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laketime
Newbie
Posts: 9
Registered: 2-17-2010
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border crossing
we will be heading into baja in a few weeks and was told the boarder crossing were stopping ever one. Is this true? we have never been stop at the
boarder before. we are bring more supply down this trip as we will be staying longer. really don't want to have to stop. is there a better time or day
to cross. is one crossing better then the other. like i said we have gone through all the main ones and never been stop. will be driving a pick up
with a cover on it.
[Edited on 1-9-2014 by laketime]
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13212
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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they don't stop everyone, but if you have a pickup with a cover, they just might send you over. If you are bringing foodstuffs, you have no worries.
If you are bringing equipment (engines or something) then there is a duty. One TV or one microwave is usually passed over. At least this has been our
experience.
One time I had 3 boogieboards, new, and they charged me - it was not outrageous.
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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They are not stopping everyone BUT that being said they can stop who they want. Just don't have anything that is not supposed to go there.
Nancy
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micah202
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 1-19-2011
Location: vancouver,BC
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.....is this a special border crossing for kite and skate bo'a'rders???
...'bout time!!! 
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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And have receipts for the value of anything valuable you're bringing. One of each item is allowed usually (TVs—though they'll ask why you're bringing
a TV if you're a tourist—laptops, cell phones, etc.)
There's a limit on how much beer you can bring over (nine cases, I think). And, of course, absolutely no weapons of any kind.
If you're a single adult with a child, you will get a red light every single time.
Even if you get a green light from the weight detector and visual inspection, pay attention to the border guard, because they can and do wave you over
even on a green if they feel like you're bringing too much stuff.
They're much politer than the northbound equivalent.
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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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Boarders
Back in the '50s-early '60s, my grandmother owned a Boarding House in Inglewood and quite a few of her Boarders would travel to TJ
for the races at Agua Caliente. No idea what their treatment was in crossing.
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BajaLuna
Senior Nomad
Posts: 581
Registered: 12-5-2012
Location: Pacific Northwest/Bahia Asuncion
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Mood: groovy
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I think that about says it, Nancy!!
In November when we crossed at Otay, our truck was packed high to the brim, furniture, new tv and small appliances, etc, and whewwww we made it
through without being inspected. We did however, just in case, took new stuff out of the packages and re-boxed them in used boxes.
A few weeks ago we came through Otay in an SUV packed full and stuff on the roof racks too, we sailed right through again.
I think it's just random and the luck of the draw and mostly depends on how busy they are with more important things.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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A boarder can cross a border, but not the other way around!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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It is kind of funny how some here fuss if there is any thought about not buying an FMM (tourist card), but evading duty on importing products is okay?
Both are just easy income sources for government...
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BajaLuna
Senior Nomad
Posts: 581
Registered: 12-5-2012
Location: Pacific Northwest/Bahia Asuncion
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Mood: groovy
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Oh boy you are not kidding about they are much more polite than the northbound crossing guards. We went through Tecate on the way back, had the most
rude Border guy ever, next thing we know here we go into inspection and had to unload the SUV and they went through all our suitcases, ice chest,
everything.
Just know that if you have anything, and I mean anything on your record, no matter if it was 25 years ago or no matter how small, it will come up. Of
course they are just doing their job and I appreciate that, but he treated ALL of us like criminals when our friend had a minor legal issue/infraction
on his record, not even a warrant, or a weapons issue. It's never come up for him getting into the U.S. from Canada, which he has done often....but
just one border patrol can ruin your day and their computers know everything! We were held up 90 minutes and we were the only ones in the inspection
area, it's not as if the inspectors were super busy. Ugh!
I don't want to nag on the border patrol, we need them to do their job well, but sheesh it was overkill and ridiculous!
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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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I shouldn't even write this, but I'm going to and risk taking the flack...
Fourteen years ago I was "secondaried". The jerks in secondary were abusive to my luggage and made it clear everything I stated or declared was to be
treated as a falsehood.
I made it a point to stand chest to chest with the man and a woman Customs agent and write down their name tag names and I.D. number.
So then "Ms Johnson" comes to me with hands on hips and demands
"What Do You Do For A Living.....sir?"
"Why, I'm an employee of the US Treasury Dept."
(gulp) - it was hysterical watching the color drain from her face.
"Internal Revenue Service"
Yeah, yeah, I could have been busted. It was dumb dumb dumb. But my temper got the best of me (not the first nor last time in my life). Seeing Mizz
Johnson's face turn the color of raw dough was worth it. And no, I'm not going to try it a second time.
A Lot To See And A Lot To Do
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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| Quote: |
Just know that if you have anything, and I mean anything on your record, no matter if it was 25 years ago or no matter how small, it will come up
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Has anyone ever seen the screen that comes up when
a Passport is scanned by US Customs? I can't imagine a persons
lifetime history is displayed, could be wrong. I thinking
warrents,etc.
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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i agree! The agents northbound (with a few exceptions) are pretty rude. We go back with nothing but fish or shrimp (legal) and our own personal stuff
so that when they ask us what we are bringing back we say fish and shrimp and mean it. We don't even take dog food anymore a we have a friend who
ended up in secondary for an hour or so for a bag he bought in the USA. First stop--Walmart for dogfood! Nancy
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DocRey
Nomad
Posts: 180
Registered: 2-27-2013
Location: SADM, Playas de T.J./Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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Mood: Cautiously Optimistic
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Don't get me started again!!! I'm still dealing with my erroneous predicament!
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Hey, Doc
I had been crossing with my SENTRI many times several years ago. One day I pull up to the booth and the guy gives me and my truck the evil eye and
starts pounding away at his computer. He then asks me for my vehicle registration........next words out of his mouth are "Stupid Idiots"
He pounds on his computer again with renewed energy, hands me my registration back and says with a smile...." they had the truck entered as a
California registration, I changed it for you in the system...Have a nice day"
| Quote: | Originally posted by DocRey
Don't get me started again!!! I'm still dealing with my erroneous predicament! |
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DocRey
Nomad
Posts: 180
Registered: 2-27-2013
Location: SADM, Playas de T.J./Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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Mood: Cautiously Optimistic
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I should be so fortunate. I wanna get to bottom of it , but worried it'll make 'em turn on me even more.
Maybe I'm making to much of this, but it just feels like I'm talking to a brick wall. I've resigned myself to drive down & do a face to face. Get
to the bottom of it and hopefully be at peace once again.
Baja's definitely worth it. Thanks T.
[Edited on 1-9-2014 by DocRey]
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dasubergeek
Senior Nomad
Posts: 694
Registered: 8-17-2013
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I find the guys at SENTRI to be much more pleasant, perhaps because they don't have to keep QUITE such a weather eye out for evil.
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tjsue
Senior Nomad
Posts: 520
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: San Diego
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I spent three months going to secondary every time I crossed, whether it was by foot, or by driving. The officers were very polite when I drove, but
walking was another story.
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Timo1
Senior Nomad
Posts: 749
Registered: 11-2-2007
Location: Homeless
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Mood: Lovin every minute of it
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I go to secondary every crossing
DHS has me as 6 foot 2 in. and black with a crim. rec. a mile long
Usually takes CBP about 1-2 hours to figure out I'm 5 foot 5 in. and white
This is after 2 agents swearing they would get a clearance on my/our file
Now it's just expected so I don't get upset anymore unless I REALLY have to pee
Those knotheads don't allow that
sold out and got out !!!
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elgatoloco
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4342
Registered: 11-19-2002
Location: Yes
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
P.O. Box 946
Williston, VT 05495
Attention: CBP Ombudsman
Write a letter and ask them to straighten out your information?
MAGA
Making Attorneys Get Attorneys
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