I seem to always get inspected at the Mexicali east crossing. Bringing a lot of stuff down on this trip. Would the Algodones crossing be more lax?
I've never crossed there. Otherwise I'm going Tecate and hoping for a green light.larryC - 8-23-2013 at 01:42 PM
Kevin
I'll let you know what happens to me at Tecate next week. I am glad you asked this question, I was wondering the same thing.
Larrybrewer - 8-23-2013 at 03:02 PM
Thanks Larry,
Let me know how it went. If I don't hear anything, we'll be going Tecate also. We leave on Monday morning after I get off work.woody with a view - 8-23-2013 at 05:20 PM
when we went thru san luis a few weeks ago the US guys gave me a weird look but didn't stop us and the Mex guy let us go right past. with surfboards
on top....
i wonder how often they see boards?schwlind - 8-23-2013 at 07:57 PM
Granted I crossed at San Ysidro, but they are not cutting anyone any slack there... Green light or no... the agents will stand in your path and flag
you in for an inspection. Make sure if this happens you have "receipts" to verify the "value" of the items you are carrying. I had bought some
clothes to take to Baja for my husband and myself to leave at our house and they charged me a $600 peso "tax" for our clothes.CortezBlue - 8-23-2013 at 08:11 PM
Why jeopardize your content for a few bucks. They can confiscate your goods if you get busted trying to cross without paying taxes, it is a slim
chance, but with the new "untouchables" at the border, play it safe.
I just took down 300 sq ft of tile and had my receipt.
I told them that this was only half of the amount that was on the receipt, and they took my word for it.
Granted if they would have counted the boxes, they would have figured it out, but they never do.
Also, I have bought items in the USA and had them ring up half on one invoice and the other half on another, and then presented the invoice for half
the value.
I don't drink often, but when I do, I drink for the fire hose!!
PS I once took a car trailer full of tongue and grove pine for my casa.
I declared the wood and the guy passed me through for nada!!
[Edited on 8-24-2013 by CortezBlue]schwlind - 8-24-2013 at 03:32 AM
3 weeks ago I crossed at SY. I was bringing down a 6.5k diesel generator...attempted to get into the "Declare" lanes, but believe it or not they were
all blocked off... I got a green and thought whoa... must be my lucky day... not! Got flagged over... I explained that the Declare lanes were not
open... I ended up paying 600 pesos (I'm not complaining!!) ...However, in the "old" days... you could bring in $300 US worth duty-free if you were
in FM3 or 2 status... no more. Heck several years ago a friend with an enormous flat bed truck helped me bring down all kinds of stuff for my house
(most if not all was old furniture and things like that) and of course we were flagged over... I paid $34 US in duty. The "duty-free" has now been
reduced to $150 and you now pay a "tax" on anything over that. Also this same friend brought down two cases of burbon 2 to 3 months ago (he lives
here almost full time) and he told me he was taxed at 120% of value. Just have receipts at the ready so you are prepared. And of course... always be
respectful.
[Edited on 8-24-2013 by schwlind]chuckie - 8-24-2013 at 05:54 AM
Where does the guy with the Bourbon live?Pescador - 8-24-2013 at 07:11 AM
If you have a trailer, you will most likely be pulled over at Algodones. Because very few people cross there, they are certainly more lax than the
other crossings. But when I had a cargo trailer, I was stopped and inspected immediately and for paying duty it is a nightmare because they are
really not set up for it. One time they had me return and go to Tecate since they did not really know how to handle it.
Now if you look like a tourist going over for dental or prescriptions, then you normally get waved right on through.
It also helps if you look a little like a Q-tip, which is what the locals call the people from Yuma areas. White on top (hair) and white on the
bottom (white tennis shoes).larryC - 8-24-2013 at 10:08 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by brewer
Thanks Larry,
Let me know how it went. If I don't hear anything, we'll be going Tecate also. We leave on Monday morning after I get off work.
Kevin
If you are going this Monday the 26th you are ahead of me I'm not going until the 29th. if so, then you let me know what happens.brewer - 8-24-2013 at 04:09 PM
O.K. Larry, we'll do. Looks like Tecate for us. Might hit some rain. E-mail or U2U to remind me. Algondones seems too far out to cross and then
head back west to Mexicali. Plus I don't want them to send me back to Mexicali because they don't have the duty tax figured out!.
It's gonna be hot man.
[Edited on 8-24-2013 by brewer]Udo - 8-24-2013 at 05:11 PM
My experience has been that I've been pulled over, green light and all, at both SY, and Otay.
Two weeks ago I crossed at Tecate, and sailed right through after the green light.
I'll cross there again in December, when I bring the kayak...on a trailer this time.larryC - 8-25-2013 at 08:44 AM
Kevin
Yes I am sure it will be HOT. I am just stopping at my place to drop off some stuff and spend the night probably with the AC going all night and then
heading over to the west coast to a supposed secret spot to do some surf fishing for a week or so.
Udo
That is what I have been hearing from others. If you get the green light you are through. I plan on crossing about 6am.
