BajaNomad

Hinky FFM?

Pappy Jon - 10-27-2014 at 07:57 PM

When a buddy and I crossed into Baja from Algodones we were instantly detained by two Immigration officers with the assistance of an armed solder.

Bottom line is they wanted us to get an FFM, which was no problem. The issue is they were very threatening, intimidating, and persistent. They even demanded a printed itinerary for our trip to prove where we were going and for how long. I'm on vacation, and while I have a pretty good idea what I want to do, I don't print it out.

So we filled out the paperwork and the guy pointed to a sign on the wall with the fees. I asked him where the bank was so we could pay ... and he said new rules, we pay him. I briefly question this, but since I'm in his country I backed off quickly. He also wanted exact change.

So have the rules changed? My FFM doesn't have a bank stamp and the guy wrote it for 180 days, even though our trip was planned for two weeks. Is this paper worth anything?

[Edited on 10-28-2014 by Pappy Jon]

woody with a view - 10-27-2014 at 08:01 PM

not until the bank gives you a receipt and the same turn then stamps it.

woody with a view - 10-27-2014 at 08:03 PM

next time tell them that you'll just go home, save the 100's of dollars you were going to spend in their economy and that they should kindly F off. san luis is only a few minutes away....

treuboff - 10-27-2014 at 08:21 PM

You got ripped off unless your not staying the limited time and you still got ripped off. That's alright because you don't know where to to turn them in if you come out anywhere else. The NAFTA port there is no access across the lanes and inside a sign says not to leave them in the box at the window. Even though there were some in it when we got ours. If you were to import goods where would you pay them at Algodones?

rts551 - 10-27-2014 at 09:03 PM

You can not import anything at Algadones. They turn you around.

I have been stopped there as well. right after you cross there is a guy there asking immigration status. I guess we are lucky, he looks at our residence card and waves us on disappointed.

Tioloco - 10-27-2014 at 09:18 PM

Rts-
I recently took a pool table thru Algodones and was given the go ahead after a brief check. What do you mean when you say you can't import anything thru Algodones?

Tioloco - 10-27-2014 at 09:20 PM

Been thru Los Algodones hundreds of times and never asked anything related to immigration.... Just occasionally asked where to and where from.

Alan - 10-28-2014 at 07:09 AM

If you paid about $26 USD and they provided you with a INM stamped FMM the only one who potentially could be ripped off would be the Mex Government if they keep the money themselves. I have never been asked to show a bank receipt just a stamped FMM

David K - 10-28-2014 at 08:25 AM

After Algodones, did anyone ask to see the FMM during your trip? I suspect not.

The money can be paid to the INM officer... at least since 2012 when I bought FMMs at Tijuana border, and had read earlier that year it was now an option if the bank nearby was closed. I asked the INM officer and she told me I could pay her or the bank teller a few windows away, it did not matter.

The 180 days is what the FMM limit is, so for the $26 you can either use it for two week or use it for 180 days. If you broke down and couldn't leave before the two weeks were up, better to have it for 180 days, yes?

As for the destination in Mexico... I always put Cabo San Lucas, the furthest south point on the peninsula.

Pappy Jon - 10-28-2014 at 08:47 AM

The only stamp was a date stamp. We paid $25. I thought this was a little off, and I would have loved to have handed this over at GN coming back north just to see how they would have reacted.

We also thought if the process would have been different if we had said we were going to Cabo. I suspect the MX government didn't see our $50.

Ateo - 10-28-2014 at 08:50 AM

I would "X" out your passport #.

David K - 10-28-2014 at 08:57 AM

Here was what my FMM looked like in 2012:





The FMM I bought when I flew into Baja last June by helicopter was retrieved when we checked out of Mexico at Ensenada, but it looked different than the land based one.

[Edited on 10-28-2014 by David K]

Pappy Jon - 10-28-2014 at 09:05 AM

Different form, and I don't see a version date on either. I wonder if this guy was taking advantage of old stock. I did have an agent in San Felipe years ago using airport forms, and I'm sure he was pocketing the money. When I crossed back north at GN the border folks had a fit with the airport form.

rts551 - 10-28-2014 at 09:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Tioloco
Rts-
I recently took a pool table thru Algodones and was given the go ahead after a brief check. What do you mean when you say you can't import anything thru Algodones?


I believe you just took through...you did not import it in the strict sense.

rts551 - 10-28-2014 at 09:32 AM

Pappy Jon...notice you don't have the official green stamp either

Bob and Susan - 10-28-2014 at 12:40 PM

new rules to make it easier for tourists...no bank needed...

you probably said you were staying over 7 days and going south

Alm - 10-28-2014 at 01:09 PM

It's interesting how quickly any topic deteriorates at Nomads :)

1) OP question has nothing to do with importing.

2) Demanding FMM was the case of abuse of power UNLESS this tourist said that they intended to stay longer than 3 days and/or go beyond the border zone.

3) FMM without bank stamp is interesting. Maybe "new rules". I don't see bank stamp on David K picture either, only date stamp. Happened in the past a number of times, I mean - no bank stamp.

If this is new rules, they are making a mistake and soon a number of federal cops will lose their jobs and end up in jail. They are not ready for this responsibility. Algodones is a strange choice for this kind of "fishing expedition" because very few tourists require FMM there. Majority of gringos entering Algodones intend to stay there, and they don't stay longer than 3 days, and those agents of course knew this before they stopped this tourist.

[Edited on 10-28-2014 by Alm]

rts551 - 10-28-2014 at 01:18 PM

Green stamp on the second page where it says "sello de entrada" or entry stamp.
Quote:
Originally posted by Alm
It's interesting how quickly any topic deteriorates at Nomads :)

1) OP question has nothing to do with importing.

2) Demanding FMM was the case of abuse of power UNLESS this tourist said that they intended to stay longer than 3 days and/or go beyond the border zone.

3) FMM without bank stamp is interesting. Maybe "new rules". I don't see bank stamp on David K picture either, only date stamp.

If this is new rules, they are making a mistake and soon a number of federal cops will lose their jobs and end up in jail. They are not ready for this responsibility. Algodones is a strange choice for this kind of "fishing expedition" because very few tourists require FMM there. Majority of gringos entering Algodones intend to stay there, and they don't stay longer than 3 days, and those agents of course knew this before they stopped this tourist.

[Edited on 10-28-2014 by Alm]

PaulW - 10-28-2014 at 01:59 PM

Algodones only.
We have paid at the Bank and at the customs office. At the customs office the change was loose in a desk drawer. In any event customs duty are documented with all the usual paperwork.
On weekends when the walk/drive traffic is heavy we find several Immigration people and several customs inspectors. The main Immigration guy slows everything up and ask where you are going. If you say anyplace but Algodones for shopping then he asks for cards. If you have either of the residente cards you are waved thru. If you have nothing he sends you to the other guy to get an FMM and pay at the Immigration office. I do not know what happens if you show him an FMM that you still have? I suspect he will be unhappy and make you get another FMM.
Yes the military has a presence going N and S at the main border. Lots of crossings and never been inspected so far.
Bottom line its best to avoid Algodones Friday thru Sunday. Other week days expect to find one customs guy and the others are missing. And no delays.
PaulW

Alm - 10-28-2014 at 02:03 PM

The green stamp of the bank says INM on it. So, the INM finally took over what - in their opinion - belongs to them :) ... Perhaps, after some secret inter-departmental war... Now they "only" need to train their cops to civilized standards. No small feat.

Pappy Jon - 10-28-2014 at 02:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by PaulW
Yes the military has a presence going N and S at the main border. Lots of crossings and never been inspected so far.
Bottom line its best to avoid Algodones Friday thru Sunday.


We crossed on a Monday.

I have been out of the truck during a military inspection exiting Mexico at Algodones on two occasions. Both times I was inches from the exit. Drat.

bajaspuds - 10-28-2014 at 02:38 PM

I got an FMM in Sept. in Tijuana. You have the same form, and the date stamp looks right, but mine also has a faint green-lettered stamp that surrounds the date, which I guess is the sello de entrada.

your deal sounds kinda sketchy. I don't know jack about Algodones, but an itinerary? come on ...