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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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First off, this ain't Kansas... Mexico often does not do things that make sense or is convenient. Mordida is the name of the game... Perhaps because
the pay scale is so low, mordida is the only way to have some nice things?
However, Ensenada and San Felipe have (or had) INM (migra) offices for issuing tourist cars (FM-Ts)... Not always to handle those who don't get them
at the border, but should one decide to extend his vacation beyond the 3 days (or 7?) limit OR decide to go further into Mexico than originally
planned... and need to get one for that reason.
[Edited on 7-20-2007 by David K]
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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San Felipe will NOT issue one so you can start a FM3. The powers at be say that has to be issued at the border.
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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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Surprised ??
I'm SURPRISED that Dennis is surprised. It must be as a result of having never read ANYTHING that I've said when the subject of Mordida has come up
in the past.
As a lifelong supporter of the (Reasonable) Mordida system, my more recent gripes have been generated when officials Enforced the law
and I wasn't given the opportunity to pay the "Little Bite" and go on my way.
Reasonable is the operational word. I've paid that much to have my windshield washed.
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
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latortugaguera
I can see why he offered to pay your fine. I myself and somewhat of an old grizzled fart who can't charm a kid out of their sucker. Life just ain't
fair is it?
Iflyfish
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Jack Swords
Super Nomad
Posts: 1095
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
Member Is Offline
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A while ago in the past, one could not get an FMT at the Ensenada office. We tried several times only to be told to go back to the border or get them
in La Paz (our destination). Rather than driving back we had no problem getting them in Santa Rosalia at the ferry terminal (this before you could
get them in GN). It is very easy and painless to do it in San Ysidro and then you have the FMT for your trip. Been asked for immigrant papers on
lonely back roads and also when involved in an accident. There are enough things to be concerned about on the long peninsula trip, the FMT should not
be one.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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There's no way to defend a rip-off/scam artist. Why would you even try?
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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After reading through all dennis' holier than thou BS, his rude & insensitive comments, name calling, foul language & vivid descriptive
suggestions, the fact remains...I'm still unclear if this is truly a scam...or a legitimate & legal Government-imposed penalty for having failed
to obtain a FMT at the border. I'm leaning towards the latter. I do feel that the Mexican government could make a better effort to inform visitors
of what the current requirements are...at the border. But then, it appears it might be more profitable to keep it a secret!
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DanO
Super Nomad
Posts: 1923
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: Not far from the Pacific
Member Is Offline
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Five bucks? GMAFB. BTW, the fact that people with POVs and diverse as Mr. Bill, The Gull, Grover and Osprey agree on this (that has to be a first),
and that experienced folks like Jack Swords and Bahiamia have empirically based reasons for questioning this "outrage," must count for something.
If you want to be peeed about something, try multiplying that five bucks times a hundred when you are informed by a federal geological survey officer
that your house appears to encroach on the federal zone by half a meter (that darn Mexican meter must be longer than the U.S. meter you so carefully
used when taking steps to avoid this problem). The issue, can, of course, can be resolved without requiring repeated visits to various government
offices, expensive and time-consuming permit applications, etc.
My old man used to say that when you don't have a choice, you don't have a problem. This is clearly one of those situations. Osprey has it dead on
as well. Life is way, way too short to get your blood pressure up over something like this. What's next, getting all riled up because the toll
booths insist that you pay in only one currency? That the "exchange rate" used by retailers seems to vary a great deal? Whatever.
\"Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.\" -- Frank Zappa
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Loboron
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 4-21-2007
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by longlegsinlapaz
After reading through all dennis' holier than thou BS, his rude & insensitive comments, name calling, foul language & vivid descriptive
suggestions, the fact remains...I'm still unclear if this is truly a scam...or a legitimate & legal Government-imposed penalty for having failed
to obtain a FMT at the border. I'm leaning towards the latter. I do feel that the Mexican government could make a better effort to inform visitors
of what the current requirements are...at the border. But then, it appears it might be more profitable to keep it a secret! |
Until a year ago, more or less, from the border to Ensenada, this area was exempt from having to have a FMT because of the volume of non-Mexican
traffic crossing the border on a daily basis between Ensenada and Tijuana. The Mexican government knew they couldn’t handle the amount of paper work
it would involve so they made this area exempt.
Without notice, the office of immigration in Ensenada started imposing “Fines” for failing to obtain your FMT at the border. For example, for years
you could arrive here in Ensenada aboard your boat, clear in with Immigration, Port Captain, and Customs and obtain all your required paperwork. Not
any longer, if you arrive by boat all persons are now required to have an FMT or you are “Fined” for not having one. They (immigration) know you can’t
stop at the border an obtain one in your boat; however they still fine everyone that doesn’t have one when they clear in. We were told by the
immigrations officials that they should have gone to the Consul prior to departure and obtain them.
However, if you arrive by boat and plan on staying no more than 72 hours, you’re not required to check in or obtain an FMT. Vessels that depart from
California and go none stop to Cabo or other Ports of call can obtain an FMTs upon arrival, and I know of no other port of call in Mexico that charges
a fine other than Ensenada.
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capn.sharky
Senior Nomad
Posts: 686
Registered: 9-4-2003
Member Is Offline
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I was under the impression that you no longer needed an FMT unless you planned to go to Baja Sur. You can get one when you cross the line there if
the office is open. Verdad?
If there is no fishing in heaven, I am not going
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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Thanks Loboron!
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latortugaguera
Banned
Posts: 42
Registered: 10-20-2005
Member Is Offline
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What’s the fuzz all about?!!! I travel to Los Cabos twice a year and never bother to get any paper work. All I take is my Ensenada driver’s license.
Only one time a fine Mexican official ask me why I didn’t had the papers, I told him I’m a single woman and I don’t know the rules. He just smiled and
let me go. 
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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The fee, 50 pesos, wasn't a fine or penalty or anything like that. It was the fee charged by the independent agent to add your information to the
FMT. The agent doesn't work for the government but the document was being denied unless his services were hired.
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latortugaguera
Banned
Posts: 42
Registered: 10-20-2005
Member Is Offline
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Hon, next time make a statement, don't pay the 50 pesos and go back to TJ to get the proper paper work. Now! that will solve all bad feelings and you
will be able to say, I did the right thing.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by capn.sharky
I was under the impression that you no longer needed an FMT unless you planned to go to Baja Sur. You can get one when you cross the line there if
the office is open. Verdad? |
You are required to have an FMT if you are in the free zone for longer than one week. It used to be 72 hours but that changed at least three years
back.
You're required to have an FMT at all times below the free zone. I think that would be below Maneadero.
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BMG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1776
Registered: 6-10-2007
Location: La Paz / Bahia Asunci�n / Away from home
Member Is Offline
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Now I feel bad!
I missed the office when crossing the border so we proceeded on to Ensenada. I had heard about the 'fine'. We were told the paperwork would have to be
filled in at the broom closet out the door. I can't even remember what we paid for that service but up until now, I didn't feel like we were ripped
off. All I can say it that it was pretty painless. Now that I have my FM3 and my wife has her dual citizenship, it shouldn't be an issue again.
I think the world is run by C- students.
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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BMG! You've pretty much got all your bases covered.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
Member Is Offline
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Should we regurgitate
some vomit from the past, Gull?
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The line for the hypocrits starts over by the little broom closet.
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Talk about hypocrits.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Loboron
Junior Nomad
Posts: 76
Registered: 4-21-2007
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
The fee, 50 pesos, wasn't a fine or penalty or anything like that. It was the fee charged by the independent agent to add your information to the
FMT. The agent doesn't work for the government but the document was being denied unless his services were hired. |
In his particular case, he may have paid someone to fill out the form for the FMT. However, the fact is, you pay a 50 pesos "FINE" or in Spanish,
"Multo" for not having an FMT upon arrival Ensenada.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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"
You are required to have an FMT if you are in the free zone for longer than one week. It used to be 72 hours but that changed at least three years
back.
You're required to have an FMT at all times below the free zone. I think that would be below Maneadero."
My understanding has been that it's 3 days in the so called "Free Zone" without FMT, up to 7 days with a FMT but requires no payment.
Has that been changed?
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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