Awatson
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Registered: 8-30-2005
Location: Tucson, AZ
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Is importing lumber possible?
I am bringing a small amount of lumber accross at Nogales on way to Kino Bay. Someone on another board posted that all lumber must go through a
broker.
Any truth to this? I was under the impression that you just pay the 17% tax on top of your original reciept.
I am only bringing (4) 2x4's 24' long, plus (8) 3" diameter pipes 10' long for use as posts.It's obviously not a commercial endevour.
Any advice is appreciated.
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jrbaja
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Although I don't know about Nogales
You should have no problem with that amount at any of the crossings. Look them in the eye, smile, lie through your teeth about how much you paid, and
pay the import duty.
PS Red flags on the long items are mandatory in Mexico too!
[Edited on 8/30/2005 by jrbaja]
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Bob and Susan
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Where do you guys get 17%.....everytime I go its 24%
I'll need to go with you
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John M
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Import on lumber
Ah, that reminds me of the tale of our bringing - or should I say attempting to bring 16' 2x8s to LaSalina, through T.J. in about 1980.
We had enough beams for the joists of the roof courtesy of a contractor who happened to have just the number we needed left over from a job....another
story I'm certain!
Well, we loaded my 10' long trailer with 'em, covered the wood with a tarp, put a bunch of camping gear and other assorted junk on top. Of course we
hit the border late, around 10:00 pm thinking that was the smart way to outsmart the customs guys. Oh were we wrong. First they wanted $10.00 for each
piece of lumber. We said no thank you, how do we head back to the US? They showed us and we made the U-turn, defeated.
Not to be outdone we went back to Hemet, cut them into lengths of 10 and 6 feet (with a redesigned roof and ceiling) and this time we put the 6
footers in a van, well hidden.
The ten footers we again put in my trailer but this time only a smidgen stuck out the rear of the open trailer. Thinking the nite time escapade a
mistake we decided to brave the day shift inspectors. We decided to not stick together so the van went first and slid through and on to the first toll
booth to wait.
I was next, and again we piled junk on top of a tarp covering the wood to make it look like we were on a long camping trip. Stoves, tent, chairs and
all the regular stuff on display to distract the "inspector." He waved us by, like nothing.
As I drove on, I looked in the side mirror and saw him sort of half-hearted giving chase as he had seen the obivous ends of the beams sticking out the
back of the open trailer.
All the way to the first toll booth my wife and I were sweating that surely he had called ahead and alerted the folks there of the smuggling in
progress, and to look for the red Jeep with a trailer of wood beams in tow.
As we approached the toll collector of course we spotted the official looking car just ahead, driver behind the wheel. Nervous as hell we paid the
toll and drove on, smiling and saying gracias, gracias over and over again.
Fifty yards later my heart jumped into my throat as the cruiser had taken off in our direction. Then to our great relief the cruiser just went on past
leaving us in his dust.
The roof modifications worked out just fine, and while laying the plywood on top, a scorpion fell slowly downward, grabbing at my construction
partner, nailing him in the back.
Now that is another story.
Hope you have as good of luck as we did!
John M
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MrBillM
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Import Fee
This is from 2003. The duty has held at the 17 % Thru at least Dec 2004 when I last took down Lumber.
Prior to 2003, the back of the Import Declaration included a table of duties for each country of origin. Since then only the info regarding amounts
to be imported without a broker are included, no specific tables. The officer where you fill out the documents has a current schedule which you can
look at by request.
[Edited on 8-31-2005 by MrBillM]
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soulpatch
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My understanding is that it is 17% if the materials reciept is for less than1k. Over that, and I've been wrong before, there is paperwork at Otay to
fill out.
Reciepts are pretty easily modified on today's computers, though..........
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MrBillM
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Correcto Soulpatch
As I said, the back of the declaration form still lists the current maximum amount that can be imported without going through a broker.
For other than computer equipment, the current maximum is $1000. For Computer Equipment it is $4000.
In the past, when I was importing significant amounts on each trip and the duties were higher (54 % at one time for Orient), I went down to the Office
Supply and bought an array of different sales forms. I then made templates for each one in MS Publisher. That way I could show a variety of reciepts
from different suppliers on a single trip. Nowadays, my imports are fewer and I have ALWAYS gotten the $150.00 per person exemption (FM3) when I have
shown my documents and requested it. Consequently, I rarely make up my own docs anymore.
[Edited on 8-31-2005 by MrBillM]
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jerry
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thanks MrBillMi been trying to find out the exemption for a person with an FM3 for a long time good to know that the first $150.00 is exempt have a
good one
jerry and judi
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jerry
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i too wanted to bring down some dug fir 2 by 8s i was taking an 18 foot inflatable boat and moter down to loreto so i made my boat trailer into a
regular trailer by using the 2 by 8s as the deck and box i doubled the bottom by shorting the bottom row in the back and the inside front was piled
with gas can life preservers the boat was rolled up in its case and moter tyed to the deck no one gave it a sceond glance
when i got to loreto i blew uo the boat mounted the moter got everthing readdy to go . backed the trailer into the water slight north wind took no
time to push the floating trailer with boat and moter crossways on the doc and into the rocks after some manuvering i got it back out and removed all
but 4 2by 8s all said and done they were cut up, loaned out used for what ever but i never used a stick of them.I must have needed them really bad??
have a good one
jerry and judi
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jerry
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P.S.
brought it all back on one piece of old plywood on the same frame
jerry and judi
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MrBillM
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Sneaking Across
I had a friend (now dead) with a casa in Gonzaga who bought a beat-up Aluminum Boat and some old crap fishing gear for the same purpose. He would
stack his lumber and other stuff on the flat vehicle trailer and then pile the boat, fishing gear and other camping stuff on top, crossing at the
Tecate Border just before they closed in the evening. He was (so he said) never stopped.
Another guy in Percebu who was working on four casas used a fullsize van. Loading the lumber, then 4-6 Sheltie dogs (they raise Shelties) on top,
crossing at the Mexicali Garita Oriente just before closing at 10 p.m.
I've never had that much nerve. Getting caught obviously smuggling was not worth it. I'd rather pay something (reasonable) and go on my way.
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jrbaja
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If you pull into secondary going south
and claim what you are taking, you will be rewarded for your honesty. Just reduce the prices of what you paid if possible.
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comitan
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I can't believe this post, your building in Mexico buy your lumber here I think it will be cheaper.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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bajalou
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Buying lumber in Mexico is not cheaper than getting it in the US and paying duty.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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jrbaja
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And if you already have the stuff
seems silly to just throw it away
"I am only bringing (4) 2x4's 24' long, plus (8) 3" diameter pipes 10' long for use as posts.It's obviously not a commercial endevour."
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comitan
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Trying to sneek it over the border and get caught they take your vehicle and it costs $2,000 to get it back and much time and heartache for a little
saving.
(I use the amount above because that is what it cost us, plus taking everything and keeping it)
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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jerry
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cant get there
i have not seen douglas fir in Loreto structualy its fare better then pine so i brought some with me i now fly in and out and only bring in what i
have to because i cant get it down there
jerry and judi
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
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Buying in Mexico
The problem with buying in Mexico is quality and variety. In recent years I have bought more and more in San Felipe as the supply has improved,
notably 4x Posts and plywood. One thing that I bring most frequently from the U.S. are Quality 2x4s. When the Home Depot in Mexicali opened, I
rejoiced. I was sick of the border routine importing lumber. Alas, I found that their 2x4s looked like the culls from every other store and they
were 35 pesos (3.50 at the time). Premium White 96" 2x4s were $2.69 at Home Depot in El Centro. If you paid the Legal Duty on the full value, it was
still cheaper, but more importantly, it was the quality desired. The other situation is odd stuff like T-111 or T-303. Although the place where I
buy lumber in San Felipe CLAIMS that he can get it anytime I want it, that hasn't turned out to be the case and when I have been able to get some, the
premium paid was outrageous.
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The penalty for non-declaration is 120 percent of the value of the merchandise and they keep the goods. That's also listed on the back of the
Declaration Form. I had one friend who brought across a brand-new Honda Genset purchased in El Centro. Still in the box and he attempted to go
through the no-declaracion. Caught. They seized his truck (to make sure he paid) and it cost him $1200 plus he lost the genset. It's not worth it.
If you declare, even using fraudulent invoices, you're better off. They might not accept your declared amount if they're suspicious of the invoice,
but that only results in them charging you what they think it's worth. No seizures.
[Edited on 8-31-2005 by MrBillM]
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Chris- Leaving for Percebu tomorrow a.m. Our plans were delayed due to some Dental work Linda had done. Weather in YV has usually been 95-105 with
Low Humidity (20-30 percent).
We've been driving up to the mountains (Silent Valley) 2-3 times weekly to swim and picnic. Not looking forward to the heat and humidity in Percebu,
but we have plenty of gasoline for the A/C if needed.
[Edited on 8-31-2005 by MrBillM]
[Edited on 8-31-2005 by MrBillM]
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viabaja
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Weather
Bill,
You home or in Percebu?
Hows' the weather?
Chris
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Awatson
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 8-30-2005
Location: Tucson, AZ
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Thanks for all the replies.
Yea, that has generally been my experience. The stuff I would like to buy is simply not available.
Contrary to an earlier post, I am not trying to smuggle this in, I would gladly pay for it in Mexico at any price, if it was available. It just isn't.
I just want to pay the tax and head south!
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