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spikemd
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 10-4-2013
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Crossing the border with booze
This may sound like a lame question, but I haven't found a good answer yet and would like to hear some practical experiences.
I will traveling to Gonzaga Bay for a week leaving Saturday. This will be my first trip across the border in 15 years and I will be loaded with
camping equipment.
I plan to bring down a few bottles of beer and a bottle Gentlemen Jack and maybe some scotch. Sounds like I should declare these at the border. We
plan on buying all our beer in San Felipe.
When I return, I would like to bring back some tequila. We may tour a few wineries near Ensenada on our way to the border and am wondering if we can
bring over a few bottles.
Some posts mention 1 liter of alcohol only per person. Other posts, mention 2 liters. Some folks said they brought back a case of wine without
difficulty.
I am hoping my Gentlemen Jack won't be included since I entered Mex with it and don't think we will finish the bottle.
If you could please advise me, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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I personally wouldn't be concerned about going
so. into Mex, there is an Official amount listed
somewhere by Mex Customs, although read recently
of a Gringo going into Mex, who had bought a few to many
cartons of cigarettes, probably at the Duty Free store
in San Ysidro, story goes Mex Customs not only took
the contraband, but impounded the vehicle at a cost
of $600 dlls., that is the way it was posted. Coming back
1 liter has always been the reg, I had 5 beers or so
one time, which I declared before being sent to secondary,
the US Customs guy noted the overage, but didn't
make a stink of it. I wonder how the Ensenada wineries
sell cases to Gringos coming back, I believe all alcohol
is considered in the amount allowed
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Right-on, Sancho........going in won't be a problem. Don't even mention it at the gate.
By the way....you can buy most items you mentioned....... Scotch etc. at Sams , Walmart and Costco here now.......just in case you run low on
supplies.
As to Sancho's question about large quantities crossing north.....vehicles with registration for states other than the one at the Port Of Entry, such
as California, are allowed mucho more alcohol than those cars registered in Cal....like, a car registered in Arizona can bring around five cases of
wine into California.
If this affects you, ask here for details. Someone will help you out.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Griffin
Newbie
Posts: 20
Registered: 3-12-2013
Location: La Paz
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Up to three liters of liquor and six liters of wine (if bringing more than allowed, you must declare it and pay duties).
according to this http://www.mexadventure.com/MexicoTravel/Items_Bring_Mexico.... and here: http://www.bajabound.com/before/permits/customs.php
But I wouldn't stress about it, as no one is likely ask you about it when you cross the border.
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spikemd
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 10-4-2013
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Thanks. I guess I am just being paranoid because I will be loaded with camping equipment and really don't want to unpack everything at the border.
Maybe I should fill my 5-gallon water jug with tequila! 
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msteve1014
Senior Nomad
Posts: 947
Registered: 12-2-2006
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As long as the bottle is not open, and in your hand, you will be fine.
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
As to Sancho's question about large quantities crossing north.....vehicles with registration for states other than the one at the Port Of Entry, such
as California, are allowed mucho more alcohol than those cars registered in Cal....like, a car registered in Arizona can bring around five cases of
wine into California.
If this affects you, ask here for details. Someone will help you out. |
I had heard that so, as a possessor of South Dakota plates, I asked the US agents at the border about it. He said BS, no way, Jose. One liter. This
was crossing into AZ.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
I had heard that so, as a possessor of South Dakota plates, I asked the US agents at the border about it. He said BS, no way, Jose. One liter. This
was crossing into AZ. |
 You
believe anybody.
Maybe one has to establish residency with a DL, but, none the less, the accommodation is in place.
Maybe Bajadoc will see this and add the details. He did in the past.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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rts551
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One too many beers confiscated (and pored out in front of me with a lecture) at Tecate. 1 litre was all I was allowed with Arizona plates and license.
I did not declare any alcahol (and usually do not) even though you are supposed to.
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Martyman
Super Nomad
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Registered: 9-10-2004
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I declared a case of wine from Mexico coming back thru San Ysidro. The border patrol guy said "no problem...you paid taxes in Mexico"
Surprised me but that's what happened.
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bajadock
Super Nomad
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Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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Non-California residents crossing the international border in a vehicle that is not a common carrier can bring with them a reasonable quantity of
alcoholic beverages (up to five cases or 60 liters) provided the beverages are for personal or household use.
http://www.abc.ca.gov/permits/importing.html
Verified on my May 2, 2012 crossing at Tecate...
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=22754&pag...
Scroll toward bottom of above thread on my experience. Funny thing about that case of wine is that it also crossed at Tecate on April 20, 2012 with a
"that's it?" and "bye, bye" from CBP. You never know, but, I now carry a copy of the statute in my Pontiac VIBErator justincase the cavity search is
warming up.
Nomads have been asking for my "mule" services since that incident. Pricey!
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
I declared a case of wine from Mexico coming back thru San Ysidro. The border patrol guy said "no problem...you paid taxes in Mexico"
Surprised me but that's what happened. |
I don't understand. Taxes in Mexico make no difference in the US.
THE OFFICIAL RULES FROM THE GOV WEBSITE
U.S. Customs Regulations on Importing Wine
Rules for importing wine into the United States.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office controls importation of goods into the country, including wine. CBP sets specific
regulations U.S. residents and non-residents must follow when entering the country with wine and other goods. While there are no limits on the amount
of goods one can import, there is a limit on the amount of goods one can bring in without paying tax. The tax is mainly meant for retailers, who
travel abroad and bring back goods to sell for profit, but applies to all travelers just the same.
Amount of Tax-Free Wine
CBP regulations permit a person to bring one liter of alcohol purchased abroad into the country tax-free. This amounts to just one bottle of
wine.
Importation Tax
As of 2010, U.S. residents and nonresidents bringing more than one liter of wine into the country must pay 3 percent duty and Internal Revenue
Service tax on those amounts. As of 2008, the IRS tax is 36 cents per liter. The same duty-free allowance also applies to alcohol purchased in
duty-free shops located in airports and cruise terminals. Duty-free shops sell goods free of taxes for that country only. You still need to pay duty
and Internal Revenue Service tax for wine purchased over the one liter duty-free exemption.
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bryanmckenzie
Senior Nomad
Posts: 561
Registered: 9-23-2009
Location: 400 Km from Mexico Beach, Florida
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Mood: Hot & humid --- not hot & dry.
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BRYAN'S "RULES OF THUMB" FOR ALCOHOL crossing into the USA
NOTE: no photos of the following story --- who would have guessed that the Feds get really peeed of about photos and cell phone use in their secondary
inspection area. 
I beg to differ with some of my fellow Nomads as I have one HORROR story and a few more quite-so-bad crossing-the-border-with-alcohol stories.
I've tested the crossing with various combinations of quantities of alcohol and received similar responses each time between the 0-4 bottles levels
(see end of this post).
I shall focus on the worst one --- about two years ago.
 I declared some meds and four liters of Kahlua (sorry, it's my favorite) and a few other trinkets. Not sure why, but I was
directed into the secondary checkpoint at the main Tijuana POE. I got the short Filipino N-zi-from-hell border guard! (somewhere in
one of my journals, I have his name and details, as I write all border crossing info down each time --- a healthy paranoia).
He made me empty everything out of the car. On the table. On the ground. Pulling out undies and anything he wanted, holding it up for everyone else in
secondary to get a good scare (hey, this could be you!). Dogs sniffing. Surfboard scrutinized. Laptop checked and threatened with several hours of
checking the hard disk.
I had done nothing wrong until this point. Fast forward 75 minutes in secondary (90-minute lineup) & back on topic:
"FOUR bottles of Kalhua? You're allowed ONE liter!"
"But here's the printout from your Customs website that says ONE is free, the rest must be declared and taxed."
"I don't care what the website says! You are three bottles over."
"I'll be glad to pay the duties."
"No, I'm giving you a choice. We can either spend the next several hours doing lots of paperwork OR you will turn your car around, go back into Mexico
and return with ONE bottle of alcohol."
I turned around --- I should have called him on his bluff and made him late going home for his dinner. There is a miraculous and happy footnote to
this event, below. Upon my return, the wait was under 60 minutes.
The border guard says "You were just here an hour ago."
I say "Yes, in secondary, too."
He says "I'm sorry but because of the previous incident, I have to send you back to secondary for a re-check to make sure you've complied"
with whatever they had entered into the computer about me the first time that was now showing on his computer monitor.
Back to secondary. Fast. Polite. The Filipino was nowhere in sight.
EPILOG
OKAY, now on to the happy ending. No, not that kind of a happy ending. Upon re-entering Mexico, I'm thinking, the Kahlua was cheap. I could just get
rid of it. Or I could return with the same 4 bottles. But then again, I could drive it to Rosarito and leave it with someone, but that's dumb using
all that gas & lost time. Aha!
I'll stop in at the insurance store immediately past the Tijuana POE (old configuration) and ask them a favor:
"Would you hold these 3 bottles until my next return?"
"Of course, senior."
I'm thinking, okay, those puppies will never be seen again. Salut, amigo. Enjoy.
So I'm returning three weeks later, stop back in at the insurance agency ... and guess what? They're holding my three bottles for me. WOW. He didn't
drink them, give them away, sell them. I forget his name (it's also in one of my journals). We chat. I purchased Baja car insurance from him and
thanked him for his honesty and integrity.
And upon heading back north, crossed with THREE bottles, declaring only "Kahlua" (no quantity), and had no issue.
BRYAN'S "RULES OF THUMB" FOR ALCOHOL crossing into the USA
1 bottle --- you are allowed, no border agent will argue, even if the federal website says otherwise --- just make sure it's not open and that you're
21+
2 bottles --- they will point out that only one is allowed, please remember that for next time; no biggie
3 bottles --- you're irritating me because technically I should be filling out paperwork, speaking to my supervisor, chastising you and causing me
more work, other than processing law-abiding citizens through the POE
4 bottles --- now you've peeed me off and I have no choice; I'm sending you to secondary so I don't have to do paperwork; deal with it!
5 bottles --- this remains untested territory, wine or otherwise
[Edited on 2013-11-1 by bryanmckenzie]
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”
-Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910)
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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you, i am so sorry, are one in a million, of folks who carry alcohol into mexico....there IS no good answer here.....I take many many cases of wine
into mexico every single time we go into mexico.....NOT ONCE in DECADES of taking wine into mexico, have i been questioned about this
excess....maybe, ....just maybe....it's time for me to be questioned....OR....maybe not........wanna roll the dice???????.......i do.
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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Good story, Bryan!
But I'm with Bajadoc on this one, since we have South Dakota plates on the car and SD DLs.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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zoesterone
Nomad
Posts: 127
Registered: 5-8-2011
Location: Mazatlan, soon to be Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
I had heard that so, as a possessor of South Dakota plates, I asked the US agents at the border about it. He said BS, no way, Jose. One liter. This
was crossing into AZ. |
You
believe anybody.
Maybe one has to establish residency with a DL, but, none the less, the accommodation is in place.
Maybe Bajadoc will see this and add the details. He did in the past. |
I was told by a Valle winery, that they have a letter they can give you if you live somewhere other than Calif. and can establish that via driver's
license, you can bring up to a case of wine with you, but many border agents don't know the law; thus the letter.
Dogs are not our whole life, but make our lives whole.
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55steve
Senior Nomad
Posts: 857
Registered: 4-24-2006
Location: Warner Springs, CA
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So I'm guessing that the Cuban rum I brought back wasn't allowed - never gave it a thought and they didn't do a deep check in secondary.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by 55steve
So I'm guessing that the Cuban rum I brought back wasn't allowed - never gave it a thought and they didn't do a deep check in secondary.
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I hope you've had better luck than I, but I've never found a Cuban Rum down here worth taking back. Puerto Rican rum, Bacardi, in the states is far
better IMO.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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Bajadock has the right answer.
This past Sunday, three of us crossed with four bottles (three litres, our legal limit). I don't know what happened to the guy at the booth that got
him so peeed off and power-trippy, but he started screaming at us about "an excess of alcohol and an excess of cheese" (we had four kilos of cheese).
I'm assuming he couldn't tell, or didn't want to tell, the difference between bottles of olive oil and bottles of wine. He clapped a hat on the car
and shipped us off to secondary, where we were waved into the agricultural lane and attended to by a very polite, pleasant young man who did a cursory
check, typed things into the computer, and told us we were free to go. (I have SENTRI, the driver has Global Entry, the other passenger had a book, we
were in the regular lanes.)
The official rule is that Californians can bring back one closed litre of alcohol per over-21 adult. That's not the federal law, that's a state law.
The only way around it is to take a LICENSED bus across the border (meaning something like Intercalifornias, not something like the shady vans that
park on Ferrocarril near the staircase to the pedestrian line) and go through the bus line in the building. You may still have to argue with the
guards.
Other states' residents (license plate AND driver licenseyou can't have a California DL and SD plates and call yourself a South Dakotan) can take the
federal limit of five cases or 60 litres through the private-car lines, though they may have to pay duty and they're undoubtedly going to have to
argue the point.
And Dennis is right, 99 percent of the Cuban rum in Mexico is Havana Club, which is viewed on the same level as Bacardi in countries that don't have a
trade embargo against Cuba. It's not that good... and finding the good stuff is hard to do outside of Cancn, Mexico City and Guadalajara.
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spikemd
Junior Nomad
Posts: 38
Registered: 10-4-2013
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Thanks for the info. I guess we won't test the system and keep our purchases to a minimum.
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