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JSchuricht
Newbie
Posts: 8
Registered: 3-10-2006
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Costly mistake
I just made an extremely costly mistake while attempting to cross into Baja. I managed to get into the wrong lane and ended up going through the
non-declaration lane with goods destined for my house. Long story short, I was alleviated of a 1.2m satellite dish, BBQ, 6x 425lb batteries, 6x 85w PV
modules, hand cart, an upgraded control board for my MX60 charge controller and $927. I had receipts showing the goods at about $1100, but am
actually out about 10x that. 
I am not overly optimistic that I will ever see any of the goods again, but would appreciate any advice that anyone has.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Feel fortunate that you still have your vehicle. Also that the smuggling was into Mexico. The US Customs might not be that lenient if you're caught
smuggeling into the USA.
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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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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Been there done that you will not receive the goods back, cost me 2,000 us to get my car back at Otay Mesa, We actually came through witjh 2 cars my
wife was the smuggler, about 3 years later an official came by our house vindicatimg her but never rec'd the goods.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by JSchuricht
I had receipts showing the goods at about $1100, but am actually out about 10x that.
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That's probably why you didn't get off with just paying duties + fines.
Contrary to popular belief, these guys aren't stupid. They know what stuff costs.
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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What the heck?
Please report about this episode in a more specific and detailed way that doesn't scare people.
We have hauled all kinds of household goods and critters (with vet certificates) down to Baja without challenge (everything fitted into the SUV).
When we hauled a trailer down, to the San Ysidro crossing, we were redirected to Otay, did the paperwork and continued on home.
Tell me why your items were taken away.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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He did - he was in the "Nothing to Declare" lane.
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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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Those cute little critters
I know why but please tell thems that don't.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
We have hauled all kinds of household goods and critters (with vet certificates) down to Baja without challenge (everything fitted into the
SUV).
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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I believe that solar batteries are duty free....good luck with that
Your experience should be a fair warning to people. As Lou said be thankful that you were not going into the US. Would you have attempted that.
By mistake in the wrong lane...I would have said that same thing.
Thanks for this information and it should scare people...read the rules...the size of your vehicle doesnt matter if you get called into revision....
Truly sorry for your troubles but you have done everyone a favor by reporting this.
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ursidae69
Nomad
Posts: 275
Registered: 2-22-2004
Location: Youngsville, NM
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
He did - he was in the "Nothing to Declare" lane. |
Does a truck load of camping gear for a 2 week trip require any declaration? Never have in the past. 
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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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OK, thank you, Dave, I am happy to entertain you, if I do, I appreciate your wit,
but, seriously, BajaLou,
We drove down the San Ysidro "Nothing to Declare" lane with a very loaded trailer of household goods and they simply redirected us to Otay.
There was no bullying or confiscation.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Gypsy Jan, I think you were fortunate that they sent you to Otay.
ursidae69 - a tourist is allowed to bring "camping equipement" for his stay, and it it all supposed to be taken back when he returns to USA.
If you're in the "Autodeclare" lane, you can return if you don't like the duty etc. Often they will just wave you through there if you don't have
enough stuff for them to bother with.
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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bajalera
Super Nomad
Posts: 1875
Registered: 10-15-2003
Location: Santa Maria CA
Member Is Offline
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You have my sympathy JS--the Declaration lane can be really hard to nudge your way into--we were barely able to get over to it in coming south last
week. Based on stuff other Nomads had posted, I wanted to declare a cheapo [$79] TV set but had misplaced the receipt.
The inspector kept asking was it thin, how large, etc., and said he'd have to see it. Steve kept muttering things I was glad I couldn't hear as he dug
it out of the bottom of the boat we were towing, and the inspector looked, saw it was rinky-dink and waved us on our way.
All this took so long that he never got around to asking about any of the stuff in the 4Runner, which was loaded to the roof.
\"Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest never happen at all. The conscientious historian will correct these defects.\" -
Mark Twain
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
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Mood: Just dancing through life
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A moment!
All I can say is perhaps things are changing, but people don't and those ARE smart people at the border and they do not like to have people try to
make fools of them.
Forty plus years of carefully caring for goods as I crossed that border with nary a problem. To much all at once is not good.
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Pompano
Is there really anything that he can do.
I reread my previous post and it sounded like I had no sympathy for the guy which couldnt be farther from the truth. I went through one time in our
long bed crew cab GMC (loaded) and totally forgot to go over to the right. Got the green light and could not get out of there fast enough...ergo "I
would have said the same thing"!
JS-Let us know what happens, please.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I would have been more sympathetic had you not said "I had receipts showing the goods at about $1100, but am actually out about 10x that."
That tells me that you were planning to scam the Mex customs right from the start and it wasn't a "Simple mistake"
It might work much of the time, but as you can see not allways.
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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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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sorry to be cynical but....
i don't think tis happened...
the border guys would rather have the money and for sure the truck.
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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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trooolll...
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10583
Registered: 10-3-2003
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"trooolll..."
I don't think this is a subject to be joking around on...
[Edited on 3-11-2006 by JZ]
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
sorry to be cynical but....
i don't think tis happened...
the border guys would rather have the money and for sure the truck. |
Had me kind of wondering also 
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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By the way when this happened to me I had to go to Otay Mesa to get the paper work done and pay the fine, the fine was payed to the bank, the money
went to the Government and 90% of the stuff I was carrying wasn't mine.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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