Hi,
Someone mentioned an exemption amount allowed for each trip down south with some household goods when one has an FM3.
I know the exemption with an FMT is $50.00 each and I know about the one time FM3 exemption---but will only take a little at a time.
1. What is the exemption with an FM3?
2. Someone mentioned more problems with electrical items made in China and we want to take down a "used" computer printer and all that I see were
made in China??
Having a great time with this new project. Will post pictures of the amount of stuff we took down last trip----amazing how much can fit in the back
of a pick-up with a camper shell. We were red-lighted, but with sleeping bags, a camp stove and ice chest at the back, we looked like campers, I
guess. Just a quick peek and off we went.
Thanks
Diane
FM-3 Exemption
MrBillM - 6-22-2007 at 08:54 AM
The ongoing FM-3 exemption (which no one can seem to find written down) is $150.00 per holder. I have received this exemption multiple times, the
latest of which was one week ago in Mexicali. The exemption is for household items ("acessorios de hogar" as written last Friday) and is not applied
towards construction materials, items, etc. The total amount of goods that you can pay duty on without going through a broker is Still $1000 or $4000
for Computer Electronics.
There is no legal problem with bringing down items made in China. The objections I've read seem to be from people who disdain the Quality of Chinese
goods. Since there are a lot of said items nowadays, including Lenovo (IBM) Thinkpad notebooks, I'm not sure how that applies.danaeb - 6-22-2007 at 10:29 AM
Bill -
there are no LEGAL problems with importing goods from China. However, there are HUGE import duties on textiles and apparel from China, meant to
curtail China's dumping of cheap goods.
As Bill said, it "seems" to be $150 dollars with at least one exception, building materials. At least, that was the way it was when I tried to
include some materials in my exemptions a few months back.
It depends on the weather......it depends on the inspector that day.....it depends on luck.... it depends on your attitude.......it depend
on___________________ [fill in the blank]JZ - 6-22-2007 at 04:03 PM
How do you use the exemption? Do you have to declare the items or just go straight through and hold up your FM-3 if you get a red light?
From what I'm reading if there are two FM-3 holders in the car you can bring up to $300 in?DENNIS - 6-22-2007 at 04:29 PM
It all starts with the red light if you have nothing to declare. If you get a red light, pull over and tell them the value of your goods and have
receipts ready if they ask. Don't confuse them with fm3 or anything unless they ask for it. Don't volunteer anything.DianaT - 6-22-2007 at 04:34 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
How do you use the exemption? Do you have to declare the items or just go straight through and hold up your FM-3 if you get a red light?
From what I'm reading if there are two FM-3 holders in the car you can bring up to $300 in?
MrBill, Dana and Dennis---thank you for the information.
JZ--those were going to be my next questions. Hope they are answered. Opps,
while I am typing, I see that Dennis has responded and answered one of the questions.
Also, do the household items need to be "used" and should one have a list with values if it is kept under the exemption amount. Won't have receipts
for used items.
Thanks Diane
[Edited on 6-22-2007 by jdtrotter]DENNIS - 6-22-2007 at 05:11 PM
Diane ---
These questions are hard to answer without seeing the whole picture. Used kitchen utensils are basically worthless from a resale point of view. The
border folks couldn't care less about these things unless, of course, you had 500 pounds of the stuff.
Are you talking about these things being included in a truck load of relocation property? Or, a few boxes of items for the kitchen?
Don't worry about it. Worry about the new stuff you're bringing in.
Now, Im not refering to large appliances. That's different.
Big China Dues No Mas ?
MrBillM - 6-22-2007 at 05:43 PM
The once onerous import duties on items from the Orient, at least at the personal level, have been (to the best of my knowledge) lowered.
Where the duty was, at one time 54 % (which I once paid on an A/C unit and a Genset), it seems to be no longer the case. The latest import
declaration form lists a flat 25 % import duty on items up to $1000 without specifying a "Country of Origin". Forms I have which are a few years old
show China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, etc at 19 % while U.S. goods were 17 %.
If there has been a later additional imposition due to "Dumping", I would be interested in seeing that documented as it would certainly influence my
future importation considerations.DENNIS - 6-22-2007 at 05:58 PM
MrBill ----
Again, it's "who knows?" Last year, I imported a septic tank and the duty was set at 14%. Shortly thereafter, it raised to 15%. The man showed
me the form instructions and they said 14%.
Who knows?bajaguy - 6-22-2007 at 08:36 PM
take off all the labels and take everything out of their boxes
Hope they are answered. Opps,
while I am typing, I see that Dennis has responded and answered one of the questions.