roosterfishking
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 3-2-2015
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Crossing the border w furniture visitor card
Looking for suggestions on crossing the border with old furniture. Unfortunately I need to stop and get a visitor-tourist card at TJ that puts you in
the declaration area and they want to ding you for $ high above the value of the actual value. I can go through a different border but I do need to
get the tourist card either way. looking for suggestions???
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tjsue
Senior Nomad
Posts: 520
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: San Diego
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Depending on how much furniture you're crossing with, you'll have to cross at Otay.
I moved to Tijuana, back to San Diego, and my movers had to use Otay both times.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
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Park on the us side, walk across for the card, walk back and drive through. BTW they don't overcharge you, just declare the value and pay import, say
it's worthless furniture valued at $100 the tax is $18 or so.
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BajaUtah
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Registered: 10-4-2013
Location: Salt Lake City/La Ribera
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I crossed at Calexico in December with a 16' trailer and pickup loaded to the gills. I made a list in Spanish and English of the contents and a "fair"
value that came to about $1000. I hit the declare lane, whipped open the doors and handed over my list. After a sniff by the drug dog and some very
pleasant small talk with the customs agent I paid about $100 U.S. to the bank. 20 minutes and I was down the road. Couldn't have been easier, except
almost taking out the narrow border gate with my rig-good for a laugh by the guards.
Andy
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RnR
Senior Nomad
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Quote: Originally posted by BajaUtah  | | I crossed at Calexico in December with a 16' trailer and pickup loaded to the gills. I made a list in Spanish and English of the contents and a "fair"
value that came to about $1000. I hit the declare lane, whipped open the doors and handed over my list. After a sniff by the drug dog and some very
pleasant small talk with the customs agent I paid about $100 U.S. to the bank. 20 minutes and I was down the road. Couldn't have been easier, except
almost taking out the narrow border gate with my rig-good for a laugh by the guards. |
Sounds about right. You will get about the same treatment at Tecate and Chaparal. Otay may involve a more detailed inspection and discussion about
valuations.
I have declared items and paid the import fees (16%) at all three border crossings. I prefer Tecate but parking is easier at Chaparal.
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SlyOnce
Nomad
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Registered: 12-26-2013
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There are about 15,000 gringos who live between Playas and Ensenada and don't have visitor cards. I am one. So don't worry too much. Buy a visitor
card if you want one. The Immigration and Customs people aren't going to wonder why a "visitor" is bringing furniture.
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roosterfishking
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 3-2-2015
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Thanks for your help and suggestions. I definitely need the tourist card because I'm travelling to the East
Cape. You dont need it unless you pass Ensenada. I've actually made this trip about 50 times but its been about 5 years since I drove furniture in.
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