BajaNomad

Border crossing questions

prt328 - 5-18-2014 at 07:03 PM

Have not crossed the border on wheels in years. Probably going thru san ysidro or otay Mesa in my RV. Only "contraband" is 8 cases of Pacifico Light (I like it). What are your thoughts on declaring it? Or can I simply state the same amount of alcohol I had when I made the trip 6 months ago. Don't want to get in trouble or get it confiscated - and would even be willing to pay a small duty on it.

This forum has been awesome in the past so I hope to hear from you experienced types!

Pacifico - 5-18-2014 at 07:07 PM

I don't think it's a problem if you are willing to pay the duty on it. I just buy my beer in Baja now and don't have to worry about it. Good luck!

dasubergeek - 5-18-2014 at 07:08 PM

You're driving an RV. You've got something like a 95 in 100 chance of being sent to secondary. Declare it, because if you declare it and they confiscate it, you don't get in trouble. If you don't declare it and they find it, you are scrod.

Incidentally, the one-liter limit applies to beer, too. That means three longnecks—not even a six-pack.

bajaguy - 5-18-2014 at 07:17 PM

Depends on what state your driver's license and RV registration is from.........if it's California, forget about it

Pacifico - 5-18-2014 at 07:21 PM

Also, Pacifico Light is readily available in most parts in Baja....

Save your cases for home and buy it down there is an option. No worries then...

Ateo - 5-18-2014 at 07:42 PM

Buy it in Baja.

mojo_norte - 5-18-2014 at 08:07 PM

?Are you bringing the 8 cases into USA or into Mexico ?

YeP,,Calif

captkw - 5-18-2014 at 08:27 PM

Land Of The FEE !!!

mojo_norte - 5-18-2014 at 08:37 PM

in an RV they're going to ask you ' are you bringing back any alcohol' US side - 8 cases is alot !

Cliffy - 5-19-2014 at 06:11 AM

8 cases A LOT!
Northbound in an RV? Don't even think of not declaring anything, period. YOU WILL BE GOING TO SECONDARY NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE OR DON'T HAVE! US Customs folks are not your best buddies and they do this for a living every day. They can read your mind from 100 yds away! :-)
Going southbound they probably will "take a look inside" If they find it? What does the prison look like from the inside down there? :-)
As said, buy it on both sides of the border and drink it up before you get there.
Save yourself some grief.

Pacifico - 5-19-2014 at 06:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mojo_norte
?Are you bringing the 8 cases into USA or into Mexico ?


Good question....I assumed he was going south. Unless, he's had his RV down south for years...

prt328 - 5-19-2014 at 06:44 AM

Heading north from the baja with CA registration and drivers license. Maybe they'll show some mercy since Pacifico Light is not available in the states. Besides, 8 cases has less alcohol in it than 1 bottle of tequila! :-)

Pacifico - 5-19-2014 at 06:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by prt328
Heading north from the baja with CA registration and drivers license. Maybe they'll show some mercy since Pacifico Light is not available in the states. Besides, 8 cases has less alcohol in it than 1 bottle of tequila! :-)


Let us know how it goes..... Good Luck!

SFandH - 5-19-2014 at 06:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by prt328
Maybe they'll show some mercy


You really haven't had contact with the US border guards in quite a while have you? "Show some mercy", no, no, no, ain't going to happen. They go by the rules in an unmerciful, usually condescending, manner.

[Edited on 5-19-2014 by SFandH]

Alan - 5-19-2014 at 06:54 AM

The allowance is one liter per person. They really don't care about alcohol by volume. Why even bother? It is Pacific Light? That is like making love in a canoe.... effing near water.

BajaBlanca - 5-19-2014 at 06:57 AM

If you are headed north, don't chance not declaring it. You will regret that decision. Every RV is searched head to toe and I have heard of folks getting fined for a small tomato u der the drawer in an RV fridge!

Buy the pacifico in California. I'm pretty aure any supermarket carries it nowadays.

It isn't a question of paying duty here, it is not allowed. Good luck!

Cliffy - 5-19-2014 at 06:58 AM

You can lead a horse to water but-

bajalearner - 5-19-2014 at 07:38 AM

You admit your "contraband" is over the limit. That means you are planning to commit a customs crime. You are committing a crime. So, if you intend to violate the rules, don't whine, lie and whimper if you get caught. It is your decision. No one else can decide or accept your punishment.

it's INTENTIONAL, so, accept the consequences like an honorable man. If you are not an honorable man, than blame everyone else and lie.

You said you "don't want to get into trouble". Than don't commit the crime. Didn't you learn that somewhere as a kid?

[Edited on 5-19-2014 by bajalearner]

Ateo - 5-19-2014 at 07:49 AM

I wouldn't risk it man. The NSA already knows what yer up to and has notified Homeland Security. :LOL::lol:


Google: Only "contraband" is 8 cases of Pacifico Light

If time is no object ....

durrelllrobert - 5-19-2014 at 09:18 AM

Do you know how long it will take you to open 8 cases of beer, one bottle at a time, and empty it in the sink in Secondary with armed CBP guys watching? Then you have to go inside and wait some more to pay the fine.

dasubergeek - 5-19-2014 at 09:29 AM

If you have a California license and a California plate, you'll be pouring all of it down the sink in the fancy new canopied secondary area. If you had a Nevada plate and a Nevada license you'd stand a non-zero chance of getting it through.

prt328 - 5-20-2014 at 04:26 PM

Just to close the loop on this. Pulled into secondary, was there for less than 5 minutes and sent on my way, cargo intact. I wasn't asked to declare anything so I didn't.

Life is good ( or I'm real lucky)!!