BajaNomad - DO ANY OF YOU NOMADS KNOW?

DO ANY OF YOU NOMADS KNOW?

Udo - 12-19-2012 at 05:09 PM

I know CBP and US CUSTOMS have many rules of what we can bring back across the border.
One is we can not return with plant products...

HOWEVER...

I need to bring back a couple of small palapa sheets for my outdoor kitchen.
I have been to a palapa seller in the US, and all his palapas are stamped "MADE IN MEXICO"

Is it legal for me to bring back a couple of 65"X44" palapa sheets?

Mil Gracias!

DENNIS - 12-19-2012 at 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
Is it legal for me to bring back a couple of 65"X44" palapa sheets?

Mil Gracias!

What are they, Udo?

Bruce R Leech - 12-19-2012 at 05:26 PM

I have never Known anything about palapa sheets do they have lace around them

Udo - 12-19-2012 at 05:28 PM

Yes they do, Bruce.

Udo - 12-19-2012 at 05:30 PM

They are those palm frond roofs that many Baja residents have.
Some have their RV under a large one, others make a shaded area with them, plus they are multi-use.
Some make fairly heavy ones and use them as a wind-break.

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
Is it legal for me to bring back a couple of 65"X44" palapa sheets?

Mil Gracias!

What are they, Udo?

Bruce R Leech - 12-19-2012 at 05:31 PM

if they have lace it should be OK to bring um. Gidderdone :lol:

DENNIS - 12-19-2012 at 05:45 PM

I've seen a lot of Palapas, but never sheets of Palm Fronds.

Udo - 12-19-2012 at 05:56 PM

Thanks for the info, bruce...
had no idea about the lace thing.

Ateo - 12-19-2012 at 06:07 PM

I don't know. Go for it and let us know. What's the worse that can happen? =)

I crossed with about 20 bones one time, even went thru the XRAY machine, but nothing was said by the agents. As long as your palapa sheets aren't coated in drugs I bet you'll be OK.

Having said that, those things may stick out a tad so be ready to explain yourself.

Ateo - 12-19-2012 at 06:10 PM

And after saying that, I'm sorry I did nothing to help you resolve your questions. Lo siento.

tiotomasbcs - 12-19-2012 at 06:14 PM

Mi Amigo, do you mean the woven Petates? Woven Tule fiber or maybe the Pergolas? Made of stems from the Date Palms?? Both come from the inner reaches of La Purisima. bugs thus your question. Doubt it-- probably would think you're doing something illegal! Good question, tho. Tio

Udo - 12-19-2012 at 06:23 PM

Well...
They are going to be small enough...

SO...

Here is my plan...

I'll place the palapa material on the bottom (on top of the carpeting of the FJ) and put all my chit on top of the palapas.
They will be hidden under my refrigerator, diving gear, kayak gear, etc. Then I'll declare my regular items, and if the palapa sheets don't have a distinctive aroma, I should be able to pass.

However, honestly, I would like to declare the palapa material, but our last trip, I was busted into secondary because i declared 4 pieces of driftwood that I thought my parrot would like as perch.

shari - 12-19-2012 at 06:48 PM

IF they ask...just tell them they are part of your camping setup...like a windbreak...i dont think you will have a problem...you can get beautiful ones woven to the size you want from Mulegena's husbands family.

DENNIS - 12-19-2012 at 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
IF they ask...just tell them they are part of your camping setup...like a windbreak...i dont think you will have a problem...you can get beautiful ones woven to the size you want from Mulegena's husbands family.

Hi Shari........ Hey....we need fotos of these things. What am I missing here?

Ateo - 12-19-2012 at 07:00 PM

I'm with Shari............perfect explanation. I bring drift wood all the time. Thanks for letting me know never to declare it Udo.

fandango - 12-19-2012 at 07:23 PM

I agree, Shari's suggestion is perfect. You take it camping with you in baja every time you go. ;~ )

Did they let you keep the declared driftwood?

Udo - 12-19-2012 at 07:27 PM

It could have been part of someone's hair up their ass (CBP agent's), who knows.

But I'm never declaring a natural product from Baja, including shells. I've head of someone being sent to secondary over scallop shells (which I'm taking two dozen to use as serving dishes.)

Bajaboy - 12-19-2012 at 07:40 PM

Why not just follow the law and declare them? Or better yet buy them when you get home?

New tire

captkw - 12-19-2012 at 07:57 PM

How are in regard to a extra new spare tire that I might be bringing down for a Nomad ???

Mulegena - 12-19-2012 at 08:30 PM

Yes, Shari's right-on. They're part of your camping gear, and you'll find no better windbreak.

Petate is made from cariso, a water-loving plant from the bamboo family. It grows along the river up in La Purisima and is prized for its strength and flexibility. Its woven into flat sheets, usually 6x10' or finer ones in 4x8'.

My husbands's family proudly makes 'em, and they are absolutely beautiful. They are really strict in planning their work by the phase of the moon. They will harvest the cane only in the dark of the moon to reduce the possibility of infestation by insects which ensures a better-quality product.

To use them in your home be sure to put a light varnish on them: exterior use, straight from the can; for interior use, dilute the varnish/thinner 75/25. To cover the raw edges where they come together use the petate "weave" placed flat over the edges and secured with Liquid Nails and/or staples for a beautiful finish.

I imagine that you could get a bill of sale from your supplier you could whip out at the border if they decided to go through your stuff.

It was I who got busted to secondary for bringing in shells. I think the guy said 1-2 kilos was ok but any more than that I'd have to go to Otay Mesa and declare them for commercial import.

DENNIS - 12-19-2012 at 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulegena

Petate

OK....now I know what you're talking about.

CortezBlue - 12-19-2012 at 09:50 PM

I would think, since they are dead, that it wouldn't matter, but then again it is Mexico and the USA.

Bajaboy - 12-19-2012 at 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CortezBlue
I would think, since they are dead, that it wouldn't matter, but then again it is Mexico and the USA.

Plenty of dead firewood has come into San Diego along with it the Gold Spotted Oak Boarer. This little guy is destroying all the oak trees in San Diego. There is a reason why items are banned for entry.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110902151649.ht...

[Edited on 12-20-2012 by Bajaboy]

Udo - 12-20-2012 at 08:38 AM

Would you give me directions to your place, Mulegena?

I'll drop by next week and pick some up.

I need two of them to be 44"X65" with palm fronds hanging over the left, right and lower edges.
The third one I need is 65"wide by 50" long (two parts of 25") and is to be used as a roof top. Palm fronds hanging on the 65" edges.

The outdoor kitchen is 65 degrees pitch roof, with a raised shorter roof (25" each side that then slope down) this part is used as a vent to let out any smoke.

BTW...
I think the best idea was to actually declare them and say that they are part of our camping set-up.

Mil gracias for the idea!

Quote:

Originally posted by Mulegena
Yes, Shari's right-on. They're part of your camping gear, and you'll find no better windbreak.

Petate is made from cariso, a water-loving plant from the bamboo family. It grows along the river up in La Purisima and is prized for its strength and flexibility. Its woven into flat sheets, usually 6x10' or finer ones in 4x8'.

My husbands's family proudly makes 'em, and they are absolutely beautiful. They are really strict in planning their work by the phase of the moon. They will harvest the cane only in the dark of the moon to reduce the possibility of infestation by insects which ensures a better-quality product.

To use them in your home be sure to put a light varnish on them: exterior use, straight from the can; for interior use, dilute the varnish/thinner 75/25. To cover the raw edges where they come together use the petate "weave" placed flat over the edges and secured with Liquid Nails and/or staples for a beautiful finish.

I imagine that you could get a bill of sale from your supplier you could whip out at the border if they decided to go through your stuff.

It was I who got busted to secondary for bringing in shells. I think the guy said 1-2 kilos was ok but any more than that I'd have to go to Otay Mesa and declare them for commercial import.

Mulegena - 12-20-2012 at 08:59 AM

u2u me if you'd like to drop by if you're in town, Mulege.

You can see what we've done with 'em and share your ideas.

Udo, please follow-up on this thread re: importing them.
I'm really curious.
From reading the US import rules on-line I can see no restrictions, butbutbut...

Marc - 12-20-2012 at 09:17 AM

I don't bring anything back i never declare anything. I learned thehard way. At Tecate if you are in a pickup you go to secondary no matter what. The agents there are for the most part ass***les.

tripledigitken - 12-20-2012 at 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
I don't bring anything back i never declare anything. I learned thehard way. At Tecate if you are in a pickup you go to secondary no matter what. The agents there are for the most part ass***les.

Marc,

Do you have Bob Marley decals on your truck? :cool:

I have never been to secondary in my truck at Tecate. I declare a few items like liquor or tee shirts thinking after a week or more the likelyhood that I would have something is pretty high. Maybe thats the key?

Ken

[Edited on 12-20-2012 by tripledigitken]

The secret

bajaguy - 12-20-2012 at 09:30 AM

To where ever you cross is to make a list............we have been doing this for about 12 years and have never had a problem............

2 "T" shirts
1 hat
1 bottle vanilla
2 bottles olive oil
1 bottle tequila
Ect
Ect
Ect..............

When they ask you what you are bringing back, just start reading the list........ :lol:

tripledigitken - 12-20-2012 at 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
To where ever you cross is to make a list............we have been doing this for about 12 years and have never had a problem............

2 "T" shirts
1 hat
1 bottle vanilla
2 bottles olive oil
1 bottle tequila
Ect
Ect
Ect..............

When they ask you what you are bringing back, just start reading the list........ :lol:

That's it!!!

(what brand of vanilla do you get and where?)

bajaguy - 12-20-2012 at 09:52 AM

Usually the quickest and easiest place is Smart & Final here in Ensenada, and I just grab whatever is available......usually Molina - I think the quart size big bottle.

We use it as bribes for our more talented baking/cooking friends and relatives in the US although I use it mainly in the summer for my homemade vanilla ice cream.

PS: I try to find the plastic bottles to avoid glass breakage.

Marc - 12-20-2012 at 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote:

Marc,

Do you have Bob Marley decals on your truck? :cool:

Jeesh, never thought of it. Maybe I should take his thing off. :lol: