BajaNomad

Crossing Border With Household Goods?

Gr8Piper - 11-5-2008 at 09:07 AM

I'm building a home in Punta Banda and I need to bring down hardware items and lighting fixtures. I have purchase receipts.

What is the best way to do it with minimal trouble? What is
if I don't declare it? I bring down a little on each trip and figure I'll deal with the consequences if I'm stopped. All info
and advice appreciated.

Tom

Dave - 11-5-2008 at 09:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gr8Piper
What is the best way to do it with minimal trouble? What is
if I don't declare it?


The proper way is to stop, declare the items and pay duties. (Around 20%).

The easiest way is to just drive across. The odds of not getting stopped are in your favor. However, if you are willing to face the consequences, here are the possibilites:

1. You just get waved though.

2. You are required to pay duty. (around 20%)

3. You pay duty and penalties. (Up to 100%)

4. The items are confiscated, you still pay duties and penalties.

5. The items are confiscated along with your vehicle which is held until you pay storage fees and all duties and fines.

It all depends on the mood of the inspector.

Woooosh - 11-5-2008 at 11:38 AM

I believe you also have the right to turn around and go back if you get the red revision light. They will open that sliding door and let you back into the northbound line. You could simply say the reciepts are back in San Diego and you need to return to retrive them. Then go to Otay.

No

Dave - 11-5-2008 at 11:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Woooosh
I believe you also have the right to turn around and go back if you get the red revision light.


Only if you use the declare line can you turn back. If you take the chance and get a red then they own you. :lol:

Bruce R Leech - 11-5-2008 at 12:00 PM

just pay the duty or buy your things here. why would you want to start off life in Mexico being a criminal?

When in Rome

Dave - 11-5-2008 at 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech why would you want to start off life in Mexico being a criminal?


What's the difference? Eventually it's gonna happen. ;D

Don Alley - 11-5-2008 at 12:10 PM

Pull over into the declare lane with a list of items and their prices. They have been fast and friendly with us. Last time through the inspector let us through without paying, not the first time that has happened.

And the other times, nothing wrong with a contribution to the country where we spend most of our time. Either way, there has never been any trouble. But if you want trouble, I'd suggest just drive through multiple times until you get busted.

Gr8Piper - 11-5-2008 at 12:40 PM

Thanks for the advice

Tom

greybaby - 11-5-2008 at 09:22 PM

Built our house and hauled a good portion of the goods for it a little at a time from Home Depot on the US side. When we had anything big (it was obvious!) we simply stopped and declared it and paid the price. On other things that fit into our car, we took our chances with the red light/green light. Occasionally stopped but never hassled. All of the major "stuff" (metal framing material, windows, plywood, sheetrock, etc) purchased (at a higher price!) in Ensenada.

greybaby - 11-5-2008 at 09:44 PM

P.S. One funny thing that happened when we brought some of our building materials across - when we brought our bathtub across, we stopped to declare it and I was proud of my still developing command of the Spanish language - when they asked me what I had to declare I proudly said, "una latina". I couldn't figure out until later why they thought that was such a strange answer since what I really meant was "una tina". Big difference. They probably wondered why I was smuggling in some muchacha. Sometimes I wonder how they put up with us!

schwlind - 11-6-2008 at 12:12 AM

Earlier this year, in May, we hauled a 6 x 12 foot trailer full of stuff out to San Diego from FL. A good friend who lives in Baja about 95% of the time met us in San Diego with his big truck to get it all down to our house in San Antonio Del Mar (out on the coast from Colonet).

We had used windows, a used leather couch and love seat and numerous other items. Our friend's truck, once loaded, looked like many of the smaller Mexican owned trucks you see loaded to the hilt in Baja, to the point that you just know if they take a curve fast, they are sure to flip over.

When we arrived at the San Ysidro border crossing, as our friend was approaching the crossing, he was immediately being flagged over to the inspection area.

Bottom line was the person we dealt with was affiable, and very cooperative... the duty for the entire load was about $38.00. I suppose it is the luck of the draw. The guy we encountered was not about to unload or ask us to unload the truck, but asked that we supply a list of stuff we were bringing in, and after about a 10 minute conversation all was settled.... At first the duty was around $45, but for some reason he reduced it to $38.

As has been discussed in other threads, if you have a good attitude... going or coming to MX... it can make all the difference in the world.

[Edited on 11-6-2008 by schwlind]

David K - 11-6-2008 at 07:56 AM

I am wondering why the one time 'duty-free' crossing afforded to you FM-3 holders isn't utilized or mentioned here? Of course, I am presuming everyone who rents land in Mexico, leaves personal property in Mexico, or owns homes in Mexico has the correct visa to be a legal property holder in Mexico... :rolleyes:

beachbum1A - 11-6-2008 at 08:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
I am wondering why the one time 'duty-free' crossing afforded to you FM-3 holders isn't utilized or mentioned here? Of course, I am presuming everyone who rents land in Mexico, leaves personal property in Mexico, or owns homes in Mexico has the correct visa to be a legal property holder in Mexico... :rolleyes:

With my FM3 in hand, an inventory of my personal goods stamped by the immigration office in San Diego, I approached the border crossing at San Ysidro at 0800 on a Sunday morning a year and a half ago. Two pick up trucks each towing a trailer; one enclosed and one trailer was a flat bed.
Drove into the declared area and gave the paper work to the agent. "Sorry Senior, you will have to come back tomorrow! Cannot enter and use this today."

So there are (5) of us in (2) trucks/trailers and everyone but me needs to be back at work the next day. Ummmmmmm?

Can we pay any "extra money" (heaven forbid-a bribe?) to cross the border today? He looks a little disgusted but picks up a pad of forms and walks back to look at the flat bed trailer. He writes down some figures, tears off a couple of the pages and passes them over to me.
"Go pay at the bank and then come back and see me."
I walk over to the bank and pay them $52 dollars, get the forms stamped and come bac to the agent.
OK! Go on through! Hot damn, we're in!! Breakfast at Puerto Nuervo to celebrate for sure.
What he had done was to disregard the inventory forms and the one time allowance of a duty free entry. Instead he estimated the worth of my property and charged a 15% duty- which I paid at the bank.
So everyone has a different story to tell on moving day and this is mine.

Martyman - 11-6-2008 at 09:01 AM

If nothing is on the top of your vehicle and/or you are not carrying a trailero you (most likely) won't be stopped. Get in the left hand lane and go man go! Play stupid if you are pulled over.

David K - 11-6-2008 at 09:04 AM

GREAT STORY beachbum1A, many thanks for reporting this...

So, since that a pay the fee crossing, you still have the free one to use?

Guess that gaurd didn't want to work too hard that day!:light:

karenintx - 11-6-2008 at 09:06 AM

David K,

We got our FM-3 in Cabo and was told by every American we talked with "with your FM-3 you have a one-time pass to bring in you household goods tax free." We thought no problem. Since we also live Houston we thought it would be a good idea to go straight to the Mexican Consulant to get the real story. Glad we did. They looked at our FM-3's then advised us "you only have 90 days from the time your FM-3 is issued to take advantage of the tax free rule." Thinking this person may not know what he was talking about we pressed the issue. He asked us to be seated. When he returned he asked us to follow him. He took us to the "el jefe" who was very nice and provided us the same information in writing.

Now that was about a year ago and I think my memory is correct...it could have been a few days shorter or longer from the date of issue but I do remember it was a short period.

I think this is an important piece of info for anyone that is planning a move.

bajadock - 11-6-2008 at 09:17 AM



I second Beachbum1a's sunday morning moving plan. Cross between sunrise and 9AM at SY/TJ and you'll likely find a smooth journey on sundays. Declaration or ignorance importing is your choice.

beachbum1A - 11-6-2008 at 09:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
GREAT STORY beachbum1A, many thanks for reporting this...

So, since that a pay the fee crossing, you still have the free one to use?

Guess that gaurd didn't want to work too hard that day!:light:


Guess what David? I still have my original stamped manifest! hahaha
Anyway, right on top of the "Manifest Instructions" it's stated (in caps);
Requirements for taking your household belongings into Mexico-
Note: This permit is granted only once, to the head of the family and within the first six (6) months from the date of issuance or renewal of the Fm3.

So would appear that you have (6) months to take advantage of a duty-free move, and not (3) months, but who really knows for sure!

Or renewed

Dave - 11-6-2008 at 09:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by karenintx
"you only have 90 days from the time your FM-3 is issued to take advantage of the tax free rule."


I'll bet the Jefe didn't tell you that. :lol:

Oh...And just because some official in Houston tells you something it don't mean squat to Aduana at the border. It's their rules that count.

Gr8Piper - 11-6-2008 at 09:38 AM

I appreciate everyone sharing their stories. I'll take my receipts and a few extra $$ and hope for the best.

Menaje de Casa

Loretana - 11-6-2008 at 09:44 AM

I just processed my one time free entry pass of household goods, which, as you know is called a "menaje de casa" at the Mexican Consulate in San Diego.

The rules state that I have 6 months from the date of my FM-3 renewal to bring my cargo across.

The process was non problematic, but the paperwork that accompanies the goods must be filled out properly. That means listing the contents of each box in Spanish and having the serial numbers and complete description of all appliances and tv's, etc.

I have too much stuff to wing it, which is what we did back in the good old days! :saint::rolleyes:

[Edited on 11-6-2008 by Loretana]

Bob and Susan - 11-6-2008 at 11:22 AM

tell us later what happened at the border...

vandenberg - 11-6-2008 at 01:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Loretana
I just processed my one time free entry pass of household goods, which, as you know is called a "menaje de casa" at the Mexican Consulate in San Diego.

The rules state that I have 6 months from the date of my FM-3 renewal to bring my cargo across.

The process was non problematic, but the paperwork that accompanies the goods must be filled out properly. That means listing the contents of each box in Spanish and having the serial numbers and complete description of all appliances and tv's, etc.

I have too much stuff to wing it, which is what we did back in the good old days! :saint::rolleyes:

[Edited on 11-6-2008 by Loretana]


We went through this stuff in the 90's. Submitted the list at the Sacramento consulate and paid a $72.00 fee. Crossed the border at TJ. Had a 24 ft U-haul and an overloaded pick up. Didn't accept the consulate papers and made us go into TJ to file with an importer. They were very nice though and the head honcho himself took my wife to the importers office, where they retyped all the info into their computer and after another $72.00, the same honcho guided us through the custom gate and, without ever opening the U-Haul or looking at anything in the truck, we were on our way.
Did have 6 months from issuance of the FM 3.

Hook - 11-6-2008 at 03:49 PM

The stories I've heard over here in Sonora at the Nogales crossings jive with what Vandy is saying; yes, the menaje tax is free the first time but you are pretty much forced to use an importer.

We havent used our one-time exemption yet as we are still awaiting our FM-3 paperwork. In the meantime, we throw the cabover on the truck to be "tourists", fill it with what we want from our storage space and cross.

But eventually, I'm gonna want my power tools, a trundle bed, my big arse smoker/BBQ, etc., so we will be doing the menaje de casa.

Ain't it great having a "free trade agreement" with Mexico............:rolleyes: