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Doug/Vamonos
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Registered: 6-19-2006
Location: Bahia de los Angeles
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How to import wood and supplies across border?
Hi. I need to haul a lot of wood across the border in a couple weeks. I've been told I need to go through at Otay Mesa. I prefer to buy in LA Bay but
the logistics and price don't work. And I want a lot of pressure treated wood and 16' lumber that Home Depot in Ensenada doesn't sell. So...I plan to
load my trailer and truck with it and drive across. Unless someone knows of a reliable source in Ensenada or elsewhere I can buy it at after crossing.
I need about 50 2x4x8, 12 pieces of tongue and groove OSB 4x8, 20 pieces of 2x10x16, and 6 4x4x8 pressure treated. Thanks. It was also suggested to
get a broker for the border crossing?
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OCEANUS
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Location: Dana Point; L.A. Bay
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Did you get an explanation for why you needed to cross at Otay?
I have hauled down constructions supplies in the past in separate, smaller loads and have always crossed at San Ysidro.
I've presented the receipts and paid the import tax/fee (which was nominal considering that I was bringing down quality material as opposed to what
you may get at the Ensenada Home Depot) and was on my way.
Never heard of needing a broker either.
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Doug/Vamonos
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Location: Bahia de los Angeles
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Two people told me they showed up at SY and were told to turn around and go to Otay. Did you do this recently? Thanks for the reply.
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SlyOnce
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Since you have a trailer Otay would be easier. However, I've seen similar loads crossing at SY. People cross construction materials every day. Just
go to the "Items to Declare", park, show receipts, and pesos, and be prepared to pay 16%. You'll get a stamped form, and return and go through the
lanes. No need for a customs broker IMHO.
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Bob and Susan
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Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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here is what I think you should do...
fullerton is only 2 hours from the border...
drive to otay mesa crossing (m-f)...
without trailer or wood
the other crossings will send you back with wood don't try it
at SY they will take you to the side and have someone escort you to the "secret return gate"...you'll lose about 2 hours crossing time
pull into secondary and ask what they need so you can cross in a couple of weeks with your trailer
they probably have it in writing
now...follow the rules
it's easy to flip a u and drive right back to the usa at otay mesa
remember the wood list you quoted is really heavy...
have good tires for the trip
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Pacifico
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Doug, check out this old thread:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=39270#pid4243...
I bought a bunch of lumber in Maneadero and avoided the hassle of trying to import it...
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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Doug/Vamonos
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Thanks Pacifico! I will definitely call them. I'm using my bro's trailer which he regularly tows his CJ-5 on so weight should not be a problem. My
primary issue is finding the 2x10x16s and madera tratada. If they have them then it's a go!
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Pacifico
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Quote: Originally posted by Doug/Vamonos  | | Thanks Pacifico! I will definitely call them. I'm using my bro's trailer which he regularly tows his CJ-5 on so weight should not be a problem. My
primary issue is finding the 2x10x16s and madera tratada. If they have them then it's a go! |
I'm glad to help! They can get most anything if you give them a couple weeks notice, or at least that was my experience. 2x12x20's were no problem for
them, so you should be good!
Also, found more contact info in my phone! Ask for Ulises Nunez; he speaks English. 011-52-646-154-0741. If I remember right, he was the owner or
manager...
"Plan your life as if you are going to live forever. Live your life as if you are going to die tomorrow." - Carlos Fiesta
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Bob and Susan
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The lumberyard is "Los Flemate" and is affiliated with "Construrama"
...they will also deliver to the bay of la
they delivered lots of wood to my neighbors here in mulege on the bay
why haul it and risk problems...think smart
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DENNIS
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Doug.....just curious.....what are you paying up there for #2 Doug Fir 2"x4"x8' ?
Bob is right about Flemate. They have good inventory and service.
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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SFandH
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Registered: 8-5-2011
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There are phytosanitary (pests and pathogens) regulation aspects to moving lumber across borders. That may complicate things. I don't know how the
regs apply to individuals with small loads.
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https://www.nhla.com/nhlablog/posts/attention-exporters-mexi...
Mexico has recently stepped-up enforcement of its phytosanitary regulations, which has caused much confusion. According to APHIS, the following
interim measures have been agreed upon between the USDA APHIS and the SEMARNAT (Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources) until a Work Plan is
signed.
Lumber shipments travelling under SEMARNAT import permits, issued prior to July 2, 2013 will be allowed entry based on current regulations, regardless
of arrival date.
Lumber shipments travelling under SEMARNAT import permits, issued after July 2, 2013 will be required to meet the new NOM 16 regulations.
A phytosanitary certificate will be required.
[Edited on 6-9-2016 by SFandH]
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Doug/Vamonos
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Location: Bahia de los Angeles
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Hi Frank. They also used the i-beams for my garage. Do you remember if they constructed the beams themselves or did they buy them and bring them down?
Thanks.
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Doug/Vamonos
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Location: Bahia de los Angeles
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Thought I'd update this thread. So on Thursday, June 23, I load up with lumber and plywood at Ganahl Lumber (about $1,000 worth) and drive south.
Cross at Otai Mesa and pull into the declare area. Back into a spot and there are probably two dozen other vehicles, mostly trucks full of furniture
and segunda stuff. I find an official looking guy and talk to him. He straight off tells me I can't cross with lumber and have to come back tomorrow
morning and cross with the semi trucks at the first exit before the border. Hundreds of them. No ifs, ands, or buts. No way Jose. So I do some more
talking and basically give him every opportunity to ask for $100 and let me cross. No way. Ain't happening. So he points me to a very attractive lady
who appears to be the boss. He says go talk to her. So I do. She immediate asks me (politely) who sent me to her. So I turn around and point to the
mexican man and he sees me and ducks! She proceeds to ream him a new hole! crap. That didn't go well. So I go back to him and say lo siento amigo.
Then he says he'll go find someone who can do the paperwork for me and help me. Cool. He returns in an hour with a guy with a clipboard who says he'll
do the paperwork for $200. I asked if I can cross then? He says no. I still have to return tomorrow morning and cross with the semis. Long, long story
short. I say screw it. Have them get me back across the border. Return all the lumber to Ganahls for full credit. And now I'll buy it all at Los
Flemate in Maneadero. Moral of the story...it didn't work for me! the gal at Los Flemate is Carmen. She speaks English. Her email is
carmen.sanchez@grupolosflemate.com. I'll do that my next trip in a few weeks. I visited her in Maneadero and explained what I need and she said no
problema. I'll update the thread after this all works.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 8-5-2011
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Thanks for the update. I'm guessing it is the phytosanitary (pests and pathogens) regulations that are the problem and that non-wood
construction materials, probably under a certain value, are OK, but I don't know. It could have been you just had too much.
Did they give you a reason?
Along those lines some friends of mine were sent back to the US at San Ysidro because of a few potted plants in the back seat of their car. They
wouldn't let US dirt into Mexico, probably phytosanitary regs.
Sure would be nice if Mexico posted the regs.
[Edited on 8-9-2016 by SFandH]
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Udo
Elite Nomad
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Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Wise move.
I purchased all of my construction lumber also at Los Flemates.
The workers at Home Depot in Ensenada (except for the paint department) did not give a chit about helping or special ordering things. It was much
easier for them to say "...we don't have it. Can't get it. Or that is all that we carry."
Home Depot in Rosarito and TJ WERE real helpful, however.
My finished house photos are in a previous thread.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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larryC
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Registered: 8-11-2008
Location: BoLA
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Ramon (Pepito) at Homecheapo there in Bahia gets regular weekly deliveries from Flemates. Maybe you can order your stuff through him. In the long run
it may be easier. I got lucky when I built my garage, I was able to bring all my materials across the border.
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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Gulliver
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 11-18-2013
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I bring all sorts of lumber and doors and appliances across at Tecate. I just hand them my receipt and they calculate the tax. I pay it at the bank
right there and head for the immigration guy for my FM3.
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Doug/Vamonos
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Posts: 417
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Location: Bahia de los Angeles
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Hi Larry. I visit pepito all the time and have bought all my blocks, cement, and other supplies from him. Not to mention many, many loads of sand,
rocks, and water. We talked about a delivery from Flemate. He said he would charge too much and it's better to pick it up on my way down. I have a
good trailer so it's pretty easy for me. Are you saying you built that freaking giant garage? I assumed it was existing when you bought the house.
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BajaBlanca
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Location: La Bocana, BCS
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I gotta say, it is so arbitrary. I have brought plants in full view and no one said boo.
we have brought wood across, and no one said boo.
and we have been turned around, which was so disappointing. went to otay, hired a broker and went thru. We had to import the motor that time, plus
other stuff...cost us $400 BUT WE GOT THRU. We live so far south that not being able to get into Mexico is a big headache.
and a friend who was bringing us some gorgeous triangle palms got them confiscated but he wasn't turned around.
it is very arbitrary!
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larryC
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Location: BoLA
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Doug
I built the garage in Oct/Nov of '08 right after I bought the place. The garage is 75'x25' and I should have gone even bigger 'cause it is already
full. No such thing as "too big of a garage". I had Pansonia do all the cement and block work, he used 250 sacks of cement and poured the slab by hand
in less than 2 weeks in July. He's a worker. Anyway I got lucky and was able to bring all the lumber down from NoB but now it not as easy as then.
Good luck with yours.
Larry
Off grid, 12-190 watt evergreen solar panels on solar trackers, 2-3648 stacked Outback inverters, 610ah LiFePo4 48v battery bank, FM 60 and MX60
Outback charge controllers, X-240 Outback transformer for 240v from inverters, 6500 watt Kubota diesel generator.
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