BajaNomad - US agr heading home

US agr heading home

jkruk - 5-18-2011 at 09:05 AM

Heading home thank you for info onGarlic ropes. Digging deeper into the freezer I find a Ham still rapped in Safeway wrapping and a turkey breast as well can they return to US if declared orshould someone get them for dinner Thanks jim

comitan - 5-18-2011 at 09:09 AM

Safeway or not they will take it. And they will turn it to dust!!

Hook - 5-18-2011 at 09:18 AM

Give the meat away.

Do NOT...

Dave - 5-18-2011 at 10:03 AM

Declare the ham as it wasn't purchased in Mexico.

They may take it anyway but only argue the point if/after it's discovered.

Avoid problems

bajaguy - 5-18-2011 at 10:09 AM

When crossing back into the US.......give the meat to a Mexican family....you will feel good, the family will appreciate it and you won't spend time in secondary.

goldhuntress - 5-18-2011 at 10:16 AM

I think that as long as you declare it you won't get fined. If it's not allowed they will take it and no fine. When you don't declare it and they find it, that's when you get the fine. We make a list with everything on it, questionable or not. Anything not in a can or jar we declare, even if we bought it in the USA. I learned all this after getting a $300 fine for some frozen chorizo stuffed in the back of the freezer that we didn't know was there, so ignorance does not get you a pass

And, if they do want to fine you for something don't let them bully you into paying right then and tell them you want to dispute it.

sancho - 5-18-2011 at 10:20 AM

There was a couple posts off another board a few months
back about 2 incidents re: coming back to the US in
the Ariz. crossings. Don't remember the exact details,
but they were fined by US Customs $250 for not declaring
a couple avacados and fruit. Sounds like they simply
forgot the items

David K - 5-18-2011 at 10:26 AM

Originally... if the U.S. ham is in an unopened package, no problem.

However, all the new, under-informed agents MIGHT have an issue with it... I say have a ham dinner before you come home or donate it to the boys at a military checkpoint, or a family you meet.

We got sent to secondary for declaring a few (U.S. bought) limes (which are permitted). The agent admitted he wasn't sure, and (as he said) because limes are like oranges.. and oranges aren't permitted, off to secondary (where we were sent on our way from a more knowledgeable agent)!

Paulina - 5-18-2011 at 07:48 PM

I'm going to pull a mountain goat on you. Dump your sh*t off before crossing the border and save everyone the hassle; the border agent, yourself, the poor soul that was pulled into secondary behind you, etc. Save us all from the head ache of wasting time over a sausage link or ham sandwich sprinkled with lime juice.

There are plenty of people below the border who would graciously take your left overs off of your hands. Even the lady trying to hawk her chewing gum would appreciate a donation of the meat variety.

I don't get it, are pocket books so tight now that one can afford a trip to baja but yet can't afford to leave a hamburger patty behind when they leave?

It also makes it more difficult for those of us who empty the cupboards, dog food bin, etc. and try to convince the border agent that truly, we have nothing to declare. Off to secondary we go anyway to repeat the story just to hear of all the tales of what others have tried to cross with.

Mc Donalds is just up the road. So is In and Out Burger, as well as Vons or Albertsons. Trader Joes for those with more fancy tastes. I don't think that leaving a few meat items behind is going to break your pocket book.

We cross with dirty laundry, a few Tab sodas and sunflower seeds. It works for us.

P>*)))>{

David K - 5-18-2011 at 08:31 PM

Seeds... you cross the border with SEEDS!! :wow:

Paulina - 5-18-2011 at 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Seeds... you cross the border with SEEDS!! :wow:

Yup. http://www.davidseeds.com/index.jsp
I almost hate to post the link. Now everyone is going to be crossing with David's sunflower seeds, declaring them and sending us all into secondary. What have I started?

P>*)))>{

Marc - 5-18-2011 at 09:20 PM

The only thing I bring back is a cooler with ice and beer.

BajaBlanca - 5-19-2011 at 01:43 PM

The only thing we take back is .................. clothes and of COURSE, lobster and sometimes fish, for the family

:lol:

DavidE - 5-19-2011 at 04:51 PM

I have seen too many instances of people being fined on-the-spot for not declaring something when asked to do so.

It depends on the inspector and his perspective on how "outragous" the non-declaration was.

The question "What are you bringing back from Mexico" has a lot of power and scope.

Letting them "Discover Something" is risky. No ham on earth is worth several hundred dollars to me. Customs EXPECTS YOU TO MAKE A LIST and have it ready when you encounter the agent in the booth.

[Edited on 5-19-2011 by DavidE]

nbacc - 5-19-2011 at 05:04 PM

Only fish......don't even take dog food. Sounds outragous huh? Go back with nothing!!! Then when you say you have nothing...you have nothing.

Dave - 5-19-2011 at 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidE
I have seen too many instances of people being fined on-the-spot for not declaring something when asked to do so.

It depends on the inspector and his perspective on how "outragous" the non-declaration was.

The question "What are you bringing back from Mexico" has a lot of power and scope.

Letting them "Discover Something" is risky. No ham on earth is worth several hundred dollars to me. Customs EXPECTS YOU TO MAKE A LIST and have it ready when you encounter the agent in the booth.

[Edited on 5-19-2011 by DavidE]

The signs specifically state:

Declare all items purchased outside the U.S.

If the ham was purchased in the States you do not need to declare it.

And...I have never been fined for such a specific omission.

Even when questioned about it.

nbacc - 5-20-2011 at 07:15 AM

Dog food bought in the USA (even if unopened...bag or canned) is often taken away. Depends on who you are dealing with that day. Seems silly but it has happened quite often. Our first stop is Walmart to get dog food. We just five everything to friends or workers who can use it.