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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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BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE BRINGING ACROSS THE BORDER INTO MEXICO
(Note to fellow Nomads - I've read this story thoroughly at least three times and I am still confused about what is or isn't allowed.)
From The Baja Times
By Jack E. George
"The newly opened El Chaparral border crossing has brought a number of changes for people driving into Mexico. One thing that has not changed is the
dreaded 'red light.' This is because you must then pass to the inspection station. The new inspectors no longer simply check what is in your trunk.
They tell you to unlock your car doors, open the hood of your car, and open your trunk. If they find anything that looks like it is newly purchased,
the inspector will ask you for the cost along with other questions. If you are crossing with a new television, for example, chances are you will go to
the next inspection station where you will complete a declaration of the item, cost, and so forth. And, most likely, you will pay an import fee.
However, you also have the chance of having items removed from your possession, if you do not abide by the rules of what items can be brought into
Mexico. For example, if the inspector looks through your car and finds your favorite c-ckatiel, hamster, rabbit, or any other animal aside from a dog
or a cat, you might need to forever say "Good bye" to your friend. This will depend, however, on if you did your homework, prior to arriving at the
border, and if you followed the instructions for importing a pet. You will not be allowed to travel another mile if you have earth, straw, or
hay-filled containers or any type of ornament made from straw or palm. You cannot have any homemade food preparations containing meat or ground of
ruminant origin. Processed meat products from countries Mexico considers risky will not be allowed to cross with you.
You may not cross the border with any food or pet treats containing ruminant origin (basically this is various hoofed, even-toed, often horned
mammals; those mammals having a stomach divided into four, sometimes three, compartments). You may not cross with certain vaccines. You may not bring
raw or dry shellfish, in any presentation. Seaweed, of any type intended for animal consumption, is prohibited.
Items on the restricted list should be discussed with a United States representative to determine if you can cross the border into Mexico. These
include terrestrial and aquatic animals, specific types of animals (such as birds and small pets); bees and bee products; hunting trophies; drugs for
veterinary use; objects showing traces of organic products such as boots; plants and plant products such as cut flowers, fresh fruits, seeds,
cuttings, and so forth.
Ex-pats living in the border zone of Mexico can import goods for personal use, as long as the value does not exceed $75.
These items include alcoholic beverages, beer, and snuff carved cigars. Various items may be subject to various taxes, so, before returning across the
border, you should know what you may face when reaching the inspection station.
Although the list of acceptable articles, okay to import is extensive, there can sometimes be surprises when you reach the border. Some people are not
certain about specific food products; however, products and animal by-products, such as dairy products and so forth are acceptable, as long as they
are packaged and labeled in Spanish or English and sealed by the health authority. You may also cross with most meat products, if they come from
plants approved by SAGARPA (in English this is The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food. Its objective is to
foster the pursuit of a policy of support that permits producing, improving, and making the best use of the Agricultural, Livestock, Fisheries, and
the Food Supply sector). You can transport smoked poultry, dried beef, and prepared foods, if they are labeled in Spanish or English and stamped by
the health authority. The same approval is needed for prepared foods and fruits and vegetables canned or cooked such as prunes, spices, and medicinal
dried herbs. You may also bring in fish, canned or jarred, (such as pate), products of fish ready for human consumption, and most sea products, as
long as they are properly stored in a cooler with ice and packaged for personal consumption.
Some people are concerned about pet food as far as what can or cannot be brought across the border. You can safely cross with dry or wet pet food. The
law seems very vague, "...a full package of food or treats without content of ruminant origin, labeled in Spanish or English and stamped by the health
authority." (After speaking with three different inspectors, I received three different answers as to the question regarding quantities, varieties,
and so forth.) It is suggested that you do your research before buying a large quantity of pet food.
We all know that the inspectors have the final say on what may, or may not, be brought across the border. If there is a disagreement, it is up to each
individual to decide how they wish to continue. It is strongly recommended that anyone crossing the border, on a regular basis, print a copy of the
rules and regulations for what may, or may not, be imported into Mexico (one site to visit is: http://www.senasica.gob.mx). "
(Contact Jack: jeg925@aol.com)
“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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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Items on the restricted list should be discussed with a United States representative to determine if you can cross the border into Mexico.
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Who are they? Where are they? Why would they even care?
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pappy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 679
Registered: 12-10-2003
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and this is for what?
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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 pappy
and this is for what? |
Bringing things into Mexico.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9009
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Hilarious! Even Mexican officials cant agree from crossing to crossing AND THE WRITER SUGGESTS ASKING US OFFICIALS???? 
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Nothing new in the laws. If the Aduaneros wish to, they can assess a 300% of value duty on undeclared items, seize the vehicle and everything in it,
until the fines are paid, and THEN THEY KEEP THE UNDECLARED ITEMS! Same for foodstuffs, pets, pet Death Stalker scorpions from the middle east, and
even your pet musk ox.
When properly approached MOST aduaneros are friendly and understanding. Politely discuss the value of new items that have been wisely removed from new
packaging. You can even fib and say it is returning from being "warrantied" in the states.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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dizzyspots
Senior Nomad
Posts: 603
Registered: 9-22-2008
Location: Mescal AZ
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Mood: rather be on the beach at Gonzaga
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fuel cans= empty firewood=NO lumber masquerading as firewood = NO motor oil only is sealed bottle
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13195
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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as odd as this is - we brought AND DECLARED our brand new wooden cabinets for our new kitchen thru San Ysidro May 2012. We paid a paltry fee (can't
remember how much) and were allowed to bring them in. We were concerned that there might be a hitch but the inspetor did not bat an eye. Simple wrote
up the form and asked us to pay up. Go figure.
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El Jefe
Super Nomad
Posts: 1027
Registered: 10-27-2003
Location: South East Cape
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Thank heavens they let me bring in "snuff carved cigars"
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
objects showing traces of organic products such as boots; |
Often the guy in the Mex Govt who has the 2 semesters
of English in grade school, gets the job of crafting regs,
then there is the translation grey area. Does the above
sentence refer to boots as in shoes? Maybe cowboy
boots made of?
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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I crossed at San Luis AZ a few weeks ago and got the green light.
Then, I heard a tap on the back of my car and the agent told me to go to the declaration inspection area
I had a butt load of purchased items stuffed into a wine cooler that I was bringing down to a friend in SF.
She looked everything over and sent me on my way, no probelm, this time.
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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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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
as odd as this is - we brought AND DECLARED our brand new wooden cabinets for our new kitchen thru San Ysidro May 2012. We paid a paltry fee (can't
remember how much) and were allowed to bring them in. We were concerned that there might be a hitch but the inspetor did not bat an eye. Simple wrote
up the form and asked us to pay up. Go figure. |
That's because you went into the "Declare" lane and imported your goods legally. We brought down everything BUT the slab, bricks, mortar, and the
water heater. Everything else was imported legally.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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"Hunting trophies" caught my eye. Why? What could be the reasoning behind this rule?
Dern read this to me earlier and stressed the HUNTING TROPHY part. Right now we have two deer mounts that I inherited from a good friend, packed in
the back of the truck waiting for spring break. They are (were) headed for their new baja home. He was already nervous about taking them down, and now
that he's read this notice, I'm thinking he's going to do some unpacking.
I also have a 1958 marlin head mount that is part of the family. He's not something that can easily be tucked inconspicuously into the back seat.
Sheesh.
P>*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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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 Paulina
"Hunting trophies" caught my eye. Why? What could be the reasoning behind this rule?
Dern read this to me earlier and stressed the HUNTING TROPHY part. Right now we have two deer mounts that I inherited from a good friend, packed in
the back of the truck waiting for spring break. They are (were) headed for their new baja home. He was already nervous about taking them down, and now
that he's read this notice, I'm thinking he's going to do some unpacking.
I also have a 1958 marlin head mount that is part of the family. He's not something that can easily be tucked inconspicuously into the back seat.
Sheesh.
P>*)))>{ |
Just go through Otay or Tecate. They arn't playing the "New Regime" game....yet anyway.
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Jaybo
Nomad
Posts: 240
Registered: 12-7-2009
Location: NW Oregon
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Mood: Praying for Baja!
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Okay.. This thread has me wondering ... The gal that owns the vehicle I am bringing down for her has a few things for her place in SJDC. Among these
things are some sealed foodstuffs that she can't find in Baja (50lbs of pinto beans, gallon jug of dressing, a couple jugs of green tea) a whole
bunch of rope and Christmas lights (for around her pool and palm trees) 4 boxes of wine glasses and a couple large mirrors. the lights are all
removed from the packaging and the food stuff is all sealed. Do I need to declare all this stuff? I'll be crossing at the downtown Mexicali crossing
if that makes a difference...
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Jaybo
Okay.. This thread has me wondering ... The gal that owns the vehicle I am bringing down for her has a few things for her place in SJDC. Among these
things are some sealed foodstuffs that she can't find in Baja (50lbs of pinto beans, gallon jug of dressing, a couple jugs of green tea) a whole
bunch of rope and Christmas lights (for around her pool and palm trees) 4 boxes of wine glasses and a couple large mirrors. the lights are all
removed from the packaging and the food stuff is all sealed. Do I need to declare all this stuff? I'll be crossing at the downtown Mexicali crossing
if that makes a difference... |
She can't find pinto beans???????
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Jaybo
Nomad
Posts: 240
Registered: 12-7-2009
Location: NW Oregon
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Mood: Praying for Baja!
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Oh she can find lots of pinto beans, they just have pebbles in them. It's driving her nuts so she has me bringing a 50lb sack of them down. I know,
I was like What The Frick?
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dizzyspots
NO motor oil only is sealed bottle |
how do you transport your motor oil, in a box?
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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I learned the hard way, no outboard motors without a boat with registration papers. They sent me back to the US.
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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 Jaybo
Oh she can find lots of pinto beans, they just have pebbles in them. It's driving her nuts so she has me bringing a 50lb sack of them down. I know,
I was like What The Frick? |
The packaged beans on the shelves in the big stores are clean, unlike the bulk product in the produce department.
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