BajaNomad

Where to cross with trailer full of stuff

dtbushpilot - 7-1-2012 at 08:42 AM

This has been discussed many times before but I wanted to get some advice on my particular load. The trailer is loaded pretty much full, front to back with moving boxes and some lose stuff. This is all used household stuff, stuff that we didn't think we could live without when we moved from New Mexico. I will be pulling it with my pick up that will also have some stuff in the back as well as 2 cats and a dog.

Where would be the best place to cross? SY, Otay, Tecate? Should I use the services of an importer? Thanks in advance for the input.....dt



RnR - 7-1-2012 at 09:52 AM

Having imported stuff at all three crossings, here's my take on it:

Forget San Ysidro. A "simple" import with a few well defined items seems to be okay and within their comfort level. This does not describe your load. My guess is that SY would just turn you around and tell you to go to Otay.

Otay - You can bring anything thru Otay (well maybe not guns or drugs....:D) Otay is professional but can be "by the book". There is lots of parking, lots of agents, and lots of importers standing around ready to jump in if the customs agent decides that you are over the "simplified import" limit.

The limits are $1,500/person and $3,000/vehicle of reasonable declared value. There is also a large shade-covered area behind the main parking lot where you get to unload EVERYTHING for inspection and manifesting if the agent decides a more thorough inspection is warranted. You don't want to go here!

Tecate - Seems to be the most laid back. Bring an itemized list in English/Spanish into the office and hope for the best. Keep the list under the "simplified import" limits. Sometimes they have done a cursory look in the back of the truck, sometimes they just looked out the window/doorway and took the list verbatim.

Judging by the photos of the trailer, opening the doors for a cursory inspection may raise questions in the inspector's mind. I recommend taping an itemized list to the outside of each box so that maybe they will avoid looking inside and just take your word for it. Have the box lists match your master list. This has worked well for me. Even just writing on the outside of the box in black marker as to what is inside seems to avoid questions. Keep it broad and simple: kitchen stuff, tools, clothes, etc. And, what is under that black tarp in the back ...? They are going to want to look.

Buena suerte!

[Edited on 7-1-2012 by RnR]

dtbushpilot - 7-1-2012 at 10:24 AM

Thanks for the advice RnR.

I was really hoping not to have to unload all the stuff and list everything although I know that's the way it is supposed to be done. I don't remember what is in most of the boxes, maybe this would be a good time to find out.

What about using the services of an importer, has anybody had any experience with one?

ncampion - 7-1-2012 at 10:24 AM

Ditto to what RnR says. Otay is your best bet. I would suggest that you get a broker to help ease and speed the process. They charge a little, but worth it. They will also help you "value" the stuff. All those closed boxes will be a red flag that maybe the broker can help get the officials to take his word on what's in them. A good list helps. The borkers also expect a discrete "tip" at the process. We went through this three or four times a couple years ago and after a while it was no big deal. Good luck.

dtbushpilot - 7-1-2012 at 10:26 AM

What broker did you use ncampion? Did you have a list of your stuff prepared before you got to the importer or do it there?

Would I need to unload the stuff at the border/importer? If so would it be better just to show up with the stuff and unload/make a list at that time? Is the broker before the border or after you cross?

[Edited on 7-1-2012 by dtbushpilot]

bkbend - 7-1-2012 at 10:49 AM

Go into the declare lane at Otay and onto the parking area. Brokers and customs agents will be hanging out waiting for you. I would have the list of items ready and hope to avoid the full unload when you are really wanting to get out of there. I had the itemized list and needed to only show the big ticket items for the agents. I used a broker and agree that helps the process, wasn't too expensive, and he was able to shave valuations enough to lower the tax to cover his fee. With all used stuff your valuation should be low, but with the full trailer they might be interested in what's in the middle. I did see them unload and look into each box of a tightly packed pickup parked next to mine.

BajaDixon - 7-1-2012 at 11:07 AM

At Otay the brokers are on the right after you pass through the border and then keep right through the narrow road that goes straight. There is a fairly large area to park.

I have down it both ways. With the assistance of a broker and by myself. I would recommend going early ( 7 am ) and dealing directly with the customs agent. Tell them everything is well used and really doesn't have much value. Have a very generalized list and assign value to each box that when totaled equals less than $1500 per person. If there are 2 of you say that you have $2500 total. Then you go over and pay your tax. About 17% if I remember right. Not sure if that is for used goods or not.

If you can get out of there in 30 minutes and $400 lighter in the pocket consider it a successful crossing. As you know, smiles help and maybe the offer of a cold coca cola as you open your ice chest for inspection goes a long ways. ( I know- who drinks coke at 7 in the morning! Lots of people actually. I've rarely had a Mexican turn down a cold coke.)

I've gotten through many an inspection more quickly by handing out racing stickers and holding my dog in my arms for them to smile about. Good luck!

weebray - 7-1-2012 at 11:23 AM

Hate to say this but you should either get a menaje de casa or pay import duty on what you plan to bring. In either case you will need an agent. We used a guy near our POE but that was years ago and several computer crashes ago too. You can risk getting a green light but even then they can pull you into secondario if they want. We had to make a list of everything in each numbered box in english and spanish. We did have a valid menaje de casa but still had to pay a token amount at the border. Note that after going thru all the paperwork and paying the aduana we still had to go thru the red/green light drama. At this time if you get a red light they have the right to and may want to open every box to verify your printed list. They may check a few boxes and if everything checks out they probably will let you pass. Plan on spending some time at the border.

weebray - 7-1-2012 at 11:26 AM

Oh, BTW, more than half the chit we brought down still sits in the boxes it came down in more than 10yrs. ago. My point? Lighten your load, we made several thousand bucks selling stuff on Ebay.

ncampion - 7-1-2012 at 11:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtbushpilot
What broker did you use ncampion? Did you have a list of your stuff prepared before you got to the importer or do it there?

Would I need to unload the stuff at the border/importer? If so would it be better just to show up with the stuff and unload/make a list at that time? Is the broker before the border or after you cross?

[Edited on 7-1-2012 by dtbushpilot]



bkbend has it right. I think the value of using a broker for your load is that he may be able to convince the officials that you don't need to unpack and inspect the trailer - that would significantly prolong the ordeal. The brokers will usuall hint at the fact that they can make it easier and cheaper for you, and they do. We use the same one (I think his name is Jose, he remembers us probably because of the generous tip) but I'm pretty sure they are all pretty much the same.

David K - 7-1-2012 at 11:57 AM

nc, check your u2u in box please.

dtbushpilot - 7-1-2012 at 03:55 PM

Well, I unloaded the trailer, opened every box and made a short list of what it contained and numbered the boxes. I also listed everything else in the trailer.

I am planning on doing an excel spread sheet of the stuff and estimated value but how do I do it in Spanish? I haven't been able to figure out how to do it in excel. Will the broker re-write the list in Spanish?

I assume I will need pesos to pay the duty on the stuff. I have some but not sure if I have enough. Is there a bank or atm close to the Otay crossing?

Thanks everybody for your input, I feel a bit more confident now.

[Edited on 7-1-2012 by dtbushpilot]

DianaT - 7-1-2012 at 04:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtbushpilot


I assume I will need pesos to pay the duty on the stuff. I have some but not sure if I have enough. Is there a bank or atm close to the Otay crossing?



If you are coming down the 5, Costco in Chula Vista is a reasonable place to exchange and it is easy to park there with a trailer.

Just a heads-up and this has only happened once to us. To avoid the paper work and the need for the passports, if we are exchanging $1000.00, we split the money and do two exchanges. However, once after I exchanged $500, John walked up with $500.00 and the lady asked him for his passport. He asked why and she said it was because we were together and she saw us split the money.
She finally did the transaction without the passport but said not to do it again. Thus now we split up at the entrance and approach from different directions.

Also, it closes for lunch --- I forget the time, but someone will remember.

ncampion - 7-1-2012 at 05:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtbushpilot
Well, I unloaded the trailer, opened every box and made a short list of what it contained and numbered the boxes. I also listed everything else in the trailer.

I am planning on doing an excel spread sheet of the stuff and estimated value but how do I do it in Spanish? I haven't been able to figure out how to do it in excel. Will the broker re-write the list in Spanish?

I assume I will need pesos to pay the duty on the stuff. I have some but not sure if I have enough. Is there a bank or atm close to the Otay crossing?

Thanks everybody for your input, I feel a bit more confident now.

[Edited on 7-1-2012 by dtbushpilot]


The Excel list is a good idea, give it your best try in Spanish, the brokers usually speak English. They may re-write it or may not, not sure why. There is a bank right at the customs area including ATM. We have a Mexican bank account so usually just wrote a check.

nbacc - 7-1-2012 at 08:57 PM

All of the above is true but I can tell you that when we brought our household stuff (in a trailer that looks just like yours) to our house in Mexico we came through El Centro (east). Our trailer was packed and most was used bought at garage sales or off craigs list so it was hard to give an amount of worth. We pulled into the declare area and they had up open the back and sides. They asked us how much we thought it was worth. We went back and forth with them until we came upon a price. We had fully expected to pay but really did not know how to go about it, as much of it was ours already or given to us. They were very nice, they got money, we thought it was fair and then we were on our way. I was really glad we did not have to unpack it all. but they could have asked us to and we would have had to do it. nancy

bajachris - 7-1-2012 at 09:05 PM

Definitely Otay.

dtbushpilot - 7-1-2012 at 09:47 PM

Well, I got everything loaded, printed out an excel spread sheet with all the stuff on it, emailed it to a Mexican friend who translated it for me so I have it in English and Spanish. I plan to be at Otay early tomorrow morning, I'll post a trip report when I get home.

Thanks everyone for your help, my confidence level is pretty high, looking forward to a road trip.......dt

Russ - 7-2-2012 at 06:14 AM

Hope you had an uneventful trip. How was the crossing?

dtbushpilot - 7-2-2012 at 02:21 PM

Well, it went pretty good. I got there around 6:30 and pulled into the "declare" lot. I had planned to use a broker but a customs gal pointed to a parking space so I pulled in. She had a serious, all business look on her face. I stepped out with my manifests (in both English and Spanish) in hand, she said "open the trailer". I complied, she asked a few questions, asked me to open the side door, told me to take out 3 boxes and open them, said "300 pesos" and headed for the office. I followed, waited for her to prepare my receipt, paid the tax and was on my way.....15 minutes total.

I felt a bit silly for unloading everything and opening all the boxes (28 of them), gashing my head open on the door frame of the trailer, writing a manifest, calling in a favor to have it translated and she didn't even want to see it. You can bet that if I didn't have it I would still be at the border with all my stuff scattered out in the parking lot....better to be safe than sorry.

We stopped a Popeye's in San Quintin for oysters and clam coctails for lunch, checked in at Jardines and called it an early day. Looking forward to doing a little exploring here after a nap. Hope the rest of the trip goes as smooth......dt

Loretana - 7-2-2012 at 06:31 PM

dt
You did the right thing.

They just want a bite, albeit a small bite!

Well done.

Alm - 7-2-2012 at 07:24 PM

Was the bank open at 6.30 am or did they just take the cash at the office? And what happens - if anybody knows - if I also need to stamp and pay for FMT at 6.30 am? Have never crossed there, not to mention at 7 am.

Bob and Susan - 7-2-2012 at 07:32 PM

actually they are never open at otay mesa until 730am when i go...
i always need to wait if im early

maybe that changed

nbacc - 7-2-2012 at 07:48 PM

yup! that is just about how it went for us.........just depends on the agent and how they are feeling on that day., glad all went well., nancy

Alm - 7-2-2012 at 07:49 PM

Right. And 6.30 in summer means 5.30 BCN time, which makes me wonder even more.

dtbushpilot - 7-2-2012 at 09:14 PM

The bank window wasn't open yet. The customs officer took my money and made change out of an official looking cash register drawer, gave me a 2 part receipt, the guy at the official crossing took one part and waved me on my way, all very official....dt

dtbushpilot - 7-4-2012 at 09:48 PM

UPDATE:
After a nap at Jardines we drove down to Mission Santa Maria (I think that's what the old La Pinta is called now), went for a walk on the beach and threw the Frisbee for Cacahuate. We went out to Cililito Lindo (help me out DK) and had an adult beverage before heading to the Old Mill for dinner. We had a nice dinner, sang with the mariachi and headed back to Jardines for a good night's sleep.

At the crack of 8 or so we were headed South, stopped for gas at Los Pinos, stopped for some burritos just before the El Rosario Pemex and pulled into the Pemex to check the progress of the new bathrooms. Good news, they are up and running....as long as you don't mind having people walking past while you are using the urinal.....no,they still don't have a door on either the men's or women's bathroom. Good news though: apparently they have received permission from Pemex to measure for the new men's room door, I saw a guy measuring it and even took a picture (maybe I'll post it later) of him doing it. Next month they will be able to submit their plans for the door to Pemex for their consideration....I wonder if he measured the women's bathroom door at the same time or if they will have to wait another month for that one.....Sorry, I think I went off topic....

We arrived at Ignacio Springs mid afternoon and settled in, threw the frisbee in the lagoon for the smelly dog and drank a gla....bottle of wine. Terry fixed a wonderful dinner and we turned in early.

Up bright and early for breakfast and on the road by 8am or so. Had a reasonably uneventful trip home, stopped and visited with John and Rachel several miles south of Santa Rita, they were holed up for the afternoon along side of the road. We took a few pictures, maybe I'll get around to posting them.....tomorrow....

Arrived home around 5pm safe and sound, the trailer full of junk followed us all the way here without incident. I must say that I am pretty happy with the way the trailer did it's job. I weighed it before I left New Mexico and found it to be right at it's maximun vehicle weight. I didn't check the wheel bearings or even the lug nuts. I drove 70-75 mph everywhere I could for 1800 miles and had no issues. This isn't a new trailer, it is a Baja vereran. Pace Trailers....worth the money....

Thanks again for all the advise, I knew I could count on my Nomad brethren and sisteren (is that a word?) for good guidance.....dt

[Edited on 7-5-2012 by dtbushpilot]

nbacc - 7-5-2012 at 11:29 AM

Glad you are home safe nancy