abuela, don't look away. You know I'm talking about you. All those "Baby" clothes!
|
|
|
baja Steve
Nomad
Posts: 469
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Bend, or
Member Is Offline
|
|
Yep: I got $490.00 for bringing used school books in, this was November
|
|
|
weebray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1094
Registered: 7-19-2010
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: lleno
|
|
Mexico is not run by US rules or standards, thank the lord. If you amortize two hunnert over thirty years, considering all the stuff you've illegally
imported you're laughing. Same with police ticket shakedowns. The border has always been a crap shoot. Tho the chances are minuscule you may shoot
craps. No news here.
Every beautiful beach in the world needs a few condo towers - NOT.
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9006
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
Please tell us, the duty was in pesos, correct?
I think this IS significant, if they are beginning to charge for sports equipment that normally gets let in free. How many fishing poles will be
considered "normal"?
|
|
|
PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3004
Registered: 5-21-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
Last time I crossed with stuff at San Luis they routed me to secondary and I walked to the customs guys office had to pay with credit card in US
dollars. Guy would not take US or MX cash.
I wonder if other crossings require CC?
|
|
|
philodog
Nomad
Posts: 163
Registered: 10-9-2010
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by Hook | Please tell us, the duty was in pesos, correct?
I think this IS significant, if they are beginning to charge for sports equipment that normally gets let in free. How many fishing poles will be
considered "normal"? |
No, dollars.
|
|
|
ReTire
Nomad
Posts: 129
Registered: 9-16-2018
Location: PNW
Member Is Offline
|
|
No, dollars.[/rquote]
Ouch!
|
|
|
Bubba
Senior Nomad
Posts: 957
Registered: 2-17-2009
Location: Pismo Beach, Ca.
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by Hook | Please tell us, the duty was in pesos, correct?
I think this IS significant, if they are beginning to charge for sports equipment that normally gets let in free. How many fishing poles will be
considered "normal"? |
If they start charging for fishing rods I'm screwed...
Making America Great Again
|
|
|
DawnPatrol
Nomad
Posts: 357
Registered: 11-19-2013
Member Is Offline
|
|
In the paper this morning the new President of Mexico has announced the duty to be lowered to 8%
|
|
|
sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
Has been the case in the past. used clothing for donation has
been refused entry, some bizarre theory it will be sold. Was
a guy yrs. back bringing dentistry equip for donation, had
to pay duty. Mexicali West charged a guy $.50 a can to
bring over a couple 12 pals of beer. Just have to go with
it
|
|
|
ReTire
Nomad
Posts: 129
Registered: 9-16-2018
Location: PNW
Member Is Offline
|
|
So it’s hit or miss with it. Ah well....thanks for the heads up. Guess I won’t be surprised if it happens.
Going to cross with minimal provisions and stock up on the other side.
|
|
|
bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
|
|
I believe the VAT (Value Added Tax) on purchased items was reduced to 8% along the border zone. Have not heard anything about Customs duties being
reduced
|
|
|
DaliDali
Super Nomad
Posts: 1132
Registered: 4-21-2010
Location: BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Concerning "sports equipment"
The below are the limits
For all other items see>>>>
https://www.mexadventure.com/mexico-travel/Items_Bring_Mexic...
Sports and recreational equipment:
Two sets of personal sports equipment that can be transported by one person, such as racquets
Four fishing rods
One surfboard.
One musical instrument and accessories that can be transported by one person
One tent and set of camping equipment
One pair of binoculars
One telescope
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2716
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
One surfboard - female aduanera was right then. "Usually" their attitude is lax, a striking contrast to the US or Canadian border. Can't complain.
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
