BajaNomad - bringing in tobacco products

bringing in tobacco products

capt. mike - 12-15-2005 at 06:25 AM

anybody know what the limits are on cigs and cigars? to bring into the country, mexico that is.

never worried about it before for a short stay of a week or less. but now looking at a month or more and need to bring in some stocks.

BTW - they are more aggressively checking my cargo each time i come in regardless of where i clear. it's so weird.....

elgatoloco - 12-15-2005 at 09:34 AM

20 cigars on an FMT tourist visa.

Bruce on another thread

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=14332

HAVE FUN!

Bob H - 12-15-2005 at 11:07 AM

Capt MIke... would 20 cigars last you a month?
BoB H

Diver - 12-15-2005 at 05:59 PM

20 would last me three days, at most; uh oh.

Bruce R Leech - 12-15-2005 at 07:53 PM

WHAT STUFF CAN I TAKE INTO MEXICO?

according to the Mexican gov. You are entitled to bring/take/send the following items, depending upon your FM status (immigration status).

I don't think many of us stick to this

1. FMT (Tourist)

Under the FMT you can bring in:

-Articles for your personal use, such as clothing, footwear, grooming and toiletry articles in reasonable amounts.

- Photographic, movie or video camera including its power source, and 12 rolls of film.

- Sports equipment for one person, provided it can be carried by one person.

- Up to 20 books and/or magazines.

- A laptop computer and periferals

- Valises, suitcases etc. to carry the goods.

- If of legal age, 20 packs of cigarettes, 20 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, 3 liters of alcoholic beverage.

- Various objects worth up to $300 USD.

* One set of binoculars.

* A T.V., screen size up to 12"

* One portable radio apparatus for recording or playing, or both.

* Up to 20 Laser disks, Compact disks or cassette tapes.

* A typewriter or laptop/portable/notebook computer and power source.

* A musical instrument that is easily portable.

* One tent and camping equipment.

* A maximum of 5 childrens' toys.

* One set of fishing tackle, one pair of skis, 2 tennis racquets.

* A water glider, with or without sail.

* A video recorder/playback machine.

2. FM3 (temporary resident)

Under the FM3, you can bring in what is approved under the temporary importation list approved by a Mexican Consul (Menaje de Casa).

Otherwise, you can only bring in those things NOT *ed in the above list for FMT.

3. Other than all these things, you can bring in whatever you want. You will just have to pay duty on those not on the lists! (except guns, drugs, and some motorized sports vehicles like ATVs)

If you enter as an FMT (tourist) and then get your FM3,

1. You may want to consider taking only those things in #2 above, on your initial drive down under the FMT(Tourist Status). Then with your FM3 securely in your hand, you have 60 days from the date of Registration/Issuance to have the Consul closest to where you lived before, approve an itemized list of family goods you intend on bringing into the country.

This itemized list MUST include the value, and, with anything electronic/appliance include the make, model and serial #. Itemized means 6 cups and saucers etc., not "dishes". Bureaucratic I know but them's the way it is - at the moment.

The list starts with a letter format identifying who you are, where you are moving these things from and where in Mexico you are moving them to.

When you submit it to the Consul, you will need to include your FM3 and passport, along with the Fee (check what it is, as it varies). Once this list is approved, you can ship/bring the stuff in Duty Free. (so they state, it depends upon the Customs official you get.)

Remember, FM3 means temporary. Thus your stuff is exempted temporarily. If you leave, the list of stuff describes what you should be taking with you. If you obtain an FM2, your things are all ok.

capt. mike - 12-16-2005 at 06:24 AM

thx Bruce, excellent primer.
this trip i am taking down a small portable DLP projector so we can watch DVDs evenings on the patio with the fire cooking. wonder what they'll say about that? well, WTF.

ok, as i get it, its 20 packs cigs OR 20 cigars PP?? guess with 2 of us it will be one set of each. and no, Bob H. - 20 cigars cannot last me a month......we'll have to go to the gucci cigar shop in La Paz and pay thru the nose!! ha!!!

4baja - 12-16-2005 at 07:19 AM

mike i take down around 50 cigars everytime i cross the border and have never had a problem. when they do check me and find the cigars they useualy ask for one. we like our cigars!!! :coolup:

David K - 12-16-2005 at 08:53 AM

There's a fancy cigar store in Plaza Rio, Tijuana with a walk in humador that sells the 'real thing' (Havanas)... Unless you boycott Castro outside the U.S. as well.

Bob H - 12-16-2005 at 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
There's a fancy cigar store in Plaza Rio, Tijuana with a walk in humador that sells the 'real thing' (Havanas)... Unless you boycott Castro outside the U.S. as well.

David, just so ya know. The Havana "real thing" cigars are not what they used to be pre-embargo. The best growers and manufactureres from Cuba after Castro took over mostly relocated to Honduras, the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua where, I think, the best cigars come from at extremely better prices. I will not even waste my time or money on a Cuban cigar these days. Just my humble opinion, others may disagree but I doubt it.
Bob H

turtleandtoad - 12-16-2005 at 11:17 AM

Bruce,

I'd guess those rules were written before the large RV's started crossing the border in droves. If they decide to enforce them a lot of us full-time RV'ers are in a world of trouble!!!!

For example;

I've got a 27" TV in the front room, a 19" in the bedroom, and a 9" portable for outside. My CD/DVD/Cassette collection is approaching 200, and I have 3 boomboxes (one satellite) and 2 CD/DVD player/recorders. There is also 3 cameras (two digital and one 35mm), laptop, scanner, and a large format (11x17) color printer.

I've also got a 10" table saw, router table and router, skil-saw, 2 electric drills (one battery powered), 3 jig saws, 2 sanders, and an electric nail gun along with 2 tool boxes full of hand tools and some saw-horses. I also have one pass-through compartment currently filled with 6' lengths of hard and soft woods (for cabinet making, one of my hobbies). Then there's all my electrical/electronics/telephone test equipment and a sewing machine.

Oh, and my technical library runs about 50 books, and I can carry all my sporting goods if you allow me 4 or 5 trips.

This is only a partial list, and my coach is only 37 ft. I imagine the full-timers with 40-45 ' coaches could make my list small!

Oh, and they have never batted an eye at any inspection station, except to ohh and ahh over my toys :biggrin:

[Edited on 12-16-2005 by turtleandtoad]

Santiago - 12-16-2005 at 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
WHAT STUFF CAN I TAKE INTO MEXICO?

according to the Mexican gov. You are entitled to bring/take/send the following items, depending upon your FM status (immigration status).

I don't think many of us stick to this

1. FMT (Tourist)

Under the FMT you can bring in:

* One set of fishing tackle.

What the heck is 'one set'? On a typical trip I have 2 each of the following: fly rods, trolling rods, casting rods, spinning rods with enough lures, line, tackle and gear to fill two large totes. And I'm not even a takle ho. This is my definition of 'one set'. :?:

Bob H - 12-16-2005 at 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by turtleandtoad
I'd guess those rules were written before the large RV's started crossing the border in droves. If they decide to enforce them a lot of us full-time RV'ers are in a world of trouble!!!!

Hey, you forgot to mention the 1998 Chevy Cavalier :lol:

turtleandtoad - 12-16-2005 at 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Hey, you forgot to mention the 1998 Chevy Cavalier :lol:

Oh yeah, is that thing still following me? :?:

Actually, the Cav is where I keep my porta-bot, bicycle, propane bottle, air compressor, two outboard motors and some lawn furniture cushions.

Dave - 12-16-2005 at 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
There's a fancy cigar store in Plaza Rio, Tijuana with a walk in humador that sells the 'real thing' (Havanas)... Unless you boycott Castro outside the U.S. as well.

DK, that store is no longer there.

I know where to get the real deal but you will pay what you would if you got them out of Canada, or elsewhere. IMO, they ain't worth the price.

The only place to get cheap (genuine) Cubans is from Poland. You can't even get a deal in Cuba.

Bob H...

Mexray - 12-16-2005 at 06:57 PM

...When we came north across the border in TJ, this last trip in early Nov, I told the US Agent we had some small cigars to declare (they were from the DR)...

He of course asked if we had any Cuban Cigars, but ALSO, asked if we had any 'cigars' from Venezuela !!! Thought that was odd... maybe the Venezuelans are using dried Coco Leaves to make their Cigars!!!

Last March, we stopped by a knick-knack shop in downtown Rosarito on our way home. We casually know the older couple that own the shop, and like to check out their stuff, from time-to-time, as they have some unusual things you don't often see elsewhere...anyway, the Senora had just a few days returned from visiting friends/family in Cuba, and had brought some cigars home with her. We bought a couple of them and they were rather good. To be fair, we are only casual cigar 'puffers' and far from 'experts' on the subject - these Cuban's were mild and mellow, to us, anyway...and we enjoyed em' - all that matters, in the end, I suppose!

MRS. MEXRAY (Pat)

David K - 12-16-2005 at 07:09 PM

Here's Pat sitting at our Nuevo Mazatlan campfire during our 2004 President's Day Matomi Gang campout...

Somehow, I just knew that photo would show up...

Mexray - 12-16-2005 at 07:17 PM

...Pat always 'cracks up' when she sees that photo...That was a great time, and Bob H. was gracious enough to let us try out a couple of his 'Treasures'...

Even to we 'non-smokers', a good cigar around a Baja campfire is hard to pass up! When those 'memorable times' roll around, you have to enjoy them for what they are - good times with good friends in a great place like BAJA...!

Have any of you "afishionados"

Gypsy Jan - 12-16-2005 at 07:42 PM

tried the cigar store in the plaza shopping area attached to Real del Mar Golf Course and Resort near Playas de TJ (where the Rincon San Roman Restaurant is located)?

My SO, the Growling Gabacho, likes the selection and quality there. (He only smokes one cigar a year now, but, back in the day, he went through eight or more Monte Cristo #4's daily.)

For what my opinion is worth (I don't smoke), I think it is a beautifully decorated lounge/cafe full of dark wood paneling, heavy furniture, interesting Afro-Caribbean paintings and all kinds of unusual smoking and other decorative accessories for sale.

capt. mike - 12-17-2005 at 06:07 AM

Cubans are highly over priced to match their over rating....and there are SO many counterfits on the market, Mexico included, you might as well just by from the other excellent growers in the centro americas 3rd world.

When i see the ubiquitous popular labels like the one with the checkerboard band.....you know.....yellow.....Cohiba.....hell, i just know it probably came from someplace BUT Cuba!

Diver - 12-17-2005 at 07:46 AM

I'm a Macanudo man, myself. I like them better than any Cuban I have ever bought in Mexico. I always bring at least 100 (two boxes) with me to Baja. Never been a problem.
I used to get cigars at the yellow store in Mulege but the selection has been small and uncertain the past few years. There is a small store in Cuidad Const, one in Todos and at least one in San Jose and La Paz. Todos and San Jose prices are ALWAYS much more for the same cigar.
Happy smoking !

[Edited on 12-17-2005 by Diver]

Smoke Rings

MrBillM - 12-17-2005 at 10:46 AM

I worked for a few years with a number of Cuban refugees, one of those as a young man worked on his family's Tobacco farm in Cuba. He was a fanatic about Cigars and said that the quality products coming out of Honduras and the Dominican were as good or better than the current Cuban products. I tried quite a few different cigar brands as a result of his trying to educate me. The few Over-Priced Cubans I bought in Mexico seemed to bear out his opinion.

BTW, His family's life story is one that truly illustrates the difference between a Communist dictatorship and the freedom we enjoy. His Grandfather started out Commercial fishing from a small skiff and farming someone else's land. By the time my friend grew up, his father owned a large fishing business with a number of bigger fishing boats and a sizeable amount of farmland devoted to tobacco. When the revolution came, that hard work and success made the family a target of the Fidelistas so they fled to the U.S.