BajaNomad - Paying my Dues

Paying my Dues

MrBillM - 6-17-2007 at 09:23 AM

Crossing the (Mexicali East) Border Friday a.m. with two vehicles in front of me and one behind, my Green Light streak came to an end. Since I didn't have anything of significance with me, I wasn't concerned. I SHOULD have been.

Pulling into the inspection area, mine was the only vehicle for Five officials to concentrate on. The first thing they did was pull my Ice Chests out of the Truck bed so that one of them could climb into the back. They then proceeded to open EVERY container, including digging through the Rubbermaids containing our clothes, asking for receipts on all goods, including groceries and my well-used TOOLS that I carry back and forth. When I told them I didn't have receipts on it all, they said I had to have receipts or I couldn't proceed. I said OK, I'll have to go back home and get the receipts. At which point, the Jefe said "No, it's OK, you just have to pay tax on what you bring. How much is here ?" I said maybe $400. He said "$500". I said OK, but do I get a $300 deduction for our FM-3s ? "Si". Jefe motioned for us to drive into secondary and mi esposa followed him into the oficina, coming out with the Declaration Document showing $600 Dollars less the $300. The duty was written out at $45.00. My wife goes over to the Bank with the $45 and comes back in fifteen minutes saying it's $46.25. Back to the bank again. Before leaving, I tell Jefe that they need to do this in "El Invierno" when we all don't have to stand around sweating. He doesn't see the humor.

Speaking of Humor (or lack thereof), while we're all standing at the back of the truck, Jefe tells me I need to shut off the truck until they finished. I said that the truck was running so that my dogs could have the Air Conditioning and not be uncomfortable.
The look he gives me was priceless. Crazy Gringo.

woody with a view - 6-17-2007 at 09:27 AM

so are you potentially liable next time you bring stuff south, also? or is this list itemized?

bajamigo - 6-17-2007 at 09:29 AM

It's a sad story, but you have a fine sense of humor about it.

It is what it is

Dave - 6-17-2007 at 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajamigo
It's a sad story, but you have a fine sense of humor about it.

Trying to make sense of Mexican officialdom can drive you crazy. But I would suspect that averaged over time, $46.25 is a good deal.

I've also used, "I'll go back home and get the receipts".

Didn't work for me neither.

bajalou - 6-17-2007 at 10:14 AM

When I've been in the Customs office at Mexicali East, They have asked me if I needed "papers". When I say "No" the total amount of duty drops to about 1/2 of the origional quote.

And speaking of averages:

Dave - 6-17-2007 at 10:16 AM

When headed North, I've run into a far greater number of idiots. If challenged, I could probably smuggle in a regiment of Al- Qaeda.

Scary.

Iflyfish - 6-17-2007 at 10:22 AM

Next time you might want to consider bringing a cooler full of very ripe shark chum in the deepest recesses of your rig and watch the Chinese Fire drill that ensues as they open it.

Iflyfishwhennotschemingonrevenge

DENNIS - 6-17-2007 at 11:31 AM

They finally got'cha MrBill. Guilty while being gringo. Pay for your sins.

Mexitron - 6-17-2007 at 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iflyfish
Next time you might want to consider bringing a cooler full of very ripe shark chum in the deepest recesses of your rig and watch the Chinese Fire drill that ensues as they open it.

Iflyfishwhennotschemingonrevenge

Reminds me of my buddy's friend who didn't shower for three days and rubbed dog poop on his clothes when he went in for a tax audit with the IRS--it worked--the IRS agent wanted him out of his office as fast as he could! :lol:

You're not alone---got me last month too.

beercan - 6-17-2007 at 12:31 PM

I have been hauling our old tires(from our company trucks) down to give to some of the "needy trucks" and in early May I had to haul some big ones for our Construction guy's dump truck.
Well they wouldn't fit in my truck so I had to take small trailer ---Red Flag!! I was told to go back until the Green flashed outa my shirt pocket !!!Outa there I went with a smile on my face !

It still works , I sang to myself.

Quote:

by Dennis
They finally got'cha MrBill. Guilty while being gringo. Pay for your sins.

BajaWarrior - 6-18-2007 at 03:48 PM

Sounds like the Tourism Board should get involved on this one and clarify to the guards (thieves) what we can bring into Mexico under normal circumstances like personal clothes and enough food to last a certain amount of days, etc...

RE: Customs Declaration

MrBillM - 6-19-2007 at 06:16 PM

When he wrote out the Customs Declaration, he listed "Comida y Accesorios de Hogar" $600.00 less $300 deduction. $300.00 at 15 % was how the $45.00 worked out. Interestingly, the printed information on the back of the current forms lists a flat 25 % regardless of "Country of Origin". Since 15 is better than 25, I didn't complain.

I still don't know where the extra $1.25 came from. Having paid duty numerous times, I've never encountered a service charge. Maybe something new. Quien Sabe ?

bajalou - 6-19-2007 at 07:03 PM

Maybe it had to do with the way they converted the $45 USD to pesos.

Bruce R Leech - 6-19-2007 at 07:35 PM

bank fee

Techinically....

Lee - 6-19-2007 at 07:37 PM

Quote:

Mexican fire drill -- and Asian's don't like that expression.

:cool:

bancoduo - 6-19-2007 at 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee

Quote:

Mexican fire drill -- and Asian's don't like that expression.

:cool:

You sound like a "Nam POW" suffering from the Stockholm syndrome.

technically speaking. :rolleyes:

Nam Vet with PTSD who likes Chinese Fire Drills

Lee - 6-20-2007 at 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bancoduo

You sound like a "Nam POW" suffering from the Stockholm syndrome.

technically speaking. :rolleyes:

As an adolescent, we use to do Chinese Fire Drills. It was always fun. I don't have a clue as to how that practice, which for us was running around a car, brought to a stop, an an intersection, got the name Chinese Fire Drill. Like, did the Chinese invent this practice? Is it a put down as to how Chinese are viewed?

Your comment is also lost on me. Nam POW? Stockholm syndrome? Care to elaborate?

If an old expression such as Chinese Fire Drill had morphed into Holocaust Survivor Fire Drill, would it still be funny? For Jews? Who?

Just an observation for any Haole/Gringoes out there.

:cool:

Impressive

Lee - 6-20-2007 at 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Speaking of Humor (or lack thereof), while we're all standing at the back of the truck, Jefe tells me I need to shut off the truck until they finished. I said that the truck was running so that my dogs could have the Air Conditioning and not be uncomfortable.
The look he gives me was priceless. Crazy Gringo.

I do like the way you handled this Bill.

Did you keep your truck running?

:cool:

Dave - 6-20-2007 at 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
When he wrote out the Customs Declaration, he listed "Comida y Accesorios de Hogar" $600.00 less $300 deduction.

Was there a description of the "deduction"?

The reason I ask is because you and others tell of a $150 deduction for an FM3. I have never found any documentation of this on any official government website nor will anyone in Aduana confirm. They all say $50...period.

bajalou - 6-20-2007 at 03:35 PM

They used to have a handout at the Mex Customs in Mexicali that mentioned it.

Deduction

MrBillM - 6-20-2007 at 05:44 PM

I, too, have never seen it in writing. However, after being told about it years ago, everytime I have asked for it I have received it. On one occasion, it was the officer (a Foxy young Babe) who mentioned it first.

Somewhere it must be written down.