Making customs declarations when entering Mexico

[whaley96]

I was wondering if anyone had ever made declarations of items they were bringing into Mexico at the border and if so what was the process they went through. For example, did the customs officials go through your rig and look at everything in it or just ask to see what it was you had declared?
This will be our eighth trip into Mexico and we have always gotten a greenlight I'm wondering what happens when you make a declaration or if you get a red light. any stories would be appreciated.

[moisheh]

The whole inspection procedure is a farce. Often they do not ask for your passport or even your name. Many times they do not record your plate #'s. The place for a proper inspection ( for security) is at the border. I crossed this morning and although I got a red light I was waved through. Mexico has no record of my name or anything else.

Moisheh

[whaley96]

Well I guess I spoke too soon.

We crossed at the Columbia bridge on Monday at 8:15. We didn't get a red light. The lights did not appear to be working. Instead we were directed to move beyond the stopping point and pull over, stop, get out and open up the trailer. As someone on this forum predicted, the inspector opened some cabinets and then told us we were good to go. THE INTERESTING THING was that this scenario reoccured four more times, once at the 27 Km checkpoint, twice with the federal police and another with the army. None occurred on a toll road. The most thorough of the inspections was done by the Army on Route 57, after I mentioned that we had been inspected four times that day already. I don't know whether I should be happy that there are so many check points and theoretically increased security, or upset that they were seemingly picking on an RVer. Go figure.

[sparksmex]

El gobierno federal anunció el cierre gradual de las garitas –oficinas aduanales que operan a decenas de kilómetros dentro del territorio nacional

http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2013/11/29/politica/016n1pol

Sounds like Aduana to me?

[moisheh]

sparksmex: It was my understanding that they are closing 12 military inspection stations. Nothing to do with Aduana. That is what I read in El Imparcial.

Moisheh

[sparksmex]

Customs is closing their border stations gradually. 12 were closed last week. No English news yet but ...

Google "cierre de las garitas" for articles in Spanish

[RonYVickie]

We've always had a check-list at Nogales for TV's, computers, etc. I think the "not regularly enforced" says it all. Mexicans always tell us - "we have lots of regulations - but nobody ever enforces them". kind of refreshing ! We're in PV right now, going further afield in January. The processions to the church and the New Year fireworks are too good to miss ! RYV

[whaley96]

Really appreciated all of your responses. I feel much more comfortable now.

[Turtle-Toad]

Its been awhile (2005)since I've had to get a TIP for my RV but back then they had a check-list form that you filled out listing your personal items; on it were things like cameras, TVs, computers, tools, hunting & fishing gear, electrical and electronic items, etc. Since I was full-timing it and running a business out of my coach, I had a LOT more of every catagory than a typical tourists, I took it one step further and made up an inventory of everything I had in the coach. I just stapled my list to the check-list and submitted it. They never bothered to even look in the door.

I figured that, with all my stuff, I might have a problem getting back into the US, so if I could show that I'd brought the stuff in with me I'd be able to get it back out. Total waste of time. No one on either side has ever asked me about the almost complete wood & electrical shop I had stored in the basement compartments; Even though they've opened up some of the compartments and looked right at the stuff!

[Canadian_Rainbi]

We are always checked. Maybe because we use the more quiet crossings. Never had a problem. They don't ask what we have, just a look through, sometime more thorough that others.

Edited for typo.

[navegator]

Some items that are manufactured in Mexico are prohibited from being "imported" or have taxes, refrigeratos, freezers, washing machines, dryers, are manufactured in Mexico, Westinghouse, General Electric, Ford, Chevrolet, 3M, and a lot of chains like Home Depot, Walmart, Sams Club, ETC. Sell items manufactured in Mexico and some imported from the US.

Some areas in some cities look the same as cities in the US with all the "American" stores and food chains, so importing items that are sold or manufactured in Mexico and getting the RED light can be a dent in the wallet.

If you are only going to be a "TURISTA" and only travell in Mexico, then all your property should be returning to the US. It is the same for a tourist visiting the US, importing some items are frouned upon by Customs.

navegator

[bigdog2]

Couple of years ago we bought a small chest type freezer in Yuma for our own use here. The only way it would fit was straight in the door of the motorhome, out of the box. Knowing it would be seen I stuck the receipt under the lid. Sure enough we got the red light. I showed the receipt & explained I thought we were allowed a certain dollar amount duty free. They said 'no' and, based on the cost of the freezer, charged me $16.00.

[iguana07]

I have had beef asked for at the Baja checks also. I was told by the border crossing aduanero that it has been a law for awhile just not regularly enforced. Ask for the list at the border for prohibited items. Beef will be on it. But I would only ask for it if you had nothing to hide.

[tony_lee]

When I'm asked, I start off slowly "weeeeell, I've got .." and just about then they all say have a nice trip (or equivalent in whatever language) and wave me through.

[moisheh]

The actual regulations are posted at some border crossings. There is a list of items that can be brought in when you are in an RV. It includes one TV, one camera and film( yes film) and some other items. The rest is subject to duty. If those rules were followed none of us would ever be able to visit Mexico. In over 22 years of entering Mexico I have had my share of red lights. I have been questioned about items but never had any problems. Any stories you hear are usually because this person had an attitude problem and p---ed off the Aduanero. There are things that are prohibited: used clothing,weed killers and fertilizer, poisons, potting soil, etc. That list is also posted somewhere at the border. Our last crossing was unreal. We were never stopped or spoken to by anyone.

Moisheh