BajaNomad

Bringing gas into Mexico

ejs - 3-23-2010 at 04:29 PM

My son only has one tank in his truck so filled up a 20 gallon container with gas and put in the bed of his truck. They turned him back at the border and he had to come bak home and leave it. Has this been the status quo for ahwhile? I felt bad as I encouraged him to bring it with.

bajaguy - 3-23-2010 at 04:34 PM

Yup, it's the "rules". Besides, gas is cheaper in Baja

El Jefe - 3-23-2010 at 04:35 PM

Yes, bringing filled gas cans into Mexico has been a no-no for some time. Better option is to fill the can after you cross into Mex. And use it up before you cross back over. An empty can is safer to travel with.

rts551 - 3-23-2010 at 04:45 PM

why was one tank a worry. most mexican cars only have one tank

Paulina - 3-23-2010 at 08:14 PM

We used to bring in quite a few jerry cans of fuel because the Pemex stations were few and far between and even then there were times when the availability/quality of fuel was iffy at best.

I remember when the "rule" at the border crossing started. The first time I got away with my cans because the agent couldn't show me the new law in writing.

The second time I tried it I was flatly refused, no rule in writing - didn't matter. I was told to either go back to the U.S. and rent a storage facility or "pour it all down the drain". I don't know if it was my ranting that storage in the states wouldn't allow me to store fuel or how pouring it down the drain was bad for the environment, or the fact that I argued long enough for my toddler in the truck to become inpatient and start to fuss. I finally got a huff and a puff from the guy and he let me go.

I never tried it the third time.

Smuggling gas makes little sense now, but back in the day it was the only way to make sure I could get back home.

P<*)))>{

DENNIS - 3-24-2010 at 04:31 AM

They can be the same way with unmounted tires. Just plain nasty.
Somebody posted the other day that they got the ol' "do you want a receipt" option for a truck load of imported goods while entering through Otay. I guess things are getting back to normal.

Propane anyone?

Fred-o - 3-24-2010 at 08:44 AM

I bought two 25 gal propane tanks from Craigs List, and they have some propane still in them. Any rule on that?

I have not gone up to get them yet, but maybe I should just open the valves and let the gas escape into the atmosphere, rather than get hasseled at the border. Don't know how else to get rid of it.

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions?

XRPhlang - 3-24-2010 at 09:02 AM

Whatever you do, please do not carelessly let the gas simply fly into the environment. There's got to be a solution. Can you swap the tanks with someone that can use the gas.

Letting the gas go as an answer to Mexico's import policies is a bit short- sided in my opinion.

Maybe you could pay import duty at the border.

dzrtracer - 3-24-2010 at 09:10 AM

On propane tanks, make a reciept. I did the same thing with two used propane tanks and got stopped and one time I hadn't made up a receipt they use the book with retail value to calculate the tax, not good for free tanks. The checking used to a little more random in Mexicalli, about 3 years ago I took down a 1300 gallon water tank I got cheap in the US they didn't even ask me to stop.

David K - 3-24-2010 at 09:39 AM

Inspector at the Tecate border checked my empty red gas can to make sure it was empty... and then opened my full blue water can and sniffed to make sure it wasn't gasoline! This was in late 2001...

Yes, the rule has been enforced for awhile... if you get the red light and they check!

Responible Disposal of Propane ?

MrBillM - 3-24-2010 at 09:54 AM

This only applies to propane in old tanks that you are getting rid of, but I've found the BEST disposal method is a rifle round at long distance in open desert where fire isn't a consideration.

It IS spectacular. AND satisfying.

DianaT - 3-24-2010 at 10:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by XRPhlang
Whatever you do, please do not carelessly let the gas simply fly into the environment. There's got to be a solution. Can you swap the tanks with someone that can use the gas.

Letting the gas go as an answer to Mexico's import policies is a bit short- sided in my opinion.

Maybe you could pay import duty at the border.


OK, a minor hijack here---but I think the original question has been answered.

So, how can someone responsibly get rid of propane out of a tank? A friend asked us to get his little 3 gallon tank filled once---no way to fill it in our town.

But after we had it filled, we discovered it leaked. We were not near a town by this time. So, we could have just left it in the desert somewhere, or blow it up Mr. Bill style, or travel with it leaking in the back of our truck which had a camper shell on it at that time.

Instead, we pulled drove up a dirt road and opened the value and let all the gas out. We were not happy about it, but not sure what else we could have done????

Was there another way we could have disposed of the gas??

Thanks

DENNIS - 3-24-2010 at 11:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fred-o
I have not gone up to get them yet, but maybe I should just open the valves and let the gas escape into the atmosphere, rather than get hasseled at the border. Don't know how else to get rid of it.




Just tell them, should they ask, the tanks are for your bbq. If they do ask, it'll be a first that I've ever heard of.
Just remember, Fred, the dumber you can act at the border, the less you're responsible for. When face to face with an inspector, I've found drooling will help the exchange.
Idiotic grinning is another technique. :lol:

postholedigger - 3-24-2010 at 04:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
When face to face with an inspector, I've found drooling will help the exchange.
Idiotic grinning is another technique. :lol:


Yeah, the first couple of times I got stopped while crossing, they jabbered away at me rattling off some questions. At the time, I had zero working knowledge of Spanish so I just put on a big idiotic grin, nodded, and said "SI!" The guards looked at me quizzically and motioned for me to get out of there.

I've brought a Craig's List BBQ down with a full tank of gas strapped to the back of a pick up. Didn't get a second look.

Propane Anyone?

Fred-o - 3-25-2010 at 06:36 PM

Hey Dennis, I do all of those things without trying.

No one has given me an alterntive. They Just say: "don't do it".

I guess no one has experienced the problem. I don't mind paying the duty on the tanks and the propane, and won't even try to avoid it,,,,But what I don't want is to be turned around at the border with them telling me I can't import it, and can't let it escape.

I think there is about 10 gals in one of the tanks and the other is empty.

Is Mexico a great country, or what?

Dave - 3-26-2010 at 08:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Inspector at the Tecate border checked my empty red gas can to make sure it was empty... and then opened my full blue water can and sniffed to make sure it wasn't gasoline! This was in late 2001...

Yes, the rule has been enforced for awhile... if you get the red light and they check!


Crossed last night at SY and got a red light. I was carrying a 2gl container of gas as well as a case of wine and 4 bottles of liquor...Also frozen chicken. The inspector rummaged through the truck then smiled and told me I could pass.

Go figure. :rolleyes:

David K - 3-26-2010 at 04:45 PM

It is a law of choice... whatever law the officer chooses to enforce!

DENNIS - 3-26-2010 at 05:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave

Crossed last night at SY and got a red light. I was carrying a case of wine and 4 bottles of liquor...Also frozen chicken. The inspector rummaged through the truck then smiled and told me I could pass.

Go figure. :rolleyes:


I think he was waiting for a dinner invitation. You wanna tell us a little bit more about that smile? :biggrin:

Actually

Dave - 3-26-2010 at 05:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS

I think he was waiting for a dinner invitation. You wanna tell us a little bit more about that smile? :biggrin:


It was a she. Pretty smile...Even my girlfriend mentioned it.:rolleyes:

woody with a view - 3-26-2010 at 05:41 PM

i usually LEAVE baja with gas. you know what i mean?

Pappy Jon - 3-27-2010 at 03:01 PM

I've never had a problem with 5 gallons on my rear bumper. I always cross full, 17 gallons in the truck, 14 gallons in the aux tank, and 5 gallons on the bumper. Maybe next time I'll cross with just enough to get me to San Felipe.

racingjason - 3-30-2010 at 08:54 AM

Being that this will be our first time going to Baja I just want to make sure things are going to go right. So... should I make sure my jerry can (which is actually diesel not gas) is empty as well as the propane bottles on my trailer? Is it fairly easy to get propane bottles filled in Baja? Am I allowed to bring in one of those 1lb bottles as a spare for the stove until we fill the tanks?

Thanks for the help,
Jason

DENNIS - 3-30-2010 at 09:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by racingjason
Being that this will be our first time going to Baja I just want to make sure things are going to go right. So... should I make sure my jerry can (which is actually diesel not gas) is empty as well as the propane bottles on my trailer? Is it fairly easy to get propane bottles filled in Baja? Am I allowed to bring in one of those 1lb bottles as a spare for the stove until we fill the tanks?

Thanks for the help,
Jason


Jason....Don't worry about the propane any more than you would worry about the fuel in your tank. It's OK to bring in enough for personal use.
When your tanks run dry, yes you can get it here.

Relax....Enjoy Baja.


Let me add, I've been down here for a loooong time and have never even heard of anyone being hasseled at the border for propane. Never.

[Edited on 3-30-2010 by DENNIS]

David K - 3-30-2010 at 09:17 AM

It is gasoline that is the issue... because of government controlled Pemex not wanting any competition (ie. socialized auto fuel).

If you cannot make the 200 mile section from El Rosario to Villa Jesus Maria, then bring an empty can and fill it in El Rosario. Gas is also sold at L.A. Bay at 2 Pemex stations there... and by independent businessmen out of cans at Cataviņa (76 miles from El Rosario) and the L.A. Bay junction, 60 miles from Cataviņa.

racingjason - 3-30-2010 at 09:26 AM

Very good, thanks guys.

J

durrelllrobert - 3-30-2010 at 10:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by rts551
why was one tank a worry. most mexican cars only have one tank

Your right. I passed a southbound baja plated VW at SY with a 5 gal can of gas strapped to the top of car with a hose running directly to the engine:O

DENNIS - 3-30-2010 at 10:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Your right. I passed a southbound baja plated VW at SY with a 5 gal can of gas strapped to the top of car with a hose running directly to the engine:O


Gravity is God's fuel pump. :lol:

DeMinimis - 3-31-2010 at 12:07 PM

Semi-hijack: Our camper has 2 20 pound propane tanks. Bought another one at Wal-Hell and filled it up before we crossed into Baja just in case. Red-lighted at TJ and not a word was mentioned about the extra brand new tank just sitting in the bano. Perhaps when others had issues it was the large non-BBQ tanks?? I knew about bringing vehicle fuel into the country, but it didn't even dawn on me that propane might be an issue????

DENNIS - 3-31-2010 at 12:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DeMinimis
Perhaps when others had issues it was the large non-BBQ tanks?? I knew about bringing vehicle fuel into the country, but it didn't even dawn on me that propane might be an issue????


Nobody has had propane issues.
Propane isn't on the chitlist.
Propane is OK.
You can bring propane from the states.
Propane is good.
Propane is acceptable.
Propane is not gasolene.
Gasolene is bad.
Gasolene is unaccptable.
Gasolene is way up on the chitlist.
Don't bring extra gasolene or diesel fuel.
blahblahblah.......etc.
AMEN

Dave - 3-31-2010 at 12:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Nobody has had propane issues.
Propane isn't on the chitlist.
Propane is OK.
You can bring propane from the states.
Propane is good.
Propane is acceptable.
Propane is not gasolene.


But...

Propane is way cheaper in Mexico.

DeMinimis - 3-31-2010 at 01:10 PM

Thanks for the input Dennis. A wordsmith you are.:D