Aduanas experience at last SY crossing

Last trip down we were packed to the gills; Crew cab with short bed w/shell that has windows on the sides and rear - easy to see in. Thule carrier on top rack.
We had a used 5 CF freezer that would only fit at the very back of the bed and was obvious from the rear, had a very cool used chair that folds out into a single bed, a small used window and some other misc stuff. I decided not to run the border and stop in SY to declare these items.
(I am an FM3 holder). Showed all to Aduanas and was charged $300nmp, about $23 'merican.
SWMBO, who does not have an FM3, skipped the FMM process this time so we came out even money wise. However, this meant that for at least a portion of the 9 days, she was an ILLEGAL ALIEN.

Something I find very strange: our roof-top Thule carrier is the big one - 86" long. In this trip the bottom was full of used pine boards and oak handrail, fishing rods and some duffel bags full of bedding and linens (minimum 200 thread count for Baja). I have never had any inspector, either at the border or at a military inspection point ever look inside. Only a few times have they even acknowledged it. This time, Aduanas asked what was in it but then said "clothes?". I nodded and that was it. I think because you would need a ladder they just blow it off. Anyone else have this experience with roof top carriers?

Roof top

If you're cool, they're cool

Have been crossing at Tecate the last three times (6 months).. Loadrunner enclosed trailer/ 34' fifth-wheel/ Toyota Landcrusier..all loaded with "everything"..Never been stopped ..gate is up and /or light is on green when crossing..
Why even deal with SY crossing...

Do you have any guns, drugs, or explosives sir? Claro que no!

Never, in dozens of inspections has anyone ever lifted a single one of these 30 latches! Air tight. one inch mil-spec gasket.

(loaded at 3500 ft. and unclasped at sea level, it is impossible to open the boxes due to the vacuum. There is a tiny screw under one of the handles that gives a mighty hiss and is the final key!)

Oh, they survived, bone dry, countless hours underwater during the flooding of San Nicolas by TS Julio.

[Edited on 3-11-2012 by vgabndo]

In the last two decades I could have moved literally a ton of coke. The US never looked in them either!

I WAS sent to secondary because I had a visible palm frond with an Oriole nest in it.

They must have profiled my stress reactions!!!!!

Ateo...a bit off topic, but I saw on a link from a New Militia website I was studying that long barrel, folding stock, semi-auto AK47's are going in any quantity for under $500.00. Thank you Tom Delay for letting the assault weapons ban lapse. All my liberal friends are buying machine guns as fast as they can.

I wonder what I can bring across the border if I have to have political asylum. I know there is a work permit and health care, but I don't know if imports would be any different than say an FM3.

Anything that requires A LOT of work will never be searched on a passenger vehicle. I have had them climb into the truck only to open a few easy access boxes. Yup gonna hide money, drugs and guns in them. then they look at the
15foot kayak. yup the 50cal and a few kilos are in there, but who hands to try and bring that b-tch down???

Good thing about the new adunas are the equal opportunity hiring

I always ask the Mexican Military "Que Busca" and when they say drugs and guns, I say No tengo, smiling, and keeping it light. Usually they only do a cursory walk around. I'm always serious at the US border. One time I jokingly told the agent I probably had some Hotdogs in the fridge, and went immediatly to secondary, where they searched the camper to find my Hebrew National's and then let me pass.