BajaNomad

How to declare?

grace59 - 6-29-2010 at 05:18 PM

We are building a home in San Felipe. The house will have sections of dropped ceiling. In order to secure the foam sections that make up the "dropped" portion of the ceiling my husband had some 4 inch by 6 inch pieces of metal cut with a hole drilled into the center. We have about 150 of these along with anchor bolts to bolt them into the ceiling. Total cost with labor for cutting metal and drilling is about 350.00 dollars. Do we need to declare these? How do we go about doing that and what do you think the duty will be. We both have our FM3s so I understand that we can bring in a certain amount duty free. We've never had anything to declare and don't know if this is something we need to declare. Advise for what and how to do this is appreciated.
Thanks everyone, Grace

bajaguy - 6-29-2010 at 05:24 PM

Pull into the declare lane, show them the parts and your receipt.......have about 500 pesos and $50 US...........they will probably just waive you through

CortezBlue - 6-29-2010 at 09:15 PM

Well I disagree with Bajaguy.

A year ago, I would say that he is correct, however, all of the border agents have been changed out with a group of Mexico College grads that went through some serious back ground checks. They are refered to as the untouchables. They are packing and they are very serious about collection taxes.

I have been bring building equipment from Phoenix to San Felipe for the past few years and you will be charged about 15-17 percent on your receipt. Yes, you can make your own receipt and bring the price down a few bucks, let say 200 bucks.

Now, all of this being said, last week I brought a few items across the border, and as usual I stopped to pay the taxes. I owed about $50 bucks. I opened my wallet and paid the agent $50 us dallars. He looked me staright in the eye and handed me back $30 bucks.

I told him, know I want paperwork. He pointed at the door and in a stern voice said
"GO"



However, if you get stopped and dont have the paperwork, you could have issues.

I always try to be legal but sometimes it is impossible

bajaguy - 6-29-2010 at 09:24 PM

my thoughts/suggestion was to declare, show the receipt and be prepared to pay.....either in US Dollars or pesos

fishabductor - 6-29-2010 at 09:44 PM

How much space do all these parts take up? if it's a small box, I'd just pile on abunch of things that make you look like a tourist. Surfboards, tents, backpacks, suitcases etc. If you look the part, you probably won't get stopped. However if you are pulling a trailer...you will be stopped.

grace59 - 6-29-2010 at 10:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishabductor
How much space do all these parts take up? if it's a small box, I'd just pile on abunch of things that make you look like a tourist. Surfboards, tents, backpacks, suitcases etc. If you look the part, you probably won't get stopped. However if you are pulling a trailer...you will be stopped.

They don't take up a bunch of space. Just a bunch of 4x6inch pieces of metals with a center drilled hole for attaching foam to the ceiling. My husband has them at the bottom of two 5 gallon buckets (while they don't take much space they are heavy to lift all together). We just don't want them taken away because that would delay construction and we might not have another chance to drive all the way down this summer. Will we be taxed on the full amount or on the amount over what we are allowed with our fm3s? We won't be pulling a trailer. They will just be in the bed of the truck or on the floor in the back seat.

[Edited on 6-30-2010 by grace59]

[Edited on 6-30-2010 by grace59]

Bob and Susan - 6-30-2010 at 06:36 AM

don't smuggle them

just go to secondary...

don't show a receipt unless necessary

let the border guy estimate the value

then pay if necessary

it will be a very small amount

fandango - 6-30-2010 at 08:24 AM

grace59:

stop and declare. most likely you will not pay anything. i have taken lots of things down and always stop to declare. i have yet to pay. (crosses fingers)
some of the things i have taken, each a separate trip:
screen door
10 4x4x5
2 new truck tires
2 new truck tires
4 4x4x8
sofa
sofa
2 6' chain link gates
metal roofing panels 8'
6 2x6x8

since the new agents have been there i have been asked each time how i got in that area. they wanted to know if i was sent there by their colleagues or did i drive in through the declare lane. seems to me that if you get diverted there you will definately pay.