BajaNomad

TEQUILA EXPO

Udo - 9-22-2013 at 06:03 PM

The annual tequila expo, in front of the Frontón Palacio (the Jai Alai palace) is again on during the month of October:

OCTOBER 9-13

As in the last four years, this will be a tequila and food expo, with lots of vendors selling unusual dishes from the mainland.
You get the chance to try many different tequilas, and in the past they have had "VIBORA" tequila as well as "PULQUE"

Entry fee is $6.00 U.S. and it starts at 1 P.M.

We will be going on the 13th, a Sunday...the last day...when you can get the best deals on the elixir...they don't want to schlep it back.
If you park on the US side, you take the shuttle ($6.00 round trip).
And remember,
You can bring back up to your legal US dollar exemption in alcohol because you are bringing the stuff back via a "common" carrier (a bus), as opposed to transporting it back via your California plated vehicle.

On edit: www.tequila-expo.com

[Edited on 9-23-2013 by Udo]

dasubergeek - 9-22-2013 at 08:25 PM

Just FYI—last year the $6 entrance was good for *all* *four* *days*. That's forty-eight hours or so of tequila drinking. Keep that wristband on!

Also, which shuttle do you like best?

[Edited on 9-23-2013 by dasubergeek]

mtgoat666 - 9-22-2013 at 08:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
You can bring back up to your legal US dollar exemption in alcohol because you are bringing the stuff back via a "common" carrier (a bus), as opposed to transporting it back via your California plated vehicle.


And how many dollars is my exemption? If I walk across do I get same dollar exemption as bus?

Udo - 9-23-2013 at 07:30 AM

Your personal exemption is $400.00, Mtgoat.

Walking across does not exempt you from the one liter per person.
You may read it in the US Agriculture and CBP site...the transporting HAS to be via a common carrier.

Udo - 9-23-2013 at 07:39 AM

Mr übergeek, there is only one shuttle (a red bus) that leaves the San Ysidro parking lot every half hour. The parking lot is right at the last exit on the right just before you enter the Baja border.
It's kind of fun to get there about 3-4 hours early a do some shopping on the main boulevard. Then, at 1 p.m. you get to the expo.
There usually are about 30 tequila booths, displaying and offering between one and four different brands.
The food is not your typical street fare...it is something way different. Be prepared to eat some different foods!

elgatoloco - 9-23-2013 at 08:41 AM

Last time attending we tasted the El Agave Añejo, among others. I liked it and I thought it was a good value. I was able to purchase many bottles and they gave me a receipt and I picked them up at the family restaurant El Agave in Old Town San Diego.

Udo - 9-23-2013 at 08:53 AM

Nice tip, gato!

dasubergeek - 9-23-2013 at 02:44 PM

I was there last year... scored my favourite Volcán de Mi Tierra. I hadn't thought about the "common carrier" exception, though—excellent! Where do you pick it up on the MX side?

Martyman - 9-23-2013 at 02:46 PM

Might have to alter my plans???

fdt - 9-23-2013 at 03:20 PM

And once at the tequila expo all else gets altered ;D

Udo - 9-23-2013 at 03:47 PM

You buy the tequila at the Expo. Then when you leave for the bus, you leave the package on the bus. (You have to exit the bus at the border patrol station, walk by the CBP booth, show your passport, xray your personals, then you meet the bus on the us side, where they will drive you to your car).
Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
I was there last year... scored my favourite Volcán de Mi Tierra. I hadn't thought about the "common carrier" exception, though—excellent! Where do you pick it up on the MX side?

tripledigitken - 9-23-2013 at 04:14 PM

Udo,

When you go through the CBP booth are you claiming the goods you are bringing across? How is the quantity/value determined by the CBP?

Ken
Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
You buy the tequila at the Expo. Then when you leave for the bus, you leave the package on the bus. (You have to exit the bus at the border patrol station, walk by the CBP booth, show your passport, xray your personals, then you meet the bus on the us side, where they will drive you to your car).


MexicoTed - 9-23-2013 at 04:45 PM

FYI, the website is http://expo-tequila.com/

Udo - 9-23-2013 at 05:54 PM

Ken,

The CBP has a pretty good idea of what the value is of things you are bringing back. 10 bottles of tequila at $15.00 US, that's $150.00. Or you can keep the receipt and show them.
Just don't get close to the declared exemption of $400.00 or they will ask for receipts.
Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
Udo,

When you go through the CBP booth are you claiming the goods you are bringing across? How is the quantity/value determined by the CBP?

Ken

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
You buy the tequila at the Expo. Then when you leave for the bus, you leave the package on the bus. (You have to exit the bus at the border patrol station, walk by the CBP booth, show your passport, xray your personals, then you meet the bus on the us side, where they will drive you to your car).


woody with a view - 9-23-2013 at 06:48 PM

is that bus a 5 hour wait or do they get a special line?

fdt - 9-23-2013 at 07:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
is that bus a 5 hour wait or do they get a special line?

It's the one with a special 5 hour wait lane but worth it to save the tax and transport so much alcohol

woody with a view - 9-24-2013 at 04:17 PM

is there a stereo and a toilet on board? might need to sample some t-kill-ya.

acadist - 9-24-2013 at 04:31 PM

could drink a bottle an sleep it off in 5 hours:biggrin::yes::biggrin:

MulegeAL - 9-25-2013 at 08:36 AM

Very interesting, sounds like a lot of fun, thanks for posting up on this!

Question: would the exemption on a bus rule also apply to bus trips to/from the wine country? Seems like it would, that would be a lot of fun! Just mentioning it here so I don't forget, gonna do some more research on this...

Martyman - 9-25-2013 at 03:49 PM

I brought a case of wine from Valle de guadelupe. I declared the case at TJ and the nice customs guy said that we already paid Mexican taxes-no problem.

Udo - 9-25-2013 at 06:36 PM

They get a special lane to themselves, and the wait is generally about 45 minutes max. 15 if you show up on a Thursday or Friday.
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
is that bus a 5 hour wait or do they get a special line?

Udo - 9-25-2013 at 06:39 PM

Yes, as long as the crosses to the US from Mexico
Quote:
Originally posted by MulegeAL
Very interesting, sounds like a lot of fun, thanks for posting up on this!

Question: would the exemption on a bus rule also apply to bus trips to/from the wine country? Seems like it would, that would be a lot of fun! Just mentioning it here so I don't forget, gonna do some more research on this...

Udo - 9-25-2013 at 06:42 PM

I know you have made the trip to the Expo several times, Marty...are you going this year?

My sister, Rhea, plans to go with us, but this time we are going on Sunday the 13th. I am gambling that the vendors want to make some deals because they don't want to schlep back all the cases they brought down.
Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
I brought a case of wine from Valle de guadelupe. I declared the case at TJ and the nice customs guy said that we already paid Mexican taxes-no problem.

MulegeAL - 9-26-2013 at 12:06 PM

From the Cal Dept if Alcoholic Beverage Control.....

A California resident or any other person crossing the international border via common carrier may bring in a reasonable quantity of alcoholic beverages (up to five cases or 60 liters) provided the beverages are for personal or household use.

No person under 21 years of age may bring in any quantity of alcoholic beverages.

For the purpose of Section 23661 "common carriers" are steamship companies and railroads, or any persons who hold themselves out to the general public to transport in interstate or foreign commerce any class or classes of passengers or property, or both, for compensation by air or highway, who actually engage in such transportation, and who hold an interstate alcoholic beverage transporter's permit as required by Section 32109 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

Persons who transport only property owned or consigned to themselves shall not be deemed to be common carriers within the meaning of this section.

It should be noted that "common carriers" do not include taxicabs or sightseeing buses crossing the international border.

>>> end quote

So, I just got to get the Red Bus guy and CBP to convince me he's not a tour bus and see if he has an alky transport permit!

Udo - 9-27-2013 at 03:42 PM

Also, check the CBP site, Al!

I've been doing this for three years now, since I found out about the "Common Carrier" loophole.

No one has challenged it so far, and I always bring a copy of that page for that purpose.

directions

dpwahoo - 10-1-2013 at 02:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Udo
Yes, as long as the crosses to the US from Mexico

Quote:
Originally posted by MulegeAL
Very interesting, sounds like a lot of fun, thanks for posting up on this!

Question: would the exemption on a bus rule also apply to bus trips to/from the wine country? Seems like it would, that would be a lot of fun! Just mentioning it here so I don't forget, gonna do some more research on this...
Udo, i just need to know how to get there from La Mision. Just buy a couple of bottles and back to La mision. Maybe drive up on Friday. eat some good food. It was a pleasure meeting you and your family, Udo, at the beer fest in Ensenada. thank You.

jureal - 10-1-2013 at 03:18 PM

I don't get it. If an airline is a common carrier, why am I restricted to 2 liters?

Udo - 10-6-2013 at 08:41 AM

The Tequila Expo starts this Thursday in TJ.

You won't regret attending it.

1 p.m. to midnight with lots festivities in between. Cost? Only $6.00 U.S. for all four days.