BajaNomad

Mexican Duty Free Allowances

ensenada - 1-19-2010 at 07:04 AM

We have researched what the legal allowances are over the internet but keep coming up with conflicting information.

Any baja nomad info would be appreciated.

As near as can tell, when crossing in a vehicle over the border you are allowed:

-$50 each duty free (beyond the personal stuff), and
-3 liters booze (we've also seen 2 L listed).

It appears if you fly into Mexico you are allowed the same booze limit but $300 pp allowance. Is there such a difference?

Questions:

1) Does this sound right (as per above)?

2) Are there any extra allowances for FM-3 holders crossing the border in a vehicle (with respect to misc household items you might buy and bring south such as kitchen items, bedding, small appliances, etc)?

Thanks

David K - 1-19-2010 at 07:31 AM

Nomad Search (upper left corner) will land you a ton of info/ posts on this! They really don't itemize if you are on vacation (FM-T), as long as you are not bringing used clothes for donations or anything that could be sold by you in Mexico... But, if you have an FM-3 and a home down there... you are allowed a ONE TIME free crossing of your personal belongings.

Paulclark - 1-19-2010 at 07:41 AM

Also - at Christmas and Easter the drive in duty free is increased to $300.

Duty Free, I Do Declare

k-rico - 1-19-2010 at 07:41 AM

"Persons residing outside of Mexico (regardless of whether they are Mexican citizens) may bring into the country an array of personal duty-free items. Lists of the specific personal items exempted from duties are available at Mexican Customs facilities. Beyond these items, there is a $300 limit for additional duty-free items. This limit applies whether or not they arrive by land, sea or air.

Import duties of up to 20% are levied on the goods. In addition, a customs user fee (0.08) and a value-added tax (10) are levied on the imported goods.

Persons bringing a dutiable good (or goods) into Mexico have the option of classifying them under the product-specific tariff (this would involve the hiring of a customs broker) or declaring the goods under a simplified procedure and paying a total duty charge of 32.8%

These provisions can only be used for personal goods. They are not applicable for goods brought into Mexico for commercial purposes."

http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/18-common-questions-asked...

see #12

Sounds like the first $300 per person is duty free if the items are not on the duty free list.


[Edited on 1-19-2010 by k-rico]

David K - 1-19-2010 at 07:43 AM

Great link, K-rico!

k-rico - 1-19-2010 at 07:52 AM

It also sounds like the rules might be different if, like me, you reside in Mexico.

But the real answer is what the customs officer thinks.


[Edited on 1-19-2010 by k-rico]

Correct

Dave - 1-19-2010 at 08:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
It also sounds like the rules might be different if, like me, you reside in Mexico.

But the real answer is what the customs officer thinks.



According to the official aduanal website:

http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/1...

It's $75.00 per person.

k-rico - 1-19-2010 at 08:09 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
It also sounds like the rules might be different if, like me, you reside in Mexico.

But the real answer is what the customs officer thinks.



According to the official aduanal website:

http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/1...

It's $75.00 per person.


Yes but your link puts the $75 limit on "personal items." The link I posted says:

"Beyond these items, there is a $300 limit for additional duty-free items."

??????????

[Edited on 1-19-2010 by k-rico]

Don Alley - 1-19-2010 at 08:35 AM

The customs document currently (as of this last summer) passed out on airplanes allows a $300 limit, and that is what the officials at the Loreto airport enforce.

The official website says $75, and that is what my wife and I have received from the officials at the border when we've crossed by land and declared items. However, I believe the duty we paid was 15%. But this last time down, in September, aduana at the border did not want to see my proffered list of declared items and receipts, since I had no big ticket stuff like a TV. Free pass! So maybe they've changed the $75 limit?

Still, my understanding is that it's currently $300 by air and $75 by land .

Your mileage may vary. :biggrin:

k-rico - 1-19-2010 at 08:54 AM

The problem in all of this, at least to me, is the difference in "personal items" and other items.

For example, about 5 years ago my wife bought a new $500 TV in San Diego and took it back to her house in Tijuana. She took her two adult sons with her because at that time there was a $200 per person exemption from import duty fees, so in this particular instance, she had a $600 exemption. Therefore she did not have to pay an import duty.

An additional complication is that they are all Mexican citizens. I don't know if that makes a difference. If so, perhaps a FM3 holder with proof of residence, like a utility bill in his/her name, would be treated the same.


[Edited on 1-19-2010 by k-rico]

Dave - 1-19-2010 at 09:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico

An additional complication is that they are all Mexican citizens. I don't know if that makes a difference. If so, perhaps a FM3 holder with proof of residence, like a utility bill in his/her name, would be treated the same.



Aduana website used to say 'residents of Mexico'. Now it clearly states 'Mexican citizens'. Regardless, the $300 exemption expired 1/10/10.

Again, it really depends on the mood of the inspector. I challenge anyone to provide official documentation that would allow FM3/2 holders additional exemption.

DENNIS - 1-19-2010 at 10:43 AM

This continues to be one of those questions that can't be simply answered.
To make matters worse, what you read could well not back up the enforcement at the gate.
Anyway, customer attitude has more to do with all this than written regulations. We are so structured that we honestly believe there's a written rule for everything and that's the way it will be. Unfortunatly, or not, all of that logic is absent at the border.