BajaNomad

What can be brought into north Baja without paying duty?

walterbyrd - 6-26-2009 at 07:14 PM

As I understand it, the northern part of Baja has different rules. For example, US car insurance still works, and you don't need a passport.

Also, as I understand it, there is a lot of stuff you can not bring into Mexico without duty. For example: you have to duty on electronic equipment, furniture, etc.

Are the duty laws the same in north Baja as other parts of Mexico? Or, am I wrong about everything?

bajalou - 6-26-2009 at 07:15 PM

Pretty much wrong on everything/
.

CortezBlue - 6-26-2009 at 07:18 PM

Way off base

fishbuck - 6-26-2009 at 07:21 PM

I heard that US car insurance is good something like 30 miles into Mexico. Any truth to that?

arbee - 6-26-2009 at 07:26 PM

Theft and comprehensive only, not liability through only some carriers. Always buy a Mexican policy.

arbee - 6-26-2009 at 07:29 PM

walterbyrd, where have you been getting this incorrect information? Get a passport and buy insurance.

noproblemo2 - 6-26-2009 at 07:48 PM

Passports and vehicle insurance are a MUST... Guns are NOT allowed.

Paulina - 6-26-2009 at 07:50 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by walterbyrd
As I understand it, the northern part of Baja has different rules. For example, US car insurance still works, and you don't need a passport.

Also, as I understand it, there is a lot of stuff you can not bring into Mexico without duty. For example: you have to duty on electronic equipment, furniture, etc.

Are the duty laws the same in north Baja as other parts of Mexico? Or, am I wrong about everything?



http://math.ucr.edu/ftm/baja.html

You might find some of the answers to your questions along with other helpful information on Fred's board. Check out the link provided above.

P<*)))>{

DENNIS - 6-26-2009 at 09:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by noproblemo2
Passports and vehicle insurance are a MUST... Guns are NOT allowed.


Vehicle insurance isn't mandatory but, one would be crazy not to have it.
Guns are for sure against the law as well as ammo. Don't have any loose shells laying around in the trunk from that last hunting trip.
You won't need your passport to enter Mexico but, they'll ask for it when you return to the states.

walterbyrd - 6-27-2009 at 11:45 AM

> walterbyrd, where have you been getting this incorrect information?

Other forums, a long time ago. Read a book titled "Choose Mexico" also a long time ago. Also, could be some memory problems.

> Get a passport and buy insurance.

I have a passport, and would buy insurance if I were to drive. I was just pointing out some areas where - I thought - the northern part of Baja had different rules.

walterbyrd - 6-27-2009 at 11:49 AM

I have absolutely no intention of bringing guns into Baja.

But, if I wanted to visit Baja, for an extended period - long enough to rent an apartment - would I be able to bring my vitamix blender, vacuum cleaner, stereo, etc. Or would the authorities demand I pay duty on those sorts of items?

DENNIS - 6-27-2009 at 11:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by walterbyrd

I have a passport, and would buy insurance if I were to drive. I was just pointing out some areas where - I thought - the northern part of Baja had different rules.



Well, Walter....and this will be hard to explain but, every place in Mexico has, at one time or another, different rules.

Depends on the place, the day, the time, who you're dealing with and the look on your face.

By the way, the rules in "The Book" are only suggestions and the guide books today should have as number one on their list of things to do, even before learning some Spanish, is learning flexibility. It's key to survival.

What can be brought into north Baja without paying duty?

Dave - 6-27-2009 at 02:06 PM

If you don't get a red light...

Everything. ;D

rpleger - 6-27-2009 at 02:20 PM

Listen to DENNIS....he is almost always right...

DENNIS - 6-27-2009 at 02:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rpleger
Listen to DENNIS....he is almost always right...



Why, thank you, Richard. "Almost" is high praise. I owe you one.

bajagrouper - 6-27-2009 at 08:42 PM

Here are the paragraphs from the Mexican Aduana (Customs) site:


What can I bring in duty free?


- The items allowed in your personal luggage, according to the length of your trip

- Up to US$50 per person in permitted goods, or its equivalent in other currencies. Passengers traveling with family members (spouse and children) may combine their personal exemptions only when arriving together on the same vehicle. In order to claim this additional exemption passengers must have the corresponding commercial invoices or receipts available

- Beer, alcoholic beverages, manufactured tobacco and motor vehicle fuel (except for the fuel contained in the vehicle’s fuel tank) may not be included in this additional exemption


UP


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Which items may be included in my personal luggage exempt from duty?


- Suitcases, trunks, and the necessary bags to carry your belongings

- New or used goods for personal use, such as clothing, footwear and personal hygienic products, in reasonable quantities, according to the length of your trip and that they may not be subject to commercialization

- Medications for personal use. In the case of psychotropic substances you must present the corresponding medical prescription

- A photographic camera, a video camera and, if it is the case, its power charger; up to 12 rolls or reels of unused film or videocassettes; photographic printed or filmed material; a cellular telephone; a pager; a pair of binoculars; a typewriter; a new or used portable computer: laptop, notebook, omnibook or another of similar kind; a new or used portable photocopier or printer; a portable radio set to record or play sound, or both

- Two personal used sport articles that can be normally transported by one person; a camping tent and camping gear; a wind surf with or without sail; four fishing rods with their respective accessories

- Five laser discs, five DVD discs, 20 compact discs (CDs) or magnetic tapes (audiocassettes); books and magazines in reasonable quantities and that they may not be subject to commercialization

- Five toys that can be normally transported by one person

- A musical instrument, that can be carried by one person

- Persons with disabilities may include those items for personal use that due to their characteristics may replace or reduce their disability

- Adult passengers may bring, in addition to the above-mentioned items, up to 20 packages of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, and up to three liters of wine, beer or liquor. Passengers must fulfill all the applicable non-tariff regulations and restrictions when importing additional amounts of cigars

nbacc - 6-28-2009 at 01:09 PM

I have always found that what you can take in depends on who you are dealing with and at what border...some are easier to deal with (and Ido mean deal) than others. DO NOT go without car insurance and if you take your dog be sure you have all the paperwork. Everytime one enters Mexico it is different. Nancy

MitchMan - 7-1-2009 at 12:59 PM

Ammo

Just a note. I remember seeing a "60 Minutes" show about 10 years ago where they did a story about an American tourist who drove into Mexicali and discovered a few bullets in his pocket. He earnestly went up to a Mexican policeman and asked if it was permitted to have these bullets and, if not, what could he do with them. Well, the Mexican policeman arrested him and the Mexican legal system put the tourist in jail. At the time of the airing of the "60 Minutes" show, the guy was still in a Mexican jail and was to serve something like 10 years for the crime.

Never heard any follow up on the story as to whether or not he got out early, but this tale scares the heck out of me.

Cypress - 7-1-2009 at 01:10 PM

MitchMan, He crossed the border with a pocket full of bullets? Jeez! Hope he's past breeding age.:lol:

Darwin Dummies

MrBillM - 7-1-2009 at 01:32 PM

If that guy's still in jail, he deserves it. We're all safer knowing that's one more dummy out of action.

I had a neighbor in Baja give me a couple boxes of .30-06 military ammo from his house-cleaning. I thanked him, then drove out in the desert and BURIED the damned things.

DENNIS - 7-1-2009 at 02:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
If that guy's still in jail, he deserves it. We're all safer knowing that's one more dummy out of action.

I had a neighbor in Baja give me a couple boxes of .30-06 military ammo from his house-cleaning. I thanked him, then drove out in the desert and BURIED the damned things.



And, Bill...Had you been pulled over on your way out to the desert and been arrested for possession of ammo, would you have deserved a long stay in a Mexican jail?

I don't think so but, I guess you do.