BajaNomad - Southbound Inspections

Southbound Inspections

k-rico - 4-7-2009 at 07:07 PM

I went from TJ to San Diego and back today and for the first time ever it was faster getting into the US from Mexico than getting into Mexico from the US. San Ysidro.

10 minute wait Mexico to US, Sentri lane, 10 AM.

20 minutes US to Mexico, 2:30 PM.

US officials are stopping southbound cars prior to the border. I got asked the following questions:

Where are you coming from?

Where are you going?

Is this your car?

How much money do you have with you?

They have the 2 or 3 southbound lanes on the left closed off creating a bottleneck and are using the space for inspections. I didn't get pulled over for inspection.

The northbound Sentri guys are also starting to ask questions about where have you been and where are you going.

bajadock - 4-7-2009 at 07:58 PM

K-rico,
I was about to post same question. This week's thrills included San Diego trips on Monday and Toozday. From SY southbound to TJ, traffic was backed up to the 805 overpass ramp.

I green lighted both times, no questions asked, but more troops are there with guns. Don't know what has changed, but, I'm guessing it's a political motive.

Also for you free-roaders, northbound at Popotla, just south of Blvd 2000/Fox studio is a troop inspection. That was a 25 minute wait on Monday.

And guessing at least 10, maybe 20 minute wait northbound at Ensenada toll booth witnessed tonight at approx 18:00.

DianaT - 4-8-2009 at 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico
I went from TJ to San Diego and back today and for the first time ever it was faster getting into the US from Mexico than getting into Mexico from the US. San Ysidro.

10 minute wait Mexico to US, Sentri lane, 10 AM.

20 minutes US to Mexico, 2:30 PM.

US officials are stopping southbound cars prior to the border. I got asked the following questions:

Where are you coming from?

Where are you going?

Is this your car?

How much money do you have with you?

They have the 2 or 3 southbound lanes on the left closed off creating a bottleneck and are using the space for inspections. I didn't get pulled over for inspection.

The northbound Sentri guys are also starting to ask questions about where have you been and where are you going.

Thanks for the info---will be interesting to see if the US check before crossing into Mexico continues.

We were delayed once by a similar situation, but that one seemed quite specific as they were detaining large red pick-ups only

Diane

[Edited on 4-8-2009 by jdtrotter]

thebajarunner - 4-8-2009 at 10:23 AM

We pulled into the immigration area to get our tourist cards two weeks ago, noted a bit of a slowdown going in on Sunday afternoon, but nothing much.
They waved us right out after we got our cards.

Tecate USCustoms sent all of our vehicles to 'ag inspection' since we had been down for two weeks and were in BCS.
I told the guy that the agriculture in Vizcaino was not very extensive, he just smiled and still sent us in (and quickly back out- guess they don't want to get too close to vehicles with an inch of dust)

They looked over our remaining firewood, convinced them it was good Stanislaus County almond, and got a pass on that as well.

Bajahowodd - 4-8-2009 at 11:45 AM

The Popotla checkpoint has been there for quite some time. However, it was very selective, and I've passed through without even slowing much in the past. Let's face it, people were using the free road to avoid a toll road checkpoint, so it makes sense that they close the loophole, no?

Woooosh - 4-8-2009 at 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

Quote:

They are checking southbound traffic again today. It looks very slow heading south. I think it's the new business model, especailly if they are asking you to declare cash before you leave the USA (and found cash will be very good for the economy). The lanes to the left allow them to weight and x-ray you and the car quickly. They have lots of new toys for detection. You always have the option of getting out if you don't want to get x-rayed.

So the southbound wait will become normal and a total zoo. Now if we could only get southbound people to respect those white lines and lane bumps in the road as they near the border.

Paulina - 4-8-2009 at 04:16 PM

Tell me about declaring cash before leaving the USA. Is this a requirement I've never known about?

P<*)))>{

bajabound2005 - 4-8-2009 at 04:41 PM

I think $10k is the limit. I don't think any of us will encounter a problem with that!

Bajahowodd - 4-8-2009 at 04:48 PM

It's all about money laundering. Just hasn't been enforced to this extent before. If you were headed South in a Camry and were found to have 1/2 mil in your trunk, you might say that you were paying cash for a house in Cabo.

BajaWarrior - 4-8-2009 at 04:59 PM

Any report for inspections crossing at Tecate?

We're heading down Thursday.

BW

wakemall - 4-8-2009 at 05:46 PM

Anything over $10,000 in cash is going to throw up a flag regardless of the travel means.

The magic number

Dave - 4-8-2009 at 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wakemall
Anything over $10,000 in cash is going to throw up a flag regardless of the travel means.

$9,999.99 and you're home free. :rolleyes:

bajamikey - 4-8-2009 at 05:55 PM

what about the mexicali crossing? i know there is a $10,000 limit, most of the time i have 4 or 5 thousands dollars with .what do think they would say about that if anything?

roundtuit - 4-8-2009 at 06:02 PM

NORTH BOUND

From a friend who left Sun. First stop San Quentin, then on

We arrived Mesa last evening, 6 hours from the border. Got checked at every check point except the one between Ensenada and Tecate-road construction right out of Ensenada,. There was one spot that would not have been good for a RV but passible. We were held up very little until we got to the border-
Easy to find border crossing, but got pulled into secondary--first time in years but we were legal for a change. Seems as though on Monday they randamly pulled some oder people in-had been going down for over 20 years-found plants in their vehicle--$300.00 fine-so they are searching most of us well packed travelers. Very polite and put things back when they didn't find anything.

Limit??? There is no limit!!!

thebajarunner - 4-8-2009 at 06:25 PM

This is going in a wrong direction folks.
There is no limit as to the amount of cash or cash equivalents that can be exported.
If you take more than $10,000 you need to file a declaration form.
That's it.
No limit on amount, just a limit on the amount you can take undeclared.

CaboRon - 4-8-2009 at 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
This is going in a wrong direction folks.
There is no limit as to the amount of cash or cash equivalents that can be exported.
If you take more than $10,000 you need to file a declaration form.
That's it.
No limit on amount, just a limit on the amount you can take undeclared.

True !

Paulina - 4-8-2009 at 08:35 PM

Just curious, where does one go to file the declaration?

Dave, with my luck they'd find the penny in my ashtray to make it a cool 10k.

Not that I'd have a cool 10k in my hot little hands in the first place.