BajaNomad - Bringing a new TV across the border

Bringing a new TV across the border

karmatourer - 12-14-2010 at 03:22 PM

If I ask someone to bring a new TV across the border down to Cabo,are there any issues if they are stopped for any reason?I don't want them to get sideways with the Federales.
It will be a 32" TV purchased at Costco.(BTW,Costco has the 32" Vizio on sale until 12/26 for $299.99)
Also,what would be considered a fair price to bring the TV to Cabo?The TV will be in an unopened box and I will have a sales receipt verifying purchase.The person bringing it will be traveling with a travel trailer if that makes any difference.
Thanks in advance.

Oggie - 12-14-2010 at 03:25 PM

If stopped at the border expect to pay a 35% duty on electronics.

DENNIS - 12-14-2010 at 03:30 PM

Issues...yes. If it's new, like in the box, or if it smells new or does anything new, they will have to pay duty on it.
These border agents are pretty sharp. It's not easy to pull the wool over their eyes any more.

You may want to consider biting the bullet and volunteer the duty. Then....drive on down the road to Cabo wondering what would have happened had you not.

DENNIS - 12-14-2010 at 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oggie
If stopped at the border expect to pay a 35% duty on electronics.

WOW....that much?? They may want to work on that receipt a little.

Hook - 12-14-2010 at 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Oggie
If stopped at the border expect to pay a 35% duty on electronics.

WOW....that much?? They may want to work on that receipt a little.

Good luck getting them to accept a price lower than 299.00. Just pay the duty on that amount.

DENNIS - 12-14-2010 at 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hook
Good luck getting them to accept a price lower than 299.00. Just pay the duty on that amount.

Add a third and they may as well buy the same thing down south.
I guess that's the desired result anyway.

35%??? Really ??

Yackie - 12-14-2010 at 04:17 PM

Hello folks, I guess they aren't offering the same deal at the Costco in Cabo, huh? My experience with paying duty on anything at the border has been a max of 15%and each individual is given a 75$ allowance for taxable merchandise. If your friends are coming in a travel trailer, take it out of the darn box, set it up in the trailer, and they will assume it is part of the furnishings and will be returning north. But have that receipt handy anyways, Good Luck 7 Merry Christmas

bajalera - 12-14-2010 at 04:21 PM

I once declared a TV, a cheapo $l00-or-so model, that the Customs guy asked to see. When it was finally uncovered at the bottom of our stuff, he took one look, made a sneering little puff, and waved us on. Duties apparently have minimum standards.

24baja - 12-14-2010 at 04:44 PM

We were stopped in October with a 32" tv loaded in the truck towards the front of the bed, we were partially searched and was not charged $ for anything we brought in, including the 18 sheets plywood in the bed, all she wanted to talk about was a tax on the freezer in the back and after I explained that we use it to bring the fish back frozen she let us pass through....boy were we lucky! Good luck!

DENNIS - 12-14-2010 at 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yackie
Hello folks, I guess they aren't offering the same deal at the Costco in Cabo, huh?

No. Not quite. If you haven't been a customer in the US type Big Box stores down here, you're in for an eye-opener. You'll never again say a mean word about those stateside stores again.

BajaBlanca - 12-14-2010 at 05:07 PM

"you're in for an eye-opener. You'll never again say a mean word about those stateside stores again. "

Ain't that the truth .....

Go Figure

Dave - 12-14-2010 at 06:07 PM

Several years ago, I bought a large flat screen on closeout at a substantial discount. Had it delivered to my mail drop and drove it down. Customs would NOT believe the genuine receipt. Said there was NO WAY I could have bought it at that price. I haggled a bit but we couldn't agree on a fair number. Finally I decided $crew this and said, "send me back." Waited a few hours for shift change and just drove it through.

mulegemichael - 12-14-2010 at 06:30 PM

we brought down a 52" flatscreen last year...consequently, it was loaded waaaay forward and low and i forgot about declaring it until it was too late..when i got to mulege and found it at the bottom of the heap...darn...i live with guilt.

wornout - 12-14-2010 at 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by karmatourer
....The person bringing it will be traveling with a travel trailer if that makes any difference.
Thanks in advance.

Open the box, put it in the travel trailer and cross the border. I travel out of San Felipe for four months a year in Calif, AZ, NM and when we cross back in to Baja, they look in but never say a thing. I have two computers, two monitors, and two TV's in the trailer. Never been asked for a receipt and only one time in 12 years was I asked for a registration. The travel trailer is the key along with taking it out of the box. Fold the box up and put the cardboard under the bed mattress if you want to keep it. The last 32 inch TV was sitting on the floor next to the bed with pillows around it so it wouldn't move. I have been told they assume you will haul it out when you leave. I get more new TV's down here that way.

BajaGringo - 12-14-2010 at 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
35%??? Really ??

We brought down a 50" flat screen a year or so ago, stopped and declared it. Don't remember the exact duty rate but it was no where near 35%...

DavidE - 12-14-2010 at 09:57 PM

Hard core shopping a year ago:

COSTCO ONLINE LG LCD television $299.00

COSTCO MORELIA (same tv) $4,840.00 pesos + 16% IVA

You pay tax (it's higher on the mainland) an any big box or supermarket store)

Don't drive through on the nothing to declare lane, they have the right to stop you, search you, estimate the worth of smuggled items, and charge you 3X the estimated value of the merchandise, after you pay, they keep it, and if you don't pay you lose your motor vehicle and everything in it. I am certain of these facts.

I go through the delcare lane (I'm going to do this again in a couple of weeks), shake the aduanero's hand wish him a buenas dias, and then say I am a little confused about what I have to pay duty on. They will deal if you remain friendly and polite. Their deal is not mordida but a reduction or even cancellation of duty.

Bob and Susan - 12-15-2010 at 06:25 AM

you pay tax in baja too...11%

the tax is added into the shelf price

when i get my factura at home depot in ensenada
the tax is separated out

davide has the correct advice to cross the tv
just show the border guys what you have
once in secondary...you can always go home if unhappy with the price

forget the advice to "just drive in"

that's very risky these days

[Edited on 12-15-2010 by Bob and Susan]

karmatourer - 12-15-2010 at 09:34 AM

Thanks for the myriad of replies.I erred in the original post when I stated it was a travel trailer.It is indeed a large motorhome,if that makes a difference. :rolleyes:

Any idea what a fair amount would be to compensate the driver for the service?

elgatoloco - 12-15-2010 at 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by karmatourer
Any idea what a fair amount would be to compensate the driver for the service?

Case of Noche Buena and a bottle of good tequila :dudette:

DENNIS - 12-15-2010 at 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by karmatourer
Any idea what a fair amount would be to compensate the driver for the service?

He must be a friend. Treat him right for doing you a favor. Buy him some gas or something.
If you're just going to flat out hire the guy, the two of you should discuss this.

mtgoat666 - 12-15-2010 at 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by karmatourer
Thanks for the myriad of replies.I erred in the original post when I stated it was a travel trailer.It is indeed a large motorhome,if that makes a difference. :rolleyes:

Any idea what a fair amount would be to compensate the driver for the service?

$200 to $300 would be going rate for courier delivery of a large parcel like TV. You could probably pay less if you used a shipper or parcel service

Bajahowodd - 12-15-2010 at 03:31 PM

But, then, aren't you getting to or past the point of the bargain price NOB v. buying it in Cabo? Isn't Walmart a big Vizio retailer? Just thinking, someone is looking at cost of fuel, wear and tear, etc. Seems to me it's different for folks living up in the border zone. But what is proposed here is a shipment of 1000 miles.

DENNIS - 12-15-2010 at 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
But what is proposed here is a shipment of 1000 miles.

It's hard for me to see this as a freight issue. I'm betting the MoHo is making the trip anyway.

Bajahowodd - 12-15-2010 at 04:56 PM

Wasn't quite sure what was ultimately going to happen. However, if it was me, there would be another consideration to factor in. Keeping in mind that someone like yourself is fairly close to the border. What happens when you get this TV all the way down to Cabo and it doesn't work, or is damaged in some way? Just seems to me that it's worth a certain amount for peace of mind knowing you can just take the thing back to a local merchant.

karenintx - 12-15-2010 at 04:57 PM

Hopefully this information will be helpful. We live in Cabo almost full time...8-9 months a year and have bought a TV @ Costco here and a TV @ Costco in San Diego which was shipped to Cabo via Aliser Imports.

Yes, you can find any size TV and some brand names @ Costco in Cabo. According to my husband...it may be last year's model or it may not have "all the bells and whistles" you would want. Must be a guy thing as I only care if the TV works!

Last week a friend bought a 32 inch Toshiba @ Costco for 5,700 pesos...it was on sale. Two months before that they bought a 26 inch Toshiba @ City Club for 5,500 pesos. You will find that electronics cost about 30% more here...must be the cost of tranportation and tax/duty.

If you are going to buy in the USA I would suggest buying @ Costco. Reason I say that is about six years ago one of our neighbors bought a TV @ Costco in San Diego then had it shipped to Cabo. Within a year of purchase the TV developed a big ugly yellow line in the middle of the sceen. He took the TV and the receipt to the Costco here in Cabo and the manager offered his money back or a new TV. John picked out a newer, bigger TV (prices go down fast on electronics) and after all the paperwork was completed the manager handed John enough pesos that he bought my husband and himself a drink at the bar after they finished moving the new TV into John's casa.

As far as Wal-Mart here in Cabo I have not looked at the TV selection they have in their store. I do know the Wal-Mart here is not as "return friendly" as the Wal-Marts in the USA. The one time I returned an item I didn't need the manager was called over and he asked me all kinds of questions. On the other hand Costco's return policy is the same as the USA...no questions asked. Actually this past January we returned a bottle of champagne without the receipt...they looked it up in their computer.

Bajahowodd - 12-16-2010 at 01:43 PM

Very interesting. I think policy is different chain by chain depending upon the actual ownership contract language. Each retailer operating in Mexico has Mexican ownership, usually at least 51%. To say the least, since Costco Mexico is 51% owned by Comercial Mexicana, Costco USA must have some explicit agreement with the Mexican entity.

karmatourer - 12-16-2010 at 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by karmatourer
Any idea what a fair amount would be to compensate the driver for the service?

He must be a friend. Treat him right for doing you a favor. Buy him some gas or something.
If you're just going to flat out hire the guy, the two of you should discuss this.

Thanks for the input.Actually he's someone I contacted here that was heading south.If he were a friend,I wouldn't have posted here asking what I should pay.I will be very happy to help him with gas money,ect.

CortezBlue - 12-16-2010 at 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oggie
If stopped at the border expect to pay a 35% duty on electronics.

WHAT!!

No way.

I brought a 47" Sharp flat panel in and paid taxes on it and it was 15%, it may have gone up to 17% now. I go between Phx and San Felipe about 1 to 2 times per month and normally bring "stuff" in all the time. I almost always stop and pay my taxes on it and have never had anyone ask for 35%

Also, sometimes I will take electronics out of the carton and wrap them to look as if they are used.

DENNIS - 12-16-2010 at 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue
Also, sometimes I will take electronics out of the carton and wrap them to look as if they are used.

Did you do that with the 47" Sharp Flat Panel??
Just curious.

karmatourer - 12-20-2010 at 03:41 PM

I want to take this opportunity to than karenintx on this forum for taking the time during her Saturday visit to Costco to price Tvs for me.Once again,she went above and beyond in her effort and I am very grateful.
Many thanjs Karen. :yes:

Quote:

Originally posted by karenintx
Hopefully this information will be helpful. We live in Cabo almost full time...8-9 months a year and have bought a TV @ Costco here and a TV @ Costco in San Diego which was shipped to Cabo via Aliser Imports.

Yes, you can find any size TV and some brand names @ Costco in Cabo. According to my husband...it may be last year's model or it may not have "all the bells and whistles" you would want. Must be a guy thing as I only care if the TV works!

Last week a friend bought a 32 inch Toshiba @ Costco for 5,700 pesos...it was on sale. Two months before that they bought a 26 inch Toshiba @ City Club for 5,500 pesos. You will find that electronics cost about 30% more here...must be the cost of tranportation and tax/duty.

If you are going to buy in the USA I would suggest buying @ Costco. Reason I say that is about six years ago one of our neighbors bought a TV @ Costco in San Diego then had it shipped to Cabo. Within a year of purchase the TV developed a big ugly yellow line in the middle of the sceen. He took the TV and the receipt to the Costco here in Cabo and the manager offered his money back or a new TV. John picked out a newer, bigger TV (prices go down fast on electronics) and after all the paperwork was completed the manager handed John enough pesos that he bought my husband and himself a drink at the bar after they finished moving the new TV into John's casa.

As far as Wal-Mart here in Cabo I have not looked at the TV selection they have in their store. I do know the Wal-Mart here is not as "return friendly" as the Wal-Marts in the USA. The one time I returned an item I didn't need the manager was called over and he asked me all kinds of questions. On the other hand Costco's return policy is the same as the USA...no questions asked. Actually this past January we returned a bottle of champagne without the receipt...they looked it up in their computer.

durrelllrobert - 12-20-2010 at 04:44 PM

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%

A value added tax (VAT) is also added by Mexican authorities which is normally 16 percent of the value of the goods. VAT for goods staying within the border zone (up to 20 kilometers south of the U.S. border) is 11 percent. There is also a customs processing fee of 0.8 percent.

These provisions can only be used for personal goods. They are not applicable for goods brought into Mexico for commercial purposes.
This article is electronically reproduced
with permission from the
Mexico 2000 Business Directory (Click for more info.) .
Your Passport to Mexican Business.

Published or Updated on: February 16, 2007 by Mexico Data On-Line © 2008

Anti-dumping
•Mexico uses anti-dumping measures when determining duty rates on certain products (such as textile goods) from certain countries. This brings the price closer to the "normal value" of the good. This has been known to result in rates up to 1,105 percent. This is to protect Mexican domestic industry.

Trade Agreements
•Goods which are produced in either Mexico, the United States or Canada will not have import taxes levied on them by Mexican authorities. This is in accordance with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Any goods that do not have visible evidence of where they were produced are also exempt under this act. Mexico also has specific trade agreements with reduced tariffs for good produced in Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, the European Community, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Nicaragua, Norway, Switzerland, Uruguay, the U.S. and Venezuela.
NOTE THAT CHINA IS NOT ON LIST

Duty Rate & VAT Calculation
•Goods imported to Mexico are subject to an eight-digit classification system, which determines the duty rate and establishes any applicable non-tariff barriers such as quotas or other restrictions. These applicable duties and taxes can be paid at commercial banks locates at the Mexican port of entry.
www.ehow.com › Legal › Government Law › US Customs

karenintx - 12-20-2010 at 08:37 PM

You are too kind...it was my pleasure and glad I could help out.