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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Member Is Offline
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FM3 and Buying Property
Hi there. My husband and I are just starting to explore the possibilites of moving to Baja. The northern part, within commuting distance of the San
Diego area. We are not quite retirement age, so will need to work. My understanding is that to get an FM3 you have to know where exactly you are
going to live. We would hate to buy property and then for some unforeseen reason be turned down for the FM3. How long does it take to get the
FM3..hours...days...weeks? Can you apply without knowing the exact address where you are going to live?
Also, for the income requirements, can you just show them sufficient savings to cover the monthly rate for a year, or do you HAVE to have income such
as retirement to meet the requirement?
Hope these questions make sense. Thanks in advance for any help. I am sure I will have lots more questions.
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for the info. So looks like we need to find a place to live first.
Next question: I have read when you buy a home there is a fee. I have read anywhere from 2% to 10%. This would be on top of any Bank Trust Fees.
What is the actual amount? Also, if you buy a house with a trust deed, if the previous owner had one, do you just assume that one and pay the yearly
fee, or do you have to start the whole thing over and incur the several thousand dollar cost to get a new Bank Trust set up?
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Cameron
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 10-12-2004
Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty!
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Fees...
| Quote: | Originally posted by BOREDnIN
Thanks for the info. So looks like we need to find a place to live first.
Next question: I have read when you buy a home there is a fee. I have read anywhere from 2% to 10%. This would be on top of any Bank Trust Fees.
What is the actual amount? Also, if you buy a house with a trust deed, if the previous owner had one, do you just assume that one and pay the yearly
fee, or do you have to start the whole thing over and incur the several thousand dollar cost to get a new Bank Trust set up?
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...Sorry to butt in: I was reading today's posts and I thought I'd add my 2 pesos.
As far as fees go, aside from the payment for your Fideicomiso, you'll have a bill from the Notario ("Closing Costs", document prep, recording, etc.),
and you may pay pro-rated Property Taxes.
Depending on the size, location, improvements on the Property, and your arrangement with the Seller, you may also be looking at paying for
subdivision of your lot/s, Utility hookups, and possibly a small amount for water rights among other things.
RE: Bank Trust/Fideicomiso -
Assuming you're not planning a commercial venture (Including renting out your place in the future!) you'll have to establish a new Fideicomiso in your
own name, rather than "assuming" an existing Trust.
If you ARE planning on any kind of income-producing activities, (Rental?) you'll need to Incorporate. It is possible to purchase a Property with an
existing Corporation as the Owner.
I hope this has helped a little. For more info, try the Mexican Embassy's website, or the Mexican Consulate's website. There's LOTS of interesting,
helpful stuff there, and they're both easy to use. They're at:
http://embassyofmexico.org/
-AND-
http://www.consulmexsacramento.com/preguntasfrecuentes_eng.h...
Buena Suerte! Cameron
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Member Is Offline
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Ok to Butt In. Need all the info I can get. I guess I am still confused about things. You need an address to get an FM3. How do you get an address
before you have your FM3? Can you rent or buy with only an FMT? Are these dumb questions? I am just confused about this. I will check out the web
sites also, I have looked at bits and pieces of it before. THANKS!
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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The answer is YES.
You can buy with an FMT.
You only need to be legal in the country to buy.
Then get a FM3 so you can leave your stuff there. You can leave NOTHING without an FM3.
If you have an accountant you can use his address for your FM3 also. This is acceptable.
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Member Is Offline
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Cool. I am finally starting to piece all of this together.
Now, another question.
When you get your FM3 and bring your one time shipment of belongings down is there a dollar limit? I read somewhere is was $5000. I also read that
it is hard to bring in desktop computers. Just my computer alone would be half of the $5000...it is probably worth more than most of my other stuff
put together...lol. $5000 isn't much to work with.
Thanks
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cristobal
Nomad
Posts: 194
Registered: 12-16-2003
Location: california
Member Is Offline
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Desk-top Computer ....
I crossed the border with alex37 in early SEPTEMBER. His 5 year old computer was allowed in without any TAX. The INSPECTOR wanted to look at the
monitor.Newer computers might have a problem. 
     
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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Take a look at this..
Rolly Brook is our hero for documenting what he has done moving to Mexico...
http://rollybrook.com/menaje.htm
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Member Is Offline
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"Rolly Brook is our hero for documenting what he has done moving to Mexico... "
Thanks for the link. Very useful. By the time I would move my computer would be a couple of years old. Hope that is old enough. Husband has an
older computer too...but that will probably get left behind, just to avoid hassles.
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baja rooster
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 1-6-2004
Member Is Offline
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wow, so much and so little time.
We got our FM3's last year and just renewed them in November .
The first time it took 2 days at the local counsulate. No address in Mexico was required.
Our local US bank furnished us a letter in spanish attesting to the financial requirements. No Secretary of the State or notary or lawyer was required
for the original application or the renewal.
It was all very simple, just have patience.
[Edited on 12-5-2004 by baja rooster]
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Cameron
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 10-12-2004
Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty!
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May Be Time For a New Laptop!
| Quote: | Originally posted by BOREDnIN
Cool. I am finally starting to piece all of this together.
Now, another question.
When you get your FM3 and bring your one time shipment of belongings down is there a dollar limit? I read somewhere is was $5000. I also read that
it is hard to bring in desktop computers. Just my computer alone would be half of the $5000...it is probably worth more than most of my other stuff
put together...lol. $5000 isn't much to work with.
Thanks |
You're allowed to bring a (shiny new!) laptop computer without restriction and without it being part of your "big move" and declaration on the
Menaje de Casa paperwork.
Along with an extra battery, if you were questioned about importation, I bet an argument could be made for the need to carry a portable printer and
external HD/Zip drive, (maybe a docking station with a full-size keyboard ?) as "accessories"!
Just a thought...
PS: Check out the Mexican Aduana (Customs) website if you haven't already. The "Manual of Tourist Entry" has lots of good info that's applicable
whether you're on a FMT or FM3...
Cameron
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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Member Is Offline
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I guess I don't understand why they don't care about laptop's but a desktop is such a big deal. Confusing to me.
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meme
Senior Nomad
Posts: 756
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: San Felipe,BC
Member Is Offline
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Laptop vs Desktop?
Remember you are in Mexico!!! No One, I bet has a good answer to that one?
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bajalera
Super Nomad
Posts: 1875
Registered: 10-15-2003
Location: Santa Maria CA
Member Is Offline
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Moving computers
We brought in two desk-top computers--mine old, my son's fairly new--and they didn't get any attention at all. The advice we've had on TVs, computers
and other pricey items is to use new ones a few times so you can truthfully say they've been used--and above all, get rid of the boxes they came in.
bajalera
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meme
Senior Nomad
Posts: 756
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: San Felipe,BC
Member Is Offline
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Moving Computers?
My neighbor was not allowed to bring in a used desk top in the back of his car, but many people with motorhomes bring them in all the time??? I take a
lap top into & out of Mexico lots of times!!! Without any problems. Only once was I asked to open the case. That was an Army check-point, he just
looked and that was it!!
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jrbaja
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4863
Registered: 2-2-2003
Member Is Offline
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When I bought my computer a few years back
The aduana wanted a bunch of money for the importation because Carol didn't take it out of the box.
So, after argueing to no avail, she went back to the states, took it out of the box, and brought it in as a used computer.
Unfortunately, it was at night and she didn't get the power cords out of the boxes so she had to go all the way back to the dumpster she put the
boxes in in San Ysidro to get the cords.
They are very interested in "New" stuff. As Lera pointed out, get rid of the boxes.
Also, if you go to them before they catch you, you will pay much less importation.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
Member Is Offline
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I had a empty computer case in the back of my Bronco II a few years ago. Customs saw it and told me I could not bring it into Mexico. No duty no
way. I showed them it was a empty case and in a little while was told OK - but no computers.
Bring my and my wife's laptops back and forth all the time with no trouble. Believe the official list of items tourists can bring shows one computer.
They look at the contextof why you're coming in - tourist and will leave or resident and will keep stuff here.
Another example is a generator. If you have a motorhome or trailer, a generator is allowed as it is "camping gear". Just in your pickup with no
camping stuff, you must pay duty and import it.
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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Gypsy Jan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4275
Registered: 1-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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Documentation is the key.
Mi esposo goes back and forth across the border (and flies internationally) all the time with his *toys*; laptop(s), jump drives, wifi cards,
printers, phones, cameras (digital and reflex), etc., etc., beyond boring etc.
Each item is accompanied by a copy of the receipt showing where and when it was purchased and the taxes duly paid.
The main thing is that bureaucrats are the same anywhere, and if you come under scrutiny, they are most often always comforted by paperwork.
I am not suggesting that if you don't have paperwork for the items that you are concerned about that you should *be creative*, but you could probably
get some kind of notarized statement that the items are used.
BTW, just this last week, the U.S. Homeland Security official at the border got very interested (read, susupicious) in the origin and status of our
dogs.
Now, like an idiot, because we had crossed many, many times to and from the U.S. with the dogs without any questions from either side, I was no longer
carrying their vet certificates.
So, I quickly grabbed the rottweiler's collar and waggled the tags in front of the inspector's face, telling him (truthfully) that all the dogs were
licensed in San Diego.
For some reason, he had no interest in leaning in close to that smiling face and full set of teeth to verify the info on the tag and he waved us
through.
I am very glad that I went through the procedure to get the SD tags.
“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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BOREDnIN
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 12-1-2004
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Member Is Offline
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So, it looks like as long as I don't have the original boxes (which I don't) and I DO have the original receipt (which I do), I should be OK. Thanks
everyone for the help!
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Cameron
Nomad
Posts: 117
Registered: 10-12-2004
Location: Todos Santos / Seattle WA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty!
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Not Quite...
| Quote: | Originally posted by BOREDnIN
So, it looks like as long as I don't have the original boxes (which I don't) and I DO have the original receipt (which I do), I should be OK. Thanks
everyone for the help! |
Unfortunately, used items are subject to duty as well.
The "new" packaging is an immediate tip-off, and it won't hurt to get rid of it, but don't think that that's going to save you a ton of duty fees.
Remember you can also buy name-brand appliances (Sony, RCA, Whirlpool, etc.)and current/new computers in Mexico at the same price or cheaper than what
you'd pay in the US. You won't have to pay import taxes, or fill your vehicle with appliances, and you're helping to support the local economy.
If you are determined to bring you own stuff south, the receipt is a good idea, but if you get an Inspector who's having a bad day it'd be better to
have a comprehensive list of all dutiable items you're carrying, new and used. Bring the receipts (or a photocopy) for backup.
One last cautionary word: If you try to "play dumb" while attempting to import a large $$$'s worth of appliances, electronics, or furniture and you
are caught, the Mexican authorities will treat it as a very serious offense.
Import taxes represent a huge amount of income, and just like in the USA, you don't want to get in between the Government and it's $$$. Those caught
"smuggling" goods without paying taxes on them may have their vehicles impounded and their goods seized, among other penalties. It's better to fill
out the forms and pay the taxes if you absolutely must bring a TV, computer, etc. to Mexico.
Buena suerte! Cameron
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