we will be heading into baja in a few weeks and was told the boarder crossing were stopping ever one. Is this true? we have never been stop at the
boarder before. we are bring more supply down this trip as we will be staying longer. really don't want to have to stop. is there a better time or day
to cross. is one crossing better then the other. like i said we have gone through all the main ones and never been stop. will be driving a pick up
with a cover on it.
[Edited on 1-9-2014 by laketime]BajaBlanca - 1-8-2014 at 07:35 AM
they don't stop everyone, but if you have a pickup with a cover, they just might send you over. If you are bringing foodstuffs, you have no worries.
If you are bringing equipment (engines or something) then there is a duty. One TV or one microwave is usually passed over. At least this has been our
experience.
One time I had 3 boogieboards, new, and they charged me - it was not outrageous.nbacc - 1-8-2014 at 09:34 AM
They are not stopping everyone BUT that being said they can stop who they want. Just don't have anything that is not supposed to go there.
Nancymicah202 - 1-8-2014 at 10:13 AM
.
.....is this a special border crossing for kite and skate bo'a'rders???
...'bout time!!! dasubergeek - 1-8-2014 at 10:16 AM
And have receipts for the value of anything valuable you're bringing. One of each item is allowed usually (TVs—though they'll ask why you're bringing
a TV if you're a tourist—laptops, cell phones, etc.)
There's a limit on how much beer you can bring over (nine cases, I think). And, of course, absolutely no weapons of any kind.
If you're a single adult with a child, you will get a red light every single time.
Even if you get a green light from the weight detector and visual inspection, pay attention to the border guard, because they can and do wave you over
even on a green if they feel like you're bringing too much stuff.
They're much politer than the northbound equivalent.
Boarders
MrBillM - 1-8-2014 at 10:37 AM
Back in the '50s-early '60s, my grandmother owned a Boarding House in Inglewood and quite a few of her Boarders would travel to TJ
for the races at Agua Caliente. No idea what their treatment was in crossing.BajaLuna - 1-8-2014 at 10:38 AM
I think that about says it, Nancy!!
In November when we crossed at Otay, our truck was packed high to the brim, furniture, new tv and small appliances, etc, and whewwww we made it
through without being inspected. We did however, just in case, took new stuff out of the packages and re-boxed them in used boxes.
A few weeks ago we came through Otay in an SUV packed full and stuff on the roof racks too, we sailed right through again.
I think it's just random and the luck of the draw and mostly depends on how busy they are with more important things.David K - 1-8-2014 at 10:39 AM
A boarder can cross a border, but not the other way around!David K - 1-8-2014 at 10:44 AM
It is kind of funny how some here fuss if there is any thought about not buying an FMM (tourist card), but evading duty on importing products is okay?
Both are just easy income sources for government...BajaLuna - 1-8-2014 at 11:00 AM
Oh boy you are not kidding about they are much more polite than the northbound crossing guards. We went through Tecate on the way back, had the most
rude Border guy ever, next thing we know here we go into inspection and had to unload the SUV and they went through all our suitcases, ice chest,
everything.
Just know that if you have anything, and I mean anything on your record, no matter if it was 25 years ago or no matter how small, it will come up. Of
course they are just doing their job and I appreciate that, but he treated ALL of us like criminals when our friend had a minor legal issue/infraction
on his record, not even a warrant, or a weapons issue. It's never come up for him getting into the U.S. from Canada, which he has done often....but
just one border patrol can ruin your day and their computers know everything! We were held up 90 minutes and we were the only ones in the inspection
area, it's not as if the inspectors were super busy. Ugh!
I don't want to nag on the border patrol, we need them to do their job well, but sheesh it was overkill and ridiculous!DavidE - 1-8-2014 at 11:38 AM
I shouldn't even write this, but I'm going to and risk taking the flack...
Fourteen years ago I was "secondaried". The jerks in secondary were abusive to my luggage and made it clear everything I stated or declared was to be
treated as a falsehood.
I made it a point to stand chest to chest with the man and a woman Customs agent and write down their name tag names and I.D. number.
So then "Ms Johnson" comes to me with hands on hips and demands
"What Do You Do For A Living.....sir?"
"Why, I'm an employee of the US Treasury Dept."
(gulp) - it was hysterical watching the color drain from her face.
"Internal Revenue Service"
Yeah, yeah, I could have been busted. It was dumb dumb dumb. But my temper got the best of me (not the first nor last time in my life). Seeing Mizz
Johnson's face turn the color of raw dough was worth it. And no, I'm not going to try it a second time.sancho - 1-8-2014 at 01:12 PM
Quote:
Just know that if you have anything, and I mean anything on your record, no matter if it was 25 years ago or no matter how small, it will come up
Has anyone ever seen the screen that comes up when
a Passport is scanned by US Customs? I can't imagine a persons
lifetime history is displayed, could be wrong. I thinking
warrents,etc.nbacc - 1-8-2014 at 01:50 PM
i agree! The agents northbound (with a few exceptions) are pretty rude. We go back with nothing but fish or shrimp (legal) and our own personal stuff
so that when they ask us what we are bringing back we say fish and shrimp and mean it. We don't even take dog food anymore a we have a friend who
ended up in secondary for an hour or so for a bag he bought in the USA. First stop--Walmart for dogfood! NancyDocRey - 1-8-2014 at 05:26 PM
Don't get me started again!!! I'm still dealing with my erroneous predicament!bajaguy - 1-8-2014 at 05:46 PM
Hey, Doc
I had been crossing with my SENTRI many times several years ago. One day I pull up to the booth and the guy gives me and my truck the evil eye and
starts pounding away at his computer. He then asks me for my vehicle registration........next words out of his mouth are "Stupid Idiots"
He pounds on his computer again with renewed energy, hands me my registration back and says with a smile...." they had the truck entered as a
California registration, I changed it for you in the system...Have a nice day"
Quote:
Originally posted by DocRey
Don't get me started again!!! I'm still dealing with my erroneous predicament!
DocRey - 1-8-2014 at 08:06 PM
I should be so fortunate. I wanna get to bottom of it , but worried it'll make 'em turn on me even more.
Maybe I'm making to much of this, but it just feels like I'm talking to a brick wall. I've resigned myself to drive down & do a face to face. Get
to the bottom of it and hopefully be at peace once again.
Baja's definitely worth it. Thanks T.
[Edited on 1-9-2014 by DocRey]dasubergeek - 1-8-2014 at 09:06 PM
I find the guys at SENTRI to be much more pleasant, perhaps because they don't have to keep QUITE such a weather eye out for evil.tjsue - 1-9-2014 at 11:31 AM
I spent three months going to secondary every time I crossed, whether it was by foot, or by driving. The officers were very polite when I drove, but
walking was another story.Timo1 - 1-9-2014 at 11:46 AM
I go to secondary every crossing
DHS has me as 6 foot 2 in. and black with a crim. rec. a mile long
Usually takes CBP about 1-2 hours to figure out I'm 5 foot 5 in. and white
This is after 2 agents swearing they would get a clearance on my/our file
Now it's just expected so I don't get upset anymore unless I REALLY have to pee
Those knotheads don't allow thatelgatoloco - 1-9-2014 at 11:52 AM
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
P.O. Box 946
Williston, VT 05495
Attention: CBP Ombudsman
Write a letter and ask them to straighten out your information?
tjsue - 1-9-2014 at 11:59 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Timo1
I go to secondary every crossing
DHS has me as 6 foot 2 in. and black with a crim. rec. a mile long
Usually takes CBP about 1-2 hours to figure out I'm 5 foot 5 in. and white
This is after 2 agents swearing they would get a clearance on my/our file
Now it's just expected so I don't get upset anymore unless I REALLY have to pee
That's what I did, and it took about a month to be removed from the secondary list. I haven't gotten my letter yet, stating why I was put on the list
(but I know why), but last week I got a letter letting me know that it was being investigated.
[Edited on 1-9-2014 by tjsue]Timo1 - 1-9-2014 at 12:02 PM
Thank you Sue
Do you think they will help a Canadian ??dasubergeek - 1-9-2014 at 12:31 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Timo1
Thank you Sue
Do you think they will help a Canadian ??
DHS-TRIP is available for foreign citizens as well as U.S. citizens. There's a surprisingly user-friendly explanation of how to do it on the site
linked above. If you're investigated and cleared, you will receive a Redress Number which you can use for U.S.-based flights and provide to the border
guards.
[Edited on 1-9-2014 by dasubergeek]Timo1 - 1-9-2014 at 12:34 PM
I'm on it!!!!
Thankyoudurrelllrobert - 1-9-2014 at 01:35 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Timo1
Thank you Sue
Do you think they will help a Canadian ??
After my Canadian wife married this American we went to secondary every time we crossed until 2 years latter when she got her US Permanent Resident
card.David K - 1-9-2014 at 03:12 PM
Maybe our border officers think that maple leaf on her passport is a marijuana leaf, eh?
