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Gr8Piper
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 10-28-2008
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Crossing Border With Household Goods?
I'm building a home in Punta Banda and I need to bring down hardware items and lighting fixtures. I have purchase receipts.
What is the best way to do it with minimal trouble? What is
if I don't declare it? I bring down a little on each trip and figure I'll deal with the consequences if I'm stopped. All info
and advice appreciated.
Tom
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Dave
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 11-5-2002
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gr8Piper
What is the best way to do it with minimal trouble? What is
if I don't declare it? |
The proper way is to stop, declare the items and pay duties. (Around 20%).
The easiest way is to just drive across. The odds of not getting stopped are in your favor. However, if you are willing to face the
consequences, here are the possibilites:
1. You just get waved though.
2. You are required to pay duty. (around 20%)
3. You pay duty and penalties. (Up to 100%)
4. The items are confiscated, you still pay duties and penalties.
5. The items are confiscated along with your vehicle which is held until you pay storage fees and all duties and fines.
It all depends on the mood of the inspector.
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Woooosh
Banned
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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I believe you also have the right to turn around and go back if you get the red revision light. They will open that sliding door and let you back
into the northbound line. You could simply say the reciepts are back in San Diego and you need to return to retrive them. Then go to Otay.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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Dave
Elite Nomad
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No
| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
I believe you also have the right to turn around and go back if you get the red revision light. |
Only if you use the declare line can you turn back. If you take the chance and get a red then they own you. 
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
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Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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just pay the duty or buy your things here. why would you want to start off life in Mexico being a criminal?
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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Dave
Elite Nomad
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When in Rome
| Quote: | | Originally posted by Bruce R Leech why would you want to start off life in Mexico being a criminal? |
What's the difference? Eventually it's gonna happen. 
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Don Alley
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Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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Pull over into the declare lane with a list of items and their prices. They have been fast and friendly with us. Last time through the inspector let
us through without paying, not the first time that has happened.
And the other times, nothing wrong with a contribution to the country where we spend most of our time. Either way, there has never been any trouble.
But if you want trouble, I'd suggest just drive through multiple times until you get busted.
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Gr8Piper
Newbie
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Thanks for the advice
Tom
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greybaby
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Registered: 10-8-2004
Location: Idaho - formerly Cantu
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Mood: Missing Baja
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Built our house and hauled a good portion of the goods for it a little at a time from Home Depot on the US side. When we had anything big (it was
obvious!) we simply stopped and declared it and paid the price. On other things that fit into our car, we took our chances with the red light/green
light. Occasionally stopped but never hassled. All of the major "stuff" (metal framing material, windows, plywood, sheetrock, etc) purchased (at a
higher price!) in Ensenada.
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greybaby
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 10-8-2004
Location: Idaho - formerly Cantu
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Mood: Missing Baja
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P.S. One funny thing that happened when we brought some of our building materials across - when we brought our bathtub across, we stopped to declare
it and I was proud of my still developing command of the Spanish language - when they asked me what I had to declare I proudly said, "una latina". I
couldn't figure out until later why they thought that was such a strange answer since what I really meant was "una tina". Big difference. They
probably wondered why I was smuggling in some muchacha. Sometimes I wonder how they put up with us!
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schwlind
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Registered: 8-30-2008
Location: Daytona Beach, FL/San Antonio Del Mar (Colonet)
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Earlier this year, in May, we hauled a 6 x 12 foot trailer full of stuff out to San Diego from FL. A good friend who lives in Baja about 95% of the
time met us in San Diego with his big truck to get it all down to our house in San Antonio Del Mar (out on the coast from Colonet).
We had used windows, a used leather couch and love seat and numerous other items. Our friend's truck, once loaded, looked like many of the smaller
Mexican owned trucks you see loaded to the hilt in Baja, to the point that you just know if they take a curve fast, they are sure to flip over.
When we arrived at the San Ysidro border crossing, as our friend was approaching the crossing, he was immediately being flagged over to the inspection
area.
Bottom line was the person we dealt with was affiable, and very cooperative... the duty for the entire load was about $38.00. I suppose it is the
luck of the draw. The guy we encountered was not about to unload or ask us to unload the truck, but asked that we supply a list of stuff we were
bringing in, and after about a 10 minute conversation all was settled.... At first the duty was around $45, but for some reason he reduced it to $38.
As has been discussed in other threads, if you have a good attitude... going or coming to MX... it can make all the difference in the world.
[Edited on 11-6-2008 by schwlind]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65306
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I am wondering why the one time 'duty-free' crossing afforded to you FM-3 holders isn't utilized or mentioned here? Of course, I am presuming everyone
who rents land in Mexico, leaves personal property in Mexico, or owns homes in Mexico has the correct visa to be a legal property holder in Mexico...
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beachbum1A
Nomad
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Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I am wondering why the one time 'duty-free' crossing afforded to you FM-3 holders isn't utilized or mentioned here? Of course, I am presuming everyone
who rents land in Mexico, leaves personal property in Mexico, or owns homes in Mexico has the correct visa to be a legal property holder in Mexico...
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With my FM3 in hand, an inventory of my personal goods stamped by the immigration office in San Diego, I approached the border crossing at San Ysidro
at 0800 on a Sunday morning a year and a half ago. Two pick up trucks each towing a trailer; one enclosed and one trailer was a flat bed.
Drove into the declared area and gave the paper work to the agent. "Sorry Senior, you will have to come back tomorrow! Cannot enter and use this
today."
So there are (5) of us in (2) trucks/trailers and everyone but me needs to be back at work the next day. Ummmmmmm?
Can we pay any "extra money" (heaven forbid-a bribe?) to cross the border today? He looks a little disgusted but picks up a pad of forms and walks
back to look at the flat bed trailer. He writes down some figures, tears off a couple of the pages and passes them over to me.
"Go pay at the bank and then come back and see me."
I walk over to the bank and pay them $52 dollars, get the forms stamped and come bac to the agent.
OK! Go on through! Hot damn, we're in!! Breakfast at Puerto Nuervo to celebrate for sure.
What he had done was to disregard the inventory forms and the one time allowance of a duty free entry. Instead he estimated the worth of my property
and charged a 15% duty- which I paid at the bank.
So everyone has a different story to tell on moving day and this is mine.
Just do it!
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Martyman
Super Nomad
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Registered: 9-10-2004
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If nothing is on the top of your vehicle and/or you are not carrying a trailero you (most likely) won't be stopped. Get in the left hand lane and go
man go! Play stupid if you are pulled over.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65306
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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GREAT STORY beachbum1A, many thanks for reporting this...
So, since that a pay the fee crossing, you still have the free one to use?
Guess that gaurd didn't want to work too hard that day!
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karenintx
Senior Nomad
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Mood: Living The Dream
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David K,
We got our FM-3 in Cabo and was told by every American we talked with "with your FM-3 you have a one-time pass to bring in you household goods tax
free." We thought no problem. Since we also live Houston we thought it would be a good idea to go straight to the Mexican Consulant to get the real
story. Glad we did. They looked at our FM-3's then advised us "you only have 90 days from the time your FM-3 is issued to take advantage of the tax
free rule." Thinking this person may not know what he was talking about we pressed the issue. He asked us to be seated. When he returned he asked
us to follow him. He took us to the "el jefe" who was very nice and provided us the same information in writing.
Now that was about a year ago and I think my memory is correct...it could have been a few days shorter or longer from the date of issue but I do
remember it was a short period.
I think this is an important piece of info for anyone that is planning a move.
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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I second Beachbum1a's sunday morning moving plan. Cross between sunrise and 9AM at SY/TJ and you'll likely find a smooth journey on sundays.
Declaration or ignorance importing is your choice.
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beachbum1A
Nomad
Posts: 442
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
GREAT STORY beachbum1A, many thanks for reporting this...
So, since that a pay the fee crossing, you still have the free one to use?
Guess that gaurd didn't want to work too hard that day!
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Guess what David? I still have my original stamped manifest! hahaha
Anyway, right on top of the "Manifest Instructions" it's stated (in caps);
Requirements for taking your household belongings into Mexico-
Note: This permit is granted only once, to the head of the family and within the first six (6) months from the date of issuance or renewal of the Fm3.
So would appear that you have (6) months to take advantage of a duty-free move, and not (3) months, but who really knows for sure!
Just do it!
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Or renewed
| Quote: | Originally posted by karenintx
"you only have 90 days from the time your FM-3 is issued to take advantage of the tax free rule." |
I'll bet the Jefe didn't tell you that.
Oh...And just because some official in Houston tells you something it don't mean squat to Aduana at the border. It's their rules that
count.
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Gr8Piper
Newbie
Posts: 11
Registered: 10-28-2008
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I appreciate everyone sharing their stories. I'll take my receipts and a few extra $$ and hope for the best.
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