joel
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Posts: 361
Registered: 2-2-2007
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Customs Brokers for Cargo Trailer
I'm looking into bringing down a cargo trailer with windows and other building materials. I know that if the value is over $3k it needs to have a
broker. Does anyone know what the broker fees cost - or how to contact any of the inexpensive brokers who have offices in the customs parking area at
Otay, for example?
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soylent_green
Junior Nomad
Posts: 90
Registered: 9-4-2014
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I assume you are bringing a cargo load worth of material, not your own 48-53' trailer to import and filled with material. Because the steps to
importing a trailer are overly challenging. So I will assume you will need transportation and customs.
I can recommend the services of ACV for all of Baja. I dont work for them, but I have done work with them a number of times on commercial shipments
for maybe 7 years. Good solid company. good communication and professional. You pay for professional service and that pays off in the long run.
619-955-7652
http://www.acvlogistics.com
you should provide them, or any logistics service provider you use, the following information. Be exact and dont change your information. Dont make
them work 2X as hard and try to read your mind or expect them to understand exactly what you are shipping. You need to eliminate any doubts they might
have.
1: Origin. Where it picks up. This can also be from their facility in Otay Mesa and you make arrangements to ship it there. Consolidate - dont make
them run around picking up at different warehouses. Also, dont expect a commercial carrier to go to Home Depot, then Lowes, then the windows store
etc.
2: Destination. Where in Mexico its going. Let them know if there are any special requirements - dirt roads, access gates, narrow entry, hours to
receive. Also assess your delivery site and make sure a full trailer can enter and maneuver.
3. Dimensions. Piece and total piece count Length X Width X Height and weight. This will help determine the type of shipment you have - full truck
load (enclosed or flat bed), partial Less than truckload (LTL) commingled with other freight, or possibly a 24' bobtail type trailer. Note - if
shipping LTL, you need to clearly mark and bundle so our shipment doesnt get lost or mixed up with other freight in the trailer.
3: Material list. Be exact. No mistakes. List everything, with prices. List country of origin if available.
4: Invoice(s). Original and copy of each and every thing you plan on shipping. Make a copy for yourself and keep it.
5: Packing. Pack material in clearly marked boxes and bundles that can be
a. easily inspected by the customs broker and by customs, and
b. it can travel securely from origin to destination.
Label the boxes and bundles, with a packing list of what exactly it is.
6: Importer of Record. Normally this would be a company or an entity in Mexico with the legal status to import goods. In a situation like yours, you
would pay for the service of a third party - a Comercializadora - to be listed as the importer of record. Companies like ACV offer this service.
Honestly, don't call the service provider until you can come up with the 6 points above. If you don't have the completed invoices yet - make a
complete pro-forma invoice of exactly what you are going to buy.
If you say "I have $4000 worth of building materials" dont expect to get very far.
Do not physically ship anything to the border until you are sure everything is set, no issues have arisen, general idea of the costs involved are
known.
Another thing - paints, hazardous materials, chemicals, flammables. They don't go with this shipment. Lumber - get it in Mexico. Wood needs to be
inspected and its not worth it.
When you schedule the delivery, have a crew available to unload, because you typically paid the truck driver to drive, and not unload. Unless you
make additional arrangements beforehand - and increase your costs substantially - you will get a standard 53' trailer without some guys to unload it
and without a lift gate to get materials off. Assess your site for some way to off-dock the freight. If you are not ready, that driver and trailer
will be assessed detention charges. If you need say "24 hours", tell them before hand and that cost will be included.
Not sure the charges, but you will have
1. duties,taxes, (varied costs)
2. customs brokers fees (probably a fixed charge depending on broker)
3. warehouse fees and storage in-out if you ship the items to the broker. (varies with shipment size)
4. transportation costs. (varies with origin-destination and special requirements)
5. Comercializadora charge. (a % based on total value)
6. US Customs Export Documentation (flat fee, hardly anything)
There is no real magic formula. To find the costs, you have to provide a complete description of what you want to do. If you haven't dont it yet -
then do it. You need to anyway.
The Seven P's - Proper, Prior, Planning, Prevents, pee, Poor, Performance. Follow that, and you won't be that guy here on the message board saying
how you got screwed and your material got held up at the border for 7 months.
Thats all I got.
Good luck.
[Edited on 1-31-2017 by soylent_green]
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amigobaja
Nomad
Posts: 151
Registered: 6-3-2009
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Help the locale Baja economy just buy the stuff down here. Less stress
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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You may be right, although my experience has been, over a 1000 and it must be declared...not necessarily "imported"... at Otay. Then, the negotiations
begin.
That was a while back, so..... ?????
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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The quality doesn't exist for building materials, in many cases. Why pay someone to import them for you, with the interminable wait, and the increased
costs?
Even paying the duty, you are still ahead to do it yourself and have the quality.
I'd rather have the stress at the border. than the stress when the materials fail and you can't get them, 500 miles from the border.
[Edited on 2-1-2017 by Hook]
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