Truck pulling Trailer

[Talleyho69]

We will be driving a Guerrero plated pick up with a camper shell back to Mexico in the spring. We will probably be towing a small enclosed trailer.

Does it matter what plates we have on the trailer? US or Mexico? If US, do we have to stop and get a permit of any kind?

This could be another interesting topic of discussion!

[navegator]

Talleyho69

No hay de que dar las gracias.

navegator

[Talleyho69]

Thanks!

It sounds as though if we do things the way they are supposed to be done, it will be just another small adventure in life, and moving to Mexico!

[navegator]

Two years ago my wife shipped her house to Mexico, we used a freight service "Transportes Castores" that provided a 53 foot commercial trailer and used the services of a Customs Agent and we had to take some of the stuff with us in the RV and the toad since it did not fit in the huge trailer we had the original copied so that we could use it at the border, they never bothered they were practicing with the X-ray and Gama machine, and that was it we where on our way.

The most important document is the Menaje de Casa inventory with the Consulate Stamps and signature, you will notice that at the bottom of all the pages they will cross out any blank space so that you can not add anything else.

When you get to the border go directly to the area of the Aduana "SAT" and have your Mexican Immigration papers and the Menaje de Casa ready for the agent, chances are that they will look for a few items in the trailer and the back of the truck, make sure that you have your copy not the stamped one but yours so that when the agents asks for an item you have an idea of where it is located, it is a good idea to make a small map of the various items as you pack them, that helps to point the item and the location and speeds the inspection, also have all the cats and K-9 paper work handy.

Since you are transporting your possession you do not need the Customs Agent although check with one just in case that the SAT has changed the rules.

You might spend a few hours or they might see that you have the correct paperwork and let you go on your way.

Bien venidos a Mexico, me voy a tomar un Tequilita en su Honor!

"Welcome to Mexico, I will drink a little Tequila in you honor"

navegator

[Talleyho69]

What great information!

So, our truck will have Guerrero plates, and we'll be sure to buy a cargo trailer with Mexico plates, too.

We have a Consulate 5 miles from us in California, they were incredibly helpful when we got our Permanent Residency, and have already offered their assistance with the Menaje de Casa. We will be sure to use them as much as possible.

We will cross at Nogales. We have had stupid issues at Sonoyita, and will avoid that entire area.

We will list EVERYTHING, including the dogs, their collars, and the cat in his carrier and his litter box.

We will keep our senses of humor, be friendly, helpful, but not offer any information other than what is directly asked (that's tough, but we have learned).

We will also WELCOME any and all information, especially from those that have done this, and appreciate it.

We'll also happily share the information about the fabulous RV spot we are giving up in Zihuatanejo that we have had for the last 8 years.

Please keep the information coming.

[qtla9111]

Now it's getting convoluted. Go to the SAT website and look under menaje de casa. It has all the rules.

[navegator]

From my understanding the trailer and the pickup truck are both plated in Mexico, but if they are bringing a "Menaje de Casa" with a Guerrero Mexico plated pickup truck and a USA plated trailer, the trailer might be given a 15 day TIP.

navegator

[Tequila]

navegator wrote:
The trailer with US plates needs a permit.

That crossing should be fun to watch, lots of eyebrows going up aand down.

navegator

Not if its a cargo trailer, it will get added to the truck permit. I did that for several years. The trailer and the ATV I had in there were both added to the truck permit.

[navegator]

From my understanding, you are now residents of Mexico, you are moving permanently and are bringing some items from your residence in the USA, if so the proses is as follows:

I am counting on the fact that you are able to provide evidence that you own or owned a house and lived in the USA for one year minimum prior to your move to Mexico, they do not need to know that you might have been some where else, do not volunteer any more information other than what is needed, to prove that you live in the USA ,property taxes work great telephone receipts, light, water, gas, ETC.

1. Make an inventory list, itemizing every item that you intend to "import" including all electrical items with Make, model and serial number.
Everything that is being transported in the pickup cabin, even stuffed under the seats or behind, and everything that goes in the attached cabin, and of course the trailer, make several copies.
Make sure that the clothes that you are bringing with you are also in that list, list them as "articulos de ropa personal" and that even the suit cases are included, anything and everything that is coming to Mexico with you!

2 Go to the nearest Mexican Consulate and have them issue a Permiso de Importacion de Menaje de Casa, hand the Consul the itemized list.
The itemized list is going to be returned to you with the appropriate stamps and signatures, this will be shown to the Agente Aduanal at the border (SAT).

WARNING DO NOT CROSS IN THE FOLLOWING GATES!

San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, any gate in Mexicali, any gate in Yuma, and specially in Lukeville, all of these crossings end up in Sonoyta, and the Aduana there is the worst in all of Mexico, they will make you take everything down and charge you 130 dollars for the guys that unpack and repack, they do not let you do it, and they will find some excuse to get a bribe from you.

Cross the border anywhere from Nogales to Texas, if you are going down the pacific coast go through Nogales or your crossing of preference except the ones mentioned above.

Since you are bringing the items your self you do not need a customs broker but the Menaje de casa with the consulates stamps and signatures will enable you to go trough customs a lot faster.

Do not bring anything that is not included in the itemized list unless they are nick knack's as "regalos"

Hope it helps.

navegator

[qtla9111]

Talleyho69 wrote:
We won't be taking a US plated vehicle into Mexico next year, only our Guerrero plated truck and obviously (thanks to you!) our little trailer with Mexico plates. It isn't a travel trailer, just a small enclosed trailer to hold our stuff for our one time movement of household items, and not many of those.

Any idea how it is with just our "stuff" coming in in Mexican vehicles?

I hope I'm not giving you info you already have but here is a good link for the "menaje de casa" or list of household goods you can import one time only.

Menaje de Casa

They will probably make you unload everything and do an inventory in front of them.

Or are you asking about the utility trailer?

[Talleyho69]

We won't be taking a US plated vehicle into Mexico next year, only our Guerrero plated truck and obviously (thanks to you!) our little trailer with Mexico plates. It isn't a travel trailer, just a small enclosed trailer to hold our stuff for our one time movement of household items, and not many of those.

Any idea how it is with just our "stuff" coming in in Mexican vehicles?

[qtla9111]

As permanent residents you cannot own American plated vehicles. You can do most of the work via internet using a custom's broker. You can send requests to many and look for the best estimate.

When I imported our travel trailer, it cost about 22% of the trailer price for importacion taxes, pedimento, etc. Not a difficult task but if you go to the border with out prearrangement, you waste a lot of time.

All customs brokers have warehouses or lots on the U.S. side where you can keep your vehicle while they are doing the paperwork. They will then walk you across the border with the paperwork in hand and get the rv through without a problem.

I've done it twice with different brokers and the procedure was the same.

[Talleyho69]

We own the vehicle, and have our permanent residency, so it's legal, and insured.

We are working with our local Consulate, and have all of the forms we need for moving our household items down. Yes, itemize each box, in Spanish, on their forms, and make loads of copies.

Next question is do we believe the Consulate and just arrive at the border with all of our paperwork and lots of time, or do we hire a customs broker? We'd LOVE to hear about other's experiences with this.

It's for next year, so we have time.....

[moisheh]

Trlr needs a 6 month tip. It may have to be tied to the tow vehicle. Not possible with a Mex truck. May be illegal for a foreigner to drive a Mex plated vehicle that is not yours. No insurance for sure.

[navegator]

The trailer with US plates needs a permit.

That crossing should be fun to watch, lots of eyebrows going up aand down.

navegator