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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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Yep, FM-T again!
We are heading south in August below Guerrero Negro.
Out of convinance I'd like to stop at New Mexicali border in late June while already going to San Felipe and get FM-T's for the both of us for the
trip below Guerrero Negro in August. Provided the FM-T's are good for at least 2 months or more of course.
All I'm trying to do is avoid pulling over on a Friday afternoon at San Ysidro/T.J. while pulling a large trailer. I know that is a hectic time of
day. Going to the border and walking across is not feasible either because of the potential long lines both driving and walking back. New Mexicali
crossing on any day any hour is not a problem to pull over and get this document.
Sound like a plan? Or I'm way off? I've seen on many post how people use the FM-T for multiple entries.
Your thoughts please.
BW
[Edited on 6-2-2007 by BajaWarrior]
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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Good plan. The FMT's are valid for 180 days.
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roundtuit
Senior Nomad
Posts: 607
Registered: 12-21-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wife's Job
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No problem, but make such you ask for 180 Days
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Just tell them you need the 180 days---long vacation --- never had a problem with multiple entry.
Hope we are in town part of the time you are in Bahia Asuncion. 
Diane
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Phil C
Senior Nomad
Posts: 564
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: N. San Diego County/ Loreto Centro/Lopez Mateos
Member Is Offline
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Actualy you are suposed to surrender your fm-t ,valid for any length of time, when you leave the country. To do this when driving, you must, at San
Ysidro, either park a few blocks away and walk to the Imigration office at the border, or , drive the wrong way against the traffic to the
office. Not sure about Otay or Mexicali, but they must be equaly user friendly!
You could easily "forget" to do this and conviently "discover" your fm-t's when you get to G.N. on the next trip. Of course I've never personaly done
this, but I think it might work.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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Yes, i've heard of the "return thing" when it comes to FM-T's.
I've read here that when certain Nomad's have tried to return them the agent looks at them as if they have three eyeballs.
But also heard of people returning the next year to get fresh FM-T's and given a hard time because they didn't return them the prior year....
Will definately request the 180 day permit.
Diane, see ya in the south hopefully.
Lots of good pros here, what, no cons?
C'mon!
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: |
Lots of good pros here, what, no cons?
C'mon! |
OK, you want a con. Not long after you cross the border in San Ysidro, you will be stopped by the special FMT police. Sitting at the empty desk with
the bright light shinning in your face, you will be questioned.
The wrinkled thin papered FMT will give you away--Ah Ha, you have had this for a while and you did not return it! They will know. Now it off to the
Tijuana jail---you had better have Ferna's phone number with you, that is if you get the one call. As the Tijuana expert, he will be your only hope.
Happy Travels
Diane
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Why do it twice?
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaWarrior
All I'm trying to do is avoid pulling over on a Friday afternoon at San Ysidro/T.J. while pulling a large trailer. |
Actually, the declare lane at San Ysidro is perfect for large rigs. to make sure you are in the correct lane approach from 805 (not 5) in the
far right lane. Pull in, get your FM, pay and you're good to go. They'll even help you merge back in traffic.
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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And another reason:
99 times out of a 100 you will get a red light when pulling a trailer. You're gonna have to stop regardless.
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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True, true, but when entering New Mexicali declaration lane, the guards don't inspect you. In fact, a friendly toot of the horn insures you won't run
them over in their mid-conversation with other officers.
There is also enough room to park 20 rigs my size. I could sneak across a nuclear reactor at New Mexicali without it being detected, wait, I didn't
say that.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I am not sure if Mexicali East has a bank teller to pay the fee ... Tijuana does, and it is easy just as Dave says, above!
1) Go to INM and get the FM-T
2) Go to any bank or the teller at Tijuana border next to INM and pay the tax.
3) Go back to INM for final stamp (request 180 days, as the price is the same as for 90 days).
(Phil, since they began charging a tax on tourism in 2000, the said the FM-Ts could be re-used for the 180 day period. There is no system to turn in
the things when you drive out... If they wanted them, then they could have an officer at the border collect them as you drive into the line!)
Remember, after you pay the fee at a bank, you MUST go back to INM and have the thing stamped... Getting pre-paid FM-Ts at the clubs is a way to avoid
that second visit to the INM, but Discover Baja is in San Diego and Vags is near Sacramento!
[Edited on 6-2-2007 by David K]
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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Thanks all, yes, they do have a bank teller at Mexicali East, it's 75 yards south of the Main entry in a small building that sits by itself. Has the
same hours as the border.
Again, just wondering if someone had a reason why it shouldn't be done.
Was mainly wondering about the day limit on the FM-T.
David, I notice you don't cross state line much, your trips being northern, do get FM-T's?
BTW, how long can you be in Baja before you need one north of the state line, 7 days? 10 days?
Thanks
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Let me reemphasize!
| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
Just tell them you need the 180 days---long vacation --- never had a problem with multiple entry.
Hope we are in town part of the time you are in Bahia Asuncion.
Diane |
I once had a GN migracion officer write (in the little box where you fill in the day's you'll be in Baja) 90 days after I told him 6 months.
EMPHASIZE 6 months and 180 days without hesitation -- where ever you get the FMT filled in and stamped. And plan on using it for multiple entries.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64858
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaWarrior
Thanks all, yes, they do have a bank teller at Mexicali East, it's 75 yards south of the Main entry in a small building that sits by itself. Has the
same hours as the border.
Again, just wondering if someone had a reason why it shouldn't be done.
Was mainly wondering about the day limit on the FM-T.
David, I notice you don't cross state line much, your trips being northern, do get FM-T's?
BTW, how long can you be in Baja before you need one north of the state line, 7 days? 10 days?
Thanks |
The official rule is no FM-T needed for stays to 72 hours within the border zone (Maneadero or San Felipe, north). The new FREE FM-T is good for 7
days, anywhere in Mexico. The pay FM-T is good for UP TO 180 days, anywhere in Mexico.
The ONLY place in Baja I have experienced them be checked is at the state border near Guerrero Negro.
My 'official' answer is YES, I have an FM-T for trips longer than 3 days or south of the border zone!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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David
| Quote: |
Remember, after you pay the fee at a bank, you MUST go back to INM and have the thing stamped... Getting pre-paid FM-Ts at the clubs is a way to avoid
that second visit to the INM, but Discover Baja is in San Diego and Vags is near Sacramento!
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We used to get ours at Discover Baja, but that was changed with the new government. Last I knew they still can't issue them---may change again later.
Diane
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wondering what is next???
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This thread reminded me, i was not able to turn in my FM-T...so can I mail it somewhere??
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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BajaWarrior, do it just like you said, bank right there, immigration right there, and plenty of parking at East Port. You tell them you want it for
180 days and just remember have it back to them by then. I will check on Monday with the Immigration people at the new port and see if you can mail
these FM-T back to them. I will get back to you on this and let you know what I found out. If you need anything else answered from them let me know
and I will try to get the answer for you. Later===== bajafun777
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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I appreciate the extra effort there Bajafun. I've heard of people trying to return them without luck, sounds odd though, they do expire...
I'm totally clear on the Mexicali East thing, we've been importing lumber and furniture for 8 months now for our current project, and years before
that for an earlier project.
We're taking off in the morning for Anchorage and will be gone for 10 days with no internet!
I don't know if that makes me happy or sad!
BW
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Phil C
Senior Nomad
Posts: 564
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: N. San Diego County/ Loreto Centro/Lopez Mateos
Member Is Offline
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Just try and fly out of Baja without giving up your fm-t, I've seen a few lost ones while at the airports and these people had a real hassel. There
is even a guy at the exit area in the Tijuana airport profiling for gringos and asking for the fm's on incoming national flights. He asks, Are you
leaving the country? Just no infastructure for those leaving by auto, get a 180 and keep it for next trip is what I did, but now we have fm-3's ,now
thats a WHOLE different story!
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Anxious to get south
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UPDATE:
Stopped at Immagration on Friday morning at the Mexicali East crossing and got our FM-T's. There was no one else there at 8:00 a.m. and we got our
business handled in less than 10 minutes. 180 days for the FM-T.
$23 each.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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