Job Discussion Forums

brianrex · Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Vancouver BC

Hi guys
Do they still have the stop lights at customs? What do you say if you press a red and have a suitcase with ESL books and apostilized documents? I was told at DHL it would cost about $100 to send documents to Mexico City. What did you guys do?

danielita · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 281 Location: SLP

I was super paranoid about the documents thing but fortunately I had a suitcase where the liner unzipped, so I stashed my documents in there. As for the books, I traveled by car so the books were in a box at the bottom with novels and the like on top. I was prepared to tell them that they were for professional development and that perhaps I would volunteer during my stay. I got the green light so I'm not certain what their response would have been.

MELEE · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:37 pm Post subject:

There is nothing illegal about carrying around your professional credentials.

Besides this is Mexico, not Japan. The immigration officials are not out to get young English speakers looking to teach illegally in their country. I've never heard of anyone having been questioned for the type of books they had with them.

notamiss · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: Bring documents with or FedEx

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

kosherpickle · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

ahah, i so have plans to bring new york sharp cheddar cheese with me into mexico. that and some reese's peanut butter cups.
like 20 pounds of both.

Oreen Scott · Joined: 11 Jan 2008 Posts: 179 Location: Oaxaca, Mexico

This might be a silly question, but why wouldn't you bring documents and books if your intention is to teach?

Isn't it standard practice to enter the country on a vistor's visa, get a job, have your employer apply for a FM-3?

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

One time coming through Mexican customs, the inspector noticed that I'd marked down that I was returning from Canada with food.

"What kind of food?" he asked.
"Peanut butter."
He looked puzzled. "But you can buy peanut butter here..."
"Not like this," I replied as i pulled out a 5 kilo jar of peanut butter from Costco.
"Oh!" he said. "You must really like peanut butter..."

Razz

notamiss · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:33 am Post subject:

I stand corrected about the cheese. The confiscation incident actually happened quite a few years ago (probably pre-NAFTA; that might have something to do with it).

On another note, we spotted some Reeses peanut butter cups at the 7/11 a couple weeks ago, so they are here in Mexico. I don't know how the price compares, though; these were ten pesos for a double pack.

Costco has mild and old cheddar.

MO39 · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:06 am Post subject:

kosherpickle · Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 93

i need SHARP cheddar to be truly happy in this life! I will hunt down this costco.

I am also sad about the lack of Dr Pepper. I was in a Gigante the other day and they had ONE can of diet Dr Pepper sitting out on display to tease me, I couldn't find anymore anywhere else.

Not that Mexico does not make up for it with tons of new and wonderful foods, but those foods are some of my favorites and it would be sad not to have them.

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

sarliz · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Jalisco

Anybody know of any anti-syrup laws?

I plan on bringing back a jug of 100% Real Maple Syrup, and requiring any future visitor to do the same. Or does someone have a Guadalajara source for my liquid crack?

notamiss · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject:

The Costco I shop at in DF often has big jugs of beautiful pure maple syrup from Canada, and at the same price as Canada. I don't know about Guadalajara.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City