BajaNomad

First time posting here in THIS forum.....

M - 11-14-2012 at 07:25 PM

HI all,
I'm moving to Rosarito, MX, anytime now, depending on my,...'former, BHL' and his accepting my terms for selling our home.

I swill get the year long car insurance, BUT,how long can I go back and forth, being discreeeet,brfore the issue of paperwork comes up?

I used to know all this stuff by heart, but, honestly, eight years is a long time to be Baja ingnorant, so, please forgive my questions. And, yes, I CAN look this stuff up, but frankly, I need the BASIC down and dirty facts. Reason being, I don't even have time to feed myself lately, so give what you can, and, I will be indebted.

What sort of fast entrance/exit info can they pull up, so as, to question my intentions in MX?

If pulled into secondary, with a van full of sealed boxes, WHAT do I say? WHAT, should I expect?

I have NEVER been pulled into secondary, both sides with the exce[ption of MX. They pulled me to secondary ONCE, then, waved me through. Lolol...WTF?????

I'm expecting a SERIOUS,spinal surgery that I MUST be near my Dr. to recieve care, incission care etc., after my surgery. I don't want to waste the time doing paperwork now, and using up form deadlines. My Nov 18th surgery was cancelled due to having to be available for the judge/divorce.

Lord, so MUCH all at once. PLUS 3 animals to care for.

ANY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE will be gratefully accepted.
BLESSED & BIG HUGS,
M

David K - 11-14-2012 at 07:31 PM

M, the cheap annual insurance for tourists who don't spend more than 90 days a year on vacations in Baja, wouldn't apply to you since you are so public about what you are doing. However, I am sure BajaGeoff of BajaBound.com can tell you what they can offer (when he returns from pitting at tomorrow's Baja 1000 race).

If not Baja Bound, there are many agents that gringos can recommend for insurance sold in Rosarito or elsewhere, I am sure!

M - 11-14-2012 at 09:47 PM

Quote:
Hi DK,
Thanks for the Insur. info. I don't like having to buy two expensive policies for my 2011 Routran Van,, but I know our sponsers here deserve an honest business relationship. I would be GRATEFUL for a break, but I'm not manuevering for one, unless they can consider my circumstances and my driving record also.
I will soon be living there after the first of the year. New info about my upcoming surgery is putting a crimp in things. I must PROMISE to be available, locally, for wound care and therapy for at least 8 weeks after my surgery.
As you know, NOT my style. I prefer,cut, go, get me outta here, sort of thing. APPARENTLY, they are being a bit anal on this one...lol....
I really do appreciate your help DK. NOW, I am looking to rent a room around Irvine, with 2 cats and a non-barking Chihuahua. All FULLY housebroken, trained, no fleas. I can pay whatever the reasonable rates are. This will just be for a couple months, after I am filleted
BIG HUGS DK AND ANGEL,
M


quote]Originally posted by David K
M, the cheap annual insurance for tourists who don't spend more than 90 days a year on vacations in Baja, wouldn't apply to you since you are so public about what you are doing. However, I am sure BajaGeoff of BajaBound.com can tell you what they can offer (when he returns from pitting at tomorrow's Baja 1000 race).

If not Baja Bound, there are many agents that gringos can recommend for insurance sold in Rosarito or elsewhere, I am sure!

good since of humor

captkw - 11-14-2012 at 09:53 PM

filleted !!! now thats funny !!:lol: I have found for me its a lot better to have fun than complain !! K&T

rhintransit - 11-15-2012 at 06:57 AM

you can get away with no car insurance as long as you don't have an accident...it's as simple as that.
if you're pulled into secondary or get the red light, your sealed boxes will be opened and you will be charged duty. further questioning is up to the individual inspector. no one can guess who/what you might get. best to be as legal.
when you ask about what kind of info 'they' can pull up, who are they? USA border patrol obviously a lot better/computerized than Mexico's. however, as the new immigration laws come into enforcement, it's anyone's guess as to how long it will take to get the visas (tourist cards, whatever they are now going to be called) computerized.
yes, things have changed A LOT in eight years.

Hook - 11-15-2012 at 07:54 AM

If it was me carrying household stuff down in BOXES (not furniture and appliances), I wouldnt declare. I'd hope for the green light.

If I get the red, I'd say I've rented a place for a few months in Rosarito and I'm furnishing the house and will be bringing all this back when the rent's up. It might not get you out of paying duty but at least you have a semi-plausible reason for not declaring.

Still, have a hand written (preferably in Spanish) ledger of what you are carrying and what each item is worth AT GARAGE SALE VALUE, assuming nothing is brand new. Leave the values off the ledger and if they ask for values, fill them in right there. This way you appear to have nothing but a list of your items but it can be converted into the ledger (with values) they may request. They arent likely to quibble over values on used items in boxes. They quibble over big-ticket items that appear to be new.

Be prepared to pay 16-17% of the total value (minus the personal exclusions, minus the 75.00 exemption). Keep this amount and a bit more in your wallet/purse. YES, HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THE DUTY. Dont come to Mexico without the ability (if not the intention) to play by the rules.

It's possible that the total valuation of these items AT GARAGE SALE VALUE might be less than 75.00, no?

Keep any other monies (especially if they are significant) on your person. You dont want to tempt the Aduana agent by appearing to have lots of other cash.

Get your insurance BEFORE you cross. Get the tourist liability. Get a year. Generally, insurance for over two weeks, on a daily basis, is about the same cost as a yearly policy.

Better have all documentation pertaining to ownership of the car, itself. It can be asked for. I hope your name is on it and not just your husband's.

Carry your passport, just in case. I cand comment on the INM/FMM situation; it's too much in flux, right now.

I sure hope your place in Rosarito is secure. The neighbors will know that you have moved some stuff in and that it will be unoccupied until you return. They will see you drive away. Maybe this load doesnt have that many valuable, though.

Buenas suerte.........................

larryC - 11-15-2012 at 09:05 AM

After building and furnishing 2 houses down here in Baja, my experience has been that the Mexican border guys don't really care about used personal items. They do look in most boxes but unless you are bringing new items they have just looked and then waved me through. My method is to pull into the declare lane and go up to one of the officers and play dumb, tell him I have a bunch of stuff in my truck and could he please look at it and tell me what I owe. So far no charge. Your mileage may vary.
Good luck,
Larry

Hook - 11-15-2012 at 09:09 AM

Larry, are you selling all that stuff in your signature?

BajaBlanca - 11-15-2012 at 09:55 AM

we do the same asLarry- they look and rarely charge unless

1. new stuff carry a receipt, if you have one

2. many of one singel item- ex.: 3 tables or 4 boogie boards

The paperwork to get into Mexico you MUST have - it is painless and pretty fast and really a good idea to have on you.

sancho - 11-15-2012 at 12:21 PM

There are more than a few Gringos living in TJ/Rosarito
that work in San Diego and cross daily. One time
after crossing 4 times within a couple weeks US
Customs asked me if I lived in Mex, which I said no.
Which I did not.
Would crossing several times in a short time
make US Customs
more likely to pull you into secondary? Don't know,
Perhaps. I've always wondered what their screen
shows when Passport is scaned, other than the obvious,
I imagine it lists amount of times passort has
been used to enter the US and dates

Alm - 11-18-2012 at 12:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
If it was me carrying household stuff down in BOXES (not furniture and appliances), I wouldnt declare. I'd hope for the green light.

If I get the red, I'd say I've rented a place for a few months in Rosarito and I'm furnishing the house and will be bringing all this back when the rent's up. It might not get you out of paying duty but at least you have a semi-plausible reason for not declaring.

I think this was discussed a few days ago. If you get a red light or are pulled off for inspection before green light, there are 2 possible outcomes of not declaring:

1) They let you go after paying some dues, or
2) They play by the book. Car and trailer with all the goods are confiscated, you pay REALLY big fine, and they return you the car and trailer and some goods - not all the goods.

Hook - 11-18-2012 at 02:33 PM

BS. Never heard of that happening and San Carlos is FULL of people doing this all the time, as we are only 5 hours below the border. I, myself, have not declared, gotten the red and simply paid the duty.

I think it's an urban myth.

DENNIS - 11-18-2012 at 02:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook

I think it's an urban myth.




If that.

Whatever.....I think we're seeing the "New Garita Order' in transition. Mexico has finally pulled her head out of that dark place and decided to collect much needed revenue. I really don't see the customs people going back to their old ways.......except, of course, at the top.

msteve1014 - 11-18-2012 at 04:30 PM

We also do the same as Larry. I have never paid anything for the stuff in the boxes, and I have had them open all 20 or 30 of them. Just pull in to declare, and be ready to re tape all your boxes. Of the large appliances and furniture I brought down, we were only charged twice, and it was $20 or so each time.