Mango - 1-22-2009 at 08:51 PM
Hey all,
My fiance just had her K1 visa approved and we will be moving our stuff from Mexicali back to the USA sometime soon.
Most of the stuff I have here I can pass off as camping equipment, personal stuff, etc..
But a few items I'd like to know about before I showed up at the border in my friends tuck.
Mainly.. we have a king sized mattress that I'd like to bring into the USA. Other than that.. a microwave, DVD player, and maybe a smaller TV. (Not
much really)
Any words of advice? Discouragement? or anything else that may help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Dave - 1-22-2009 at 09:04 PM
Did you purchase the items in the States? If so, simply pull up to the gate and say:
Nothing to declare.
Works for me. Never been challenged
postholedigger - 1-23-2009 at 12:47 AM
They just want to be able to see what's on the truck. If they can't do that without too much of a hassle, they send you to secondary. I've been told
by an agent that even in a box truck or cargo van, so long as you leave a corridor down the middle where they can see all the way through the vehicle,
they'll be able to check it without sending you to secondary.
I've come back up with beds, laundry machine, dryer, bedding, etc all originally from the U.S. with no problems.
Bob and Susan - 1-23-2009 at 06:04 AM
i drove the tractor across...no secondary
just said i needed a repair in the states
just tell the truth and let the border guard make the call
Mango - 1-23-2009 at 08:15 AM
Thanks for the responses.
Most everything is from the states. We did buy the mattress and microwave here in Mexico. We have already lined up people to buy our washing machine
and refrigerator locally. I won't be crushed if I can't bring them back; but, I'd like to if I could without too much hassle.
I've been back and forth several times with all sorts of stuff; but, wasn't really sure about the mattress in particular. It's a brand commonly sold
in the USA.. and maybe even made there... so I will have to check. 
Normally I try to keep everything easy to inspect. My car does not have tinted windows and this usually helps a great deal at the border crossings.
Thanks for the advice about loading the cargo trailer, etc..
DENNIS - 1-23-2009 at 10:28 AM
Just throw a bucket of water in the center of the mattress.....they won't touch it.