| Pages:
1
2 |
msteve1014
Senior Nomad
Posts: 947
Registered: 12-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
I'm surprised this keeps coming up, over and over again. The FMT cost about $20, and unless you are trying to sneak in a whole house, the import tax
is not that much either. It will take all of a half hour to do things right, as you cross, and then no worries.
|
|
|
Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
|
|
Yesterday when crossing into TJ at San Ysidro by car the loaded truck in front of me got a green light but the inspectors ahead still tried to pull
them into secondary. The driver pulled over (but not into secondardy) and was protesting because he had a green light. I doubt he won that battle.
I don't think a greenlight overules anyone else there thats wants to check you out. If they want to check you with a green light they will. The guy
in the lifeguard chair breathing all the exhaust fumes all day with the clicker in his hands doesn't catch every truck they want to look at.
If you voluntarily enter the "items to declare" area and park there to get the FM3, you do need to press the inspection button when driving out. I
don't know if the odds of red or green are any better there. You can park on the USA side and walk to get your FM3 at the window, return to your car
on the USA side and then just drive across in a normal lane though.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
I'm just guessing, here, but it's probably less likely that you'll be stopped and search after you pull into the declare section and obtain your visa.
I've watched so many folks try to stay left when entering, only to be waived over.
|
|
|
Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by msteve1014
I'm surprised this keeps coming up, over and over again. The FMT cost about $20, and unless you are trying to sneak in a whole house, the import tax
is not that much either. It will take all of a half hour to do things right, as you cross, and then no worries. |
I didn't think you could import things on a FMT.....only a FM3. Please advise
|
|
|
pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by msteve1014
I'm surprised this keeps coming up, over and over again. The FMT cost about $20, and unless you are trying to sneak in a whole house, the import tax
is not that much either. It will take all of a half hour to do things right, as you cross, and then no worries. |
Thanks everyone for your suggestions and comments. I think this is probably what we will do. We don't have a whole lot of stuff. What is the import
tax? So what do you do, you pull in to that parking lot and flag someone down to ask to pay a tax?
Because last time I went with a fully loaded 4runner (albeit nothing to declare as it was personal belongings etc.) and nobody approached us. This was
very early morning. Oh and btw we had to walk around to the main immigration office as the one facing the parking lot was closed. Then go back to bank
then go back to immigration to get stamped. Not a big deal if there is no big busload in front of you. But we did take our time as it was the first
time doing this and we had a 5 year old who really liked the whole border crossing scene with the official uniformed looking people and everything. He
even spoke a bit of spanish to one of them and they were quite nice. It was very peaceful and with a loaded down 4runner they never asked to see what
was inside.
As another poster mentioned I will have a plan "B" whereby we park in the declare parking lot to obtain our FMT's and have receipts at the ready for
our 'gear'.
That would be a bummer if the main immigration office around the corner is not manned...as TDKen mentioned. At that point what do you do? You want
those stamps for the mx insurance to be valid.
Thanks again...always a big help.
pacside
|
|
|
Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
|
|
The tax is 10%. They do give you the option of turning around and going back to the USA if you don't want to pay it (or if you need to go back to get
your reciepts).
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
Basically, you pull in for your FMT, if your car looks loaded they will glance at you. The guy is right there with a table and a simple pad of import
receipts. Importation of many things are allowed with no tax, such as 1 computer, 1 dvd, a bunch of crap basically for camping and they are very
flexible. But if you have an office chair, a big 4 poster bed and a dresser, they will say let's have a look.
All you do is declare the value, simple, tell them a long story about your grandma and how the bed is really not worth much at all, except to you,
just throw out a reasonable number like $200 dollars and you will pay a tax, I think its about 18% but may vary. So you would be given an import
ticket to pay the guy $36. Its no big deal. Have fun with it, relax, pay your fee and go and you'll have an import ticket. If later at a military
inspection someone feels crazy they may say, do you have a import ticket for the crap, if not they can say they must impound it. Last year I know of
many stories of people getting their stuff impounded by a rogue military station.
All of this depends on a simple government formula based on the color of your hair and possibly the size of your wife's breasts, combined with your
tone.
You can also make the clear argument that you use the chair, bed, dresser at your camp and you will return with it, obviously, its camping gear.
If you don't like what they say, you can also leave and go to another border crossing or come back later. No problem. You are on vacation remember?
I have found the more reasonable you are with a good attitude the more reasonable they are and honestly I have never paid more $20 for a full load of
household items.
Remember people do this all day every day. No problem.
|
|
|
pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
The tax is 10%. They do give you the option of turning around and going back to the USA if you don't want to pay it (or if you need to go back to get
your reciepts). |
THAT is important information to know. Thank you.
How come these importation companies charge 25-33% import fee?
Also, I heard if you bring in anything worth over 1k you need to have an importer import it? Is that true?
pacside
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by pacside
[THAT is important information to know. Thank you.
How come these importation companies charge 25-33% import fee?
Also, I heard if you bring in anything worth over 1k you need to have an importer import it? Is that true?
pacside |
They charge that much because they want to make a lot of money...just like you and me.
True story on the 1K...that is if they play by the book. It's nice to have a computer and printer and a bit of imagination. You can have a receipt
for any amount you want. 
|
|
|
pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by pacside
[THAT is important information to know. Thank you.
How come these importation companies charge 25-33% import fee?
Also, I heard if you bring in anything worth over 1k you need to have an importer import it? Is that true?
pacside |
They charge that much because they want to make a lot of money...just like you and me.
True story on the 1K...that is if they play by the book. It's nice to have a computer and printer and a bit of imagination. You can have a receipt
for any amount you want. |
I understand more fully now how all this works...or should I say how there is so much gray area here. How does anyone know something wasn't sold to
me at a huge discount or as a used item that has less value. Gnukid had some good suggestions above as well as to how to handle bringing goods across.
I do think I will sleep better knowing I am doing it the 'right' way.
I am a software reseller so print receipts/invoices all the time... thanks Dennis.
pacside
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
Basically, you pull in for your FMT, if your car looks loaded they will glance at you. The guy is right there with a table and a simple pad of import
receipts. Importation of many things are allowed with no tax, such as 1 computer, 1 dvd, a bunch of crap basically for camping and they are very
flexible. But if you have an office chair, a big 4 poster bed and a dresser, they will say let's have a look.
All you do is declare the value, simple, tell them a long story about your grandma and how the bed is really not worth much at all, except to you,
just throw out a reasonable number like $200 dollars and you will pay a tax, I think its about 18% but may vary. So you would be given an import
ticket to pay the guy $36. Its no big deal. Have fun with it, relax, pay your fee and go and you'll have an import ticket. If later at a military
inspection someone feels crazy they may say, do you have a import ticket for the crap, if not they can say they must impound it. Last year I know of
many stories of people getting their stuff impounded by a rogue military station.
All of this depends on a simple government formula based on the color of your hair and possibly the size of your wife's breasts, combined with your
tone.
You can also make the clear argument that you use the chair, bed, dresser at your camp and you will return with it, obviously, its camping gear.
If you don't like what they say, you can also leave and go to another border crossing or come back later. No problem. You are on vacation remember?
I have found the more reasonable you are with a good attitude the more reasonable they are and honestly I have never paid more $20 for a full load of
household items.
Remember people do this all day every day. No problem. |
gnu
very entertaining reading here. most all of the crap is true, including the part about your wife's cha-cha's.....
|
|
|
msteve1014
Senior Nomad
Posts: 947
Registered: 12-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajaboy
| Quote: | Originally posted by msteve1014
I'm surprised this keeps coming up, over and over again. The FMT cost about $20, and unless you are trying to sneak in a whole house, the import tax
is not that much either. It will take all of a half hour to do things right, as you cross, and then no worries. |
I didn't think you could import things on a FMT.....only a FM3. Please advise |
I have never been asked to show the FMT or FM anything while declaring and paying the tax. Again, that IS something that could come up if you get
caught trying to sneak things in.
|
|
|
toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by pacside
| Quote: | Originally posted by msteve1014
As another poster mentioned I will have a plan "B" whereby we park in the declare parking lot to obtain our FMT's and have receipts at the ready for
our 'gear'.
That would be a bummer if the main immigration office around the corner is not manned...as TDKen mentioned. At that point what do you do? You want
those stamps for the mx insurance to be valid.
pacside |
That was me, Pacside. I had stated that immigration docs and importing goods are two different things. I have an FM3, so I do not have to stop to buy
an FMT. The "plan B" reference only pertained to importation.
If there is nobody manning the immigration office, they are probably out for a short while. About all you can do is wait. You do need to get your FMT
stamped. Knowing what TDKen has experienced, perhaps you can anticipate, if you worry that nobody will be there, and plan your crossing during normal
business hours. TJ is usually open 24 hours though. Can you count on it? Who knows? It's Mexico. Inconveniences of this kind will test your patience
and are a good indication of whether you and Baja are a good match. Sh** happens and you just have to roll with it.
I think all the advice you have gotten in this string is giving you the best possible information for having a smooth crossing, all things considered.
I haven't seen any antagonistic BS (in this string). Just Nomads trying to help.
Vie Bien! |
|
|
|
pacside
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 1-16-2006
Location: N. Cal
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by toneart
| Quote: | Originally posted by pacside
| Quote: | Originally posted by msteve1014
As another poster mentioned I will have a plan "B" whereby we park in the declare parking lot to obtain our FMT's and have receipts at the ready for
our 'gear'.
That would be a bummer if the main immigration office around the corner is not manned...as TDKen mentioned. At that point what do you do? You want
those stamps for the mx insurance to be valid.
pacside |
That was me, Pacside. I had stated that immigration docs and importing goods are two different things. I have an FM3, so I do not have to stop to buy
an FMT. The "plan B" reference only pertained to importation.
If there is nobody manning the immigration office, they are probably out for a short while. About all you can do is wait. You do need to get your FMT
stamped. Knowing what TDKen has experienced, perhaps you can anticipate, if you worry that nobody will be there, and plan your crossing during normal
business hours. TJ is usually open 24 hours though. Can you count on it? Who knows? It's Mexico. Inconveniences of this kind will test your patience
and are a good indication of whether you and Baja are a good match. Sh** happens and you just have to roll with it.
I think all the advice you have gotten in this string is giving you the best possible information for having a smooth crossing, all things considered.
I haven't seen any antagonistic BS (in this string). Just Nomads trying to help.
Vie Bien! |
Thanks Toneart for the info. I agree this has all been very helpful. I have an FM3 too but it is in La Paz getting renewed. Don't you need to get that
stamped upon entering? Or I guess if you never get it stamped when driving how do they know when you leave and enter. My problem is I'm missing an
exit stamp and on my last drive down the tijuana main immigration office guy admonished me and said I need to get it stamped when I enter and exit.
Well darned if I was going to go park somewhere in Tecate and get it stamped prior to entering the lane to leave mx. I did inquire to the U.S. border
guy as to where I could get this thing stamped and he had no idea what I was talking about...which makes sense.
Thanks all.
pacside |
|
|
|
rocmoc
Nomad
Posts: 234
Registered: 5-25-2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Member Is Offline
Mood: Live today like it maybe your LAST!
|
|
Sorry to side track a bit, but what is the buy spray at GN?
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico
|
|
|
toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
Member Is Offline
Mood: Skeptical
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by rocmoc
Sorry to side track a bit, but what is the buy spray at GN?
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico |
Guerrero Negro is the state line. It divides Baja (north) and Baja Sur (south). When going south, at the inspection station they collect 10 pesos
(mandatory) and you drive through as a guy sprays your tires.
|
|
|
Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
|
|
Actually, they built the sprayer into the roadway, so after you pay, you just proceed slowly and get gassed from below. Poor guy used to have to wear
a hazmat suit and walk around your car with a pump sprayer.
On the other issue, while it might seem redundant, if you are in the midst of having an FM-3 renewed and have no paperwork with you, it wouldn't hurt
to get an FMT at the border- the free 7 day one, just in case you get stopped on the way down. I don't know how well kept the Mexican immigration
records are, or for that matter if they even keep a data base of FMTs. But the hassle of being stopped on the way down and having nothing more than
the truth, makes me shudder.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by rocmoc
what is the bug spray at GN?
|
Probably water.
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Actually, they built the sprayer into the roadway, so after you pay, you just proceed slowly and get gassed from below. Poor guy used to have to wear
a hazmat suit and walk around your car with a pump sprayer.
On the other issue, while it might seem redundant, if you are in the midst of having an FM-3 renewed and have no paperwork with you, it wouldn't hurt
to get an FMT at the border- the free 7 day one, just in case you get stopped on the way down. I don't know how well kept the Mexican immigration
records are, or for that matter if they even keep a data base of FMTs. But the hassle of being stopped on the way down and having nothing more than
the truth, makes me shudder. |
This is incorrect - when you submit the form for FM-3 renewal you receive a stamped copy of the application. A copy of that application is your valid
temp visa.
Do not get an fm-t, it is considered a big no no, a federal offense to request two visas simultaneously and it will likely be noted, either by
accident by you or by reporting. Its best to have no visa as opposed to two.
If someone submitted your fm-3 for renewal, they have got the stamped application form, have them fax or scan a copy to you for transit, it doesn't
need to be stamped on entry, you simply need to check in to INM where you live to further your visa when you arrive, bring a toll road receipt or
dated hotel receipt to show evidence of your timing of passing-in case you are asked for proof.
Its possible you would pay an extension fee of about 200 pesos for the period to your home inm office. But you won't be deported.
[Edited on 6-12-2009 by gnukid]
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
