BajaNomad - Hire a broker or go it alone?

Hire a broker or go it alone?

beachbum1A - 2-4-2007 at 03:00 PM

Well I finally got my FM-3!! YEA! And at the same time received an instruction sheet for preparing a Manifest to move my household goods into Mexico (Ensenada final destination). Now, with what little I have going with me, I'm pretty sure it will all fit in one trailer that we will pull behind a Ford F350. I'm thinking to get the Manifest approved at the Consulates office in San Diego, pay their fee of $127.00 and go through the border at S Y. When we're stopped, show'em the Manifest, let'em inspect whatever they want to inspect, and get it done. That being said, does anyone really think I need to hire a broker to handle any of this? (and if so-why?) Has anyone had a similar experience moving their own furniture recently that they could pass along? Thank you.

Broker vs. No Broker?

Cameron - 2-4-2007 at 03:27 PM

Just my 2 pesos worth...
It sounds like you're handling things just fine already, so why bother with the Broker?
You're already taking all the right steps, and it sounds like you've taken the time to learn about the process beforehand, so save yourself the $$$.
With all your paperwork in hand, I bet you'll spend more time waiting in line to cross @ the border than you will dealing with the Aduana folks!
Suerte! C
:coolup:

Dave - 2-4-2007 at 03:55 PM

They probably won't let you go via San Ysidro. You'll have to cross at Otay and the manifest had better be filled out correctly...If you say you have 6 glasses in a box better not have 5 or 7.

My advice would be to value the stuff at less than a thousand dollars, forget about the manifest and just pay the duties at San Ysidro.

bajabound2005 - 2-4-2007 at 07:05 PM

Dude, have I steered you wrong yet? Try it on your own; depending on how big your load is- San Ysidro may FORCE you to Otay; but I would definintely make the attempt at SY; if you they send you back to Otay (make sure you are crossing during the day, on a weekday preferably -- right around 3:00 - that seems to be shift change at SY) then you'll probably have to get a broker. Hay no problema, just have a list of what you have (generally speaking). Use the FM3 before you pull out the manifest....we got though OM with a huge truck and trailer loaded to the gills; and our own car and 4x6 cargo trailer without too much damage.

bajamigo - 2-4-2007 at 09:53 PM

Plan on going through Otay. The SY guys want nothing to do with large trailers--too much trabajo. Look for the customs broker who is about 65 and wears cowboy boots. He'll spend up to 55 seconds looking over your load, will determine a fair market value (be prepared to show your gratitude), and send you on your way pronto. The one-time bye for bringing in your goods with an FM-3 is the stuff of myth.

SDRonni - 2-5-2007 at 09:25 AM

We don't have our FM-3 yet, and won't until completion of condo. I have a couple questions, though. If we are closeby and can make several trips, can't we just put lots of our stuff in the trunk (i.e., dishes, pots, pans, towels, lamps, small appliances, etc.) and take them to Rosarito w/o doing the whole manaje de casa thing? Do we risk having everything confiscated by not declaring? Can we make several trips as long as a single trip doesn't contain over $300 worth of items? I heard that "duty" of upwards of 42% has to be paid on any items not manufactured in Mexico, US or Canada. Is this only if the items are considered "new?" Naturally, many things we buy now are made in China.... What personal experience do any of you have w/this and what did you do?

Hook - 2-5-2007 at 09:43 AM

What a joke the concept of a North American Free Trade Agreement is.

A treaty written by lobbyists, financed by "free-traders", approved by corporate donations to Congress and signed into law by a pandering President.

And the average Joe cant freely take his used dining room table or five gallons of gas across the border.

Pathetic.

Don Alley - 2-5-2007 at 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDRonni
We don't have our FM-3 yet, and won't until completion of condo. I have a couple questions, though. If we are closeby and can make several trips, can't we just put lots of our stuff in the trunk (i.e., dishes, pots, pans, towels, lamps, small appliances, etc.) and take them to Rosarito w/o doing the whole manaje de casa thing? Do we risk having everything confiscated by not declaring? Can we make several trips as long as a single trip doesn't contain over $300 worth of items? I heard that "duty" of upwards of 42% has to be paid on any items not manufactured in Mexico, US or Canada. Is this only if the items are considered "new?" Naturally, many things we buy now are made in China.... What personal experience do any of you have w/this and what did you do?

We have maintained a house in Montana; last year we sold it but purchased a smaller place there that's more compatable with being in Mexico nine months of the year. So we only moved a limited amount of things.

We did not use the free FM3 option. The timing restrictions and paperwork requirements are a farce.

We have brought things down bit by bit over the years, more because of space limitations than desire to avoid duties. A few times we have crossed in the "nothing to declare" lane, hoping for and getting the green light, but with light loads and little of value other than a computer. I took a pickup load of furniture through the declare lane and they let me through without inspection or duty; they just asked if any was new. And we have paid a small duty on a few items too.

If I were bringing a bunch of stuff down I would use a broker at OM and pay the bill. But if I were bringing small amounts and trying to get under the $300 limit I would declare the stuff and argue that it's duty free. You have a degree of protection from seizures or arrest if you declare what you have and are totally up front. If they think you are willfully cheating (going through the no declare lane) they can really mess you up.

Make a list of what you have, specifying USED, and assign a fair value to each item. If they do want a duty, it will be far less than 42%. They may not even ask to see the stuff unless you get the red light: you still have to push the button after paying.

Subastador - 2-5-2007 at 11:23 AM

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

See above thread.

Subastador - 2-5-2007 at 11:29 AM

Evidently I am technically challenged as to how to post the thread referral. Second try.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid= 13344#pid112201

Subastador - 2-5-2007 at 11:37 AM

Sorry Beachbum1A, Iguess I don't know how to do it.

Just go to "Search" and lookup Menaje de Casa and ask for posts by Subastador.

There are abunch of other good stories on this subject back aways on this forum.

SDRonni - 2-5-2007 at 11:56 AM

Tried to click on the link, but get message that the thread doesn't exist....????

Cypress - 2-5-2007 at 12:01 PM

Have bought and sold property in the US a time or two. Dealt with lawyers or brokers, neither of 'em provide free services.

There's are a reason.

Bob and Susan - 2-5-2007 at 01:36 PM

i was at otay last thursday...
imported several french doors...

under $1000 17% you can use the guys in the lot...unless you have something weird (golf cart)

over $1000 and under $5000 you use a broker there...24%

over $5000 trucking side (commerical)...prepare for punishment :lol:

still under 25%

Used stuff valued under $1000 no problem 17% in Otay

Cypress - 2-5-2007 at 01:45 PM

Huh? Door broker?

Is that another way to say shipping costs?

SDRonni - 2-5-2007 at 02:17 PM

What guys in what lot? Who determines the value? How "generous" are they with their valuations? And what determines "new?" If I buy something on sale here, now, but don't move it down until our condo is done next fall, the receipt will say now....will they still consider it "new?" Is the duty different for new versus used???
I know they want you to buy things made in Mexico, in Mexico, but, heck, I've seen really nice stuff here for lots less than we can get it in Mexico....and better quality, too in some instances.... If we move things down incrementally, do we have to declare every time we go? Are we limited to the number of times we can move things if we elect not to move all at once? :?:

Bob and Susan - 2-5-2007 at 05:00 PM

if you don't have an fm3 you are a tourist...
you are ONLY supposed to take tourist stuff...

with an fm3 you get a small amount FREE every trip
(let's say $500...)

at otay there are govt guys standing in the lot "helping"

they will tell you if you "need" a broker or will "help" fill out a valuation ticket.

if it looks new...it's new...they aren't stupid...

last week i paid a fee in the importation fees that charged me for taking in something (french doors) that "could be made" in mexico...
it wasn't that much...$$$...but still a fee

took us three years to move :tumble:

Broker Fees

MrBillM - 2-5-2007 at 05:05 PM

A neighbor here in Percebu imported a used Industrial Backhoe and trailer last year and the U.S. Broker (in Arizona) charged around $250 for his work and the entire process on the Mexican Side went smoothly. Taxed at less than 20 % "receipted" valuation although the Aduana did express his opinion that the purchase price was extremely good.

Seems pretty reasonable.

SDRonni - 2-5-2007 at 05:32 PM

Bob and Susan:

I know they're not stupid, but, seriously.....we do take really good care of our stuff and we have many things that are many years old that look like new.....thanks for all the info, though! I appreciate it!

Bob and Susan - 2-5-2007 at 07:16 PM

ronni
keep the receipt...then it's old

we still had a receipt for our old rockers (15 yrs)
they looked pretty nicel
drove right into declare and they gave us a pass :yes:

pacifica - 2-5-2007 at 07:30 PM

If asked, why can't you just tell customs that you are renting a house for a month and that the rental doesn't include the items you have ?

SDRonni - 2-5-2007 at 08:11 PM

Woo-hoo! I like that one!

Bob and Susan - 2-5-2007 at 08:17 PM

should i visit you at the prison in Santa Rosalia when i drive by??? :lol:

Hook - 2-6-2007 at 03:25 PM

It's easy to get pretty inventive with printing receipts with a photo-editing program. :spingrin:

Or, maybe a few different stacks of carbon receipts from Staples?

I hope I get a cell with a view in Santa Rosalia, B & S....... :lol: