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grace59
Senior Nomad
Posts: 614
Registered: 9-14-2004
Location: San Felipe, Baja, Mexico
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Bringing in older equipment
Hello Nomads, I have a question from my husband. He would like to bring down some equipment this winter to do some work on our home, but doesn't know
how this will be handled at customs. He has an older welder...has had it for 15 years...that he wants to bring down to do iron work. He no longer has
the receipt for it and it was purchased for much more than it is worth after all this time. How do we show value for it to pay duty?? Also, he will be
bringing down an airless sprayer to do some painting. The welder will stay in Baja, but the sprayer will come back with us and then down again
later...we don't want to pay duty twice on the same thing. Anyone with experience on how this is handled? Would love some advice. Thanks!
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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Wally
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 3-15-2006
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I've driven back and forth with tools several times and no one cared. I wouldn't bring it up.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Sadly Aduanderos (customs people) have been hardened over the years listening to thousands of stories. Realizing this, I pull into the DECLARE lane.
Park, get out and gently shake hands with the customs man. Determining the value of stuff is not the easiest thing in the world and when I converse I
consider the conversation to be just that, sort of polite bargaining. "It's old, it's mine for my house (show them a CFE bill or something from the
home)" but keep the conversation cordial even if the official is curt.
When the amount of duty is arrived at (sometimes it astonishes me it's so little) I am directed to the Banjercito bank window to pay. The items should
be listed by type, brand name and serial number if possible. KEEP THIS RECEIPT IN PRISTINE CONDITION because it is your pass for subsequent trips.
Forever.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by grace59
He no longer has the receipt for it |
Make one on your computer.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by grace59
He no longer has the receipt for it |
Make one on your computer. |
Or, if you want to be totally honest, find closely comparable old and used item on Ebay and print out the page. They are aware of existence of Ebay
and Amazon.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alm
Or, if you want to be totally honest, find closely comparable old and used item on Ebay and print out the page. They are aware of existence of Ebay
and Amazon. |
What's dishonest about making a receipt? It's for a used welder so the paid price can't be that much . Tell them what was paid for the old relic.
There probably won't be any duty on it anyway.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3578
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
.... Determining the value of stuff is not the easiest thing in the world and when I converse I consider the conversation to be just that, sort of
polite bargaining. "It's old, it's mine for my house (show them a CFE bill or something from the home)" but keep the conversation cordial even if the
official is curt.
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Negotiation 101. This is good.
Knukid would probably add -- ask how he's doing, how the family is, etc. No harm in being friendly.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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davidE has the correct answer...
just show them what you have...nO receipt
receipts confuse and complicate importation of small amounts
then the rule to return the sprayer is to get a letter from aduana to return it to the usa for later importation...what a pain
i would import it again if you need it later
you probably will pay a small fee...nothing is free anymore
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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Show them receipts, they love paperwork.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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With used items people sometime type a list with approximate value per item. With 1 or 2 items here is what I would do. Skip the list. Calculate 15%
tax on its today's market value, to your best knowledge, and write it down - just for yourself. If they figure out some value without asking you and
charge you close or less than you expected, then let it be. If they charge you A LOT more, then - and only then - politely disagree and show the print
out from Ebay or Craigs or Amazon, whatever. They might not agree anyway, but it is unlikely that they will charge you double or triple.
PS: note - tax is based on CURRENT value of the item, not on what you paid for it many years ago.
[Edited on 11-4-2012 by Alm]
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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ADUANA
They like paperwork but LOVE stamps (sello) LOL the more the better !!! K&T
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Lee
| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
.... Determining the value of stuff is not the easiest thing in the world and when I converse I consider the conversation to be just that, sort of
polite bargaining. "It's old, it's mine for my house (show them a CFE bill or something from the home)" but keep the conversation cordial even if the
official is curt.
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Negotiation 101. This is good.
Knukid would probably add -- ask how he's doing, how the family is, etc. No harm in being friendly. |
Definitely! You are allowed to bring some tools even for art or racing and most racers have a welder so it's not uncommon. So two options: Say you're
bringing it down as you do every year and will bring it back after the race or accept the %15-18 fee on top of the value. If you are a homeowner with
FM-3 or FM-2 there is an allowable amount of % items per trip. I think it's $300 of value of imported items per person with valid visa. Either way not
a big deal.
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MICK
Nomad
Posts: 499
Registered: 11-12-2003
Location: Rio Hardy
Member Is Offline
Mood: livin the good life on the river
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I have brought three welders and many other tools down over the last few years. I have never had a problem not declaring them. I the one time I got a
red light the guy asked what I was doing with the welder and I told him I was taking it down to do some work on my house and he said ok. As long as
they dont look new like your taking it down to sell or you take two at a time. I think you would have no problem. I will say that it will depend on if
you get a red light and if the guy is a jerk. But that can happen even in declare.
I would just drive thru
that's my tow pesos worth
Mick
Getting there is ALL the fun!
Ok being here is fun to
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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the way !!
| Quote: | Originally posted by MICK
I have brought three welders and many other tools down over the last few years. I have never had a problem not declaring them. I the one time I got a
red light the guy asked what I was doing with the welder and I told him I was taking it down to do some work on my house and he said ok. As long as
they dont look new like your taking it down to sell or you take two at a time. I think you would have no problem. I will say that it will depend on if
you get a red light and if the guy is a jerk. But that can happen even in declare.
I would just drive thru
that's my tow pesos worth
Mick |
>>> To pull up and declare is not the way !!!! K&T.. from panama to alaska borders..I
have learned to cross and dont wave a red flag !!!!! K&T
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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it's obvious you guys dont travel thru the border too often...
declare any questionable items...
things are NOT the same as they were 20 years ago
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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Well I drove by it one time !!!
Dosnt that count ??? 
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
>>> To pull up and declare is not the way !!!! K&T.. from panama to alaska borders..I have learned to cross and dont wave a red flag
!!!!! K&T |
This is not 80s or 90s. They are well trained now, and behave not much different from their US counter-partners. If you don't mess with them, they
won't mess with you (usually). If you try any tricks and will get caught, they will make you pay full scale and beyond.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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really
I cross the baja border twice a year at least and talk to folks all the time while home in baja !!! going through waving a red flags is fine !!
they will be checking you and not bothering with me !! K&T and have just
a wee bit of time crossing borders !!! you do it your way and I'll do it mine... But I wont wait for your as your back at the border trying a gringo
passing through ..."when in rome" K&T
[Edited on 11-4-2012 by captkw]
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13212
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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I think, in this case with older equipment, go ahead and see if you don't get the green light.
With red light: the tax on older items is really so puny ..... they usually ask us what we think is the value and then they charge us based on
that.
each individual is allowed $150 duty free. Which will probably be your case.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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OH I forgot
some folks are just "sheeple" and do what anyone tells them !!!!
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