BajaNomad

What can I bring into Baja on a Tourist Visa?

kctobaja - 7-5-2007 at 08:51 AM

We're trailering motorcycles down.
I own an Internet Advertising Company, and with the amount of programming I do, my laptop just doesn't cut it.
Can I bring my desktop computer, monitor, and printer?
What about an electric guitar and Amplifier? (I like to play daily)... If the Amp is a no go, I have a little rockman I could use w/ headphones...

Thanks in advance!

Keith

[Edited on 7-5-2007 by kctobaja]

bajalou - 7-5-2007 at 09:13 AM

According to the rules as explained to me, laptop and printer OK - desktop and monitor NO. Musical stuff for personal enjoyment should be no problem. Remember the visa is for "Tourist" and you're not expected to work and totake everything back with you when you leave.

What you could get by with ??? I was once told than I couldn't bring a desktop "tower" type in at all. It was a empty shell with only a power supply and after I set it on the sidewalk to leave it there, they said OK,

Others have brought similar stuff in paying duty to "Import it" I've been told.

Welcome

Al G - 7-5-2007 at 09:13 AM

I bring my motorhome and everything I have.
Do not bring anything for sale and anything you intend to leave in Baja, declare and pay the duty.
A Motorhome may be different in the way they look at it.

[Edited on 7-5-2007 by Al G]

kctobaja - 7-5-2007 at 09:17 AM

I'm lost on the difference between a laptop and a desktop computer in the eyes of the Mexican Authorities? Both can be used for work?

I do have to work while I'm there, I own my own business, and doubt my 2 partners would like me taking off of work for 3 months... :)

Not sure what you mean by "and totake everything back with you when you leave."?

If I pay duty on my Dell desktop, what is that going to run me?
It's a 4 year old computer and monitor?

bajalou - 7-5-2007 at 09:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by kctobaja

Not sure what you mean by "and totake everything back with you when you leave."?



You are supposed to take everything out of Mexico that you brought in. - except food of course.

Import Duty

MrBillM - 7-5-2007 at 09:40 AM

IF they allow you to bring in the Desktop on an FMT (no guarantee of that), the printed info on the Current Customs form states that you can import up to $4000 in Computer Equipment. It also lists the duty at 25%, however, the actual duty I was charged in June on household items, including electronics, was 15%. Of course, I have an FM-3. It's hard to make an argument for taking down "Household" items on an FMT. You're not supposed to have a household to take them to. The Value of items is up to them if you don't have current receipts.

I would suppose that the rationale for allowing a Laptop in on an FMT is that almost everybody carries one everywhere to keep in touch, etc. Not many people would lug around their Desktop for the same purpose.

bajalou - 7-5-2007 at 09:54 AM

What are you driving? Might be able to get by in a motor home if it looks built in.

kctobaja - 7-5-2007 at 10:27 AM

Thanks, I'm going to have to just bite the bullet and pay duty on the desktop, I can bring some documentation of what it cost in 2004.

Driving a Dodge Ram truck.......

kctobaja - 7-5-2007 at 10:44 AM

Thanks Shari.... I havd a laptop also, but I'll go that route..
We're crossing at Tecate, maybe it won't be as bad as TJ?

[Edited on 7-5-2007 by kctobaja]

Probably lower cost mordida

The Gull - 7-5-2007 at 10:45 AM

...if you are considering that alternative method.

Riom - 7-5-2007 at 11:19 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by kctobaja
I own an Internet Advertising Company, and with the amount of programming I do, my laptop just doesn't cut it.
Can I bring my desktop computer, monitor, and printer?


Might be a good excuse to get a new laptop? I used to drive all around Europe with a desktop computer in the back of the car (for the same reason: away for months in each place, needed it to run my similar business).

But in the last 5 years or so laptops have got much better, much closer in price to a comparable desktop, and now there's almost nothing you can't do with them. If it's just programming and graphics go for one with a big screen if you want, 17" is still a lot better than a desktop a few years back.

If there's a lot of data to crunch get an external drive (although with laptops having 100-200GB disks now that's unlikely to be needed). Processorwise the Core Duo etc compete well with desktops, and 2GB of memory is plenty. Only areas where desktops still win are really fast graphics (for lastest games) and add-ons like TV cards. For programming, graphics work, data storage, etc a modern laptop is plenty powerful enough. I don't own any desktops any more.


[Edited on 7-5-2007 by Riom]

Keyboards

CaboRon - 7-5-2007 at 12:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by Riom
For programming, graphics work, data storage, etc a modern laptop is plenty powerful enough.

And the ergos are usually sucky, hard on the body when programming. One solution is an external keyboard, mouse, and maybe an LCD monitor. The first two, and possibly even the monitor, can be considered accessories to your laptop without much stretch of the imagination...

--Larry
Speed typing on a laptop is really a strain onthe wrists. I need my full size keyboard. CaboRon

kctobaja - 7-5-2007 at 01:19 PM

I've got 3 years worth of code, data, programs, spreadsheets.

I could move all the source code, but re-installing MS Visual Studio, SQL2005, etc., etc., etc...

I'd like to know my worst possible scenario at the border crossing. Paying duty on the computer? Not being able to bring it in period on an FMT?

Leaving Saturday, so need to get this nailed down.

JZ - 7-5-2007 at 01:56 PM

In theory they are not allowed.

In reality you are probably going to get a green light and then the problem is solved. In reality if you get a red light you will have your luggage in front of it and they won't even see it on their very cursory vehicle search.

In the slim chance you get a red light and they spot it and complain about it, you first state it is for your personal use. If they persist, offer to pay duty (15% or so of it's fair market value today).

You will have a very good shot at getting it across.

Don't have your laptop sitting right next to it! Put your laptop in a personal bag. Not thinking once, I brought two laptops in my bag through the airport. They made me pay duty on one of them.


[Edited on 7-5-2007 by JZ]

bajabound2005 - 7-5-2007 at 01:59 PM

What ever you do, do not say you need the computer for WORK. That will send up 100 red flags.

We bought a desktop replacement, Dell Inspiron with the nice big screen. Use a full size keyboard - wireless - along with a wireless mouse. We brought this in on our FMT but of course did not tell them we had it. Had it buried in all our "camping gear" of which we had none. Some folding tables and chairs, portable BBQ, boogie boards, groceries, ice chests (we were towing a 4x6 cargo trailer).

Crossing the border with a dog in the car (or 3 dogs, in our case) is also helpful for a cursory inspection.

A friend was coming in with a CPU he had repaired in the US (lives here FT). They would not him bring it in - period.

woody with a view - 7-5-2007 at 02:01 PM

Quote:

A friend was coming in with a CPU he had repaired in the US (lives here FT). They would not him bring it in - period.


why not? what's the problem with a computer?

Riom - 7-5-2007 at 03:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kctobaja
I've got 3 years worth of code, data, programs, spreadsheets.

I could move all the source code, but re-installing MS Visual Studio, SQL2005, etc., etc., etc...


Well, your disaster recovery plan with full backups will get that up and running in no time... :-) But I do agree if you're leaving saturday it's a bit late to switch computers!

I find the ergonomics of a good-sized laptop (with external mouse) to be fine, maybe my back is already pre-warped from too many years sitting in front of these things.

If it wasn't for the trailer you'd be unlikely to be stopped at the border anyway. As others have said, don't mention you need it for work, since real tourists don't work.

Ergonomics

MrBillM - 7-5-2007 at 03:13 PM

Since you can buy fullsize keyboards (USB or PS/2) for as low as Five Bucks, you can take one along and throw it away later if you'd like.

DianaT - 7-5-2007 at 03:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by kctobaja
Thanks Shari.... I havd a laptop also, but I'll go that route..
We're crossing at Tecate, maybe it won't be as bad as TJ?

[Edited on 7-5-2007 by kctobaja]


Seems like we have RED LIGHT stamped on our windshield---got it last time at San Ysidro, and this time at Tecate. Fortunately, they just took a quick look in the back. We were surprised that this time nothing was said at Tecate, because we had an old table and chairs in there----certainly not ones we would take camping.

Happy Travels
Diane

DENNIS - 7-5-2007 at 04:05 PM

I've seen incoming traffic so lite at TKT that they would red-light every car.
A fishing expedition, I'm sure.

bajalou - 7-5-2007 at 04:26 PM

Red light once at Mexicali West and instead of usual look, had to drive to extreme right by a table and take EVERYTHING out of the truck. No real examination of the suitcases but they looked in everything, bags of groceries, books etc. After looking at all of it, load back up and we're on the way. Never before such a inspection. (Nor since)

David K - 7-5-2007 at 07:46 PM

FM-T is for tourists... A tourist is visiting a country on his/her vacation... Vacation means NO WORKING.

So, don't say work! (see bajabound2005, above)

The lap top is to communicate with family and friends while you are on vacation... Maybe to look at the photos you took with your digital camera...

The desk top is not a 'portable' PC that people take on vacations, so they will assume it is to go to a home in Mexico... and they want you to buy a computer in Mexico, not sneak them south. That's why the duty charge on a desk top.

woody with a view - 7-7-2007 at 11:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
Quote:

A friend was coming in with a CPU he had repaired in the US (lives here FT). They would not him bring it in - period.


why not? what's the problem with a computer?


good thing they didn't find my computer then when it went down south. no import duty to the (edit: possibly;D) corrupt officials, just a solid machine loaded with software that the future of baja will hopefully prosper on.:D

[Edited on 7-7-2007 by woody in ob]

escuela en Datil (Small) (Small).jpg - 46kB

kctobaja - 7-9-2007 at 12:10 AM

We came through Tecate tonight (Sunday), around 8PM. 3 guys at the station, I had to get their attention, and let them know I needed an FMT. They pointed me down a side street to park, trailering 2 big cruisers, back of the pickup bed loaded to the hilt, and the back seat of the truck loaded full.

Had our FMT's in five mins., and on the road to Ensenada. Immigration was very courteous, officers on the street, couldn't have cared about anything.

Only unfortanate thing is we got stuck in Flagstaff for an hour due to road crews. (On a Sunday?) So we were stuck driving the 110KM to Ensanada in pitch dark...

Back on the road in the AM, 16 hours of driving to La Paz over next day and a half...

JZ - 7-9-2007 at 03:59 AM

I recently crossed at San Luis below Yuma. Went throught the declare line. Stopped for the officer. Showed him my receipt for $600 forth of stuff. He glanced in the car from the window and said "continue on."

[Edited on 7-9-2007 by JZ]

kctobaja - 7-12-2007 at 11:15 AM

After 6 military check points, we finally arrived in La Paz on Tuesday afternoon. Drove from Ensenada to Mulege, and then made it to La Paz by 2PM.

Lots of work on new bridges, and it appears the Gov't is actively trying to maintain highway 1. 5 of the 6 check points, the military just waived us right through, heading South. #4, they asked us a couple of questions, and then the young kid noticed the cases of gatorade in the back of the truck. He asked for one, we gave up a couple of warm ones... I think we'll ice down a case for the trip North. May make the check points a bit quicker to get through, offering up some ice cold gatorade..

La Paz is everything we hoped for and expected. Great atmosphere, wonderful restaurants, and a good base for our motorcycle rides. El Moro has worked out well also for us... Nice staff, and the pool area is great. Fresh water delivered to our room every day, and a full kitchen to prepare breakfast/lunch, etc...

joel - 7-19-2007 at 02:23 PM

I have a slightly different situation. I'm flying to Loreto with some new items that I'm wondering if I'll have a problem with. My car is down there and I'm bringing down a few items for the rest of our summer vacation which I will presumably bring back with me in my car in September or October.

However, I'm guessing that they may raise some eyebrows:

-two new kids bikes in boxes
-some off road headlights in a box
-a new engine code reader (tells you what is wrong when the "service engine" light comes on).
-a bunch of food
-a router and antenna for the house we're renting

I realize that the customs officials will make their decisions upon perceptions, so does anyone have any advice on how we should handle ourselves? Declare?

Joel

JZ - 7-19-2007 at 08:17 PM

There is a $300 duty free exemption when flying in.

You can have toys for the kids (probably need them there with you). Try to make them look like they aren't brand new.

Why a bunch of food? Buy it there.

Just don't put everything in a single suit case and you'll probably be okay. Have receipts. They x-ray things, so they will spot what you have.

Really the only thing that they might stop you on are the headlights and engine reader. As long as you don't have too many and it's not too big I think they will just let you pass. Even if they don't it might fit w/i the $300 limit.

joel - 7-19-2007 at 10:26 PM

JZ, Thanks.

Any thoughts on if I should I go to the declare line or not?

JZ - 7-19-2007 at 10:43 PM

At the airport there isn't a declare or nothing to declare line. You have to fill out a customs form on the plane and present it after you gather all your luggage and just before you push the red light, green light button (a traffic light).

You are suppose to declare anything not for personal use on your trip and >$300 value. Unless you have a boat load of headlights, I would probably lean towards not declaring it on the form. The toys are for use by the kids on the trip. The other stuff is under $300 most likely.

If you get a green light it's all moot anyway.

joel - 7-19-2007 at 10:46 PM

Thanks JZ!