BajaNomad - SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN

SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 10:16 AM

Friends, and neighbors, came down yesterday crossing through the El Chaparral gate, with seven bicycles in the back of the truck. As they have been doing since the wheel was invented, they give these old, but still rolling, bikes to one of the local orphanages. It's just something they like to do.
Not this time, said the border inspector. "Two people....Two bikes"......and they were turned around, sent back to readjust their load and dispose of the contraband.

Now...I know this won't be the case on weekends with the Rosarito/Ensenada bike rides that flood the cities with tourist dollars, but why, if not from a basis of pure meanness , would a rule such as this be imposed at other times?
It only hurts the children who have already suffered more than they should.

I just don't understand.

.

[Edited on 3-3-2013 by DENNIS]

David K - 3-3-2013 at 10:32 AM

While you and I (and most Nomads) know this is a noble gesture... the job of Mexican customs is to protect Mexico... and in this case, Mexican business.

The bikes need to be purchased in Mexico to give to children... in their thinking. Wasn't there an ability to pay taxes on importing them?

Mexican overloaded trucks are always going south loaded to the gills on I-5 from L.A. to sell that stuff in Mexico... Perhaps only Mexicans can bring in stuff for a Secondaria store?

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
the job of Mexican customs is to protect Mexico... and in this case, Mexican business.

Give me a ****** break, David. Two senior citizens with five too many wrecked bicycles is a threat to Mexican business?

Quote:

Wasn't there an ability to pay taxes on importing them?

It didn't come up. They probably wouldn't have paid anyway, just on principle. The bikes were one step above trash.

Quote:

Mexican overloaded trucks are always going south loaded to the gills on I-5 from L.A. to sell that stuff in Mexico... Perhaps only Mexicans can bring in stuff for a Secondaria store?

The Segundas pay by the truckload. Maybe a bunch...maybe a little bit of nothin. I don't know.

.

[Edited on 3-4-2013 by BajaNomad]

rts551 - 3-3-2013 at 11:17 AM

Dennis DO NOT challenge the board expert explainer. He has something for everything!

fishbuck - 3-3-2013 at 11:20 AM

I brought a bike down one time for the orphans there. The organizers spread the load to anyone coming down. A bike or 2 each. I loved the pictures and of the little boy who got "my" bike. Bet the kid will win the Baja 1000 someday. The bike was tiny and so was the kid. Might have been 5 or more years ago.

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Dennis DO NOT challenge the board expert explainer. He has something for everything!

OK Ralph....how many books did you buy?

EnsenadaDr - 3-3-2013 at 11:31 AM

Dennis, you more than anyone else should understand the incongruent regulations and inconstancy in Mexican government. Just one guy who wanted to flex his muscles and show of power at the border. Mexicans love to say that Americans are suit happy, but the lack of consequences for bad behavior in Mexico makes this kind of thing rampant.

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Friends, and neighbors, came down yesterday crossing through the El Chaparral gate, with seven bicycles in the back of the truck. As they have been doing since the wheel was invented, they give these old, but still rolling, bikes to one of the local orphanages. It's just something they like to do.
Not this time, said the border inspector. "Two people....Two bikes"......and they were turned around, sent back to readjust their load and dispose of the contraband.

Now...I know this won't be the case on weekends with the Rosarito/Ensenada bike rides that flood the cities with tourist dollars, but why, if not from a basis of pure meanness , would a rule such as this be imposed at other times?
It only hurts the children who have already suffered more than they should.

I just don't understand.

.

[Edited on 3-3-2013 by DENNIS]

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
None, as books are purchased by people wishing to be educated or entertained... it is far too easy to just make jokes or curse on the Internet for free laughs. Writing books and trip reports takes work. Following others around Nomad is quite easy. :lol:

It's Sunday morning, David. Shouldn't you be saying Mass and serving Communion somewhere?

David K - 3-3-2013 at 11:35 AM

Yes, my son... :light:

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Just one guy who wanted to flex his muscles and show of power at the border.

I don't think that was the case. According to my friends, the young man was sincerly apologetic about the decision to send them back.
I believe it's just part of the "New" Mexico we're all going to be introduced to in the near future.

rts551 - 3-3-2013 at 11:39 AM

You should know about the Nomads part. Its where you spend all your time. Mine is spent in Baja.

Quote:

chuckie - 3-3-2013 at 11:39 AM

I was turned around with a load of kids clothes some years back...couldnt prove they werent for resale..I found a Mexican family headed south, in Tecate, and gave them to them...

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckie
I was turned around with a load of kids clothes some years back...couldnt prove they werent for resale..I found a Mexican family headed south, in Tecate, and gave them to them...

Yeah...they still frown on that. The worst thing you can say at the gate is that the clothes are for the poor. They hate it when we do something they should be doing, but won't.
They like to say in this case, "We don't have any poor." It's like an invitation to an unwinnable arguement.
NONONO...don't wanna go there.

Rules be rules for everyone

durrelllrobert - 3-3-2013 at 11:46 AM

According to the rules that are part of the Customs Declaration for passengers entering Mexico, which they will give you in English at the border, here is what you can bring AND I DON'T SEE BICYCLES ANYWHERE ON THE LIST):

BAGGAGE AND DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
Pasengers may transport, exempt duty, new or used merchandises that make up their personal baggage as well as duty-free allowance merchandises:

1) Goods considered as personal bagage:
Goods for personal use such as clothes - including one bride trousseau, footwear and personal toiletries and beauty products, `as long as they are appropriate for the duration of the trip; as well as baby travel, hygiene and fun accessories, such as car seat, portacrib, baby carriage, baby walker, etc., including their accessories; two cameras or video cameras, including 12 rolls of film or video cassettes; photographic material; two cellular phones or beepers or pagers; one portable typewriter; one personal organizer; one laptop, notebook, omnibook or similar;one portable photocopier or printer;one portable recorder and one projector, including accessories; two personal sports equipments, four fishing rods, three surfboards or wind surfing boards and their accesssoris, trophs or recognitions that can normally be transported by the passenger; one running machine and one exercise bike; one portable sound recorder or player;; one digital sound player or portable CD player and one DVD player, as well as a set of portable speakers and their accessories; five laser discs, 10 DVDs, 30 CDs or magnetic tapes, for sound playing,, three storage software and 5 storage cdevices for any electronic equipment; books, magazines and printed documents; five toys, including collection toys, and one video game console, as well as five video games; one blood pressure self-monitoring device and one blood glucose self-monitoring device, or a mixed device, and their reagents, as well as personal medicine (in the event of psycotropic substances, passenger must show prescription); one binoculars and one telescope; two musical instruments and their accessories; one tent and other camping articles; one set of hand tools and the suitcase, which may include one drill, tweezers, wrenches, dies, screwdrivers, cables, etc.

Passengers over 18 years may transport up to 20 ciggarette packets, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, as well as up to 3 liters of alcholic dinks and six liters of wine.

Old persons and disabled persons may transport devices that compensate or reduce their limitations, such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, etc.

Pasengers may transport up to two dogs or cats, as well as the accessories necessary for pet transportation and cleaning, showing the pertinent animal importing permit issued by Sagarpa.

2) Duty-free allowance:
Merchandise additional to the baggage, which monetary value may be provided by invoice or sale receipt and such value dosent exceed 300 USD, or the equivalent MXN currency when passenger entries to Mexico by maritime or airport; or 75 USD when passenger entries by land. Alcholic drinks, tobbaccos, and gasoline may not be part of the duty-free allowance.

DURING HOLIDAY PERIOD, HOLY WEEK, SUMMER, NEW YEAR, MEXICAN PASSENGERS ENTERING MEXICO BY LAND MAY IMPORT, UNDER THEIR DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE, MERCHANDISE WITH A VALUE UP TO 300 USD OR EQUIVALENT IN MXN CURRENCY,EXCEPT FOR PERSONS THAT RESIDE IN THE BORDER. PLEASE LOOK UP FOR THE BEGINING AND END OF THESE HOLYDAY PERIODS AT CUSTOMS DESK OR WWW.ADUANAS.GOB.MX

TAX PAYMENTS

>Passengers may import mercahndise other than their personal baggage without hiring a customs broker, paying the general tax of 16%, provided that the value of the merchandise, excluding the duty-free allowance, doesn't exceed 3000 USD or the equivalent in MXN currency, and provided that the passenger has the invoice, sale receipt, or any other document expressing the commercial value of the merchandise.
>Taxes may be paid by Internet at www.banjjercito.com.mx or www.adunnas.gob.mx completeing the form"Payment of Foreign Trade Duties" or through automatic centers.
> Value of computer equipment, together with the rest of the merchandise, must not exceed 4,000 USD or equivalent in other currencies.
> Merchandise subject to non-tariff regulations or restrictions (permits, certificates,notices) may not be imported.
>In order to calculate the tax base, duty-free allowances mentioned in part 2 may be subtracted from merchandise value.

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 11:49 AM

Quote:

This is only one of the lists. The other list, the invisible version, is what they've been using forever...and will continue to use. :light:

paranewbi - 3-3-2013 at 11:50 AM

At the risk of being told to give some one an f'ing anything...I'll chime in here with experiance.

Having worked at several orphanages over the years, sometimes an acquisition of old garage doors were obtained from the navy housing renovations done here in San Diego. Loaded on a flat bed with the intention of replacing cardboard shacks with 4 walls and a top, there were times we made it and times we didn't followed by delays of a short span and then successful transit over the border.

Never on a list, forbidin or allowed, just depends on who had a f'ing attitude and who didn't...much like on this board.

Thanks for lending something constructive DK.

EnsenadaDr - 3-3-2013 at 11:54 AM

Rules are rules, then, what can I say? You posted a while back about not bringing an extra tire into Mexico. If they really cared about the kids, they would raise the minimum wage so parents could afford a bicycle. 5 dollars a day wages at the Ensenada McDonald's is not going to cut it.

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Just one guy who wanted to flex his muscles and show of power at the border.

elgatoloco - 3-3-2013 at 11:54 AM

Bummer that they are doing that. I am always finding 'extra' clothes i no longer use and the last few times we have gone down I put them in soft sided travel duffles and after we find a new home for them take the empty duffles and stuff them in storage on camper. Shame we have to resort to this but...............I am thinking that Otay or Tecate may be the crossing of choice if one wants to bring down extra stuff? They are stepping up the game at Chapparal?

:fire:

Viva Mexico!

rts551 - 3-3-2013 at 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by paranewbi

Thanks for lending something constructive DK.

Constructive means providing authoritative (actual experience.not opinion) dialogue to the thread. I don't believe David takes frequent trips to Baja to donate goods.

As a frequent traveler to and around Baja (majority of the year resident) I find many responses amazing and not my experience in traveling Baja. It seems like the occasional stop for prohibited items lends itself to "piling on". I personally do not get stopped often and when I go to the declare line am many times told to just proceed. No problem. Maybe I am just lucky.

What I don't need to do is provide my experience or opinion on every thread out there.

Ralph

rts551 - 3-3-2013 at 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Yet, you feel the need to follow all my posts here on Nomad and make snide remarks as if I am doing something wrong. This is a Baja discussion forum where people come to find out about Baja travel and places. For the life of me, I can't remember you ever sharing a trip report, photos, history, with anything that may interest viewers... save the occasional mention of a local off road race (which I do enjoy reading).

I am motivated by the people who tell me how much my posts and web site helped them have a good vacation or an interesting side trip... they do it here, on u2u's, and in person. If I was doing something wrong, I don't think I would be hearing so much positive feedback.

I don't try to upset you Ralph, but if reading my posts bothers you to such a degree, I think the nicest thing I can do is advise you to not read my contributions or comments. Try and have a nice day, somehow.

It would be hard to not see your posts since they appear in almost every thread. I would have to stop reading Nomads.

I don't have the same motivations as you do and thus do not need to post all my pictures on this forum.

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elgatoloco
They are stepping up the game at Chapparal?

Sure are. I get the feeling that Chaparral is a test lab for their entire system.

David and Ralph

bajaguy - 3-3-2013 at 12:53 PM

Please get off the board, go outside to the sandbox and try and play nice.

If either of you do not have anything POSITIVE to contribute to the topic of the post, please STFU

Have a nice day :lol:

David K - 3-3-2013 at 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Please get off the board, go outside to the sandbox and try and play nice.

If either of you do not have anything POSITIVE to contribute to the topic of the post, please STFU

Have a nice day :lol:

Yes Dad!

(I will clean up my mess when I come back... to play nice with the good Nomads)

Edit: DONE!

[Edited on 3-4-2013 by David K]

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 01:04 PM

Speaking of El Chaparral.....I haven't noticed myself, but the person this thread is about spent a bit of time outside of his vehicle in the inspection bay and noticed overhead cameras directed downward, possibly to oversee the inspectors for collecting duty on their own.
Can you imagine how much money was misdirected over the years at the gate? It had to be one of the countrys best paying jobs. I once had a long conversation with one of the inspectors and at that time he and his wife lived in Chula Vista.

BajaBlanca - 3-3-2013 at 01:08 PM

I gotta say I am shocked that they didnt just put a tax on the bikes. I have paid taxes on boogie boards, surf board and bikes but it is so little that I fork it over with a smile.

An American who stayed with us and has a segunda in Ensenada and so he enters mexico with mucho stuff every week told us that he is not allowed to cross in TJ. It is supposedly only for tourists. He had to go to any other border but is not to enter (unless not bringing stuff) via San Ysidro.

Cisco - 3-3-2013 at 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
According to the rules that are part of the Customs Declaration for passengers entering Mexico, which they will give you in English at the border, here is what you can bring AND I DON'T SEE BICYCLES ANYWHERE ON THE LIST):

BAGGAGE AND DUTY FREE ALLOWANCE
Pasengers may transport, exempt duty, new or used merchandises that make up their personal baggage as well as duty-free allowance merchandises:

1) Goods considered as personal bagage:
Goods for personal use such as clothes - including one bride trousseau, footwear and personal toiletries and beauty products, `as long as they are appropriate for the duration of the trip; as well as baby travel, hygiene and fun accessories, such as car seat, portacrib, baby carriage, baby walker, etc., including their accessories; two cameras or video cameras, including 12 rolls of film or video cassettes; photographic material; two cellular phones or beepers or pagers; one portable typewriter; one personal organizer; one laptop, notebook, omnibook or similar;one portable photocopier or printer;one portable recorder and one projector, including accessories; two personal sports equipments, four fishing rods, three surfboards or wind surfing boards and their accesssoris, trophs or recognitions that can normally be transported by the passenger; one running machine and one exercise bike; one portable sound recorder or player;; one digital sound player or portable CD player and one DVD player, as well as a set of portable speakers and their accessories; five laser discs, 10 DVDs, 30 CDs or magnetic tapes, for sound playing,, three storage software and 5 storage cdevices for any electronic equipment; books, magazines and printed documents; five toys, including collection toys, and one video game console, as well as five video games; one blood pressure self-monitoring device and one blood glucose self-monitoring device, or a mixed device, and their reagents, as well as personal medicine (in the event of psycotropic substances, passenger must show prescription); one binoculars and one telescope; two musical instruments and their accessories; one tent and other camping articles; one set of hand tools and the suitcase, which may include one drill, tweezers, wrenches, dies, screwdrivers, cables, etc.

Passengers over 18 years may transport up to 20 ciggarette packets, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, as well as up to 3 liters of alcholic dinks and six liters of wine.

Old persons and disabled persons may transport devices that compensate or reduce their limitations, such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, walking sticks, etc.

Pasengers may transport up to two dogs or cats, as well as the accessories necessary for pet transportation and cleaning, showing the pertinent animal importing permit issued by Sagarpa.

2) Duty-free allowance:
Merchandise additional to the baggage, which monetary value may be provided by invoice or sale receipt and such value dosent exceed 300 USD, or the equivalent MXN currency when passenger entries to Mexico by maritime or airport; or 75 USD when passenger entries by land. Alcholic drinks, tobbaccos, and gasoline may not be part of the duty-free allowance.

DURING HOLIDAY PERIOD, HOLY WEEK, SUMMER, NEW YEAR, MEXICAN PASSENGERS ENTERING MEXICO BY LAND MAY IMPORT, UNDER THEIR DUTY-FREE ALLOWANCE, MERCHANDISE WITH A VALUE UP TO 300 USD OR EQUIVALENT IN MXN CURRENCY,EXCEPT FOR PERSONS THAT RESIDE IN THE BORDER. PLEASE LOOK UP FOR THE BEGINING AND END OF THESE HOLYDAY PERIODS AT CUSTOMS DESK OR WWW.ADUANAS.GOB.MX

TAX PAYMENTS

>Passengers may import mercahndise other than their personal baggage without hiring a customs broker, paying the general tax of 16%, provided that the value of the merchandise, excluding the duty-free allowance, doesn't exceed 3000 USD or the equivalent in MXN currency, and provided that the passenger has the invoice, sale receipt, or any other document expressing the commercial value of the merchandise.
>Taxes may be paid by Internet at www.banjjercito.com.mx or www.adunnas.gob.mx completeing the form"Payment of Foreign Trade Duties" or through automatic centers.
> Value of computer equipment, together with the rest of the merchandise, must not exceed 4,000 USD or equivalent in other currencies.
> Merchandise subject to non-tariff regulations or restrictions (permits, certificates,notices) may not be imported.
>In order to calculate the tax base, duty-free allowances mentioned in part 2 may be subtracted from merchandise value.

Bob:

A year or so ago I contacted the Mexican Consulate in San Diego as I was having varied interpretations of what I could or not take over and we had a discussion on line about it.

Blanca was quite interested and I sent her the information (pdf) that I had received from the consular office which is several pages and inclusive. Might ask her if she still has it in her files I am unable to locate my copy.

The big deal at that time was children's toys made in China, which are restricted although they are sold new in Baja by large stores. Perhaps that's the reason for the restriction. Competition.

Blanca, if you're still in here could you check for that please.

BajaBlanca - 3-3-2013 at 01:36 PM

yes yes yes I will hunt for it and I had forgotten that anything made in China could not be brought in ...but sadly, this was indeed the case. Off to hunt now ....

[Edited on 3-4-2013 by BajaBlanca]

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I gotta say I am shocked that they didnt just put a tax on the bikes.

I'll have to ask how that went cuz I'm sure it had to be an option. Like I said, it probably wouldn't be an acceptable option for my friend. He spends most of his retired life just doing things for people....for nothing.... and perhaps he isn't in the mood to bend with the times.
He did mention, however, that when he returned to San Ysidro, he saw a small group of day-workers standing near a corner so he gave them the bikes.

BajaBlanca - 3-3-2013 at 01:55 PM

and I bet they were pleased as punch. The thing is, if you say the used bike is worth say $5, the tax might be 50 cents. So, all we are talking about is a couple dollars at most but I really get that sometimes it is the principle that just irks one.

I can't find the original document Cisco sent me (I deleted the u2u and the old computer that would have had it saved is long gone to heaven).

Here is the link to that thread on the ins and outs of bringing stuff across the border in 2012, if anyone is interested:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52908#pid6209...

[Edited on 3-3-2013 by BajaBlanca]

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
and I bet they were pleased as punch. The thing is, if you say the used bike is worth say $5, the tax might be 50 cents. So, all we are talking about is a couple dollars at most but I really get that sometimes it is the principle that just irks one.

Like I said, I'll find out how it went down. I can't imagine him going through the return procedure, which included going back through the US gate [said he got secondary there as well] for just pocket change.
Now I'm really curious.

DENNIS - 3-3-2013 at 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
yes yes yes I will unt for it and I had forgotten that anything made in China could not be brought in ...but sadly, this was indeed the case. Off to hunt now ....

Nothing new here, I guess. Maybe almost twenty years back, I rode with a friend up to Otay, Mexico Customs to pick up a pallet full of electronic parts from China. My friend worked for a US lady who started a cable TV business in Ensenada.
Anyway, the paperwork for the importation was huge, just because it came from China.
It seems Mexico and China were [probably still are] having disputes over trying to corner the market on supplying cheap labor.

paranewbi - 3-3-2013 at 03:53 PM

"Constructive means providing authoritative (actual experience.not opinion) dialogue to the thread" (rts551)

"con-struc-tive - 1. serving to advance a good purpose; helpful" (American Heritage Dictionary)

I rather go with a helpful offering, than a bunch of so called authorities who can't agree on anything, let alone their intolerance of hearing out all of our friends on this board.

durrelllrobert - 3-3-2013 at 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Speaking of El Chaparral.....I haven't noticed myself, but the person this thread is about spent a bit of time outside of his vehicle in the inspection bay and noticed overhead cameras directed downward, possibly to oversee the inspectors for collecting duty on their own.
Can you imagine how much money was misdirected over the years at the gate? It had to be one of the countrys best paying jobs. I once had a long conversation with one of the inspectors and at that time he and his wife lived in Chula Vista.

what I posted was aord-for-word excatly what is printed on the back of the SAT/ADUANA Customs Declaration for passengers entering Mexico form that they gave me (in English) at Chapparel. I failed to include the INFINGEMENTS AND SANCTIONS part so here it is:

Mexican law provides, omong other, the following infringements and penalties related to merchandise introduction:

> Failing to declare at customs the transport of currency, Mexican or foreign checks, money orders, or other monetary instrument, or a combination of them, in an aggregate amount exceeding 10,000 USD is a violation of Mexican Law and such violation is sanctioned with a fine equal to 20% -40% of the amount exceeding 10,000 USD and with applicable criminal penalties.
> Introducing or extracting hidden merchandisees, or mercandises in an artificial manner so their nature may go unnoticed, when import or export of such merchandiseses are subject to tax payment, is a violation of Mexican Law and such violation is sanctioned with a fine equal to 70 -100% of the commercial value of merchandise.
> Omitting total or partial tax payment. When infingement is generated only due to a tax omission and the value of merchandise doesn't exceed 3,000 USD or the equivalent MXN currency, suchinfringement is sanctioned with a fine equal to 115% of the commercial value of merchandise. Once tax and fine have been paid, customs authority shall give back merhandise to passenger.
> When passenger can;t prove through pertinent customs documents, that merchandises have complied with all requirements established in the Customs Law for introduction to Mexico, no declared merchandises will be seized, as well as the means of transport when passenger is entering Mexico by land.
> With regard to no decared merchandises that aren't subject to non-tariff regulations or restrictions, passenger may choose abandonmentafter paying the respective fine.
________________________________________________
This is also word-for-word, including punctuation, of what is printed, in English, on the back of the Customs Declartion Form. It looks like it was written by a US attorney and I have no idea what th second to the last item, that starts off "When passenger can;t prove..", means.

BajaBlanca - 3-3-2013 at 09:01 PM

I think it means that they can confiscate the vehicle if they determine the goods are contraband ie not declared and not having proper paperwork.

Islandbuilder - 3-4-2013 at 12:33 AM

A few years ago we brought a couple of duffle bags full of used clothes into Cabo to give to an organization that works with disabled kids in the cape area. Alaska Airlines, when they heard where the bags were bound, waived the over-weight and extra baggage fees, but it was made clear to us by Mexican Customs officials that they COULD tax us for importing clothes, used or not. My sense was that their concern was that in donating the clothes we were, in essence, preventing local used clothes shops from making some sales.
Which is true.
It seems that the best solution may be to bring dollars, and stop at one or two of the many shops selling used merchandise, bikes, jackets, and clothes, and just buy some stuff to then give away.
If this post violates someones criteria for having enough baja experience to have a useful thought, I appologise in advance.

dtutko1 - 3-4-2013 at 06:53 AM

Trish and I have been blessed with 11 grandkids. Every year we bring down a hundred pounds or so of slightly used clothing. We had heard of the problems at the border w/bringing used clothing down, so we went to our local Hogar del Ninos and asked them for a letter in Spanish explaining that the ropas we were bringing down were for them. When we crossed this year at El Chaparrel we were sent to the secondary inspection spot. When they asked what was in the tube on top of the car, I told them and produced the letter. They couldn't care less and didn't want to read it. They just sent us on our way.

SFandH - 3-4-2013 at 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I think it means that they can confiscate the vehicle if they determine the goods are contraband ie not declared and not having proper paperwork.

Maybe then I was lucky when they simply sent me back to the US when I had an used outboard motor in the trunk. But that was after I declared it, expecting to pay a tax. When I asked the guy to let me go into Mexico anyway he said "I can't, there are cameras and my boss is watching." Young guy, spoke good English. Seemed like he understood my feelings and didn't like doing what he had to do.

Then the American inspector in the booth when returning accused me of trying to smuggle the motor into Mexico, but that's a different story.

[Edited on 3-4-2013 by SFandH]

mulegemichael - 3-4-2013 at 08:06 AM

i'll say it one more time: tecate, tecate, tecate!

DENNIS - 3-4-2013 at 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
i'll say it one more time: tecate, tecate, tecate!

Never too early for a cold one, eh Mike?
SALUD

mulegemichael - 3-4-2013 at 10:17 AM

heh, heh....ya got me, amigo....si!...nunca!

DENNIS - 3-4-2013 at 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Like I said, I'll find out how it went down. I can't imagine him going through the return procedure, which included going back through the US gate [said he got secondary there as well] for just pocket change.
Now I'm really curious.

Just talked with my buddy. He said the duty option never came up. He wasn't offered that and he didn't ask for it. Had he asked, I'm sure it would have been available, but his attention shifted to the return to the states.
I asked him how that was managed from inside El Chaparral.
They first take away your DL so you don't take off, and with one of their vehicles, lead you out of the area, back over to the old inspection area, open the gate in the fence, return your DL and say Adios, putting you back into the northbound lanes.

mulegemichael - 3-4-2013 at 06:42 PM

do they check the air in your tires?...any services at all??...tortes, chicharones?..nada?..

DENNIS - 3-4-2013 at 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegemichael
do they check the air in your tires?...any services at all??...tortes, chicharones?..nada?..

Just a fond farewell.

Santiago - 3-4-2013 at 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
.......four fishing rods.......

bass rod, shore/surf casting, off shore trolling (80s and 130s), kayak rods, live bait, 40# jig stick, Penn 114 with 80# dacron on a cue stick just in case they start running large, 7, 8 and 10 weight fly rods; back ups for all the above. And this just for a long weekend.
Who in their right mind goes fishing in baja with only 4 rods?

BajaBlanca - 3-6-2013 at 08:51 AM

It seems that the best solution may be to bring dollars, and stop at one or two of the many shops selling used merchandise, bikes, jackets, and clothes, and just buy some stuff to then give away. ISLANDBUILDER

the problem with buying at segundas (the used stuff stores) is that the price is so inflated that obviously your dollar just doesn't stretch far enough. I mean, a bike that you buy used in the States for $5 is sometimes priced at $30 here.