BajaNomad

importing goods

ssreef - 4-8-2008 at 06:29 PM

I am building a house in BCS and plan on crossing @ Otay with 20 vinyl windows and some doors,weatherstripping, etc....
I have receipts totalling $2800 for all. Question is how often do my totals match up with theirs ????

I have a list itemizing them ................

Any advice ,first time doing this, legally that is.

BajaWarrior - 4-8-2008 at 07:07 PM

You want the Declaration lane, keep your receipt under $3000 or you'll have to hire an importer. They don't have records to show much merchandise cost. That is a big number you have there, I've never shown an actual store receipt, only a hand written manifest, but then, I cross at Mexicali East, and that border is a peice of cake for declaring.

I just finished a large house and I imported everything but the slab and the brick, I brought some ridiculous loads across, no problem.

ssreef - 4-8-2008 at 07:23 PM

Thanks Baja warrior,

Do you think I am better off going to Mexicali . I have heard of very few problems if people just give em some amount to tax, basically throw em $500 and go.............

BMG - 4-8-2008 at 07:28 PM

Listen to BajaWarrior. He gave me really good advice. We ended up bringing down a 12' enclosed cargo trailer stuffed without any problems earlier this year. Cost us about U$135 in duty. I had 2 inventory sheets just in case. 1 very detailed inventory of every item in every box and an estimated value for all the USED items. The other list was much more general on a single sheet and very generic as to what was in the trailer. I kept the total under U$1000. They took a quick peek in the trailer, asked if we had any guns, wrote a bill using my abbreviated inventory sheet and sent us to the bank to pay. Took about 25 minutes. We crossed at Calexico (Mexicali) east.

BajaWarrior - 4-8-2008 at 07:44 PM

Legal crossing, is going to be about $476 in Duty (17%). They will knock some off if you have your FM-3, just keep it tucked in your backpocket.

Check your U2U. It's in the upper right corner of this page.

[Edited on 4-9-2008 by BajaWarrior]

CortezBlue - 4-8-2008 at 09:30 PM

I can tell you that I have hauled a ton of stuff across the border, including windows. You have to be careful with the Mexicalli (East) crossing. As of late they have changed how they are doing declaration. It use to be that you could stop and they would ask you if you "needed paper work" I use to say no, and they would ask for about half of what was due normally. You pay and they would send you on your way. However, that past several months they have opened a secondary stop after you pay and they want to see your paperwork. Also, they sometimes have different folks from a different govt group that takes over. This group is pretty snoopy going through everything. Also, I bought a bunch of stuff at construction auctions (wink, wink) and had hand written receipts.
Be safe and respectful.

BMG - 4-8-2008 at 09:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
I can tell you that I have hauled a ton of stuff across the border, including windows. You have to be careful with the Mexicalli (East) crossing. As of late they have changed how they are doing declaration. It use to be that you could stop and they would ask you if you "needed paper work" I use to say no, and they would ask for about half of what was due normally. You pay and they would send you on your way. However, that past several months they have opened a secondary stop after you pay and they want to see your paperwork. Also, they sometimes have different folks from a different govt group that takes over. This group is pretty snoopy going through everything. Also, I bought a bunch of stuff at construction auctions (wink, wink) and had hand written receipts.
Be safe and respectful.


The only firm and fast rule in Mexico is that each and every rule can and will change.

I agree with being respectful.

BajaWarrior - 4-9-2008 at 05:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by CortezBlue
I can tell you that I have hauled a ton of stuff across the border, including windows. You have to be careful with the Mexicalli (East) crossing. As of late they have changed how they are doing declaration. It use to be that you could stop and they would ask you if you "needed paper work" I use to say no, and they would ask for about half of what was due normally. You pay and they would send you on your way. However, that past several months they have opened a secondary stop after you pay and they want to see your paperwork. Also, they sometimes have different folks from a different govt group that takes over. This group is pretty snoopy going through everything. Also, I bought a bunch of stuff at construction auctions (wink, wink) and had hand written receipts.
Be safe and respectful.


Yes I've seen this practice, the guy at Declaration goes to a side channel on his two way radio and lets the guy at the gate know I'm coming through, (the gate is only a 100' away)The gate guy does a little walkaround and your on your way.

Hey, however you guys want to do this, I just need to cross...

Bob and Susan - 4-9-2008 at 06:40 AM

just remember the border guys are NOT fools...
they see this stuff go by EVERYDAY

they KNOW the prices!!!

there will be stuff you cant carry in the future...BIG stuff
then...
you'll need a broker

the process is pretty straight forward at the border but sometimes the make you wait...and ...wait
just wait them out:biggrin: