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zach4
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transferring food across borders
Hi,
If we take food with us in the car from the US and drive all the way to Baja Sur -
Can we pass the US-Mexico border with no problem (meaning all sorts of food are allowed)?
I understand that when crossing the border to Baja sur, they check for fruits and vegtables. Are other items of food allowed?
If we bring food in cans, or dry fruits, or sealed food - will that be okay?
thanks...
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Ateo
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Good question.
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David K
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Yes, don't need to advertise anything, let them ask. You know you aren't transporting bug infested produce... There was a check for BEEF a while back
(swine flu fear)... and fruit that might be filled with fruit fly eggs.
Nothing canned, bagged, sealed, is going to be a threat.
It will be coming back north into the USA that you don't want to be hassled, so unless you want to wait in Secondary, don't bring any fresh food,
eggs, pork products, fruit, veggies... MANY types of fruit and most vegetables ARE permitted, but the current lot at the border don't seem to have a
clue. Eggs, oranges, fresh chicken, and any pork has always been a big no-no. Calif. residents can only bring back 1 liter of booze each, if in their
own car.
Also, wash your car coming home if you off roaded... no 'soil' is allowed!
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Alm
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When I flew in last fall (Loreto), which used to be easier customs than driving in, both customs and their agricultural inspection - Senasca or
whatever it's called - were very thorough. Buckwheat that had no label on it, was confiscated. They looked with great deal of attention at all food
packs and cans of other people while I was waiting in line.
Btw, tourists are only allowed tax-free $75 total worth per passenger on top of their personal items when traveling by car. Excess can be taxed @~15%,
so don't be surprised if it will.
[Edited on 2-2-2014 by Alm]
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captkw
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ALM
Say What ??? you said you came in by air...not car ?????????
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Bob and Susan
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why are you BRINGING food...there's all sorts of food stores in Baja...
that's how people eat here...
edit: who eats buckwheat????
[Edited on 2-2-2014 by Bob and Susan]
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chuckie
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That was the question I was going to ask! And you also lose the experience and fun of shopping in the lil tiendas!
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Meany
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Zach4. I never have fruit. But do say No senor, no fruitas,no pappas,nodruggas and no dinero. And he looks at me and laughs as I give him some
small change and I get my truck washed underneath and off down the road.
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nbacc
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We bring enough for the first day so we don't have to go out right away and do the shopping thing............lots of places in Baja to buy good food.
Nancy
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Bajajorge
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Crossing into Mexico has never been a problem with what foods you bring. Now northbound back into the US is another story.
I don't think Mexico really cares what food you bring in, green leafy substance might cause a stir though.
Why do Liberals insist and demand that achievers pay the way for nonachievers who are to lazy to succeed, or are just failures by their own choice?
Criminals prefer unarmed victims, dictators prefer unarmed subjects.
Why do ignorant people continue their blabbering when it only proves to others how stupid they are.
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grace59
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Some friends of mine got the red light coming into Mexico from El Centro the other day. They had made a trip to Costco in El Centro. The man at the
border looked in the ice chest where they had some grated cheese and a pork loin among other things. No problem. I, however, hate the hassle of
stopping in El Centro and just purchase everything in Mexico. There are things there that are a much better deal...especially love the fresh fish,
shrimp etc.
Whenever I hear that rainy, chill wind blow. I think it may be time to head for Mexico. Tengo que obedecer mi corazon!
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Alm
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
Say What ??? you said you came in by air...not car ????????? |
Yes. There are few airports in Baja  ....
For air travelers with tourist visas tax exemption is $300, so this wasn't an issue in my case. Food can be an issue at any crossing - as others
noted, factory-packaged food is usually OK.
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Alm
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| Quote: | Originally posted by grace59
The man at the border looked in the ice chest where they had some grated cheese and a pork loin among other things. No problem. I, however, hate the
hassle of stopping in El Centro and just purchase everything in Mexico. There are things there that are a much better deal...especially love the fresh
fish, shrimp etc. |
Yes. Cheese in Mexico costs about the same. Though they don't have as many varieties as NOB, especially in Baja.
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J.P.
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after living here for over 10 years yes you can survive quite well on the food that is available here, especially in Ensenada.
But there is still quite a few things I like that is hard to find down here I refuse to eat lunch meat that is made from Chicken or Turkey and the
pork products aren't any better.
In my case there are quite a few food stuffs that I would rather buy in the U S. For me it all boils down to personal choice.
I have never had any problem bringing anything into Baja.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alm
| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
Say What ??? you said you came in by air...not car ????????? |
Yes. There are few airports in Baja ....
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There used to be a whole lot more!
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bigzaggin
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I know there are some strong opinions about buying vs.bringing and, while I agree most of what you need is available down there, for me bringing food
down is typically a reflection of wanting to get where I'm going - quickly - rather than stop for supplies. But we're increasingly buying more down
there as we refine our routes. Oddly, Modelo is cheaper in the states...and the firewood here is just plain better.
Here's a question: What about the legality of bringing BACK food you brought down? We sometimes have leftover apples or luncheon meats that we
brought with us and don't wan't to trash. We've never once been sent to secondary for produce in 25 years (though we would have in Tecate last week
had the agriculture team not been on a break) - but if they find food you brought with you, are you still popped?
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tjsue
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When I moved to Tijuana last year, I brought the contents (mostly meat) of a 5.0cuft freezer with me in a large ice chest and several boxes. I was
sent to secondary because I had lots of boxes visible in my van, and was only asked what was in them. I just said, "food," and they said ok.
Going NOB of border, I've only taken cooked potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and cookies, without a problem. I tell them what I'm bringing, and they
say, OK."
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Alm
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| Quote: | Originally posted by J.P.
after living here for over 10 years yes you can survive quite well on the food that is available here, especially in Ensenada.
...
In my case there are quite a few food stuffs that I would rather buy in the U S. For me it all boils down to personal choice.
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Yep. If you care what you eat and like to stick to your diet and habits - whatever humble it is - you need to bring some food items.
In smaller towns you won't find much or it will be expensive. Brown rice, black tea, hot chocolate, to name a few. And some fresh produce costs double
or triple because it is not local, or is not available at all.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bigzaggin
I know there are some strong opinions about buying vs.bringing and, while I agree most of what you need is available down there, for me bringing food
down is typically a reflection of wanting to get where I'm going - quickly - rather than stop for supplies. But we're increasingly buying more down
there as we refine our routes. Oddly, Modelo is cheaper in the states...and the firewood here is just plain better.
Here's a question: What about the legality of bringing BACK food you brought down? We sometimes have leftover apples or luncheon meats that we
brought with us and don't wan't to trash. We've never once been sent to secondary for produce in 25 years (though we would have in Tecate last week
had the agriculture team not been on a break) - but if they find food you brought with you, are you still popped? |
Once your American purchased produce crosses into Mexico, it becomes 'Mexican' as far as the U.S. Border officers are concerned.
See the list of what 'might' be okay to come back north with. Sour limes are okay, and I declared them... the (@#%!) border officer said "well, limes
are like oranges" and sent me to secondary. After waiting 15 min. for the ag officer to walk up, she looked at the tag, said "LIMES!??" and laughed as
she told be to go! I have heard that even non pork 'turkey ham' has caused a secondary trip!
It is just easier to donate excess food to anyone in Mexico (I recommend the soldiers at desert drug checkpoints).
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BajaBlanca
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All I can tell you is that we have heard plenty of horror stories of guests being yelled at because they had dog food or a forgotten tomato at the
bottom of the fridge.
Really, give the food away to the military guys (good suggestion) or to any police station or to any village resident. Secondary takes any beach quite
seriously. It ain't fun.
[Edited on 2-3-2014 by BajaBlanca]
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