BajaNomad

How to import wood and supplies across border?

Doug/Vamonos - 6-7-2016 at 08:22 AM

Hi. I need to haul a lot of wood across the border in a couple weeks. I've been told I need to go through at Otay Mesa. I prefer to buy in LA Bay but the logistics and price don't work. And I want a lot of pressure treated wood and 16' lumber that Home Depot in Ensenada doesn't sell. So...I plan to load my trailer and truck with it and drive across. Unless someone knows of a reliable source in Ensenada or elsewhere I can buy it at after crossing. I need about 50 2x4x8, 12 pieces of tongue and groove OSB 4x8, 20 pieces of 2x10x16, and 6 4x4x8 pressure treated. Thanks. It was also suggested to get a broker for the border crossing?

OCEANUS - 6-7-2016 at 09:29 AM

Did you get an explanation for why you needed to cross at Otay?
I have hauled down constructions supplies in the past in separate, smaller loads and have always crossed at San Ysidro.

I've presented the receipts and paid the import tax/fee (which was nominal considering that I was bringing down quality material as opposed to what you may get at the Ensenada Home Depot) and was on my way.

Never heard of needing a broker either.

Doug/Vamonos - 6-7-2016 at 10:42 AM

Two people told me they showed up at SY and were told to turn around and go to Otay. Did you do this recently? Thanks for the reply.

SlyOnce - 6-7-2016 at 11:01 AM

Since you have a trailer Otay would be easier. However, I've seen similar loads crossing at SY. People cross construction materials every day. Just go to the "Items to Declare", park, show receipts, and pesos, and be prepared to pay 16%. You'll get a stamped form, and return and go through the lanes. No need for a customs broker IMHO.

Bob and Susan - 6-7-2016 at 02:29 PM

here is what I think you should do...

fullerton is only 2 hours from the border...
drive to otay mesa crossing (m-f)...
without trailer or wood
the other crossings will send you back with wood don't try it

at SY they will take you to the side and have someone escort you to the "secret return gate"...you'll lose about 2 hours crossing time

pull into secondary and ask what they need so you can cross in a couple of weeks with your trailer

they probably have it in writing

now...follow the rules

it's easy to flip a u and drive right back to the usa at otay mesa

remember the wood list you quoted is really heavy...
have good tires for the trip

Pacifico - 6-7-2016 at 08:39 PM

Doug, check out this old thread:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=39270#pid4243...

I bought a bunch of lumber in Maneadero and avoided the hassle of trying to import it...

Doug/Vamonos - 6-8-2016 at 06:02 AM

Thanks Pacifico! I will definitely call them. I'm using my bro's trailer which he regularly tows his CJ-5 on so weight should not be a problem. My primary issue is finding the 2x10x16s and madera tratada. If they have them then it's a go!

Pacifico - 6-8-2016 at 07:05 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos  
Thanks Pacifico! I will definitely call them. I'm using my bro's trailer which he regularly tows his CJ-5 on so weight should not be a problem. My primary issue is finding the 2x10x16s and madera tratada. If they have them then it's a go!


I'm glad to help! They can get most anything if you give them a couple weeks notice, or at least that was my experience. 2x12x20's were no problem for them, so you should be good!

Also, found more contact info in my phone! Ask for Ulises Nunez; he speaks English. 011-52-646-154-0741. If I remember right, he was the owner or manager...

Bob and Susan - 6-8-2016 at 12:37 PM

The lumberyard is "Los Flemate" and is affiliated with "Construrama"

...they will also deliver to the bay of la

they delivered lots of wood to my neighbors here in mulege on the bay

why haul it and risk problems...think smart

DENNIS - 6-8-2016 at 03:21 PM


Doug.....just curious.....what are you paying up there for #2 Doug Fir 2"x4"x8' ?
Bob is right about Flemate. They have good inventory and service.

SFandH - 6-8-2016 at 07:47 PM

There are phytosanitary (pests and pathogens) regulation aspects to moving lumber across borders. That may complicate things. I don't know how the regs apply to individuals with small loads.
-------------------

https://www.nhla.com/nhlablog/posts/attention-exporters-mexi...

Mexico has recently stepped-up enforcement of its phytosanitary regulations, which has caused much confusion. According to APHIS, the following interim measures have been agreed upon between the USDA APHIS and the SEMARNAT (Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources) until a Work Plan is signed.

Lumber shipments travelling under SEMARNAT import permits, issued prior to July 2, 2013 will be allowed entry based on current regulations, regardless of arrival date.

Lumber shipments travelling under SEMARNAT import permits, issued after July 2, 2013 will be required to meet the new NOM 16 regulations.

A phytosanitary certificate will be required.


[Edited on 6-9-2016 by SFandH]

Doug/Vamonos - 6-9-2016 at 09:17 AM

Hi Frank. They also used the i-beams for my garage. Do you remember if they constructed the beams themselves or did they buy them and bring them down? Thanks.

Doug/Vamonos - 8-9-2016 at 08:19 AM

Thought I'd update this thread. So on Thursday, June 23, I load up with lumber and plywood at Ganahl Lumber (about $1,000 worth) and drive south. Cross at Otai Mesa and pull into the declare area. Back into a spot and there are probably two dozen other vehicles, mostly trucks full of furniture and segunda stuff. I find an official looking guy and talk to him. He straight off tells me I can't cross with lumber and have to come back tomorrow morning and cross with the semi trucks at the first exit before the border. Hundreds of them. No ifs, ands, or buts. No way Jose. So I do some more talking and basically give him every opportunity to ask for $100 and let me cross. No way. Ain't happening. So he points me to a very attractive lady who appears to be the boss. He says go talk to her. So I do. She immediate asks me (politely) who sent me to her. So I turn around and point to the mexican man and he sees me and ducks! She proceeds to ream him a new hole! crap. That didn't go well. So I go back to him and say lo siento amigo. Then he says he'll go find someone who can do the paperwork for me and help me. Cool. He returns in an hour with a guy with a clipboard who says he'll do the paperwork for $200. I asked if I can cross then? He says no. I still have to return tomorrow morning and cross with the semis. Long, long story short. I say screw it. Have them get me back across the border. Return all the lumber to Ganahls for full credit. And now I'll buy it all at Los Flemate in Maneadero. Moral of the story...it didn't work for me! the gal at Los Flemate is Carmen. She speaks English. Her email is carmen.sanchez@grupolosflemate.com. I'll do that my next trip in a few weeks. I visited her in Maneadero and explained what I need and she said no problema. I'll update the thread after this all works.

SFandH - 8-9-2016 at 08:42 AM

Thanks for the update. I'm guessing it is the phytosanitary (pests and pathogens) regulations that are the problem and that non-wood construction materials, probably under a certain value, are OK, but I don't know. It could have been you just had too much.

Did they give you a reason?

Along those lines some friends of mine were sent back to the US at San Ysidro because of a few potted plants in the back seat of their car. They wouldn't let US dirt into Mexico, probably phytosanitary regs.

Sure would be nice if Mexico posted the regs.

[Edited on 8-9-2016 by SFandH]

Udo - 8-9-2016 at 08:52 AM

Wise move.

I purchased all of my construction lumber also at Los Flemates.

The workers at Home Depot in Ensenada (except for the paint department) did not give a chit about helping or special ordering things. It was much easier for them to say "...we don't have it. Can't get it. Or that is all that we carry."

Home Depot in Rosarito and TJ WERE real helpful, however.

My finished house photos are in a previous thread.

larryC - 8-9-2016 at 12:32 PM

Ramon (Pepito) at Homecheapo there in Bahia gets regular weekly deliveries from Flemates. Maybe you can order your stuff through him. In the long run it may be easier. I got lucky when I built my garage, I was able to bring all my materials across the border.

Gulliver - 8-9-2016 at 09:50 PM

I bring all sorts of lumber and doors and appliances across at Tecate. I just hand them my receipt and they calculate the tax. I pay it at the bank right there and head for the immigration guy for my FM3.

Doug/Vamonos - 8-10-2016 at 02:21 PM

Hi Larry. I visit pepito all the time and have bought all my blocks, cement, and other supplies from him. Not to mention many, many loads of sand, rocks, and water. We talked about a delivery from Flemate. He said he would charge too much and it's better to pick it up on my way down. I have a good trailer so it's pretty easy for me. Are you saying you built that freaking giant garage? I assumed it was existing when you bought the house.

BajaBlanca - 8-10-2016 at 04:22 PM

I gotta say, it is so arbitrary. I have brought plants in full view and no one said boo.

we have brought wood across, and no one said boo.

and we have been turned around, which was so disappointing. went to otay, hired a broker and went thru. We had to import the motor that time, plus other stuff...cost us $400 BUT WE GOT THRU. We live so far south that not being able to get into Mexico is a big headache.

and a friend who was bringing us some gorgeous triangle palms got them confiscated but he wasn't turned around.

it is very arbitrary!

larryC - 8-10-2016 at 04:41 PM

Doug
I built the garage in Oct/Nov of '08 right after I bought the place. The garage is 75'x25' and I should have gone even bigger 'cause it is already full. No such thing as "too big of a garage". I had Pansonia do all the cement and block work, he used 250 sacks of cement and poured the slab by hand in less than 2 weeks in July. He's a worker. Anyway I got lucky and was able to bring all the lumber down from NoB but now it not as easy as then. Good luck with yours.
Larry

SFandH - 8-10-2016 at 05:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
I gotta say, it is so arbitrary. I have brought plants in full view and no one said boo.

we have brought wood across, and no one said boo.

and we have been turned around, which was so disappointing. went to otay, hired a broker and went thru. We had to import the motor that time, plus other stuff...cost us $400 BUT WE GOT THRU. We live so far south that not being able to get into Mexico is a big headache.

and a friend who was bringing us some gorgeous triangle palms got them confiscated but he wasn't turned around.

it is very arbitrary!



"it is very arbitrary!"

You're absolutely correct. There have been countless threads about bringing stuff south and inevitably people post differing experiences importing the same items. Probably due to complicated rules that fundamentally don't have any practical reason for existing.

Doug/Vamonos - 8-11-2016 at 06:01 AM

Sorry...I forgot to mention that they did tell me that with 25 pieces of wood or less I could have crossed. Above 25 and you have to cross with the commercial trucks. Who knows if that is actually enforced and as easy as it sounds. But it is what they told me. And they said it has to be at Otay Mesa.

DENNIS - 8-11-2016 at 07:50 AM



I thought the amount was determined by cost....not pieces.

Doug/Vamonos - 8-17-2016 at 07:25 PM

There ya go! I suspect it varies by who you speak with and what day it is.

bajaguy - 8-17-2016 at 08:12 PM

Exactly!!!
Quote: Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos  
There ya go! I suspect it varies by who you speak with and what day it is.