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norcalbajabetty
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 11-2-2009
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Tecate Crossing with Supplies and Tools
Our home suffered damage in Jimena and we are finally able to come down and fix it up. We were hoping to bring a bunch of tools with us. We plan on
buying most building supplies at HD in Ensenata. We are wondering if we are risking losing our tools at the border. Anyone have any experience with
this? We plan to hire some locals to help with the work, but are also hoping to do some of the work ourselves as owners.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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It's hard to say. Depends on the amount of tools, used or new. Also depends on pure luck at the border.
What, more or less, are planning to bring?
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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Always helpful crossing with tools and or materials when you have an FM-3. I've had many tools in plain sight (example: miter saws, table saw, and a
tile saw) while sent to Mexican Secondary and they don't even take a second look. They're always too busy looking for full gas cans and beer I guess.
I cross Tecate south once a month and Mexicali once a month and we just finished building a home.
At a minimum each time I cross I carry a full DeWalt set in a carrying bag but also have brought down many tools in a cooler, just because they store
well in one.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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norcalbajabetty
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Thanks for the quick reply. They were hoping to bring a compressor, nail guns, drills, skill saws,...etc. All used. We are going to also need to
refurbish/replace our solar system. Anyone getting hassled for bring solar supplies down? I do not think they are available there.
How would an FM-3 help in this situation?
Thanks again.
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Pacifico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by norcalbajabetty
Thanks for the quick reply. They were hoping to bring a compressor, nail guns, drills, skill saws,...etc. All used. We are going to also need to
refurbish/replace our solar system. Anyone getting hassled for bring solar supplies down? I do not think they are available there.
How would an FM-3 help in this situation?
Thanks again. |
Recently brought down all the same tools as you without any problem at all. Just be prepared to pay taxes on anything new....I went through Otay Mesa
recently and declared construction supplies and just paid the duty - easy as pie!!! Then you have no worries.....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by norcalbajabetty
Thanks for the quick reply. They were hoping to bring a compressor, nail guns, drills, skill saws,...etc. All used. We are going to also need to
refurbish/replace our solar system. Anyone getting hassled for bring solar supplies down? I do not think they are available there.
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Sounds like you have a truck load. Like I said, luck plays a big part.
You mentioned in your first post your concern about losing your tools. They won't take them from you. They'll just turn you around.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65408
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by norcalbajabetty
Thanks for the quick reply. They were hoping to bring a compressor, nail guns, drills, skill saws,...etc. All used. We are going to also need to
refurbish/replace our solar system. Anyone getting hassled for bring solar supplies down? I do not think they are available there.
How would an FM-3 help in this situation?
Thanks again. |
An FM-3 is the visa you are supposed to have when you leave property behind in Mexico when you go home. FM-T are only for 'tourists' on a vacation,
not for home owners/ renters, etc.
That said, if you have an FM-3 then it looks like your tools are for work on your home in Mexico... since you should have an FM-3 or FM-2 to have
property in Mexico. IF you have only a tourist card, then it would be suspect that you are taking tools to Mexico to SELL to locals... and THAT IS
FORBIDDEN! 
It's a legal point and the most discussed subject on the Internet for Mexico living... You can rent land/ buy property with an FM-T, but it affords
you NO LEGAL RIGHTS to that property.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
It's a legal point and the most discussed subject on the Internet for Mexico living... You can rent land/ buy property with an FM-T, but it affords
you NO LEGAL RIGHTS to that property. |
Absolutely NO legal rights? Really? Is that an absolute? You have experience is that area?
Strange, but my sister won her property dispute case in a Mexican Court and at that time, she did not have her FM3----
I wonder why the Mexican court gave her the property back when she had no FM3. DK stick to the things about which you really have experience or
actual knowledge.
BTW, we just returned on the Tecate Road and there is several miles of dirt---not a problem, but they are really working on building a huge section of
4 lane all at one time.
[Edited on 11-3-2009 by DianaT]
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David K
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Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I didn't say 'Absolutely'... again, please don't change my words anymore. IF you have BETTER details, then PLEASE post them WITHOUT getting personal
or bringing up your issues with me, etc.
How to do that in a polite manner would be to say (below my post): "This is what I have found to be true: ..." (and post your information/ story)
I welcome anyone to post accurate and factual information here... for everyone's good!
Now, if you want to recommend that Nomads DON'T NEED an FM-3 to legally maintain property in Mexico, I think you have an uphill battle to fight, ...
with the truth.
AN FM-T is a TOURIST CARD... 'Tourists' are people who are on a vacation/ on holiday... They visit one or more places and then go home... to another
country!
People that buy/ lease land/ buildings/ or any property and LEAVE it in Mexico... ARE NOT TOURISTS (anymore)! They are now PART TIME RESIDENTS in
Mexico... they have a Mexican address that they return to again and again... That is what an FM-3 Rentista is for. Don't you have one?
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I didn't say 'Absolutely'... again, please don't change my words anymore. IF you have BETTER details, then PLEASE post them WITHOUT getting personal
or bringing up your issues with me, etc.
How to do that in a polite manner would be to say (below my post): "This is what I have found to be true: ..." (and post your information/ story)
I welcome anyone to post accurate and factual information here... for everyone's good!
Now, if you want to recommend that Nomads DON'T NEED an FM-3 to legally maintain property in Mexico, I think you have an uphill battle to fight, ...
with the truth.
AN FM-T is a TOURIST CARD... 'Tourists' are people who are on a vacation/ on holiday... They visit one or more places and then go home... to another
country!
People that buy/ lease land/ buildings/ or any property and LEAVE it in Mexico... ARE NOT TOURISTS (anymore)! They are now PART TIME RESIDENTS in
Mexico... they have a Mexican address that they return to again and again... That is what an FM-3 Rentista is for. Don't you have one?
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David, read, please. I posted as questions. I did not distort your words, I simply asked questions. Since you put NO LEGAL RIGHTS in caps, I
questioned if that was an absolute and if you have any experience in that are---gees, you are so quick to say personal, and issues and all that cr*p.
Yes, we have our FM3s which is a better way to go, and so does my sister, now---but, believe it or not, without it there are rights---it all depends
on the attorneys and the courts.
Calm down David---- you are so quick to react. There are a lot of things in Baja about which you have knowledge, but living there and actually
dealing with property rights in the Mexican courts is not one of them. Yes, we can all read what is on the books, and then there is the reality.
Chill---the absolutes you read about and post are not always reality.
There are things about which you have a lot of knowlege---stick to those.
And please, Ms. Manners you are not. Your instructions as to how to post is really good---yes, really good---thank you, yes, thank you. 
And your statement about posting factual information again sound like you are calling me a liar---you are good at that one as it has happened several
times before. If it does not agree with your information or your opinion, then surely it must be a lie.
Pathetic
[Edited on 11-3-2009 by DianaT]
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Beachgirl
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Registered: 1-1-2008
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Norcalbajabetty - Mulegemichael and I have a house in Mulege....duh...we looked like the Grapes of Wrath with all the stuff we drove down, first in
our truck, then another trip with our 4Runner jammed to the gills, plus towing cargo holder, and another thing on top of the car. We brought down a
huge compressor, wet vac, big pressure washer, blablabla. Came as always through Tecate. All of these items were new, so I wrote out a list of
everything, dates purchased and amounts, stapled all the receipts to it, along with an envelope with 15% of the total in cash. The first crossing
there was an American who smiled and waved us on, but no one at the Mexican crossing. Second time three Mexican border guards were sitting against a
wall of the building, waved us through kind of annoyed we bothered them...didn't even get up. I have heard so many different stories, but honestly,
crossing at Tecate has never been a problem for us. Ever. We have said at military stops on the way down that our house was a disaster from the
chubasco...saved lots of inspection time. Good luck fixing your house. We are back to normal, and I think lots of folks around here are getting
there, too....
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norcalbajabetty
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 11-2-2009
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Great information folks...thanks again. Sounds like we need to keep our fingers crossed and cross at Tecate. Am I correct that since most of the tools
are obviously used, we will not have to pay taxes on them? We will also be bringing the tools back to the states on our return.
The FM-3 probably doesnt apply to us, as the property is our father's and we are not on the lease.
This is a little off the original topic, so if I need to post it elsewhere I will, but I was wondering if anyone is having any trouble with the
police (or ?) when completing repairs themselves. I know in the past it has been an issue for some people in Posada and on the Hill. Are "they"
cracking down on this now, or since Jimena are they being more leniant with allowing gringos to work on their own homes? As I said, we will hire some
locals, but are hoping to do the lions share ourselves.
Thanks again!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Beachgirl
Norcalbajabetty - Mulegemichael and I have a house in Mulege....duh...we looked like the Grapes of Wrath with all the stuff we drove down, first in
our truck, then another trip with our 4Runner jammed to the gills, plus towing cargo holder, and another thing on top of the car. We brought down a
huge compressor, wet vac, big pressure washer, blablabla. Came as always through Tecate. All of these items were new, so I wrote out a list of
everything, dates purchased and amounts, stapled all the receipts to it, along with an envelope with 15% of the total in cash. The first crossing
there was an American who smiled and waved us on, but no one at the Mexican crossing. Second time three Mexican border guards were sitting against a
wall of the building, waved us through kind of annoyed we bothered them...didn't even get up. I have heard so many different stories, but honestly,
crossing at Tecate has never been a problem for us. Ever. We have said at military stops on the way down that our house was a disaster from the
chubasco...saved lots of inspection time. Good luck fixing your house. We are back to normal, and I think lots of folks around here are getting
there, too.... |
Glad to hear things are getting back to normal for many in Mulege---that is a good thing.
Great advice---be prepared and then just go. We try to make everything looked used, but that is not always possible.
What time do you usually cross at Tecate? Seems like we have been stopped there more often, but always very early in the morning. It, however, has
never been a problem even with a new couch hanging out the back of the truck.
Norcalbajabetty----if you do have an FM3, we always keep ours in plain view just in case it does make a difference.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by norcalbajabetty
Am I correct that since most of the tools are obviously used, we will not have to pay taxes on them? We will also be bringing the tools back to the
states on our return.
I was wondering if anyone is having any trouble with the police (or ?) when completing repairs themselves. As I said, we will hire some locals, but
are hoping to do the lions share ourselves.
Thanks again! |
The used tool thing can be a gray zone. Just because something isn't new, you can't bring in a truck full of it and it sounds as though you would
present as serious builders at the gate. Compressors, [did you say generator?] Skil Saws, hoses etc...not your normal household tools. You may have
some 'splainin to do.
Homeowners could always work on their own property and it's the locals who will drop the dime on you. You put yourself in a nebulous position since
you arn't an owner nor are you a legal resident. The tourist permit could be hard to call protection since you're obviously not down here as a
tourist. Your baggage will testify to that.
Too bad you can't leave your tools down here instead of going through all this nonsense again in the future.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65408
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
And your statement about posting factual information again sound like you are calling me a liar---you are good at that one as it has happened several
times before. If it does not agree with your information or your opinion, then surely it must be a lie.
Pathetic
[Edited on 11-3-2009 by DianaT] |
Show me any post where I called you a "liar"... Making up stuff?
"You are good at that" (me or you?)
Yes, many times you have made up stuff to try and distort my words. Please stop... I don't jump in below your posts and name you... You do it to me
ALL the time.
Thank you for the few nice things you do say about me... As all know, I say nice things about your trip reports and photos, often.
Let's play nice... all who read Nomad can gain from both facts and opinions posted, but personal stuff turns people off.
Sound fair Diane?
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norcalbajabetty
Newbie
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Even though we are not "owners" we will be down there with the owner, AKA dear old dad. Just not traveling down with him.
Wish we could leave the tools down there...but we kind of need them here to earn a living as a contractor. Just trying to help out Dad.
Diana and David...didn't mean to start a verbal war here...Why can't we all just get along? 
Thanks!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by norcalbajabetty
Even though we are not "owners" we will be down there with the owner, AKA dear old dad. Just not traveling down with him.
Wish we could leave the tools down there...but we kind of need them here to earn a living as a contractor. Just trying to help out Dad.
Thanks! |
I would be surprised is anyone would give you a difficult time for helping your father? I do know of people who have had trouble when they were
helping friends, but has anyone heard of someone having trouble when helping a family member??
Good luck
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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Norcalbajabetty,
Everytime we cross, we have a sazall, skill saw, misc cordless drills, hammer drill, levels, extention cords, tool box w/ hundreds of pieces, heavy
duty jack, nearly every important extra part for our Truckie, tons of food items/costco stuff
In the past, besides the above items, we've crossed with airless paint sprayer, generators, tons of paint, compressor, solar panels and all the
goodies that go with them, nail guns. You get the picture.
We always cross at SY heading south.
Most of the time we pull into secondary voluntrily to get our tourist cards. Usually they want to look in the back (we have a campershell). It's
always packed to the gills. Not once have we ever been questioned about our tools/stuff. They ask if we are going on vacation and we say yes.
I wouldn't worry about it. Just go and git-er-done. If they squak about your stuff, pay a little duty and be on your way.
Hope this helps,
DERN
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Paulina
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Diana and David...didn't mean to start a verbal war here...Why can't we all just get along?
Thanks!
Norcalbajabetty,
Never mind them. They just both need to go to a corner and have a time out. This happens all the time.
DERN
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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noproblemo2
Super Nomad
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Registered: 4-14-2006
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Maybe we need a Nomad Dispute Board for squables!!!
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