jedge42
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Crossing with a (small) trailer and household stuff
We are planning to load some stuff into our 6x10' trailer to take to BCS for a few months ... we rented a house there and have some household stuff we
want to bring, as well as camping gear, some computers and electronics for work (all used), and some other random stuff ... what are the rules on
bringing that kind of stuff in? We plan to bring it all back 4ish months later and would prefer not to pay duty on it ... should we be worried? any
idea on what the duty might be? or how it is calculated? We are currently planning to cross mid-November at Calexico/Mexicali (in town or east, not
sure) if that makes any difference ...
thanks for any info you can provide!
jake
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SFandH
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I don't know if anyone can give a definitive answer. There are different rules for different types of stuff. Create a list of what you have in the
trailer and then run it through translate.google.com to get it in Spanish.
If you don't speak Spanish, perhaps a note in Spanish explaining your stay is temporary at a rented house and that you'll be bringing everything back
would be helpful.
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David K
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On the tourist FMM permit, you are allowed to bring personal items you need for your vacation. If you are a seasonal resident, that may be a different
matter and could pay duty for items available for sale in Mexico.
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msteve1014
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Don't worry about it. 90% of the things I have brought down they did not care about. Even big items like stoves or refrigerators only got a small tax,
if any. If the things look used they have always been very reasonable.
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jedge42
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Quote: Originally posted by David K  | | On the tourist FMM permit, you are allowed to bring personal items you need for your vacation. If you are a seasonal resident, that may be a different
matter and could pay duty for items available for sale in Mexico. |
well ... we plan to get the tourist visa as we did last year ... we will definitely be there less than 180 days ... sounds like (as with most
everything) it is a matter of interpretation? are we going to get turned around because we have tourist visas but are staying (and working, but for a
US company) too long or something?
I would guess some folks with big RVs might have as much stuff as we will have in the trailer ... do they generally need to make a list as SFandH
suggests?
I am not looking for definitive answers, really ... just kind of an idea what folks have run into ...
jake
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LaTijereta
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I would cross at Tecate, and have a manifest ready as mentioned above.. Teacte is a easy entry into Baja that handles this sort of entry with a small
trailer carrying "household items".. Towing that trailer you may want to avoid the offroad section of Hwy 5, and drive down through Ensenada..
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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bajaguy
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| Quote: Originally posted by jedge42 |
well ... we plan to get the tourist visa as we did last year ... we will definitely be there less than 180 days ... sounds like (as with most
everything) it is a matter of interpretation? are we going to get turned around because we have tourist visas but are staying (and working, but for a
US company) too long or something? jake |
Not sure you can "legally" work in Mexico (even for an American company) on a standard "tourist" FMM. Your FMM might need to be endorsed for
"Lucrativo"
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monoloco
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When we crossed at Tecate a few days ago, aduana went through the truck and camper pretty thoroughly, I ended up paying 2400 pesos duty on a new
desktop computer. Laptops are OK, everyone is allowed to bring one.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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mtnpop
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I didn't see where you were going to in BCS, but if past gonzoga bay I would not recommend taking Hwy 5 south.. the 23 miles of dirt/rock road to
Chapala will be tough pulling a trailer...
Try to load the camping and fishing gear last so that is what they see when you have to open the doors on the trailer... You are going down on
vacation.... don't mention for 4 or 5 months...
you still may have to let em look more...
If you are working over the internet or doing business back NOB and not taking income from the local economy then you should not have a problem or
have to pay Mexico tax... or report it ...
as I understand things...
good luck.....
Common sense is a flower that doesn\'t grow in everyone\'s garden.....
A wise man once spoke nothing.....
Never kick a cow chip on a hot day!!
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jedge42
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| Quote: Originally posted by LaTijereta | | I would cross at Tecate, and have a manifest ready as mentioned above.. Teacte is a easy entry into Baja that handles this sort of entry with a small
trailer carrying "household items".. Towing that trailer you may want to avoid the offroad section of Hwy 5, and drive down through Ensenada..
|
Hmm, we weren't planning to take 5 south, but to take 2 across to Tecate and then 3 down to Ensenada ... just a lot closer to cross at Calexico, which
means we can cross earlier and hopefully beat the crowds ...
Is there a major advantage to Tecate over Calexico?
thanks!
jake
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Udo
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Yes, you don't have to drive over a mountain to get to Ensenada.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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AKgringo
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Mex 2 headed west from Mexicalli is a toll road. I would check what it costs based on the length of your car/trailer. Also, I believe that gasoline
is still cheaper on the US side, but my info is a year old.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
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Hwy. 2-D is not nearly as easy to drive up the mountain as is I-8... Oh, it is a 4 lane road, but steeper grades and tighter curves... and it is a
toll highway. Not pricey for a car, not sure about the addition for a trailer.
So, the recommendation to stay in the U.S. until Tecate is sound. You will have several miles of country road from Buckman Springs Rest Stop to Tecate
using Hwy. 94... but nothing worse than Hwy. 1 south of El Rosario!
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jedge42
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Hwy. 2-D is not nearly as easy to drive up the mountain as is I-8... Oh, it is a 4 lane road, but steeper grades and tighter curves... and it is a
toll highway. Not pricey for a car, not sure about the addition for a trailer. |
It is a pickup truck and trailer (which probably doesn't make too much difference in terms of toll, I would guess) ... but cost isn't a huge factor
here ... from looking around here at Baja Nomad, it would seem that pet-friendly places to stay close to Tecate on US side are really not available,
unless we go even further west (and stay north, I guess?) ... plus we'd get to see some new scenery ...
The reason I was asking was to find out if there was something about the *crossing* that made Tecate better (i.e. Mexican customs and such) than
Mexicali ...
thanks for all the info so far!
jake
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David K
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Tecate is better only because it is a small border (two gates, usually just one open) and no crowds at all, no lines...
Just for your info: to get on the Ensenada road (Hwy. 3)... after entering Mexico, continue straight (it is downhill) to the big blvd. intersection,
and you can turn left there or the next block turn left/ east (on either side of the big park)... go one block and turn right (south)... That's it...
You are now on Hwy. 3! Ensenada is 70 miles away.
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rts551
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Crossing at Tecate is easier than Mexicali. You are more likely to get an inspection at Mexicali, but hey just pay the import tax...it will not be
much. 2d is a great road to take. I enjoy it more than 8.
Bottom line...it is a toss up. I would take your "new" route just to experience it.
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rts551
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | Tecate is better only because it is a small border (two gates, usually just one open) and no crowds at all, no lines...
Just for your info: to get on the Ensenada road (Hwy. 3)... after entering Mexico, continue straight (it is downhill) to the big blvd. intersection,
and you can turn left there or the next block turn left/ east (on either side of the big park)... go one block and turn right (south)... That's it...
You are now on Hwy. 3! Ensenada is 70 miles away. |
Your info is slightly outdated. They now have three lanes. 1 declare and 2 non declare. The 2 non declare are always open. the declare lane
seldom.
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David K
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Thank you!
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