BajaNomad

Bringing an outboard motor into Mexico

SFandH - 6-19-2012 at 06:25 AM

I keep a boat stored in Ensenada and I'm buying a used 40hp motor in the states. I'll be taking the motor to Mexico in the back of my truck. I can't bring the boat into the states and mount the motor there because the trailer doesn't have plates.

Assuming I get the red light at the San Ysidro crossing, what are the Mexican officials going to say?

I know it's tough to predict what's going to happen because it always varies with Mex officals, so I don't need any replies along those lines.

I'll have a receipt, it's an obviously used motor, and the truth is the motor will not be returned to the US. I prefer to not to try to deceive.

Import taxes??

[Edited on 6-19-2012 by SFandH]

woody with a view - 6-19-2012 at 06:31 AM

they looked at my boat vin and trailer plate. when they were happy they looked in the bed and hey, there's a motor in there!

they didn't care about the motor. don't worry about it.

larryC - 6-19-2012 at 06:34 AM

They might charge you some taxes but used stuff is generally not a problem. Just give them a conservative value and see what happens. I would probably just go directly to the "Declare" lane and tell them I had a used motor and see what they say, usually they don't seem to care.
Good luck
Larry

SFandH - 6-19-2012 at 06:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
they looked at my boat vin and trailer plate. when they were happy they looked in the bed and hey, there's a motor in there!

they didn't care about the motor. don't worry about it.


But you had a CA registered boat to go with the motor. I'm thinking that might make a difference.

Hook - 6-19-2012 at 06:36 AM

I'd bring a "receipt" that values the motor for a value that is, ahem, comfortable to you and yet not a ridiculous low ball. Use it in case they make a stink...............and pay the import fees.

Just drive through and see what they say.

SFandH - 6-19-2012 at 06:39 AM

10 to 15% import fees, maybe, on the amount shown on the receipt? I'm buying it from a store, not an individual.

[Edited on 6-19-2012 by SFandH]

woody with a view - 6-19-2012 at 06:44 AM

do you want me to write you a receipt? write your own receipt!:light:

SFandH - 6-19-2012 at 06:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
do you want me to write you a receipt? write your own receipt!:light:


Thanks but I'll have a receipt and I'm sure I can have the bottom line read what I want.

If you really want to help, and I appreciate the offer, buzz up to San Juan Capistrano, buy the motor, and I'll pay you back, plus gas money, when we meet up in Ensenada. :light::light::light:

larryC - 6-19-2012 at 06:49 AM

In this day and age, with computers, scanners, photoshop and printers, you can make that store receipt say anything you want it to. Let your concience be your guide. Just don't try to insult their intelligence to bad.
Larry

SFandH - 6-19-2012 at 06:50 AM

Low hours, real clean, 40 hp 97 Yamaha 2 stroke, electric start, remote controls for $2,500.

Good price?

mcfez - 6-19-2012 at 07:12 AM

I would take the boat's paperwork.....AND a picture of the boat showing no motor......just tell them the motor was with the boat, in for repairs.

SFandH - 6-19-2012 at 07:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
I would take the boat's paperwork.....AND a picture of the boat showing no motor......just tell them the motor was with the boat, in for repairs.


Paperwork? What's that? Like I said I don't even have plates on the trailer. This is a Mexican lash up. I did add some trailer tail lights tho.

BTW, I've had a bunch of cops behind me while hauling the boat around baja and have gone thru a zillion checkpoints. No plates? No numbers on the boat? No problem!!

A photo of the boat is a good idea.

[Edited on 6-19-2012 by SFandH]

mcfez - 6-19-2012 at 07:25 AM

:-)

I was talking about putting that motor in your truck........then have the paperwork (just to show you own a boat) and the picture of the boat.

Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
I would take the boat's paperwork.....AND a picture of the boat showing no motor......just tell them the motor was with the boat, in for repairs.


Paperwork? What's that? Like I said I don't even have plates on the trailer. This is a Mexican lash up. I did add some trailer tail lights tho.

BTW, I've had a bunch of cops behind me while hauling the boat around baja and have gone thru a zillion checkpoints. No plates? No numbers on the boat? No problem!!

A photo of the boat is a good idea.

[Edited on 6-19-2012 by SFandH]

woody with a view - 6-19-2012 at 07:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
do you want me to write you a receipt? write your own receipt!:light:


Thanks but I'll have a receipt and I'm sure I can have the bottom line read what I want.

If you really want to help, and I appreciate the offer, buzz up to San Juan Capistrano, buy the motor, and I'll pay you back, plus gas money, when we meet up in Ensenada. :light::light::light:


you got it! paypal me the money. i'm off thur/fri so that will work. u2u for details.

DavidE - 6-19-2012 at 07:49 AM

You can run into a real stinkeroo with aduana, and I say this from personal experience. The issue (meaning solitary) is items manufactured in Japan or China are subject to STIFF import duty. Aduana will be convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are bringing the motor into Mexico to sell. I have seen a 10-year old Yamaha 50 hp outboard taxed the eqvt of four hundred US Dollars, after a long, drawn-out hassle.

Picture of a boat? Think about it...you can stand next to any boat and have your picture taken. The aduanero is going to laugh.

Try talking to the capitan de puerto in Ensenada, and see if arrangements can be made for a fee for the office to go through "the trouble of" creating a document for you, in espaņol that explains you have a small boat, with complete description of the boat including color, that does not have a motor.

I would ask to talk to the jefe in aduana, before I went north to get the motor. Doing this seems to change the whole aspect of trying to get something done like what you are trying to do.

"Smuggling Outboard Motors" into Mexico is big business, and the aduaneros are mighty uptight about the subject. When the boat is there with the motor it is a whole different atmosphere.

California DMV will issue you a Temporary permit to bring your boat north. Get a set of magnetic tow lights at Harbor Freight, cheap.

I don't like being rejected at the border. It is a royal pain-in-the-ass.

........because the trailer doesn't have plates.

mcfez - 6-19-2012 at 07:59 AM

I think he just wants to avoid the DMV...............and simple bring the motor over.

SFandH - 6-19-2012 at 08:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Aduana will be convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are bringing the motor into Mexico to sell.


Well that's the issue. But people bring all sorts of used stuff into Mexico without problems. And upon further consideration, if having it attached to a boat gets you around the issue, then folks looking to import and sell outboards would simply attach them to a trailered boat.

Naw. I'm going to hope for a green light and if it's red, take it from there.

Thanks for the response.

RnR - 6-19-2012 at 08:34 AM

Al' Right:

There's two ways to do this. By the book or just wing it.

By the book: Drive into the "Declare" lane, declare the motor, state that it is for personal use, pay the import duty, and you are on your way.

However, the maximum value of ALL goods being imported at one time, in one vehicle, under the simplified import rules is $1,500 per person and $3,000 per vehicle. Over this value, you have to use a customs broker. So, make a receipt for something a little less than $1,500. The import tax is 17% of the declared value. Done deal. Have done it many times with many loads.

Wing It: Drive up to the light in one of the "Nothing to Declare" lanes, punch the light, and hope for a green!

However, not declaring something and trying to slip it through the "Non Declare" lane is technically called smuggling. The penalty for smuggling can include fines and confiscation of the items AND the vehicle used to transport them!

Your choice. Good Luck :D

SFandH - 6-19-2012 at 08:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
Al' Right:

There's two ways to do this. By the book or just wing it.

By the book: Drive into the "Declare" lane, declare the motor, state that it is for personal use, pay the import duty, and you are on your way.

However, the maximum value of ALL goods being imported at one time, in one vehicle, under the simplified import rules is $1,500 per person and $3,000 per vehicle. Over this value, you have to use a customs broker. So, make a receipt for something a little less than $1,500. The import tax is 17% of the declared value. Done deal. Have done it many times with many loads.

Wing It: Drive up to the light in one of the "Nothing to Declare" lanes, punch the light, and hope for a green!

However, not declaring something and trying to slip it through the "Non Declare" lane is technically called smuggling. The penalty for smuggling can include fines and confiscation of the items AND the vehicle used to transport them!

Your choice. Good Luck :D


Now we're talking. That's the info I'm looking for. Thank you.

I'll have a receipt for $1400 and go through the declare lane.

Thanks again.

RnR - 6-19-2012 at 10:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH
Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
Al' Right:

There's two ways to do this. By the book or just wing it.

By the book: Drive into the "Declare" lane, declare the motor, state that it is for personal use, pay the import duty, and you are on your way.

However, the maximum value of ALL goods being imported at one time, in one vehicle, under the simplified import rules is $1,500 per person and $3,000 per vehicle. Over this value, you have to use a customs broker. So, make a receipt for something a little less than $1,500. The import tax is 17% of the declared value. Done deal. Have done it many times with many loads.

Wing It: Drive up to the light in one of the "Nothing to Declare" lanes, punch the light, and hope for a green!

However, not declaring something and trying to slip it through the "Non Declare" lane is technically called smuggling. The penalty for smuggling can include fines and confiscation of the items AND the vehicle used to transport them!

Your choice. Good Luck :D


Now we're talking. That's the info I'm looking for. Thank you.

I'll have a receipt for $1400 and go through the declare lane.

Thanks again.


You need to pay the import duty with pesos. No dollars accepted.

This changed about two years ago. The bank is conveniently located right near Aduana at all the crossings; San Ysidro, Otay, and Tecate. Just don't try to cross really, really early or really late. The bank's hours are shorter than the longer hours that the borders are open. (Same goes for FMM's)

Have imported stuff at all three crossings, maybe 12 times total. No problems or hassles, ever. I have to believe that if "You don't screw with them, they won't screw with you ...." (I know other Nomads may disagree with this statement, but, that's been my experience.)

I haven't used San Ysidro in two years. Have gone to Otay or Tecate. Have heard through the grapevine that sometimes the Aduana at SY will send you to Otay but haven't experienced this personally.

Once again - Good Luck.

A repair

bajaguy - 6-19-2012 at 10:30 AM

Take it to a boat shop and get a tune up or a fuel filter installed. then make sure the receipt has the serial numver on it and your Ensenada address......viola!!!!.....returning to Mexico after repairs!!!!

[Edited on 6-19-2012 by bajaguy]

woody with a view - 6-19-2012 at 11:10 AM

outboardking@aol.com Fernando is the best guy around.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 6-19-2012 at 12:17 PM

bajaguy X2...a friend of mine came north, bought a new honda outboard, had the shop write a receipt for repairs, went back to los barriles with no problems at the border.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

RnR - 6-19-2012 at 02:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Take it to a boat shop and get a tune up or a fuel filter installed. then make sure the receipt has the serial numver on it and your Ensenada address......viola!!!!.....returning to Mexico after repairs!!!!

[Edited on 6-19-2012 by bajaguy]


Brilliant idea!! :light:

bajaguy - 6-19-2012 at 05:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Take it to a boat shop and get a tune up or a fuel filter installed. then make sure the receipt has the serial numver on it and your Ensenada address......viola!!!!.....returning to Mexico after repairs!!!!

[Edited on 6-19-2012 by bajaguy]


Brilliant idea!! :light:





Thank you sir, and no charge for the service.

We might be Ensenada neighbors!!!!

RnR - 6-19-2012 at 05:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by RnR
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Take it to a boat shop and get a tune up or a fuel filter installed. then make sure the receipt has the serial numver on it and your Ensenada address......viola!!!!.....returning to Mexico after repairs!!!!

[Edited on 6-19-2012 by bajaguy]


Brilliant idea!! :light:





Thank you sir, and no charge for the service.

We might be Ensenada neighbors!!!!



Sorry, we're not Baja neighbors. Our place is outside of La Paz.

But, we are CARSON CITY neighbors!!

Corn-fused

bajaguy - 6-19-2012 at 05:43 PM

OK, SF&H might be an Ensenada neighbor..........and where might RnR be???

DavidE - 6-20-2012 at 10:56 AM

Please post a note about what happened at the border, if you would. Thank you.

SFandH - 6-20-2012 at 12:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Please post a note about what happened at the border, if you would. Thank you.


I will, I'm going Saturday. I can see where some items, like outboard motors, may get special attention.

I may use the ploy that I took it to the states to be repaired. I bet the store I'm buying it from, which also does repair work, will write up a repair receipt. They have all ready done the plugs, water pump, lower end gear oil, and other routine maintenance. That's part of the purchase price. Perhaps I can get them to break those parts and related labor out on a separate receipt.

mcfez - 6-20-2012 at 12:40 PM

Good luck to you! Let us know how it worked out.
Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH
Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
Please post a note about what happened at the border, if you would. Thank you.


I will, I'm going Saturday. I can see where some items, like outboard motors, may get special attention.

I may use the ploy that I took it to the states to be repaired. I bet the store I'm buying it from, which also does repair work, will write up a repair receipt. They have all ready done the plugs, water pump, lower end gear oil, and other routine maintenance. That's part of the purchase price. Perhaps I can get them to break those parts and related labor out on a separate receipt.

gnukid - 6-20-2012 at 01:19 PM

Replacement parts such as motors are allowed to be transported without importation fees for vessels with a TIP, So you could try saying its a replacement motor, even though the vessel does not require a TIP. This would make sense to aduana.

Cisco - 6-20-2012 at 03:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
do you want me to write you a receipt? write your own receipt!:light:


Thanks but I'll have a receipt and I'm sure I can have the bottom line read what I want.

If you really want to help, and I appreciate the offer, buzz up to San Juan Capistrano, buy the motor, and I'll pay you back, plus gas money, when we meet up in Ensenada. :light::light::light:


If you havn't bought it yet you may consider one of these...

http://books.google.com/books?id=q_rTaSiXkg8C&pg=PA68&am...

Martyman - 6-22-2012 at 09:38 AM

They stopped me at San Ysidro and questioned me about my inflatable and 15 horse Honda. It was rolled up and in the back of my van. They told me I needed to pay $400usd taxes to bring it into Mexico. I said no way and started moving traffic cones so I could pull a U-turn and go back to the states. They then told me to wait for the jefe. Jefe came over and let us continue on our journey south.
This was a few years back but I remembered how PO'ed I got.

SFandH - 6-22-2012 at 09:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
They stopped me at San Ysidro and questioned me about my inflatable and 15 horse Honda. It was rolled up and in the back of my van. They told me I needed to pay $400usd taxes to bring it into Mexico. I said no way and started moving traffic cones so I could pull a U-turn and go back to the states. They then told me to wait for the jefe. Jefe came over and let us continue on our journey south.
This was a few years back but I remembered how PO'ed I got.


Not good news. I'm under the impression that if anything, they are stricter now. I'll be prepared with pesos to pay a 17% import tax on an amount less than $1500.

[Edited on 6-22-2012 by SFandH]

woody with a view - 6-22-2012 at 10:36 AM

just play dumb. be prepared for the worst, like a boyscout!

SFandH - 6-22-2012 at 10:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
just play dumb. be prepared for the worst, like a boyscout!


I'm going to go through the declare lane, declare it's for personal use, have a picture of the boat (can't hurt, might help), and have a less than $1500 receipt. The fewest fibs possible and declaring it is probably the best route.

Glad I asked. This message board is great for info, discussion, and entertaining too. A virtual community.

woody with a view - 6-22-2012 at 11:33 AM

that's prolly the best way to go. pay something but don't get hosed. we all should want to abide by the law-at least various shades of the law!

Bob and Susan - 6-22-2012 at 12:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
Replacement parts such as motors are allowed to be transported without importation fees for vessels with a TIP,


not true

if it comes from the usa and is new you need to pay a fee to import

SFandH - 6-22-2012 at 02:32 PM

Life's a Beach

Just called the store selling the motor and they sold it out from under me. I told them I was going to be there tomorrow and that I was going to buy it at the asking price. I asked them to explain the situation to another buyer if they found one and to call me, I would get there ASAP to buy it.

40 hp 2 stroke short shafts are getting hard to find. It was about 1/2 the price of a new 40 hp, and they're all 4 stroke (heavy) long shafts. I'm really disappointed.

If I hadn't called I wouldn't have known and driven there. ANGER would have predominated.

Boat Works OC
(949) 218 9749
33052 Calle Aviador #B
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

They advertise on craigslist and EBay.

[Edited on 6-23-2012 by SFandH]

woody with a view - 6-22-2012 at 02:36 PM

get ahold of OutboardKing@aol.com

he buys and sells and services. tell him what you need and he can keep an eye out for you.

woody with a view - 7-15-2012 at 07:09 PM

:cool:

hey woody..thats a me LOL !!

captkw - 7-15-2012 at 07:24 PM

K & T :cool:......someday when I have the time to learn to post pics of my girl (baja dog) that gets her pic taken when I'm working..say 80 times a day with her shades !! last month she made the monterey newspaper..I can post pics on C.L. just been to busy to learn pic posting here yet.!!