BajaNomad

Turned Back at Border X2

bajarich - 1-12-2014 at 03:13 PM

We tried to cross the border at San Ysidro this morning but, after getting our FMM's, we pulled into the nothing to declare line and were told to pull over where they wanted to see the registration for our truck, trailer, and the 2003 15 hp Honda outboard that was strapped to a rack on the front of the truck. Because we are from Utah where they don't require registration on a motor smaller than 25 hp, we told them that we did not have registration for the motor. They would not let us cross there but told us we had to declare the motor and pay import tax, which we could do at the Otay Mesa crossing.

We were then escorted back to the line to the US border (thank God we entered that line only 5 or 6 cars from the border kiosks). After explaining to the officer that we hadn't even made it into Mexico, he asked us to pull into the secondary line, where, after expaining again, the officer was very nice and said he would expedite the search. He got us on the way after only a few minutes wait and we headed for Otay Mesa.

Upon arriving at Otay Mesa, we pulled into the delcare line and told we could not cross without paying a broker to handle the importation of the motor, and that, since it was Sunday, no broker would be available until 8 am on Monday morning. After trying to explain that the motor was for my pangita aluminio that I left en el rancho last year in Baja Sur, and that I had been taking the same motor to Baja with me for 10 years, they insisted we return to the US and come back tomorrow when a broker is available.

They then guided us back to the US border where we had to make a really tight turn (with the trailer) to get into the line. Needless to say the people who we stopped to pull into the line in front of were a little peeved, especially when I had to back up and swing wider and into the second lane to make the turn. Luckily, again there were only a few cars back from the kiosks and the officer again was sympathetic to our situation and only wanted to look inside for hidden passengers.

Tonight we are back at the KOA at National City hoping we can make it across tomorrow and I don't have to give them more than the motor is worth to get it across.

[Edited on 1-12-2014 by bajarich]

Ateo - 1-12-2014 at 03:16 PM

Sounds stressful! Sorry to hear that. Good luck mañana!

Pescador - 1-12-2014 at 03:41 PM

They have really tightened down on marine motors. The best thing is to have the original MSO or Manufacturer's State of Origin or some other registration for the motor. If it is on a boat, they almost never ask to see that but when it is by itself, you always get the problem.

bajarich - 1-12-2014 at 03:42 PM

I knew there was a reason not to cross on Sunday.

bajarich - 1-12-2014 at 03:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
They have really tightened down on marine motors. The best thing is to have the original MSO or Manufacturer's State of Origin or some other registration for the motor. If it is on a boat, they almost never ask to see that but when it is by itself, you always get the problem.


Unfortunately, the only paperwork I have on the motor is a handwritten bill of sale from the person I bought it from. I was able to take it through last year, strapped on the front of my truck just like it is now.

dizzyspots - 1-12-2014 at 04:00 PM

Motor registration...never heard of such a thing...hull registration sure, but MOTOR registration??

basautter - 1-12-2014 at 04:28 PM

I have crossed many times at San Luis with my 15 foot aluminum in tow, and a 25 hp outboard in the back of my truck. Never had an issue, but now I have something to worry about. Let us know how it works out.

BajaBlanca - 1-12-2014 at 04:45 PM

I would try going thru the NO DECLARE line Monday ...worst that can happen is you have to hire the broker!

All kidding aside - good luck tomorrow

and you are not alone - we were once turned back at San Ysidro too and had to go to Otay. I can't remember for sure, but I think it was for a motor too.

motor

Rumrunner - 1-12-2014 at 04:47 PM

Put the motor on the backseat floor, throw a blanket over it and drive on through. I've never had anyone look there at the border.

Nothing New

MrBillM - 1-12-2014 at 05:01 PM

Bringing a Motor across (without a Boat) has been questioned (at times) for at least twenty+ years that I know of.

Of course, things were simpler then. Just a matter of (at worst) a "Little Bite" of $10.00 the one time I had to pay.

That bygone time when EVERYTHING had its "spot" price and you paid to go on your way WERE "The GOOD Old Days".

Corruption has its place in society.

Hook - 1-12-2014 at 05:19 PM

Bajarich, are you saying that Utah requires you to register outboard motors over 25 hp?

I have never heard of registering an outboard.

wessongroup - 1-12-2014 at 05:51 PM

Now that was one fun day .. HUH ... amazed you're able to "post" ... :lol:

Might just try typing one up and signing it .... and I'd go with BajaBlanca's NO DECLARE suggestion

Thanks for sharing, some of us might have thought, we had a bad day ... :biggrin::biggrin:

Pice of cake .. :):)

WOW..Total BS

captkw - 1-12-2014 at 06:20 PM

Hola,,I'm a marine mechanic/tech small time retailer...with time on the west coast with boats from panama to Alaska...this is TOTAL BS....there is NO reg...doc....paperwork on a marine motor that deals with Gov.,,,,DMV or any other agency !!! the only follw up is a U.S.C.G. Recall tracking ........There is no Pink Slip or owner doc...... Plain and simple...there isn't...... The sec. of mexico Tourism is/was really good on follow up on Issues like this...the biggest money for mex is Tourism (Drugs) but lets not go there !! for a older motor,, this just doesn't sound "Normal"....Please Keep US in the loop .... If you need any boat laws help,, my LL is (831) 469-2650..Capt KW & the famous Lil Tasha.....godspeed..BTW..A bill of Laden is for the boat only...I used to be a boat dealer !!!

[Edited on 1-13-2014 by captkw]

freediverbrian - 1-12-2014 at 06:32 PM

Had the same thing happen to me at mexacali. Drove to yuma and crossed with motor hidden. Now if I bring my motor back for service l pack it first and cover it . A motor without boat can be a problem

this is WRONG!!

captkw - 1-12-2014 at 06:36 PM

See my post above !!

vgabndo - 1-12-2014 at 07:00 PM

I've never, in the past, had my dual sport bikes checked for registration or stickers, but at Tecate a few days ago they checked both the green sticker and the VIN against my registration on my quad. It does seem tighter.

I have to admit I hadn't been across there for a long time and blundered into the single nothing to declare lane with a couple hundred bucks worth of building materials in my trailer which I intended to declare. I had the border closed with my outfit blocking traffic. They finally gave me the "look at the bills of their caps" and sent me on my way duty free! Sometimes it pays to be a stupid gringo! After that carelessness I still had to negotiate the "around the block to park for your visa" routine with my 8' wide camper and utility trailer. The parked cars were blocking all the no parking signs going down that alley!!!:fire:

rts551 - 1-12-2014 at 08:07 PM

Interesting Vag. In Dec both our atv's were checked as well. He wanted current registration which we did not have. I showed him the titles and explained The KTM was a race bike and therefore was never registered and that mine was never ridden in Arizona . He let us go but said I need registration next time. The title is not good enough. This was an older gentleman.

nbacc - 1-12-2014 at 10:16 PM

Our ATV was also checked in Oct. going through Mexicali

LancairDriver - 1-12-2014 at 10:29 PM

What are the odds of getting a 5hp motor across along with a deflated inflatable without a hassle? I have done it once although I wasn't checked but it sounds like a crapshoot.

Frank - 1-12-2014 at 10:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by LancairDriver
What are the odds of getting a 5hp motor across along with a deflated inflatable without a hassle? I have done it once although I wasn't checked but it sounds like a crapshoot.


I did that last year but, I wasn't checked. I'm going to get a T.I.P. for the inflatable and outboard this time.

RnR - 1-13-2014 at 08:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Frank
Quote:
Originally posted by LancairDriver
What are the odds of getting a 5hp motor across along with a deflated inflatable without a hassle? I have done it once although I wasn't checked but it sounds like a crapshoot.


I did that last year but, I wasn't checked. I'm going to get a T.I.P. for the inflatable and outboard this time.


What is the length of the inflatable?

I tried to get a T.I.P. in La Paz for my 14ft aluminum Klamath. (Just to be for sure, for sure. It's only $5/yr.)

The office wouldn't issue one. Said it's not necessary. The threshold is 4.5 meters. (4.5m = 14'-10" and the Klamath is just under 14 ft).

Mula - 1-13-2014 at 08:47 AM

Yeah, we tried to get a TIP for our 13.5' Gregor and got turned away - this was in August 2013.

Qoute from Mexican entry requirements

durrelllrobert - 1-13-2014 at 09:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Rumrunner
Put the motor on the backseat floor, throw a blanket over it and drive on through. I've never had anyone look there at the border.


"If you are inspected and are discovered with items of greater value than is permitted and you have not paid duty on them, you risk having to pay a high fine (of up to four times the value of each item) or seizure of the goods as a contraband plus the seizure of the car in which the goods are traveling. If weapons or ammunition are found, the penalty could include imprisonment. "

Quote from Mexico entry requirements

durrelllrobert - 1-13-2014 at 09:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by RnR

I tried to get a T.I.P. in La Paz for my 14ft aluminum Klamath. (Just to be for sure, for sure. It's only $5/yr.)

The office wouldn't issue one. Said it's not necessary. The threshold is 4.5 meters. (4.5m = 14'-10" and the Klamath is just under 14 ft).


"Tourist are allowed to bring in their personal effects duty free, in addition to the above, your personal effects may include: New or used good for personal use, such as clothing, footwear, and hygiene products, so long as they are in accordance with the duration of the trip, and their quantity does not suggest that they can be the object of commercialization. A tourist can also bring a set of binoculars, a photographic camera and a vidio recorder (their power sources too), a television, a radio or radio-cassette, tape, CD, or DVD player, a personal computer (i.e. laptop, notebook, omni book, etc.), up to 20 recording tapes or CD’s, 5 DVD’s, 12 rolls of unused film, a cell phone, a typewriter, a musical instrument that can be hand carried, books & magazines (whose quantity does not suggest that they can be the object of commercialization). For out door activities tourist can bring a camping tent and camping equipment, a set of fishing equipment, a pair of skis, 5 used toys for minors (as long as they can be transported by one person), two sets of used personal sports equipment (as long as they can be transported by one person), a motor-less boat less than 5 1/2 meters long or surf board with or without a sail. Regarding disabled persons, goods for personal use that, by their characteristics, compensate for or diminish their disability. Tourist can bring medicine for personal use (The perscripton must be shown if they are psycotropic substances). Adult passengers may also bring a maximum of 20 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tabacco, and up to 3 liters of whine, beer, or liquor, with the understanding that a larger quantity of these products cannot be imported without complying with the applicable regulations and restrictions."

Blow-Up Boating

MrBillM - 1-13-2014 at 11:25 AM

Back in the days when I carried an Inflatable with my 5-hp motor mounted on the Front Bumper of my Land Cruiser Wagon, there was NEVER a question. Of course, that was back when ('70s-'80s) it wouldn't have mattered. Other than a "Little Bite".

A bit afield BUT, I had a friend back then who would stack Lumber on his flatbed trailer and then place a Junk (P.O.S.) gutted out Aluminum boat strapped upside down on top along with camping gear. Also never questioned.

IF they'd EVER looked...............

Quien Sabe ?

Likely, just a bit BIGGER Bite.

Nowadays ?

Frank - 1-13-2014 at 05:28 PM

My inflatable is 11.575 feet, too short for a TIP. I guess I'll take my chances, if stopped I'll show them the boat.

bajarich - 1-20-2014 at 09:44 PM

Just to follow up on my original post--we took the advise of rumrunner and took the motor off the front rack and put it flat in the back of the camper, covered it with a blanket and then loaded up the camper full to the door. Just to be sure we didn't run into the same people at the border, we drove over and entered at Tecate. When they looked inside all I said was "cosas para acampar y pescar" and that "me esposa tiene demasiado cosas". I did not lie. He waved us right on through.

We are now in Lapaz, after 5 nights at Coyote Bay on the way down. This is my first chance to use the internet. Tomorrow we head for Las Frailes. From what I can gather, inflatable boats are not subject to duty.