BajaNomad

what I THINK I know

BajaLuna - 8-13-2013 at 08:25 AM

I've been sifting through a lot of the threads here on BN trying to get an understanding of all of this. We are planning on driving down to Baja from Washington in early Sept pulling a cargo trailer in order to get some stuff down to our house in Bahia Asuncion. Here's what I think I know thus far..

1.) we should cross at Tecate
2.) we should make an inventory list of the contents of the cargo trailer
3.) anything over 3,000 bucks we have to pay 16% tax on. Does this mean we can bring any dollar amount of items as long as we pay the man?
4.) they frown upon new appliances IE: TV, microwave etc. maybe it's better to buy them in Mexico?
5.) ice chests of meat/food is ok

anything else that we should know?

thanks for your input!

DENNIS - 8-13-2013 at 08:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaLuna

1.) we should cross at Tecate



I would think your choice should be Otay. That's where they'll send you from Tecate if importation is in order.
Quote:

3.) anything over 3,000 bucks we have to pay 16% tax on. Does this mean we can bring any dollar amount of items as long as we pay the man?


It's my understanding that the line is drawn a t$1000 bucks. More than that needs to go through import rather than simply paying duty.
Quote:

4.) they frown upon new appliances IE: TV, microwave etc. maybe it's better to buy them in Mexico?


Unpack them and call them used. They don't really frown on anything. They just charge you more to bring in new stuff.

Terry28 - 8-13-2013 at 08:52 AM

Where did you get the $3000 figure? I believe duty is "required" on items above $50...more or less. Unless you do the paper work to import, one time, your belongings as you move formally to Baja, with a FM-3 card..( I know it has a new name, but I can't spell it). Of course others may correct me..

BajaBlanca - 8-13-2013 at 08:58 AM

It is so iffy, we have brought truckloads of stuff down thru San Ysidro for 7 years and only when we had a brand new engine for the boat were e sent to Otay. And I had to pay such a small fee when I brought down 5 boogie boards for the surf competition years ago. Every so often they pick an item at random, charge a small duty and off you go!

Once I asked what the policy was for going to Otay, it is where one can legally do the full on importation process. San Ysidro is meant for one time passers thru, even if you have a ton of stuff, which we always do since we head for the States once a year, normally. No matter what we bring, I always declare that it is for our house. This is true, but they like to hear it.

Good luck and enjoy Asuncion!

DENNIS - 8-13-2013 at 09:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Terry28
FM-3 card..( I know it has a new name, but I can't spell it).


Permanent Resident. Lemme help you out, Terry P-E-R-M......:lol:


jes kiddin' wicha. :lol:

SFandH - 8-13-2013 at 09:55 AM

My experience with importing stuff is:

Got a red light at San Ysidro with a new desk top computer and monitor in the original packaging in the trunk. I had to pay around 15%, I forget the exact amount.

Got turned around at San Ysidro with a used outboard motor in the trunk. I was told to go to Otay, M-F, during business hours. It was Sunday, went for a Sunday drive to Tecate and got the green light.

If you're towing a trailer full of stuff go to Otay M-F during business hours and be prepared to spend time and money. The rules are whatever the inspector understands them to be.

monoloco - 8-13-2013 at 11:12 AM

In my experience with crossing my cargo trailer at Tecate, they have been very lenient about used household items. I usually just present them with the receipts for any obviously new merchandise and they have always seemed happy with that and never questioned the rest of my load.

DavidE - 8-13-2013 at 11:59 AM

A buenas dias and a gentle handshake will get things off to a good start. So will asking simple questions and remaining amiable no matter how you think the conversation is going. A lot of Aduaneros are given a hard time by paisanos and extraneous alike. So to encounter a friendly and smiling gringo(a) is something of a pleasant shock. Keeping the conversation akin to a discussion rather than an argument has saved me untold amounts of pesos. The finally tally will probably be highly negotiable if you use patience. Let's say the guy declares 4,800 pesos for everything. I would say "Oh I am not rico would it be possible to pay (2,000) pesos? No? 2,500?"

bajaguy - 8-13-2013 at 12:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaLuna
I've been sifting through a lot of the threads here on BN trying to get an understanding of all of this. We are planning on driving down to Baja from Washington in early Sept pulling a cargo trailer in order to get some stuff down to our house in Bahia Asuncion. Here's what I think I know thus far..

1.) we should cross at Tecate
2.) we should make an inventory list of the contents of the cargo trailer
3.) anything over 3,000 bucks we have to pay 16% tax on. Does this mean we can bring any dollar amount of items as long as we pay the man?
4.) they frown upon new appliances IE: TV, microwave etc. maybe it's better to buy them in Mexico?
5.) ice chests of meat/food is ok

anything else that we should know?

thanks for your input!





TV's are about double. American appliances seem to be of a better quality.

I know somebody who has a rather large dog and a pickup with camper shell. He put a 47" LED/LCD TV face down on a couple of furniture pads and covered the TV with another pad and several dog blankets. When Mexican Customs opened the camper, the dog went to the back door and wanted to lick the inspector's face. Customs told him to proceed.....no inspection.

mtnpop - 8-13-2013 at 01:59 PM

Seems as tho we all have different stories and where we like to cross coming south.. We all also have different experiences....
We have always crossed at Tecate... usually thru the no declare lane but get the red light if you are towing.. The first thing they have asked for the registration for the towed unit and check the vin number match.. we always pack any camping gear, fishing gear, lawn chairs etc at the back... We never leave anything in the original box... Its always second hand, garage sale, etc if bigger items...
We generally try to cross early on Sunday morning... They are not really geared up at that point... We have never been asked for a manifest or inventory... just where ya going and how long... Have always had a dog in the truck and most don't like dogs so no truck search...
Sooner or later this won't work.. Then we will pay...
They have never asked for passport or tourist visa or our "now new" Resident Permanente." card... also have never checked the dogs health papers we always have with us and current....
As someone earlier stated... good attitude works wonders....
We have had more grief coming back into the good ole USA than we have ever had going south..
Have a safe trip.... we will be crossing mid oct if all goes well...
Oh, sometimes they look at the canned goods, TP among other things and laugh telling us you can buy this stuff in Mexico...

DENNIS - 8-13-2013 at 02:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtnpop
TP among other things and laugh telling us you can buy this stuff in Mexico...


Yep...you sure can. You can also use some brands to sand down your boat for a paint job. OUCH :lol:

DENNIS - 8-13-2013 at 02:46 PM

Well...it may be confusing, and we may be adding to that, but the day is near when all the confusion will come to an end and we'll cry about Mexico's newfound efficiency.
I enjoy the confusion...the mystery. It's an integral part of Baja.

mcfez - 8-13-2013 at 02:50 PM

I thought there was some sort of "first time move" was waved of any taxes......if all the documentation was in order and such.....

Below is dated material (2009)....but may be of use:

If you are a FM3 holder, (as a retiree or profit activities) you are allowed to take your household into Mexico. You must provide a list of your belongings and have it stamped by the Mexican Consulate in order to be submitted through Mexican costumes. You have six months from the date your FM3 visa was issued in order to take your household into Mexico.

Requirements are:

Apply at the Consular Section in person from 8:30 am to 11:30 am, Monday through Friday.
Valid passport in original and five photocopies of the pages containing personal information, photograph of bearer and expiration date/extensions.
Original FM3 and five photocopies.
Letter Requesting the household address to the Embassy Of México Consular Section
Typed list of your household in Spanish, with original and four photocopies. Such list must specify:
Address in USA indicating length of time you have lived there.
New Address in Mexico.
All the articles, including those contained in boxes. All electrical appliances must indicate brand, model and serial numbers.
You must leave space for the Consular seal in the right bottom of each page.
Each page must be signed by the applicant at the left bottom in front of the consular official.
The fee is $127.00 dollars by cash.
You are permitted to take your household only once in lifetime per family.

monoloco - 8-13-2013 at 03:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
I thought there was some sort of "first time move" was waved of any taxes......if all the documentation was in order and such.....

Below is dated material (2009)....but may be of use:

If you are a FM3 holder, (as a retiree or profit activities) you are allowed to take your household into Mexico. You must provide a list of your belongings and have it stamped by the Mexican Consulate in order to be submitted through Mexican costumes. You have six months from the date your FM3 visa was issued in order to take your household into Mexico.

Requirements are:

Apply at the Consular Section in person from 8:30 am to 11:30 am, Monday through Friday.
Valid passport in original and five photocopies of the pages containing personal information, photograph of bearer and expiration date/extensions.
Original FM3 and five photocopies.
Letter Requesting the household address to the Embassy Of México Consular Section
Typed list of your household in Spanish, with original and four photocopies. Such list must specify:
Address in USA indicating length of time you have lived there.
New Address in Mexico.
All the articles, including those contained in boxes. All electrical appliances must indicate brand, model and serial numbers.
You must leave space for the Consular seal in the right bottom of each page.
Each page must be signed by the applicant at the left bottom in front of the consular official.
The fee is $127.00 dollars by cash.
You are permitted to take your household only once in lifetime per family.
Unless you are moving a tractor trailer load it's not worth the time and effort to try and do this.

rhintransit - 8-13-2013 at 04:50 PM

never ever pack anything in boxes from the liquor store...guaranteed full inspection every time, even if what is in said box is full of other stuff, they're looking for those bottle you must have put somewhere. I had my car fully unpacked twice in one trip, down to the spare tire, before I figured that out.

BajaLuna - 8-13-2013 at 11:00 PM

thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'm even more confused now LOL! Yes, I suppose I was looking for all the right answers, Jakecard! Hearing people's experience is valuable though!

So here's what I THINK I know now...

1.) cross at Tecate or Otay or San Ysidro (that about covers all the borders)!!!!
2.) no liquor store boxes, drink it all before you cross.
3.) smile until your dimples show!
4.) buy toilet paper in the U.S. to avoid chafing!
5.) dogs are good to bring, and a pack of them might be even better!
6.) If you're not driving a John Deer full of stuff than ignore all the rules!
7.) take new stuff out of the boxes....because ALL stuff is used stuff!

does that about cover it?

I think we are all set to go now! thanks again!

BajaLuna - 8-13-2013 at 11:05 PM

Hmm it says on one of the websites I was on that your pet needs to have a physical and the certification for your dog needs to be within 5 days before entering the country?

Lee - 8-14-2013 at 09:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaLuna
thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'm even more confused now LOL! Yes, I suppose I was looking for all the right answers, Jakecard! Hearing people's experience is valuable though!

So here's what I THINK I know now...

1.) cross at Tecate or Otay or San Ysidro (that about covers all the borders)!!!!
2.) no liquor store boxes, drink it all before you cross.
3.) smile until your dimples show!
4.) buy toilet paper in the U.S. to avoid chafing!
5.) dogs are good to bring, and a pack of them might be even better!
6.) If you're not driving a John Deer full of stuff than ignore all the rules!
7.) take new stuff out of the boxes....because ALL stuff is used stuff!

does that about cover it?

I think we are all set to go now! thanks again!


You have indeed covered all the bases. I believe we're all experts, here at BN, in our own right and experiences. Sometimes result's are different. The answer is somewhere in the middle.

Personally, I think the most important things to have, in addition to all the paperwork, is a sense of adventure, a willingness to go with the flow, and a sense of humor.

I was going to write something about ''smoozing,'' but DavidE covered it in spades. Truly, I am sometimes amazed at his intelligence.

I'll add that BajaLuna's attitude and humor will get him far. It's nice to see BN's like this. Salute.

mcfez - 8-14-2013 at 09:50 AM

Thanks monoloco ......that clears that up.

DENNIS - 8-14-2013 at 09:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Thanks monoloco ......that clears that up.



I thought they quit doing the Menaje de Casa. Is this true?
I can't find a Mex Gov site that mentions it without it being old.

I wish websites had dates. Seems most of them don't.

mcfez - 8-14-2013 at 10:40 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Thanks monoloco ......that clears that up.



I thought they quit doing the Menaje de Casa. Is this true?
I can't find a Mex Gov site that mentions it without it being old.

I wish websites had dates. Seems most of them don't.


Exactly DENNIS!
I went to four sites and most of the data was 2009 give or take.

Still have that gorgeous house down there for sale?

DENNIS - 8-14-2013 at 10:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Still have that gorgeous house down there for sale?



Ohh yeah...it's still here. I'm not worried about it. Life is good.