BajaNomad - BORDER INSPECTIONS

BORDER INSPECTIONS

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-13-2010 at 08:11 PM

HOLA, I HAVE BEEN READING BAJA NOMAD FOR MONTHS NOW AND AM POSTING FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WILL BE CROSSING THE BORDER AT TIJUANA OR TECATE PULLING A SMALL UTILITY TRAILER AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH GOING SOUTH TO LOS BARRILES AND I AM WONDERING ABOUT THE NEW CUSTOMS INSPECTIONS AND X-RAYS AS I AM WANTING TO BRING ABOUT TEN OR MORE HALF GALLONS OF BOOZE WITH ME FOR MY SIX OR MORE MONTHS STAY. YUP, I'M ALCOHOLIC !! ALSO, FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, I HAVE ALSO BROUGHT LOTS OF USED CLOTHING TO GIVE AWAY BUT HAVE READ CURRENTLY, PEOPLE ARE BEING TURNED AWAY AT THE BORDER AS IT INTERFERES WITH COMMERCE IN MEXICO. I DON'T MIND PAYING THE IMPORTATION TAX BUT AS I RECEIVE THE CLOTHING FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY, I DON'T HAVE RECEIPTS FOR DECLARATION TO BE TAXED. HAS ANYONE BEEN CONFRONTED WITH THE SAME DELIMNA ? WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE ? I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

bajaguy - 1-13-2010 at 08:17 PM

Go to a second hand store and buy some cheap used suitcases and put the clothes in them. The clothes are for you, your wife and kids.

Why not buy the booze S.O.B.?????

Udo - 1-13-2010 at 08:29 PM

My advice is to cross at Tecate. Least likely place you would get inspected.
Bajaguy's advice about the suitcases for your used clothing is a wise one. Been using the same trick for about three years. No one will question 4 suitcases per person.
None of the border entrances have the X-ray machines yet.
You are allowed three bottles of booze per person. I would probably put the booze in a used suitcase and pile some clothing suitcases on top of the booze. Unless you want something exotic to drink, booze is much cheaper in Baja than NOB...especially the tequila!

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-13-2010 at 08:29 PM

HOLA, HOPE YOUR S.O.B. DOESN'T MEAN THE SAME S.O.B. I KNOW ! BOOZE THAT I BUY AT COSTCO IN CABO IS ABOUT $ 22.00 A QUART. I BUY IT IN THE STATES FOR ABOUT $ 20.00 A HALF GALLON. BIG DIFFERENCE FOR A DRINKER ! I DO PLAN ON PUTTING THE USED CLOTHING IN PLASTIC TUBS THIS YEAR OPPOSED TO JUST PUTTING THEM INTO 30 GALLON PLASTIC BAGS AND FILLING MY UTILITY TRAILER. I AM STILL LOOKING FOR INFO REGARDING SAME WHEN CROSSING THE BORDER. I DO APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK, I THINK ?

GRACIAS, DA RAT

surfer jim - 1-13-2010 at 08:31 PM

Please turn off the CAPS LOCK as it is hard to read.....

Udo - 1-13-2010 at 08:33 PM

The used suitcases (find lots of them at yard sales) will be much cheaper than the plastic containers.
Curiosity...what will you be hauling in the utility trailer?

DENNIS - 1-13-2010 at 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by surfer jim
Please turn off the CAPS LOCK as it is hard to read.....

Thank you.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-13-2010 at 09:58 PM

HOLA, CAPS LOCK SEEMS TO BE EASIER TO READ, AT LEAST FOR ME. SORRY ! IF OBJECTIONABLE, SO I WON'T OFFEND FOLKS AND WITH RESPECT, I WON'T POST ANY FURTHER.

I'M ONLY ONE PERSON CROSSING SO IF I FOLLOW YOUR ADVICE, AND I WILL, I WOULD ONLY CROSS WITH FOUR TUBS/SUITCASES, BURIED AS MUCH AS I CAN, THANK YOU.

LAST YEAR, I CROSSED AT TECATE AND WHEN INSPECTED WITH 15, 30 GALLON PLASTIC BAGS FULL OF CLOTHING, I WAS TOLD NO USED CLOTHING AND WHEN THE INSPECTOR LOOKED AT MY TRAILER, HE ASKED ME, " HOW MANY FISHING POLES DO YOU HAVE" ? I SAID OVER 20. I SAID I DO FISH VARIOUS WAYS AND FOR VARIOUS FISH AND HE SAID I COULD ONLY BRING IN 2 ? THEY OPENED A GATE TO TURN ME AROUND BACK INTO THE STATES AND WHEN I CROSSED BACK, THE U.S. INSPECTORS UNLOADED MY TRAILER EVEN THOUGH I WAS ONLY IN MEXICO FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES ?

WENT TO TIJUANA AND WAS PASSED THROUGH SECONDARY, NO PROBLEM.

AS PER UDOWINKLER'S INQUIRY, I CARRY TOOLS, EXTRA TIRES FOR THE CAR AND TRAILER, ROD BUILDING EQUIPMENT, JIGS, LOTS OF LINE, REELS, EXTRA CLOTHING, CAMPING EQUIPMENT, VARIOUS HARD TO FIND CANNED GOODS, ETC. LOTS OF SCOTCH AND SAKE WHICH IS EXPENSIVE IN BAJA. CAN'T BUY HALF GALLONS IN BAJA, ESPECIALLY AT COSTCO, THEY ONLY CARRY QUARTS, OF SCOTCH.

I APPRECIATE YOUR WARM WELCOME TO THIS SITE.

DA RAT

bkbend - 1-13-2010 at 10:40 PM

The utility trailer will definitely increase your chances of an inspection, at least that's been my experience. Tubs might look more like camping gear than plastic bags, as long as they're not inspected. For me they've looked in the trailer, seen camping gear (including plastic tubs) and told me go go on my way. Your mileage may vary...

noproblemo2 - 1-14-2010 at 05:32 AM

Ok so we know you like to bring, "TOOLS, EXTRA TIRES FOR THE CAR AND TRAILER, ROD BUILDING EQUIPMENT, JIGS, LOTS OF LINE, REELS, EXTRA CLOTHING, CAMPING EQUIPMENT, VARIOUS HARD TO FIND CANNED GOODS, ETC. LOTS OF SCOTCH AND SAKE", however crossing with a utility trailer you most likely WILL be inspected, we cross in an RV so we "expect" to be inspected both ways crossing, so be sure to bring some extra patience, be polite to the inspecotrs and have a GREAT time with your fishing & scotch.

WELCOME ABOARD BAJA DESERT RAT

ELINVESTIG8R - 1-14-2010 at 05:47 AM

[Edited on 1-14-2010 by ELINVESTIG8R]

wessongroup - 1-14-2010 at 06:11 AM

BajaRat, welcome and hope you enjoy your visit to Baja.. you might want to change the title of your first post from "Border Inspection" to "Leaving Los Barriles" :lol:

... enjoy your Scotch and have one for me.. plastic bags, the best thing for traveling

[Edited on 1-14-2010 by wessongroup]

rts551 - 1-14-2010 at 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by udowinkler
My advice is to cross at Tecate. Least likely place you would get inspected.

Pulled over last three times there. They only wanted the registration for trailer though. Seems like a lot more inspections now

BooJumMan - 1-14-2010 at 09:33 AM

Hey Baja Rat, if you're having a problem reading the text, try this: holding the Control button on your keyboard, and rotating your rotating button on your mouse, you can increase the font size of the page. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to apply, so only do a few rotations at once.

Or you can go into "View -> Zoom In" on Firefox.

Cyanide41 - 1-14-2010 at 12:24 PM

...or put on your glasses.

no, no.... YOUR GLASSES! Save the beer (scotch) goggles for Baja.

[Edited on 1-14-2010 by Cyanide41]

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-14-2010 at 12:42 PM

O.K. - O.K. - O.K. cap lock is off - glasses are on - mouse enlargened the print - other glass is full -

thank you for the responses !

i always try and be extra patient with inspectors and am always courteous and am in no hurry going north or south.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

Barry A. - 1-14-2010 at 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BooJumMan
Hey Baja Rat, if you're having a problem reading the text, try this: holding the Control button on your keyboard, and rotating your rotating button on your mouse, you can increase the font size of the page. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to apply, so only do a few rotations at once.

Or you can go into "View -> Zoom In" on Firefox.

Wow, that really works, and I had no idea you could do that.

Thanks, BooJumMan

Barry

Debra - 1-14-2010 at 01:11 PM

Wow, I had no idea either....learn something new everyday, Thanks BooJumMan.. I'm sure all us over 50 eyes will be using that little trick.

ELINVESTIG8R - 1-14-2010 at 01:53 PM

BooJumMan Thank you! Wow!

Udo - 1-14-2010 at 03:35 PM

Hey Rat...
Nice to see another fisherperson on Nomads.
Would you U2U Pescador and Osprey? If you are coming down with fishing gear, both guys are on the way to Los Barriles and they would appreciate a fresh supply of fishing gear from the US.

Six months down south. A barrel of booze, and a trailer load of fishing gear...that should guarantee a helluva great time!

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-14-2010 at 05:18 PM

HOLA UDOWINKLER, how are you ? i don't understand ? if both guys are going to los barriles, aren't they bringing gear down ?

it'll be a great time only if the fish cooperate and as long as we don't get any big hurricanes....and....if i win at our poker games.

i haven't figured out u2u yet as i just signed on to this site. it'll take about two weeks or so. i'm kinda slow in my old age !

BIEN SALUD,

DA RAT

David K - 1-14-2010 at 05:24 PM

Just below where you read someone's post here, there are 4 buttons: Profile, Email, Find, U2U

Try them... Press U2U and it opens up a private message widow from you to THAT Nomad... When you get on Nomad or refresh the page, look up at the top right corner... If you have a message from someone (a U2U), there will be a link up there to click!

Welcome to Nomad... and thanks for turning off the CAPS (that is known as SHOUTING)... We save shouting for special circumstances! LOL (laughing out loud).

Udo - 1-14-2010 at 05:46 PM

Hello, again, Rat.
Osprey and Pescador are long time Nomad members, and I am sure their fishing gear is somewhat depleted.
They live in Baja Sur. Osprey lives in La Ribera, which is near Los Barriles. Pescador also lives down south, but I'm not sure if he wants to divulge his location...that's why I suggested you send them a U2U (upper right hand corner of your screen, in blue, and click on U2U, on the menu enter the recipient's name, one at a time). Tell them of your travel plans and ask if they need any fishing supplies. That will be a great way to make some immediate friends with some long time members.
By the way (BTW), your best fishing in Baja , by far, will be in Bahia Asunción. Get in touch with Shari and Juan. Shari has many thousand of fishing posts.
Use the search option on the board and type in fishing. Millions of posts, half of them by Shari. Also search under lure. That will bring up a master list of lures to use for specific fish.
BTW, I am in the market for some lures and other used fishing gear if you have stuff for sale.

Udo

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
HOLA UDOWINKLER, how are you ? i don't understand ? if both guys are going to los barriles, aren't they bringing gear down ?

it'll be a great time only if the fish cooperate and as long as we don't get any big hurricanes....and....if i win at our poker games.

i haven't figured out u2u yet as i just signed on to this site. it'll take about two weeks or so. i'm kinda slow in my old age !

BIEN SALUD,

DA RAT

David K - 1-15-2010 at 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Just below where you read someone's post here, there are 4 buttons: Profile, Email, Find, U2U

Try them... Press U2U and it opens up a private message widow from you to THAT Nomad... When you get on Nomad or refresh the page, look up at the top right corner... If you have a message from someone (a U2U), there will be a link up there to click!

Welcome to Nomad... and thanks for turning off the CAPS (that is known as SHOUTING)... We save shouting for special circumstances! LOL (laughing out loud).

Just wanted you all to know that Baja.Desert.Rat was successful in sending me a U2U yesterday! :light:

rts551 - 1-15-2010 at 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Just wanted you all to know that Baja.Desert.Rat was successful in sending me a U2U yesterday! :light:

very useful. Thank you

bkbend - 1-15-2010 at 01:34 PM

rts551 brought up one thing I forgot about but is worth repeating. It's a good idea to have trailer registration papers. They aren't required in Oregon for a small utility trailer, and the border folks in my case haven't cared, but I was pulled over south of Ensenada for not having plates or registration. The officer didn't care that registration wasn't required where I live but that it is required in Mexico. He wanted to confiscate the trailer or was fishing for quick compensation for his time when I remembered I did have a bill of sale and that was fortunately enough to satisfy him and get me back on the road.

DENNIS - 1-15-2010 at 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bkbend
rts551 brought up one thing I forgot about but is worth repeating. It's a good idea to have trailer registration papers.

Let me add to that, your Mexican car insurance policy won't cover your trailer as a US policy will. A seperate policy for the trailer is required.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-15-2010 at 01:48 PM

Hola bkbend and welcome to nomad, i'm also a newbie. god i hate that title !

thank you for the feedback. i do carry papers for my trailer, my car, and me and i also just carry copies of same on my person with the originals in my trailer. also color copies of my drivers license sealed in plastic, my passport and my fm3. trailer registration and plates are required in calif.

the police in mexico seem to be notorious in trying to keep driver's licenses and friends suggested to me years ago to keep a couple of color copies just in case.

i might also add that paperwork was required of a friend of mine for a kayak that he wanted to go to the mainland on the la paz ferry but was disallowed due to not having any PROPER paperwork ? he drove the entire sea of cortez coast to get there instead.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

Woooosh - 1-15-2010 at 01:49 PM

Quote:

I just learned another thing new! Worked like a charm for me. Is there a "Baja Nomads for Dummies" book out yet?

dianaji - 1-15-2010 at 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Woooosh

Quote:

I just learned another thing new! Worked like a charm for me. Is there a "Baja Nomads for Dummies" book out yet?

wow! all these years on my puter and i did not know this! thanks!

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-15-2010 at 05:15 PM

Hola dennis, thank you and i am aware as i have been getting my insurance for my car and trailer from vagabundos the past few years.

also, people may not be aware that if there is a medical emergency, even though you have insurance from the U.S. and the medical facility verifies it, they still want monies up front before they will give you treatment. i have a friend in los barriles that had a heart attack and had to front almost $ 100,000.00 cash from his atm cards and bank accounts to get treatment. it took him two years but he has so far recovered $ 80,000.00 U.S. and is still working on the rest by providing well documented paperwork to his insurance provider.

having skymed is an option but they only fly you out, they do not take care of any medical bills. there is medical insurance available in mexico but i haven't checked it out yet and i have heard that it is very expensive.

wow ! my border inspection inquiry really grew into other areas. i'm not complaining as different useful information is being desiminated.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

ELINVESTIG8R - 1-15-2010 at 05:31 PM

The following was obtained from the web site of Mexico's La Administración General de Aduanas. It's kind of hidden and you have to look real hard to find it. I guess this is what they have plans to do to all of us who cross into Mexico. Did anyone know about this?

rts551 - 1-15-2010 at 05:50 PM

ITS A CURE FOR CANCER SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE SKYMED. OOPS sorry for caps lock

Bernardo - 1-15-2010 at 11:05 PM

Get my insurance from Vagabundos also and they told me that the trailer was covered as long as it was being towed by the insured vehicle.

Other option on your household stuff through Tecate and clothes is to have some ready made receipts for the stuff. (i.e. from your computer printer). But, the booze probably won't pass the receipts test. How about buying a portapotty and dumping it into the bottom?

I went through Tecate just before Christmas with a trailer that had a car engine in it. Problem was that the top of the engine was sticking up over the top of the trailer so I had to go back to the US also and then find a customs agent - really nice people who literally did the whole thing for me including riding with me as I went through the commercial customs spot and paid my $. Weird though because I was required to empty the trailer of all other stuff (which just fit into the car - my son and wife and two dogs had to cross the border on foot!) before I drove through. Also, no cellphone use while driving through the commercial area.

The Mexican customs have definitely raised their level of sophistication of their customs operations. I have been going through there for years with nary a look but now they are really checking. But, they are very, very polite and helpful. :light:

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 1-17-2010 at 03:40 PM

Hola bernardo, thank you for the feedback. i do have insurance from vagabundos on my car and trailer as i have annually since 2004. i'm thinking about just putting the used clothing in rubbermaid tubs and basically, just take my chances although this year, i'll be taking quite a bit less clothing due to the restrictions.

i am also taking six new quad tires down so i'm pretty sure i'll have to declare them and pay the duty as well as for a bunch of other stuff. i already carry two tires for my car and two extra tires for my trailer so i'll look like a tire dealer when i cross. i'll keep all my receipts together just in case.

regarding the booze, i am going to use the blue five gallon water tanks with a plastic bag liner and then just transfer it into one gallon plastic water bottles when i get to los barriles. hopefully, they won't check to see what i have in them as lots of people bring water with them going south. unfortunately, scotch is pretty expensive in baja.

i will probably cross the border at tijuana again this year and just hope for the best.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT