BajaNomad - Crossing with Food

Crossing with Food

SoCal-Bob - 2-4-2011 at 12:42 PM

Has anyone been hasseled lately (or ever) about bringing food with them from the US to Mexico?

I travel with groups, so we usually bring supplies to make a meal or two instead of eating out. We have never been questioned over the food we bring. The last time I went in December the border person waived us to inspection, opened the door looked in but did not inspect our cooler or bags of food.

A friend mentioned in the last two months being stopped and fined for bringing food across. (I'm still trying to get the details about that incident.) I believe they crossed at San Ysidro.

Is it the type of food or quantity that the border checkers will balk at? Has something changed in the last few months that they are now checking more closely?

thanks

DENNIS - 2-4-2011 at 12:46 PM

You won't have any problems going into Mexico unless you have a semi full of food. They don't care.

On the other hand, our government does care about many items So many, it's ridiculous.
So....when you go back up, know what's allowed. I think there's an official list. Someone may put it up here.

David K - 2-4-2011 at 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
You won't have any problems going into Mexico unless you have a semi full of food. They don't care.

On the other hand, our government does care about many items So many, it's ridiculous.
So....when you go back up, know what's allowed. I think there's an official list. Someone may put it up here.

Dennis is correct... going into Mexico take what you need to live on while camping if you wish.

Coming north... just try and use up or give away anything you brought down!

Specially ANY KIND OF PORK/HAM, ORANGES, DOG FOOD... and excess dirt on or under your car (find a car wash before coming back).

Here is the list from almost 10 years ago, but is probably the same for the majority (close up below):

SO: All vegetables are okay except POTATOES, YAMS, & SWEET POTATOES

Only some fruit is okay... but many popular ones are allowed (sour limes, lemons, papayas, bananas, grapes, dates, melons, pineapples, strawberries).

However, you must declare everything to the agent.. and there is a good chance he won't know the list and will send you to secondary... (like when we had sour limes once).

Californians cannot bring back more than 1 qt. (liter) of booze or wine (or 3 cans of beer) per person 21 yrs. +.

No Fireworks of any kind...

So, just bring back your sun tans and memories!

[Edited on 2-4-2011 by David K]

sanquintinsince73 - 2-4-2011 at 01:20 PM

Not only did they take our eggs, but they made us break them and put them in a plastic bag and carry them ourselves to the trash can. That was going into Mexico.

DENNIS - 2-4-2011 at 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Not only did they take our eggs, but they made us break them and put them in a plastic bag and carry them ourselves to the trash can. That was going into Mexico.

WOW...That's a little much. I guess you're lucky you didn't have to cook omelets for them.

sanquintinsince73 - 2-4-2011 at 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

WOW...That's a little much. I guess you're lucky you didn't have to cook omelets for them.

Yeah, thats why I wrote the song "I left my huevos in Mexico".

BigOly - 2-4-2011 at 01:47 PM

They asked us to put our pork sandwiches in the trash at the airport going into the U.S. and we did. They told our cat to give them her food and she just looked at them. They let her keep her food!

bajalera - 2-4-2011 at 03:03 PM

Very funny, San!

nbacc - 2-4-2011 at 03:08 PM

Oh......for heaven sakes don't take dog food back to the US. Even in unopened cans. I have never heard of them taking eggs on the way into Mexico. We always stop at the grocery store in El Centro and get our first couple of days food just to give us a chance to get organized. Never had a problem.

sanquintinsince73 - 2-4-2011 at 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nbacc
Oh......for heaven sakes don't take dog food back to the US. Even in unopened cans. I have never heard of them taking eggs on the way into Mexico. We always stop at the grocery store in El Centro and get our first couple of days food just to give us a chance to get organized. Never had a problem.

I should have taken pictures for you. Every aduanero has his/her interpretation of the law in Mexico. If my huevos were not enough for them, as soon as they found a co2 cartridge in the RV we had two Marina soldiers in there tearing everything up looking for weapons even though co2 guns are legal in Mexico. Next time, NBACC I'll take video and have them sign a statement for you.

[Edited on 2-4-2011 by sanquintinsince73]

Cypress - 2-4-2011 at 04:02 PM

Why would you pack food down to Baja? Live off the abundance of Baja and enjoy.

sanquintinsince73 - 2-4-2011 at 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Why would you pack food down to Baja? Live off the abundance of Baja and enjoy.

We stay roughly about 16 klicks from town. The little ones and I rise very early and like eggs for breakfast.

Cypress - 2-4-2011 at 04:18 PM

You can't get eggs south of the border? I saw some last time I was down there. Know all about the early rise thing. :biggrin:

Feathers - 2-4-2011 at 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nbacc
Oh......for heaven sakes don't take dog food back to the US. Even in unopened cans.

hmmm... we went thru secondary last year at Tecate.

When the US Agent asked if we had dog food I said "yes" thinking it was a... lol... trick question.

I offered to give him the bag... yes, a 5 lb bag... but he declined and sent us on our way WITH the dog food.

Now that I know better, I'll DO better.

sanquintinsince73 - 2-4-2011 at 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
You can't get eggs south of the border? I saw some last time I was down there. Know all about the early rise thing. :biggrin:

Ok, where's your abarrotes located? I'll buy eggs from you.
I pack food, water, whisky and ammo wherever I go. You just never know.

[Edited on 2-4-2011 by sanquintinsince73]

Cypress - 2-4-2011 at 05:00 PM

You just never know.

tjBill - 2-4-2011 at 07:47 PM

I've been with checked bringing fruits, vegetables and alcohol into Mexico. Never been a problem so far.

Lista - 2-4-2011 at 08:40 PM

I bring frozen meat and milk in, buy everything else down there, never had a problem going in...

ddawson - 2-4-2011 at 09:53 PM

I've been down twice through San Ysidro this year and upon entry both times was hassled about food. Both times a customs official went through my car and questioned me about food and beer.

The first time the inspector was a cute girl my age and I played the friendly surfer and she let me go.

The second time I showed the inspector my empty cooler and told him I was purchasing food and beer in Ensenada (A semi-truth as I did have a box full of food buried deep in my truck shell) and he let me go.

I don't know if it is just coincidence or if they are beginning to try to regulate what is coming into Baja. I have never had any issues with it previously.

nbacc - 2-5-2011 at 12:44 AM

I guess it all boils down to who is looking! Nancy

David K - 2-5-2011 at 09:36 AM

Two reasons for bringing food into Mexico:

1) You are camping far from any town or store.
2) You want to pre-pack for the trip before you leave, and not have to pack on the road or have groceires bouncing around as you off road to your camp.

Otherwise, you can buy food in Mexico or eat at taco stands or restaurants, as the food is great.

Bajajorge - 2-5-2011 at 09:40 AM

As far as I know, Mexico could care less about what food you bring into their country. I have made numerous southbound crossings without any questions about my grocerys.
Crossing northbound into the USA is another story.

You cannot always buy food in Baja.......

mcfez - 2-5-2011 at 09:45 AM

I always pack my thick steaks, smoked bacon, Heinz ketchup, large potatoes and a host of other groceries. I do however buy everything else from the local merchant. The milk and cheese of Baja is great tasting, sour cream is a wow factor.

If I run out of meats.....we raid the other campsites in the dark.

[Edited on 2-5-2011 by mcfez]

Bajajorge - 2-5-2011 at 09:49 AM

Quote:

If I run out of meats.....we raid the other campsites in the dark.

[Edited on 2-5-2011 by mcfez]

Some of the best Filet Mignon I have ever eaten was purchased at a Mom&Pop mercado in San Felipe.

Give up that location!

mcfez - 2-5-2011 at 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajajorge
If I run out of meats.....we raid the other campsites in the dark.

[Edited on 2-5-2011 by mcfez]

Some of the best Filet Mignon I have ever eaten was purchased at a Mom&Pop mercado in San Felipe.

Bajajorge ...
Where? (!)

I have tried many places with no luck of decent cuts or quality. I know SF real well...can you direct me to the store you are referring too? It'll be a great flavor...er favor. Txs.

SoCal-Bob - 2-5-2011 at 10:56 PM

Thanks for all the input.

So the story that prompted my question: My friends who were stopped and had their food taken and were fined run a preschool Baja and were taking a large amount of food south. It was just the two of them, so the large amount of food probably created suspicions. Unfortunately they also had some used clothing they were taking down to the families in their school. So I guess the border people got ticked when they found the clothes and decided to take the food too.

DENNIS - 2-6-2011 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal-Bob
Thanks for all the input.

So the story that prompted my question: My friends who were stopped and had their food taken and were fined run a preschool Baja and were taking a large amount of food south. It was just the two of them, so the large amount of food probably created suspicions. Unfortunately they also had some used clothing they were taking down to the families in their school. So I guess the border people got ticked when they found the clothes and decided to take the food too.

The Border Zone is heartless. They [most...not all] don't care that your reasons are altruistic and most Americans etc. can't seem to understand that. They will be repelled by your insinuation that there are poor people in Mexico that are ignored so it becomes our humane responsibility to care for them. Right or wrong, they just don't care for our attitude in these situations.

mcfez - 2-6-2011 at 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

How correct!
I got to "sneak in" goods for the poor!

DENNIS - 2-6-2011 at 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez
How correct!
I got to "sneak in" goods for the poor!

Yeah...that's the way it works.
Recently, in an annual Christmas event here that brings lots of gifts from NOB to kids south, the organizer explained the method of getting the massive amount of loot across the border in the most painless way.
Fernando, a most Notable Nomad, explained the system as the "Contrabando Hormiga"....like a line of Ants going back and forth bringing in a bit at a time. If efforts start early enough, a large amount of goods can be accumulated.

nbacc - 2-6-2011 at 12:47 PM

I always sneak in a few bags of kids clothes when I make my run to San Felipe! WHICH is coming up soon. Nancy

mcfez - 2-6-2011 at 01:10 PM

I just have the kids lay up top of it all....pretending to be asleep...since we run at night to SF :lol:

Results may vary

Lee - 2-6-2011 at 01:21 PM

If you've never been asked about food at a checkpoint, you can assume that it doesn't happen.

I've been asked 2 different times, over the years, if I had ''meat,'' or ''fruit.''

I've had an agent at the 28th Parallel checkpoint, board my RV and inspect the contents of my fridge.

So, I expect to be asked again, though not there. I avoid that checkpoint now.

Always asked going North at San Ysidro.

bajafam - 2-6-2011 at 08:41 PM

Never a problem coming in....every so often coming out. Dog Food is a no-no ~ even in the smallest quantities (like a quart sized baggie) ~ found that out the hard way.
We have brought down one large bag full of items for Mama's orphanage in El Rosario, as well as a giant bag full of cloth diapers for Miss Sirena, but we had those packed in with the rest of our clothes, which we pack in garbage bags anyway, tied up in the roof bag on top of the car. So far, we haven't had any trouble. No one has asked. Fingers crossed it stays that way, as I would rather bring Mama's kids clothes then give them away anywhere else

Should be interesting in August when we come down with our RV ~ a first for that...as we will have it packed to the gills for it's permanent residence in Bahia Asuncion :bounce: