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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Paying my Dues
Crossing the (Mexicali East) Border Friday a.m. with two vehicles in front of me and one behind, my Green Light streak came to an end. Since I didn't
have anything of significance with me, I wasn't concerned. I SHOULD have been.
Pulling into the inspection area, mine was the only vehicle for Five officials to concentrate on. The first thing they did was pull my Ice Chests out
of the Truck bed so that one of them could climb into the back. They then proceeded to open EVERY container, including digging
through the Rubbermaids containing our clothes, asking for receipts on all goods, including groceries and my well-used TOOLS that I carry back and
forth. When I told them I didn't have receipts on it all, they said I had to have receipts or I couldn't proceed. I said OK, I'll have to go back
home and get the receipts. At which point, the Jefe said "No, it's OK, you just have to pay tax on what you bring. How much is here ?" I said maybe
$400. He said "$500". I said OK, but do I get a $300 deduction for our FM-3s ? "Si". Jefe motioned for us to drive into secondary and mi esposa
followed him into the oficina, coming out with the Declaration Document showing $600 Dollars less the $300. The duty was written out
at $45.00. My wife goes over to the Bank with the $45 and comes back in fifteen minutes saying it's $46.25. Back to the bank again. Before leaving,
I tell Jefe that they need to do this in "El Invierno" when we all don't have to stand around sweating. He doesn't see the humor.
Speaking of Humor (or lack thereof), while we're all standing at the back of the truck, Jefe tells me I need to shut off the truck until they
finished. I said that the truck was running so that my dogs could have the Air Conditioning and not be uncomfortable.
The look he gives me was priceless. Crazy Gringo.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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so are you potentially liable next time you bring stuff south, also? or is this list itemized?
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bajamigo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1218
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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Mood: hubimos llegado
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It's a sad story, but you have a fine sense of humor about it.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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It is what it is
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajamigo
It's a sad story, but you have a fine sense of humor about it. |
Trying to make sense of Mexican officialdom can drive you crazy. But I would suspect that averaged over time, $46.25 is a good deal. 
I've also used, "I'll go back home and get the receipts".
Didn't work for me neither.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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When I've been in the Customs office at Mexicali East, They have asked me if I needed "papers". When I say "No" the total amount of duty drops to
about 1/2 of the origional quote.
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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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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And speaking of averages:
When headed North, I've run into a far greater number of idiots. If challenged, I could probably smuggle in a regiment of Al- Qaeda.
Scary.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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Next time you might want to consider bringing a cooler full of very ripe shark chum in the deepest recesses of your rig and watch the Chinese Fire
drill that ensues as they open it.
Iflyfishwhennotschemingonrevenge
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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They finally got'cha MrBill. Guilty while being gringo. Pay for your sins.
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Mood: Happy!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Iflyfish
Next time you might want to consider bringing a cooler full of very ripe shark chum in the deepest recesses of your rig and watch the Chinese Fire
drill that ensues as they open it.
Iflyfishwhennotschemingonrevenge |
Reminds me of my buddy's friend who didn't shower for three days and rubbed dog poop on his clothes when he went in for a tax audit with the IRS--it
worked--the IRS agent wanted him out of his office as fast as he could!
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beercan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 4-3-2005
Location: North of da Bear
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Mood: happy to be in Baja
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You're not alone---got me last month too.
I have been hauling our old tires(from our company trucks) down to give to some of the "needy trucks" and in early May I had to haul some big ones for
our Construction guy's dump truck.
Well they wouldn't fit in my truck so I had to take small trailer ---Red Flag!! I was told to go back until the Green flashed outa my shirt pocket
!!!Outa there I went with a smile on my face !
It still works , I sang to myself.
| Quote: | by Dennis
They finally got'cha MrBill. Guilty while being gringo. Pay for your sins.
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* libs, all about choice until you choose different
* B. Hussein Obama - an Empty Suit for Empty Minds.
* Annoy a liberal - Work hard and be happy!
* Arguing facts & truth to libs is like bringing a warm smile to a gun fight.
* Lets win the War on Terror
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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Sounds like the Tourism Board should get involved on this one and clarify to the guards (thieves) what we can bring into Mexico under normal
circumstances like personal clothes and enough food to last a certain amount of days, etc...
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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RE: Customs Declaration
When he wrote out the Customs Declaration, he listed "Comida y Accesorios de Hogar" $600.00 less $300 deduction. $300.00 at 15 % was how the $45.00
worked out. Interestingly, the printed information on the back of the current forms lists a flat 25 % regardless of "Country of
Origin". Since 15 is better than 25, I didn't complain.
I still don't know where the extra $1.25 came from. Having paid duty numerous times, I've never encountered a service charge. Maybe something new.
Quien Sabe ?
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Maybe it had to do with the way they converted the $45 USD to pesos.
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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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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bank fee
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3597
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Techinically....
| Quote: | Originally posted by Iflyfish
Next time you might want to consider bringing a cooler full of very ripe shark chum in the deepest recesses of your rig and watch the Chinese Fire
drill that ensues as they open it.
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Mexican fire drill -- and Asian's don't like that expression.
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bancoduo
Banned
Posts: 1003
Registered: 10-3-2005
Location: el carcel publico mazatlan sin.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lee
| Quote: | Originally posted by Iflyfish
Next time you might want to consider bringing a cooler full of very ripe shark chum in the deepest recesses of your rig and watch the Chinese Fire
drill that ensues as they open it.
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Mexican fire drill -- and Asian's don't like that expression.
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You sound like a "Nam POW"
suffering from the Stockholm syndrome.
technically speaking.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3597
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Nam Vet with PTSD who likes Chinese Fire Drills
| Quote: | Originally posted by bancoduo
You sound like a "Nam POW" suffering from the Stockholm syndrome.
technically speaking. |
As an adolescent, we use to do Chinese Fire Drills. It was always fun. I don't have a clue as to how that practice, which for us was running
around a car, brought to a stop, an an intersection, got the name Chinese Fire Drill. Like, did the Chinese invent this practice? Is it a put
down as to how Chinese are viewed?
Your comment is also lost on me. Nam POW? Stockholm syndrome? Care to elaborate?
If an old expression such as Chinese Fire Drill had morphed into Holocaust Survivor Fire Drill, would it still be funny? For Jews? Who?
Just an observation for any Haole/Gringoes out there.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3597
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Impressive
| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
Speaking of Humor (or lack thereof), while we're all standing at the back of the truck, Jefe tells me I need to shut off the truck until they
finished. I said that the truck was running so that my dogs could have the Air Conditioning and not be uncomfortable.
The look he gives me was priceless. Crazy Gringo. |
I do like the way you handled this Bill.
Did you keep your truck running?
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
When he wrote out the Customs Declaration, he listed "Comida y Accesorios de Hogar" $600.00 less $300 deduction. |
Was there a description of the "deduction"?
The reason I ask is because you and others tell of a $150 deduction for an FM3. I have never found any documentation of this on any official
government website nor will anyone in Aduana confirm. They all say $50...period.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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They used to have a handout at the Mex Customs in Mexicali that mentioned it.
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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