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kctobaja
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 6-27-2007
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What can I bring into Baja on a Tourist Visa?
We're trailering motorcycles down.
I own an Internet Advertising Company, and with the amount of programming I do, my laptop just doesn't cut it.
Can I bring my desktop computer, monitor, and printer?
What about an electric guitar and Amplifier? (I like to play daily)... If the Amp is a no go, I have a little rockman I could use w/ headphones...
Thanks in advance!
Keith
[Edited on 7-5-2007 by kctobaja]
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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According to the rules as explained to me, laptop and printer OK - desktop and monitor NO. Musical stuff for personal enjoyment should be no problem.
Remember the visa is for "Tourist" and you're not expected to work and totake everything back with you when you leave.
What you could get by with ??? I was once told than I couldn't bring a desktop "tower" type in at all. It was a empty shell with only a power supply
and after I set it on the sidewalk to leave it there, they said OK,
Others have brought similar stuff in paying duty to "Import it" I've been told.
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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Al G
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2647
Registered: 12-19-2004
Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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Welcome
I bring my motorhome and everything I have.
Do not bring anything for sale and anything you intend to leave in Baja, declare and pay the duty.
A Motorhome may be different in the way they look at it.
[Edited on 7-5-2007 by Al G]
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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kctobaja
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 6-27-2007
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I'm lost on the difference between a laptop and a desktop computer in the eyes of the Mexican Authorities? Both can be used for work?
I do have to work while I'm there, I own my own business, and doubt my 2 partners would like me taking off of work for 3 months... 
Not sure what you mean by "and totake everything back with you when you leave."?
If I pay duty on my Dell desktop, what is that going to run me?
It's a 4 year old computer and monitor?
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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| Quote: | Originally posted by kctobaja
Not sure what you mean by "and totake everything back with you when you leave."?
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You are supposed to take everything out of Mexico that you brought in. - except food of course.
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
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Import Duty
IF they allow you to bring in the Desktop on an FMT (no guarantee of that), the printed info on the Current Customs form states that you can import up
to $4000 in Computer Equipment. It also lists the duty at 25%, however, the actual duty I was charged in June on household items, including
electronics, was 15%. Of course, I have an FM-3. It's hard to make an argument for taking down "Household" items on an FMT. You're not supposed to
have a household to take them to. The Value of items is up to them if you don't have current receipts.
I would suppose that the rationale for allowing a Laptop in on an FMT is that almost everybody carries one everywhere to keep in touch, etc. Not many
people would lug around their Desktop for the same purpose.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
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Location: South of the broder
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What are you driving? Might be able to get by in a motor home if it looks built in.
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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kctobaja
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 6-27-2007
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Thanks, I'm going to have to just bite the bullet and pay duty on the desktop, I can bring some documentation of what it cost in 2004.
Driving a Dodge Ram truck.......
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kctobaja
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 6-27-2007
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Thanks Shari.... I havd a laptop also, but I'll go that route..
We're crossing at Tecate, maybe it won't be as bad as TJ?
[Edited on 7-5-2007 by kctobaja]
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The Gull
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Probably lower cost mordida
...if you are considering that alternative method.
�I won\'t insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.� William F. Buckley, Jr.
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Riom
Nomad
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by kctobaja
I own an Internet Advertising Company, and with the amount of programming I do, my laptop just doesn't cut it.
Can I bring my desktop computer, monitor, and printer?
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Might be a good excuse to get a new laptop? I used to drive all around Europe with a desktop computer in the back of the car (for the same reason:
away for months in each place, needed it to run my similar business).
But in the last 5 years or so laptops have got much better, much closer in price to a comparable desktop, and now there's almost nothing you can't do
with them. If it's just programming and graphics go for one with a big screen if you want, 17" is still a lot better than a desktop a few years back.
If there's a lot of data to crunch get an external drive (although with laptops having 100-200GB disks now that's unlikely to be needed).
Processorwise the Core Duo etc compete well with desktops, and 2GB of memory is plenty. Only areas where desktops still win are really fast graphics
(for lastest games) and add-ons like TV cards. For programming, graphics work, data storage, etc a modern laptop is plenty powerful enough. I don't
own any desktops any more.
[Edited on 7-5-2007 by Riom]
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
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Location: The Valley of the Moon
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Keyboards
| Quote: | Originally posted by lencho
| Quote: | Originally posted by Riom
For programming, graphics work, data storage, etc a modern laptop is plenty powerful enough. |
And the ergos are usually sucky, hard on the body when programming. One solution is an external keyboard, mouse, and maybe an LCD monitor. The first
two, and possibly even the monitor, can be considered accessories to your laptop without much stretch of the imagination...
--Larry |
Speed typing on a laptop is really a strain onthe wrists. I need my full size keyboard.
CaboRon
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kctobaja
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 6-27-2007
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I've got 3 years worth of code, data, programs, spreadsheets.
I could move all the source code, but re-installing MS Visual Studio, SQL2005, etc., etc., etc...
I'd like to know my worst possible scenario at the border crossing. Paying duty on the computer? Not being able to bring it in period on an FMT?
Leaving Saturday, so need to get this nailed down.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10531
Registered: 10-3-2003
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In theory they are not allowed.
In reality you are probably going to get a green light and then the problem is solved. In reality if you get a red light you will have your luggage
in front of it and they won't even see it on their very cursory vehicle search.
In the slim chance you get a red light and they spot it and complain about it, you first state it is for your personal use. If they persist, offer to
pay duty (15% or so of it's fair market value today).
You will have a very good shot at getting it across.
Don't have your laptop sitting right next to it! Put your laptop in a personal bag. Not thinking once, I brought two laptops in my bag through the
airport. They made me pay duty on one of them.
[Edited on 7-5-2007 by JZ]
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
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What ever you do, do not say you need the computer for WORK. That will send up 100 red flags.
We bought a desktop replacement, Dell Inspiron with the nice big screen. Use a full size keyboard - wireless - along with a wireless mouse. We
brought this in on our FMT but of course did not tell them we had it. Had it buried in all our "camping gear" of which we had none. Some folding
tables and chairs, portable BBQ, boogie boards, groceries, ice chests (we were towing a 4x6 cargo trailer).
Crossing the border with a dog in the car (or 3 dogs, in our case) is also helpful for a cursory inspection.
A friend was coming in with a CPU he had repaired in the US (lives here FT). They would not him bring it in - period.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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| Quote: |
A friend was coming in with a CPU he had repaired in the US (lives here FT). They would not him bring it in - period.
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why not? what's the problem with a computer?
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Riom
Nomad
Posts: 492
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by kctobaja
I've got 3 years worth of code, data, programs, spreadsheets.
I could move all the source code, but re-installing MS Visual Studio, SQL2005, etc., etc., etc...
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Well, your disaster recovery plan with full backups will get that up and running in no time... :-) But I do agree if you're leaving saturday it's a
bit late to switch computers!
I find the ergonomics of a good-sized laptop (with external mouse) to be fine, maybe my back is already pre-warped from too many years sitting in
front of these things.
If it wasn't for the trailer you'd be unlikely to be stopped at the border anyway. As others have said, don't mention you need it for work, since
real tourists don't work.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Ergonomics
Since you can buy fullsize keyboards (USB or PS/2) for as low as Five Bucks, you can take one along and throw it away later if you'd like.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by kctobaja
Thanks Shari.... I havd a laptop also, but I'll go that route..
We're crossing at Tecate, maybe it won't be as bad as TJ?
[Edited on 7-5-2007 by kctobaja] |
Seems like we have RED LIGHT stamped on our windshield---got it last time at San Ysidro, and this time at Tecate. Fortunately, they just took a quick
look in the back. We were surprised that this time nothing was said at Tecate, because we had an old table and chairs in there----certainly not ones
we would take camping.
Happy Travels
Diane
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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I've seen incoming traffic so lite at TKT that they would red-light every car.
A fishing expedition, I'm sure.
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