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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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Crossing south with meats, veggies and whatnot
A few weeks ago someone stated they were frowning on the stuff from NOB? Can anyone confirm they are still hungry for goodies and eager for donations
at the border?
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Woody, we crossed a few days after this warning. To be honest, I packed my ice chest towards the front of my truck bed just in case. As it turned
out, we were waved through at San Ysidro. We are never waved through in the wee morning hours unlike crossing early evening. So your guess is as
good as mine.
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MMc
Super Nomad
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Registered: 6-29-2011
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Mood: Current
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I did it a couple weeks ago. When we head south and cross before daylight the proteins are with the dry ice. They don't seem care about the veges. I I
take something down for the old guys Is in boxes buried. If we are not in a hurry we shop for stuff in Ensenda.
Crossing before 5:00 seams a bit more relaxed.
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64837
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Non of the trucks and Jeeps had an issue at the (Mexicali downtown) border, even with (empty) gas cans in plain view. Frigatebird was stopped, but
once they looked at the camper, he was on his way and joined us shortly.
[Edited on 4-14-2015 by David K]
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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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problem is i'll be towing the tin soldier with the motor in the bed of the truck so I'm going to get the rubber glove treatment while they check my
registration(s) and that allows the other bunch of knuckleheads to get curious about all my stuff.
I really don't have an issue buying in Baja, it's just the time constraints, finding a spot to park 35' of rig and coming out to (hopefully) find my
stuff still in the boat.
perhaps a smaller cooler in the nose of the bed with the meats and veggies?
[Edited on 4-14-2015 by woody with a view]
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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When I compare NOB store prices to local Baja produce, I don't see much benefit in bringing it. Unless this is something that doesn't grow here, like
apples. Or special diet like lean meats or "natural food".
Would make sense for a tourist on a short trip though - saving precious vacation time.
It's interesting that in the evening they are more lenient - more tired perhaps. I thought I noticed a similar effect during hangover hours following
major holidays, but wasn't sure.
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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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Crossing south with meats, veggies and whatnot
Never had a problem with meat or veggies, however they are serious about bringing whatnot in.......
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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I wouldn't sweat it too much Woody. The folks at Chaparral are really cool and welcoming in my opinion.
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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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We shall see!
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Travel Tips from USA Today:
''Mexico Food Restrictions
When making your way into Mexico across the U.S. border, you cannot bring any meat or produce into Mexico. According to Adventure Mexican Insurance
services, these rules are not always enforced at the Mexican border, but you're better off safe than sorry; attempting to bring fruit or meat from the
U.S. could result in your being delayed or even detained. For the most part, packaged and canned food items are A-OK.''
I've only been questioned at the Ag checkpoint, GN, several times 10-15 years ago. My RV fridge has been searched, and while driving a car
different times, I've been asked if I had meat or veggies, so now when crossing there, I drive around. (A big thanks for Shari for showing me the
way!!!!)
While I usually drive with bananas and apples, I would not be comfortable lying about having this stuff. If asked, I would admit to having
bananas/apples rather than risk being searched and caught in a lie. Just my comfort zone. I'd just buy more at a mercado.
I know meat/veggies have been ''forbidden'' for a long time in MX (and usually not enforced), I still expect to be asked about this stuff.
Always expect to be asked about immigration papers too but it's only happened once around Colonet a long time ago.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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Always make a stop for groceries before going over so we don't have to shop for several days......meat, veggies never had a problem. they look
in the cooler and that is that. the whatnot..............hummm nancy
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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Here's my MO.
Use a medium sized (58-70) plus ice chest and put it on the seat immediately behind the drivers seat. This is especially effective if you have only a
super/"king"/club cab instead of a crew cab. Then, hang a token collared shirt/coat on the coat hanger in the back seat to reduce visibility of the
ice chest. Put your seat all the way back and recline the backrest back a bit more than is comfortable, to reduce visibility further. Put your
clothing bags and other stuff on the other side of the ice chest to reduce visibility over there. I really dont cover the top of the ice chest,
'cause if they DO see that rise back there and discover a covered ice chest, it will add suspicion to it's contents, IMO.
Layer the ice chest as follows;
Bottom layer-wine bottles
next layer-ice
next layer-meats
next layer-ice
top layer-cheeses, eggs, produce (I've never had produce questioned; sometimes I'm bringing down asparagus or brussel sprouts, exotic stuff, or decent
lettuces). This is your visible, basically legal layer of stuff so you can say "...see, nothing illegal here!" Maybe a few token gringo beers on top,
too.
Just be sure your ice has maintained most of its quantity, so it still hides the lower layers. Add ice just before the border so it is nice and
opaque.
Truthfully, in a truck, they never seem to be interested in what's in the cab behind the driver. They are always drawn to the items in the bed. Have
some items back their to draw their interest. Recreational stuff, maybe your canned goods, maybe a duffle or clothing bag. LOOK like a vacationer, not
a part time resident.
Maybe I'm over-analyzing this whole thing...........but it has always worked for me.
[Edited on 4-17-2015 by Hook]
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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Hook, they love looking behind my seats. that's where the clothes travel. i'll just bury it in front of the bed. the shell helps keep it hidden.
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msteve1014
Senior Nomad
Posts: 947
Registered: 12-2-2006
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Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  | | Hook, they love looking behind my seats. that's where the clothes travel. i'll just bury it in front of the bed. the shell helps keep it hidden.
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That's funny. They seem to open every box in the bed of my truck and never open the 4 doors to look inside. I have small ARB freezer and no one has
ever looked at it.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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So - leaving smuggling issues aside  - when would the best time to go through El
Chap without being stopped - in the morning or in the evening?
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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 Alm | | So - leaving smuggling issues aside - when would the best time to go through El
Chap without being stopped - in the morning or in the evening? |
Hands down between 4-6 pm!
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: Originally posted by msteve1014 | | Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view | | Hook, they love looking behind my seats. that's where the clothes travel. i'll just bury it in front of the bed. the shell helps keep it hidden.
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That's funny. They seem to open every box in the bed of my truck and never open the 4 doors to look inside. I have small ARB freezer and no one has
ever looked at it. |
EXACTLY, what I have experienced.
But I have no shell on the truck. I do have a truck box (when the camper is not on the truck). All the way forward in the bed is probably a good idea,
Woody.
Thought for sure you were going to ask.........what's a collared shirt?
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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...or why would you need it in Baja  )
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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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along with 1/2 of the residents of TJ returning home from work. no thanks!
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Robertofox
Junior Nomad
Posts: 92
Registered: 10-19-2006
Location: Leucadia & Pta Chivato
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Mood: One more for the ditch !
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My 2 cents...I've been crossing around 10am at TJ. Check in for visa papers then hit it to the check point, they stop me, look in the back, coolers
right in plane site and easy to get to. They say have a good trip, I say gracias and adios! And yes, I'm now driving while dreaming of the marinated
Tri-Tip going on the BBQ later.......yup! Works for me so far. Yes, I know some day I'll get caught. If they ask if I have meat? I'll say yes, some
packaged hot dogs.
Happy Trails....
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