Changes @ KM21 and other border areas.

moisheh wrote:
This type of corruption happens at KM21 in Sonora all the time. Only it is Mexicans who are the victims. In every town and village in Sonora there are local residents with second hand stores. Most of the goods come from yard sales in Tucson and beyond. Typically the owner of the store travels to AZ every week. He will usually have a 1/2 ton and maybe a trailer. When he gets to 21 the vehicles are loaded as high as is legally possible. Every nook and cranny is filled with goodies: furniture, appliances, clothing, small appliances and more. One of the aduaneros will examine the list of goods and come out to inspect the goods. At this point the driver is given a choice: Pay a "fee" to the audanero and carry on or unload the truck and trailer so the goods can be examined. The driver usually takes option one. Cost is between $100 and $150 usd. Option 2 is a disaster. At least 4 hours and the goods are scattered all over the parking lot. I have been told( not verified) that there is a system similar to tips in a restaurant. All of the "fees" are pooled with the shift boss taking the biggest share. Great business model.

Moisheh

Happened this summer to a good friend, a Permanent Resident of Mexico. Returning to Mazatlan from Canada with a used vehicle to import, filled with personal belongings from his storage locker, was told he had to completely empty the vehicle so that it (the vehicle) could be inspected for the importation. With the assistance of his broker and $100.00 UDS to the head of Aduana, he managed to not have to do that, nevertheless, he cleared Km 21 AT 3:00PM, having arrived at 8:30 AM. :h :S Needlss to say, he didn't make Maz that day!