MexicoGringoGuy
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Registered: 6-20-2008
Location: Tijuana, Centro/Rio
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Flying from Tijuana, and passing through customs..
HI all.. I will be flying to Acapulco next month from Tijuana... an I was wondering if I will have to pass through customs in either Mexico city
(connecting flight) or in Acapulco? I know its a national (domestic) flight, BUT Im not sure if it makes a diffrence since we are on the frontera!
Just to sway off the negative comments.. I will be taking a some things for my frirends electronics store... ans a few of my BlackBerries to sell
there , and although I could probably pass throuhgh with ni problems.. I was wondering, just to be prepared ..
So has anyone flown from Tijuana to the interior of Mexico, and if so, did you have to go therough mexican customs..
Thanks
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lizard lips
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You will pass through the same system as the driving through the border.Green Light--Red light. Put the BlackBerries in your pockets and make sure you
transfer them back to your luggage when you are in line at check-in.
You didn't mention how much electronics you are bringing but they frown on just about everything that is not for personal use.
Good luck--
When in Acapulco there is nothing you have to worry about.
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danaeb
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Location: San Diego; El Centenario
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TJ hand-inspects all checked luggage when you're in the ticket counter line. All carry-on luggage is Xrayed when you go thru security to get to your
gate.
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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MexicoGringoGuy
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Registered: 6-20-2008
Location: Tijuana, Centro/Rio
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OK THANKS.. I was just worried about Mexico city or Acapulco....
I will be taking about 8 phones... and a few other electronics... I guess I will just have to spread them out amoungst all my lugguge... They hadn
inspect luguge everywhere in Mexico, and if its the same here, they basicly just do enough to make it a pain in the rear.. They really dont check
they jusyt open, lift up a few things and pass you through...
I will just try and see.. BUT one time coming back from new yourk to acapulco, I was bringing my firnd 2 car stereos, 10 cordless phones, and like 40
other small electronic items... (he has an electronica)... When I got in Acapulco they make everyone put thier luggage through the xray BEFRORE the
red light green light, and the lady saw them, and the guy questionsed me, BUT I told him they cost less than 200 USD.. so he had me press the button,
I got green, and no problems!!
So we will just see I guess!!
I wonder if I print a price of a like item and take to aduana and pay taxes like I was going to ship... would this work the same as taking it with
me.. that way I wouldnt have to hide.. (its only 15% of the lowest price I can fiond and print)
hmm, I will see
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woody with a view
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I wonder if I print a price of a like item and take to aduana and pay taxes like I was going to ship... would this work the same as taking it with
me.. that way I wouldnt have to hide.. (its only 15% of the lowest price I can fiond and print)
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better to be prepared....
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greybaby
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Location: Idaho - formerly Cantu
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And, as strange as it may seem, we went through another inspection when we got off the plane in Tijuana, flying back from Mexico. Definitely seemed
more like a security check than customs. We sort of shook our heads because if we were planning to blow the plane up, we were already off it!! But
it was quick, painless and we even caught the bus in time to get back to Ensenada in a relatively short time. By the way, best air service we've
experienced by far (Aeromexico). Very impressive. Our (US) airlines could take a few tips.
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MexicoGringoGuy
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Posts: 159
Registered: 6-20-2008
Location: Tijuana, Centro/Rio
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HI... Yeah I remember flying INTO TJ 2 times, i went through that security check even though I was coming from the interior, I have just never flew
OUT OF TJ.. Aeromexico is good, BUT 2 reasons I take Mexicana.. #1 I will be using my miles to get a free ticket ( I have tons on Mexicana) #2 they
allow dogs on the cabin with you and aeromexico makes you but them under, and I would NEVER but my dog UNDER the plane...
Plus Mexicana is ususally cheaper than aeromexico..
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MexicoGringoGuy
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Posts: 159
Registered: 6-20-2008
Location: Tijuana, Centro/Rio
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Hey ... another qustion KINDA off this topic but related... I learned about quantity limits ets when it comes to sending items in Mexico... I bought
120 FM wireless transmitters for FM3 for CHEAP on ebay .. got them here.. wheeled them across the border and was told I had to take them to OTAY to
IMPORT them using a broker.. (little did they know I have 2oo other items on the way)
When you ship using estefetta they make you have a aduana form (taxes) but someone told me I could split it up in lower qtys and get individual
aduana forms and send several shipments... and also I heard I could ship via Estrella Blanca Package service (bus) and supposdely they dont care
about whats in it.. ANY comments??
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Mango
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Shipping stuff via bus is pretty common in Mexico. I'm not sure of the particulars; but, I've seen it done often. You should be able to inquire at
the bus station(s) in TJ. I wouldn't think they wouldn't care much about whats in the package if/when it was heading south and if it didn't smell
funny.
As far as security.. they usually just throw the packages in with the luggage, so it will have many opportunities to become "lost" at various bus
stops as luggage is loaded and unloaded.
However; I've traveled 10's of thousands of miles via bus in Mexico and never had a bag stolen from under the bus. First class buses tend to only
stop at established stations which adds some security. I'm not sure if you can request that.. but sending the package on a first class only line
might ensure that.
Good luck figuring out all the legal stuff.. I wish I had better advice for you.
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lizard lips
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Mango, you sound like you have done exactly what I have done for years regarding travels on Mexican busses. I enjoy the bus trips I have taken except
for a few but that is another story in itself!
I would not send anything of any value by bus in Mexico not in fear of it getting lost but stolen. You cannot insure the package but even if you could
it would be a dog and pony show to try and get your money back.
I fly out of Tijuana at least three times a month and know how the system works. If you do not declare the items you think you will have problems with
they will take it away from you----PERIOD. As you mentioned Gringo Guy your best bet is to make a receipt for a small amount for the products and
present it prior to hitting the green light-red light button. If you are taking 10 blackberries with you good luck if you are caught and don't declare
it. If the items look new and are in packages you are taking a chance. These people are not stupid.
By the way, I have only had the red light about once in the last year and they really checked my bags good.
Good luck and please let us know what happened.
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lizard lips
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I also forgot to tell you that I have thousands of miles on Aeromexico and it was a deal to use them. There was a charge of about 350.00 pesos for
taxes that you had to pay however they just upped their prices in January of this year to 1500.00 pesos for the tax. I thought I was doing a favor for
some friends giving them my miles to fly to Mexico City but when I learned of the higher costs I have not flown on that airline again. I use Avolar or
one of the newer lines and the prices are great. I was upgraded on a regular basis to business class but it is not worth it just for a three hour
flight.
What did you have to pay for the tax on Mexicana?
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