BajaNomad

Tools and FM3

ncampion - 6-26-2007 at 09:16 PM

Lots of posts about moving household objects using your FM3, anyone have any experience moving tools. I can't live without my garage "stuff". I'm talking about hand tools, power tools, table saws, welders etc. Hope this is all considered "household objects".

[Edited on 6-27-2007 by ncampion]

danaeb - 6-26-2007 at 09:27 PM

Yes - they are 'household objects', but they are also 'electrical' objects. As my exporter explained, anything with a cord that isn't a lamp has to be itemized by make, model, serial number and year purchased if you are intending to import them to Mexico under a menaje (manifest) de casa. You'll need the rules of your local consulado to prepare your list of things you're bringing across, but I think this rule regarding electrial appliances and tools is pretty standard.

amir - 6-26-2007 at 10:50 PM

No, I'm sorry, importation rules are not standard at all. The Mexican Consul General in Portland, Oregon, told me "NO TOOLS".

I liquidated all my larger tools but kept a handfull of "garage tools", like a jigzaw, a drill, just a few small things. When I went back to the consulate the guy gave me a really hard time about these small hand tools. He still signed the papers but kept me waiting all day. I had to plea with him that I was NOT going to use the tools commercially, which I'm not.

This Consul also gave me a hard time about my chiropractic adjusting table, because that is also a "tool". When I asked him how does he expect me to work in Baja without my table, he said: "Talk to the people at ADUANA (that is customs)." Instead of hassling about this, I shipped my table with a friend in a trailer full of used wheelchairs, so I didn't have to pay customs on it.

Do I miss my larger tools? You bet! But I have seen all those kind of tools in hardware stores in La Paz, and in Home Depot in Cabo San Lucas, and they ARE available in Baja, and some of them are even cheaper than in the states because some of these tools are MADE in Mexico. And duty in the USA is high; we are usually not aware of the added cost of importing tools into the USA.

Everybody has had a different story about the border and their household stuff. I am envious of the people that carry trailer loads of stuff with impunity. That was not our experience.

We got through the border, but it was a nightmare. See details in a recent Nomad thread:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=24835

Good luck! Would like to hear what happened to you...

--Amir

CaboRon - 7-5-2007 at 12:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by danaeb
Yes - they are 'household objects', but they are also 'electrical' objects. As my exporter explained, anything with a cord that isn't a lamp
:?::?::?: Just trying to nail this one down. I have some small tools, electronic thermomators, BP Meter, etc. that run on batteries, however they all have model numbers and serial numbers. Do I list these as "electrial" objects ?? What is your experience ?? :?: CaboRon

danaeb - 7-5-2007 at 03:16 PM

This is the document from the San Diego Consulate with instructions for the manifest. There is a brief description of 'electrical appliances'. If you are going to prepare the manifest to get blessed by your local consulate, I would ask them directly, since they all seem to have different requirements. However, the company that moved my goods to Baja was explicit- anything with a cord that's not a lamp....

Attachment: Menaje Instructions.pdf (36kB)
This file has been downloaded 457 times

Lamp???

bajaguy - 7-5-2007 at 06:31 PM

Why, yes, that is my Sears Craftsman 3 year old bedside radial arm saw reading lamp....why do you ask???.....:lol:

bajabound2005 - 7-6-2007 at 09:09 AM

Our friend brought in ALL of her tools - she's a woodworker by hobby. Saws, lathes, sanders, you name it. All brought in on her menaje de casa.

Tools

CaboRon - 7-6-2007 at 09:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Our friend brought in ALL of her tools - she's a woodworker by hobby. Saws, lathes, sanders, you name it. All brought in on her menaje de casa.
It seems as if listing tools and your computer as hobbie items ( Articulos De Mis Paratiempos ) is the way to go. You still need model number and seriel numbers on anything that has one. :cool: CaboRon

oldjack - 7-6-2007 at 10:03 AM

This thread just illustrates how unorganized the MX govt is... I crossed over at Mexicali(about 7:00a.m.) with almost every handtool and handyman tool you can want(I tinker a lot)... additionally I had new-in-box table saw, drill press and several automotive items... I asked the agent to help me with the paperwork and in 5 minutes ($40usd) I was on my way with the necessary docs to get my stuff to Los Barriles... I am always willing to pay a small administrative fee to the agent who can get me going quickly and with the right docs... the only hassle I had was when I took my new ATV down and they wanted me to pay import duties in the $100's... argued that the ATV was to be used for the one trip and brought back... I will need to consider that someday........

ncampion - 7-6-2007 at 06:11 PM

Ok, this is sounding more positive now. It sounds like the word "hobby" may be the magic key. I don't want to go into business, but I do like tinkering and fixing things - almost a required skill in Baja.

Bajafun777 - 7-6-2007 at 07:08 PM

I have a flow master diesel and tool box combination in the bed of my truck and I took tools, drills, etc. with me all the way down to Matazlan and no problem. I had one army soldier get in the back and I opened it up but he was just looking for guns but he did pick up my cutting knife that folds and I told him for fishing and wood cutting. He put it back down as my ice chest full of cold cokes, sports drinks, fruit drinks and water was more interesting to him. I gave up some cokes and sports drinks and made a new friend in seconds. I had some cold beers but he was working. I also take my truck down to Mexicali, Tecate, and T.J. without anyone even looking in my flow master tool/diesel box. Been doing this for two years and no problems. Later---------------------------bajafun777

longlegsinlapaz - 7-6-2007 at 08:01 PM

I brought ALL my tools...table saw, skillsaw, hand tools, drills, orbital sander, belt sander, etc., etc., etc. in my full household/possession move several years ago, my load got a red light at the border & they went through the entire 40' United Moving & Storage cargo container, box by box without packing anything back well! No items were confiscated or taxed. This was under my one-time FM3 tax-free allowance to move household goods & possessions. None of my tools were new, though some were packed in their original boxes for safer shipping.

Pescador - 7-6-2007 at 08:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by oldjack
This thread just illustrates how unorganized the MX govt is... I crossed over at Mexicali(about 7:00a.m.) with almost every handtool and handyman tool you can want(I tinker a lot)... additionally I had new-in-box table saw, drill press and several automotive items... I asked the agent to help me with the paperwork and in 5 minutes ($40usd) I was on my way with the necessary docs to get my stuff to Los Barriles... I am always willing to pay a small administrative fee to the agent who can get me going quickly and with the right docs... the only hassle I had was when I took my new ATV down and they wanted me to pay import duties in the $100's... argued that the ATV was to be used for the one trip and brought back... I will need to consider that someday........


Old Jack, I am curious, do you cross at Mexacali and then go to Tecate, Ensanada, and then south? I have wondered about crossing there.

Linares - 12-1-2007 at 12:30 AM

What would be the issues with bringing over a flatbed truck with a backhoe on it? I want to do work on a piece of property I own and then bring the rig back into California.

I have an FM3 and a Mexican corporation.

amir - 12-1-2007 at 01:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Linares
What would be the issues with bringing over a flatbed truck with a backhoe on it? I want to do work on a piece of property I own and then bring the rig back into California.

I have an FM3 and a Mexican corporation.


One issue is exactly the reason why there are restrictions to importing tools into Mexico. Your personal tools are not supposed to be "working" tools to make money. If there is going to be a profit somewhere, then Mexico wants a share, wages, taxes, capital gains, whatever. Why not? It works both ways on both sides of the border.

So if there is going to be a profit or an increase in value, then it's a “business” and you should hire a Mexican if you are doing "business" in Mexico. Just hire a local Mexican with a backhoe, and save yourself the hassle and the expense of transportation altogether. The wear and tear on the flatbed truck and gas alone would probably pay for the local guy.

But then, since you already have an FM3 and a Mexican corporation, why don't you ask whoever helped you obtain those documents? Wouldn't they know? An import/export company or a customs broker can give you all the detailed paperwork needed to import your "tool" for whatever period you intend to have it in Baja.

.

Linares - 12-1-2007 at 09:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by amir
Quote:
Originally posted by Linares
What would be the issues with bringing over a flatbed truck with a backhoe on it? I want to do work on a piece of property I own and then bring the rig back into California.

I have an FM3 and a Mexican corporation.


One issue is exactly the reason why there are restrictions to importing tools into Mexico. Your personal tools are not supposed to be "working" tools to make money. If there is going to be a profit somewhere, then Mexico wants a share, wages, taxes, capital gains, whatever. Why not? It works both ways on both sides of the border.

So if there is going to be a profit or an increase in value, then it's a “business” and you should hire a Mexican if you are doing "business" in Mexico. Just hire a local Mexican with a backhoe, and save yourself the hassle and the expense of transportation altogether. The wear and tear on the flatbed truck and gas alone would probably pay for the local guy.

But then, since you already have an FM3 and a Mexican corporation, why don't you ask whoever helped you obtain those documents? Wouldn't they know? An import/export company or a customs broker can give you all the detailed paperwork needed to import your "tool" for whatever period you intend to have it in Baja.

.


Thank you for the response. I will talk to an import/export broker.

As far as hiring a local, you are right, it would be miles cheaper. But, with limited time on my part and the difficulty of organizing local work on a timely basis; it is easier to do it myself.

Don't get me wrong, the locals do good work, I just don't have time to deal with the local time schedule or lack of it. Even after extensive pre-planning, nothing happens on a timely basis. I have no intention of imposing my US work schedule on the locals. They have their way of working and that is fine.

DENNIS - 12-1-2007 at 09:40 AM

I don't know where you're located but, in my area, Punta Banda, the operators all get 40 dollars per hour. They don't compete. They have trouble squeezing that from the Mexican clientele but I'm glad to pay. Actually, $40 isn't even enough to pay for their maintenance on the tractor after making a meager living.
You will definitly have to import a tractor. They don't care what your plans are for it. Just hire somebody to do the job. Sit in a beach chair with a box of frosty Pacifico and watch him. Don't forget to share.

Linares - 12-1-2007 at 10:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
I don't know where you're located but, in my area, Punta Banda, the operators all get 40 dollars per hour. They don't compete. They have trouble squeezing that from the Mexican clientele but I'm glad to pay. Actually, $40 isn't even enough to pay for their maintenance on the tractor after making a meager living.
You will definitly have to import a tractor. They don't care what your plans are for it. Just hire somebody to do the job. Sit in a beach chair with a box of frosty Pacifico and watch him. Don't forget to share.



You are probably right. I do need a few more Pacificos and chill! It is hard to get out of the US frame of mind. I need to retire and watch other people work!!

But, regardless of the price of labor, Mexico operates on a different time system. I am working on appreciating their less stressful interpretation of the clock.

I'm located about 40 miles south of San Felipe. My distance from San Felipe and the work force has caused me more problems than anything else. Nobody wants to travel such a long distance for a job.


.

DENNIS - 12-1-2007 at 10:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Linares
Nobody wants to travel such a long distance for a job.


I see what you mean. There's a price to pay for privacy and isolation. One thing for sure, if you import a backhoe, you'll have plenty of new friends. Kind of like a fishing boat.