Pescador - 7-27-2007 at 06:20 AM
We have friends in San Bruno who just tried to cross with some 2 x 4's in their trailer and they were told at Otay Mesa that they could not bring them
into Mexico. They went to Tijuana and were told the same thing. So they went back to Home Depot and returned the wood and then paid duty on the rest
of the things in the trailer and came on down. Guess they don't want any of those straight North American 2x4's anymore.
DENNIS - 7-27-2007 at 06:25 AM
How many did they have?
bajadock - 7-27-2007 at 08:12 AM
STUD DUTY
oladulce - 7-27-2007 at 08:26 AM
I haven't heard as much about this lately but about 10 years ago was very aware after an acquaintance was denied access at San Ysidro because his
wood-sided kayak/utility trailer "contained too much wood which was not allowed to be imported in to Mexico", duty or no duty.
The "floor" of our older, open utility trailer had a false bottom for stashing a few sheets of plywood and 2x4's each trip and the trailer was much
heavier than it looked. With our enclosed cargo trailer, nowadays we usually get the crooked local variety on the way down or once we're in BCS.
[Edited on 7-27-2007 by oladulce]
oldjack - 7-27-2007 at 08:38 AM
last week I crossed at Tecate... had four sheets of pegboard(can't get in the East Cape area) and 25 2x4's ... nothing said by the guards.... They
briefly quizzed me about why I was carrying two small aircompressors... told them they were for my tires... I seem to have better "luck" crossing at
Tecate than other ports........
oladulce - 7-27-2007 at 09:26 AM
25 2x4's and they didn't say anything- wow oldjack.
The lack of parking at the TKT entrance has kept us away since we're usually declaring and paying duty on imported building materials and home stuff.
Where do you park for aduana when you're towing a trailer ?
One time we turned right , (before the booth) where the big trucks go, so we could park and get FMT's. It was a nightmare getting out of there because
of the semi's entering and we caused a huge, but luckily brief, traffic jam. It was quite a grand entrance in to Mexico but way too much excitement.
DENNIS - 7-27-2007 at 12:31 PM
Good lumber is available in Ensenada. Home Dpo has Doug Fir, kinda pricey but, good and straight. There are other types available, Hemlock Fir
for example, and the price is good.
Taking the lumber back to the store kinda tells me they had a lot of it. If it's under a thousand dollars worth, you can pay the duty at San Ysidro.
15%. After all that, including lugging it around, what have you saved?
Bob and Susan - 7-27-2007 at 12:37 PM
no i NEVER end up paying 15%...NEVER!!!!
18% wa the VERY lowest...and...
usually 24%
DENNIS - 7-27-2007 at 12:41 PM
I recently brought in a septic tank and a bit later, pre-hung doors. Both times 15%. Why am I not surprised at the inconsistancy?
Maybe lumber is higher. Don't know.
[Edited on 7-27-2007 by DENNIS]
vgabndo - 7-27-2007 at 01:36 PM
It is not legal to bring "USED" lumber into Mexico. I have had to bribe my way across with brand new 3/4" PWD that had water stains on it. It turned
out to be a mistake to try San Ysidro at 5:30 AM, because there was no one in the customs office, and the ladrone at the stop light button had us by
the huevos. In the end we paid about as much as real duty would have been, but it all went to the officers BMW payment.
BajaWarrior - 7-27-2007 at 08:18 PM
Just finished the construction on our new home. I hauled everything but the brick and slabs. Patio and deck beams and rafters, decking, roof beams,
rafter beams, 100 sheets of plywood, windows, doors, misc. lumber, wood burning stoves, even the furniture. Multiple loads, and each time different
personnel.
Took it to the Declaration lane at Mexicali East, paid the duty, no problem.
I have heard over and over about the problems at Otay and TJ, I don't know why that is when they have the same Declaration department at each border.
lumber import
Roasty - 7-30-2007 at 02:21 PM
Heard that the reasons were because the US is demanding that Mexican imported lumber be fumigated, and carry a stamp that shows compliance, so the
Mexicans have hit back.
Also lumber prices have been at their lowest for over a year in the US (due to the US housing downturn) and the comparable price in mexico hasn't
changed so the price difference is greater than ever.
About to take 40 sheets of 1/2" roofing ply down there, but I might bite the bullet and go to Home depot Ensenada.
Bob and Susan - 7-30-2007 at 03:10 PM
use a import broker in advance and you wont have problems...
it's only about $900 worth of wood...
but probably 3000 pounds of weight
hope you have a good trailer...single axel you're at your limit
DENNIS - 7-30-2007 at 04:08 PM
Bob .......
What would the fees be, mas o menos, for $900 in plywood?
Bob and Susan - 7-30-2007 at 04:12 PM
~about $200
but the plywood would be soooo much better
DENNIS - 7-30-2007 at 04:18 PM
Yeah.... I agree with the quality thing although OSB is pretty much the same here and there. If that's what Roasty is going to roof with, he can get
it here in Ensenada for 140 Ps per sheet, tax included.
Hey Roasty...... Are you seeing this?
Deck Coating
Roasty - 7-30-2007 at 04:45 PM
I'm not a big OSB fan, and would prefer plywood.
But if its a big hike over USA pricing then I could become a believer - quickly!
I've got a decent trailer so its not going to a problem.
Anybody got any favorite deck coatings?
I was considering importing the simulated wood "Trex" for putting down (on sleepers) over 3/4" ply decking. For a surface that would last.
If theres a decent deck-coating system available down there I would definately be interested.
Cheers
TREX
bajaguy - 7-30-2007 at 04:57 PM
I put down decking of approximately 50 feet of length by 12 foot wide TREX using 2x6 x12's 7 years ago. No maintenance issues excep sweeping and
hosing off. Holds up great in snow, rain and sun (doesn't get hot), no splinters. It's really worth the extra up-front costs.
I suggest that you check out "Deckmasters" joist connectors to attach the TREX....no visible screw holes, attaches from underneath.
Also, if I had it to do over again, I would use the 5 quarter (5/4) x 6 bull nose TREX "boards" instead of the 2x6.
Bob and Susan - 7-30-2007 at 05:52 PM
if you can see the underside...i would use t-111 siding that looks like
ship-lap boards
if you walk on it space the beams closely
ALOT nicer looking and makes a WAY better looking patio roof
and people DO look up....well sometimes
that OSB looks "crappy" even though is it is strong
DENNIS - 7-30-2007 at 05:56 PM
Yeah.... I wouldn't use OSB where it could be seen. I thought he was roofing a house.
Deck coating
Roasty - 8-1-2007 at 11:06 AM
Any mexican manufactured Dex-o-tex kinda systems that anybody has had luck with ?