BajaNomad

Yep, FM-T again!

BajaWarrior - 6-1-2007 at 03:58 PM

We are heading south in August below Guerrero Negro.

Out of convinance I'd like to stop at New Mexicali border in late June while already going to San Felipe and get FM-T's for the both of us for the trip below Guerrero Negro in August. Provided the FM-T's are good for at least 2 months or more of course.

All I'm trying to do is avoid pulling over on a Friday afternoon at San Ysidro/T.J. while pulling a large trailer. I know that is a hectic time of day. Going to the border and walking across is not feasible either because of the potential long lines both driving and walking back. New Mexicali crossing on any day any hour is not a problem to pull over and get this document.

Sound like a plan? Or I'm way off? I've seen on many post how people use the FM-T for multiple entries.

Your thoughts please.

BW

[Edited on 6-2-2007 by BajaWarrior]

tripledigitken - 6-1-2007 at 04:03 PM

Good plan. The FMT's are valid for 180 days.

roundtuit - 6-1-2007 at 04:19 PM

No problem, but make such you ask for 180 Days

DianaT - 6-1-2007 at 04:34 PM

Just tell them you need the 180 days---long vacation --- never had a problem with multiple entry.

Hope we are in town part of the time you are in Bahia Asuncion. :yes:

Diane

Phil C - 6-1-2007 at 04:40 PM

Actualy you are suposed to surrender your fm-t ,valid for any length of time, when you leave the country. To do this when driving, you must, at San Ysidro, either park a few blocks away and walk to the Imigration office at the border, or , drive the wrong way against the traffic to the office.:yes: Not sure about Otay or Mexicali, but they must be equaly user friendly! You could easily "forget" to do this and conviently "discover" your fm-t's when you get to G.N. on the next trip. Of course I've never personaly done this, but I think it might work.;D

BajaWarrior - 6-1-2007 at 04:54 PM

Yes, i've heard of the "return thing" when it comes to FM-T's.

I've read here that when certain Nomad's have tried to return them the agent looks at them as if they have three eyeballs.

But also heard of people returning the next year to get fresh FM-T's and given a hard time because they didn't return them the prior year....

Will definately request the 180 day permit.

Diane, see ya in the south hopefully.

Lots of good pros here, what, no cons?

C'mon!

DianaT - 6-1-2007 at 05:06 PM

Quote:


Lots of good pros here, what, no cons?

C'mon!


OK, you want a con. Not long after you cross the border in San Ysidro, you will be stopped by the special FMT police. Sitting at the empty desk with the bright light shinning in your face, you will be questioned.

The wrinkled thin papered FMT will give you away--Ah Ha, you have had this for a while and you did not return it! They will know. Now it off to the Tijuana jail---you had better have Ferna's phone number with you, that is if you get the one call. As the Tijuana expert, he will be your only hope. :spingrin::spingrin:

Happy Travels
Diane :yes:

Why do it twice?

Dave - 6-1-2007 at 05:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
All I'm trying to do is avoid pulling over on a Friday afternoon at San Ysidro/T.J. while pulling a large trailer.


Actually, the declare lane at San Ysidro is perfect for large rigs. to make sure you are in the correct lane approach from 805 (not 5) in the far right lane. Pull in, get your FM, pay and you're good to go. They'll even help you merge back in traffic.

And another reason:

Dave - 6-1-2007 at 05:15 PM

99 times out of a 100 you will get a red light when pulling a trailer. You're gonna have to stop regardless.

BajaWarrior - 6-1-2007 at 05:22 PM

True, true, but when entering New Mexicali declaration lane, the guards don't inspect you. In fact, a friendly toot of the horn insures you won't run them over in their mid-conversation with other officers.

There is also enough room to park 20 rigs my size. I could sneak across a nuclear reactor at New Mexicali without it being detected, wait, I didn't say that.

David K - 6-1-2007 at 05:27 PM

I am not sure if Mexicali East has a bank teller to pay the fee ... Tijuana does, and it is easy just as Dave says, above!

1) Go to INM and get the FM-T

2) Go to any bank or the teller at Tijuana border next to INM and pay the tax.

3) Go back to INM for final stamp (request 180 days, as the price is the same as for 90 days).

(Phil, since they began charging a tax on tourism in 2000, the said the FM-Ts could be re-used for the 180 day period. There is no system to turn in the things when you drive out... If they wanted them, then they could have an officer at the border collect them as you drive into the line!)

Remember, after you pay the fee at a bank, you MUST go back to INM and have the thing stamped... Getting pre-paid FM-Ts at the clubs is a way to avoid that second visit to the INM, but Discover Baja is in San Diego and Vags is near Sacramento!

[Edited on 6-2-2007 by David K]

BajaWarrior - 6-1-2007 at 05:39 PM

Thanks all, yes, they do have a bank teller at Mexicali East, it's 75 yards south of the Main entry in a small building that sits by itself. Has the same hours as the border.

Again, just wondering if someone had a reason why it shouldn't be done.

Was mainly wondering about the day limit on the FM-T.

David, I notice you don't cross state line much, your trips being northern, do get FM-T's?

BTW, how long can you be in Baja before you need one north of the state line, 7 days? 10 days?

Thanks

Let me reemphasize!

Lee - 6-1-2007 at 05:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jdtrotter
Just tell them you need the 180 days---long vacation --- never had a problem with multiple entry.

Hope we are in town part of the time you are in Bahia Asuncion. :yes:

Diane


I once had a GN migracion officer write (in the little box where you fill in the day's you'll be in Baja) 90 days after I told him 6 months.

EMPHASIZE 6 months and 180 days without hesitation -- where ever you get the FMT filled in and stamped. And plan on using it for multiple entries.

:cool:

David K - 6-1-2007 at 05:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Thanks all, yes, they do have a bank teller at Mexicali East, it's 75 yards south of the Main entry in a small building that sits by itself. Has the same hours as the border.

Again, just wondering if someone had a reason why it shouldn't be done.

Was mainly wondering about the day limit on the FM-T.

David, I notice you don't cross state line much, your trips being northern, do get FM-T's?

BTW, how long can you be in Baja before you need one north of the state line, 7 days? 10 days?

Thanks


The official rule is no FM-T needed for stays to 72 hours within the border zone (Maneadero or San Felipe, north). The new FREE FM-T is good for 7 days, anywhere in Mexico. The pay FM-T is good for UP TO 180 days, anywhere in Mexico.

The ONLY place in Baja I have experienced them be checked is at the state border near Guerrero Negro.

My 'official' answer is YES, I have an FM-T for trips longer than 3 days or south of the border zone!;D

David

DianaT - 6-1-2007 at 05:50 PM

Quote:

Remember, after you pay the fee at a bank, you MUST go back to INM and have the thing stamped... Getting pre-paid FM-Ts at the clubs is a way to avoid that second visit to the INM, but Discover Baja is in San Diego and Vags is near Sacramento!


We used to get ours at Discover Baja, but that was changed with the new government. Last I knew they still can't issue them---may change again later.

Diane

Al G - 6-1-2007 at 07:36 PM

This thread reminded me, i was not able to turn in my FM-T...so can I mail it somewhere??

Bajafun777 - 6-1-2007 at 10:20 PM

BajaWarrior, do it just like you said, bank right there, immigration right there, and plenty of parking at East Port. You tell them you want it for 180 days and just remember have it back to them by then. I will check on Monday with the Immigration people at the new port and see if you can mail these FM-T back to them. I will get back to you on this and let you know what I found out. If you need anything else answered from them let me know and I will try to get the answer for you. Later===== bajafun777

BajaWarrior - 6-1-2007 at 10:30 PM

I appreciate the extra effort there Bajafun. I've heard of people trying to return them without luck, sounds odd though, they do expire...

I'm totally clear on the Mexicali East thing, we've been importing lumber and furniture for 8 months now for our current project, and years before that for an earlier project.

We're taking off in the morning for Anchorage and will be gone for 10 days with no internet!

I don't know if that makes me happy or sad!

BW

Phil C - 6-2-2007 at 07:04 AM

Just try and fly out of Baja without giving up your fm-t, I've seen a few lost ones while at the airports and these people had a real hassel. There is even a guy at the exit area in the Tijuana airport profiling for gringos and asking for the fm's on incoming national flights. He asks, Are you leaving the country? Just no infastructure for those leaving by auto, get a 180 and keep it for next trip is what I did, but now we have fm-3's ,now thats a WHOLE different story!

BajaWarrior - 6-25-2007 at 06:53 AM

UPDATE:

Stopped at Immagration on Friday morning at the Mexicali East crossing and got our FM-T's. There was no one else there at 8:00 a.m. and we got our business handled in less than 10 minutes. 180 days for the FM-T.

$23 each.

David K - 6-25-2007 at 09:15 AM

Thanks for the update!

Mango - 6-25-2007 at 10:58 PM

The first time I went to the Mexican mainland in 1996 I crossed in Mexicali and returned by TJ; I had to return my FMT.

The last few times I flew to DF, nobody collected it when I left.

Earlier this year I got a 180 day FMT in Jan 07 in Mexicali west and used it for multiple entries and exits(never checked by Mexican authorities, they just took my money and gave me a FMT) My first one expired Jun 6th or so, and went to the same office to get a new one earlier this month.

I was a little worried about not turning my last one in; but, had no problem. Just paid the fee again and got another 180 days.

I have had a hard time getting a 180 day FMT when arriving by air. Once they only gave me 60 days and I had to, "renew" it in Guadalajara. It took all day, trips to the bank, filling out forms, etc.. etc..etc..X 2000

In the end they just scratched over my 60 on the FMT with a pen, initialed it, and wrote 180. No stamp, no nothing! Had to pay the fee again and I left thinking, "all day for that!? I could have done that myself in 30 seconds and nobody would ever known! (I don't recommend doing that though)

If they don't give you 180 days, just stammer, wait, refuse to leave and ask for 180 even if you have to fill out the form again or talk to their boss and tell them how much money you will spend during your 180 days. It's the same cost, so try to get all you can for it.

David K - 6-25-2007 at 11:11 PM

FM-T for land is not enforced like an FM-T for air travelers... FM-T for land is good for multiple returns to Mexico during the period it is valid (180 days if that gets written in). People flying do not get to keep theirs... when they fly out of Mexico.

joel - 6-26-2007 at 08:09 PM

I drove through TJ about a week ago around 11 PM and the immigration office seemed closed: locked, no lights. Anyone know the hours?

I went to the immigration office in Ensenada the next morning where they charge $6 per person for the paperwork, $5 per person/day fine for not getting it in TJ and then the $23. It took an hour on top of it all.

Anyone have any experience of not getting one, then trying to fly out of Loreto? If not Loreto, another city? We're driving down and flying back and I was worried that we'd run into a major problem at the airport in Loreto if we didn't have the FM-Ts.

Roberto - 6-26-2007 at 08:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
99 times out of a 100 you will get a red light when pulling a trailer. You're gonna have to stop regardless.


Gonna call you on this one, senor. Do you have personal experience in this? Because I do, a lot of it, and I rarely get stopped, trailer or not. What DOES guarantee I will get stopped is when I am pulling my 28X9.5 boat. 12,500 lbs of HUGE. THAT, they want to see, as in crawl all over it, ask me how much it costs ... you get the picture.

Dave - 6-26-2007 at 09:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Roberto
Gonna call you on this one, senor. Do you have personal experience in this?


Trying to recall when I didn't get stopped. :lol:

I've been motioned to secondary even after getting a green light. If it's big and covered up they usually want to see what's in there.

Maybe it's your innocent face.

Odd...considering I've seen your face. :rolleyes: