BajaNomad - Used clothes to Mexico

Used clothes to Mexico

Reeljob - 3-26-2010 at 07:36 AM

Does anyone still take cleanused clothes to Mexico (Baja) to give away to needy people and orphanages?

We used to load the plane and haul them down, but last time thru Guymas the nice lady said no more.

DENNIS - 3-26-2010 at 07:40 AM

Small amounts...no problem. Large amounts.....they don't like that. They're reasoning is worse than ridiculous so I won't get into it.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 3-26-2010 at 11:59 AM

Hola, last year, i was turned away at tecate with 3/4 of my 5' X 8' utility trailer full of blue plastic 30 gal bags of used clothes. the customs agent said i could only bring in new clothes with receipts so i could pay the mordida, errr, import fees. went to tijuana and the inspector had me open my trailer and i just told her that it was for friends and family that were flying down for a couple of months and she just let me go.

this year, i put clothes in big boxes and stuffed them in the front of my trailer. as luck would have it, i just got the green lite at tecate at 6:30 a.m.

i have heard their reasoning is if we bring in clothes to give away, the people will not go out and buy them and it is bad for the mexican clothing dealers. makes sense ! but, the people i give it to can't afford to go out and buy new clothes anyway.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

Bajahowodd - 3-26-2010 at 12:09 PM

It's the Segundas. They aren't worried about free clothing. They're worried that you're going to sell them.

DianaT - 3-26-2010 at 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reeljob
Does anyone still take cleanused clothes to Mexico (Baja) to give away to needy people and orphanages?

We used to load the plane and haul them down, but last time thru Guymas the nice lady said no more.

Not sure it will work on an airplane with limited space, but we just pack the clothes in our duffle bags with a little of our own clothing in each bag---we just mix it up.

Skeet/Loreto - 3-26-2010 at 12:45 PM

DianaT

For several years now, after gettin stopped at the Border I started putting the clothes in old used Suitcases that I pick up for nothing at the Goodwill or Yard Sales.

Just took a pickup load covered with a sleeping bag, the the guy did not even look when he saw the first row of Suitcase.

The Director of the General Hospital in Cuidad Constitution will accpet all Clothes and will get them to the poor in the area. Warm Jackets are Great anything that will fit 3 to 13.

Just tell them you are delivering them for the "Warm Jackets for Cold Kids Program" They will unload the suitcase if you want to take them back for another load.

Thank You

Skeet

BajaBlanca - 3-26-2010 at 01:03 PM

We have been doing to the same thing - all clothes go into suitcases as if they were ours. I am sure 2 people with 10 suitcases may seem like a lot, but they haven't hassled us at all after we started doing it.

DianaT - 3-26-2010 at 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
DianaT

For several years now, after gettin stopped at the Border I started putting the clothes in old used Suitcases that I pick up for nothing at the Goodwill or Yard Sales.

Just took a pickup load covered with a sleeping bag, the the guy did not even look when he saw the first row of Suitcase.

The Director of the General Hospital in Cuidad Constitution will accpet all Clothes and will get them to the poor in the area. Warm Jackets are Great anything that will fit 3 to 13.

Just tell them you are delivering them for the "Warm Jackets for Cold Kids Program" They will unload the suitcase if you want to take them back for another load.

Thank You

Skeet

Yes, the old suitcase idea is a good one, but we still like to throw a few things of ours on top----things like undergarments discourage close inspections. :lol:

If we make it back down to Constitution we will remember your Warm Children program---it is a good one.

It is always good to be a little careful with whom donations are left---they do not always make to where one intended. Often the local priest is a good place---one we like to use.

Also, when looking at orphanages, do check around and look at some of the smaller ones. For example, where my sister lives in Vicente Guerrero there is a well known large orphanage, and it is a good one. However, because they are well known, they receive lots of donations. So my sister and some others tend help support one of the smaller groups---also a good group, but just not as well knows.

We learned many years ago to never use the word donation when crossing the border.

Donjulio - 3-26-2010 at 01:36 PM

We have people bringing us clothes all the time without incident. Just had one friend donate 18 bags and another 5 huge bags. They werent questioned about them at the Mexicali border. We need them. Please be creative and find a way to get them through.

KAT54 - 3-26-2010 at 03:44 PM

Is not that smuggeling?

DENNIS - 3-26-2010 at 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Donjulio
We have people bringing us clothes all the time without incident. Just had one friend donate 18 bags and another 5 huge bags. They werent questioned about them at the Mexicali border. We need them. Please be creative and find a way to get them through.

Ohh, C'mon....A trip to Target every now and then will keep you looking sharp. :lol:

nbacc - 3-26-2010 at 10:32 PM

I go through my school's lost and found each year at the end of the year and pick out the things that are in good shape for kids and stick them in suitcases and black trashbags...going through Mexicali I have never been questioned. I would caution people against bringing too much at one time though as I know people who have been questioned. Just answer the question correctly if you don't get the green light!

Marie-Rose - 3-28-2010 at 07:23 AM

My experience with the ranch people is that they also need over sized clothing for adults.(especially women's clothing... sweaters, jeans)
The children seem to have decent clothing (other than warm coats) and if there is need... the parents will provide for the kids first.

DianaT - 3-28-2010 at 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marie-Rose
My experience with the ranch people is that they also need over sized clothing for adults.(especially women's clothing... sweaters, jeans)
The children seem to have decent clothing (other than warm coats) and if there is need... the parents will provide for the kids first.

Very good point---

jodiego - 3-29-2010 at 07:54 AM

When crossing the border last month on our way south for a camping trip, we were directed to secondary even though we got a green light. A young lady asked us in spanish if we had "ropas". My limited knowledge included knowing that "ropas" means clothes, so I responded "si". Without blinking an eye, she directed us over to the inspection area. After sitting there for about 20 minutes, another lady approached us and asked about the clothing. When we explained that the clothing we had was our own, she smiled and told us we could be on our way. My biggest fear when we went to secondary was that we were going to have to unload the truck that took us two days to cram stuff into. Thankfully, that did not happen. Keep that in mind when asked about "ropas".

durrelllrobert - 3-29-2010 at 10:44 AM

Quote:

Not sure it will work on an airplane with limited space, but we just pack the clothes in our duffle bags with a little of our own clothing in each bag---we just mix it up.

Nice of you to confess but just remember that Mexican Customs monitors this site :lol:

DianaT - 3-29-2010 at 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Not sure it will work on an airplane with limited space, but we just pack the clothes in our duffle bags with a little of our own clothing in each bag---we just mix it up.

Nice of you to confess but just remember that Mexican Customs monitors this site :lol:

OH NO, say it isn't so---- :lol:

durrelllrobert - 3-30-2010 at 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

Nice of you to confess but just remember that Mexican Customs monitors this site :lol:

OH NO, say it isn't so---- :lol:

OK, IT ISN"T SO ... :lol: