Job Discussion Forums

M@tt · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 473 Location: here and there

Hi,
I'll be driving back to Mexico in a couple weeks (probably crossing the border around January 6). I'm planning to cross at Brownsville/Matamoros since my final destination is in Veracruz. I already have an FM3 which will last until Aug 1, 2004--work at ITESM. I completely own my car. I am a US citizen. I want to bring in 2 laptops (both used), two iPods, two digital cameras, a PlayStation 2, maybe a CD changer, a couple hundred books, and about 15 skateboards.

My questions are :
What documents do I need for my car?
Where do I buy Mexican car insurance (any suggestions, really)?
What has been your experience crossing the border into Mexico by car, in terms of how strictly they searched your belongings? Has anyone been taxed or fined for bringing in too much (especially in the way of electronics)?
Is there anything I should know about driving down the coast toward Veracruz port?
Hmm... I'm sure there are more questions in here somewhere but I can't remember them right now. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

MELEE · Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2004 9:36 pm Post subject:

So Matt,

how did it go?

You didn't post your request early enough for me to respond to it before vacation.

If you had, I would have suggested you do more internet research first. You should be able to find the list of things you are entitled to bring into Mexico, duty free, as an FM3 holder. I'm certain that you can not bring duplicate things in, and certainly not ten same or even similar new items.

As for Insurance, Sanbourn's seems to be the best for foriegn residents, and yes, that as in the restuarant chain.

Several years ago, I crossed the boarder at Laredo-Nuevo Laredo, with a friend of mine in her car. We both had FM3 and the car was loaded with stuff (but no duplicates). We had a bread machine, a VCR, a printer, a toaster oven, in terms of appliances, a loads of other personal affects, oh yeah and camping equipment. The car was a two door hatch back with the back seat folded down, and the back was completely filled to about the height of our necks, when we sat in the front seats. All the stuff was covered by a area rug, to protect it from curious eyes, the sun, or what ever on our five day treck to Oaxaca.
This is what happened when we pulled up to the customs area just after dark in late December. We were asked to get out of the car. One official was looking at our visas, one asked to have the hatch opened, one went to the passengerside door, and put the seat forward. At about the same time that the hatch was opened and things started toubling out of the hatch, things started toubling out of the front, where the front seat had been put forward. I don't know if it had been a long day for these guys or what, but both officials kind of went AAAHHH! and stuffed everything back in and closed the doors and told us to go. Maybe they thought we'd be there all night repacking or thought we looked really inocent or who knows, but they didn't actually see any of the stuff we had with us. If I thought that history would repeat itself, I'd spend all of my savings on refurbished laptops and bring them down here to sell. But I know we were just lucky that day.

My last word of advise for anyone thinking of bringing a car down to Mexico from the US--WHAT car you want to bring makes a world of difference. It may turn into your worst nightmare if you have to try to have parts Fedexed to you!

M@tt · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 473 Location: here and there

Hi,
It's okay, I didn't even do it. That was an interesting story though, and more or less echoes what happened to me in the airport. I was a little concerned about bringing some things and I got the red light in customs. Some 19 year old girl and her giggly friends spent about 1 minute pushing things around in my bag and making dirty jokes to each other about one of their co-workers. Then she let me go. It was a joke, since I brought in lots of stuff that I sold yesterday. These things weren't particularly tax-worthy though--mostly skateboards and shoes. However, I realized that if I had buried 6 laptops at the bottom of the suitcase, especially in the area where you pick up your luggage (which is where I partially repacked my bags anyway), you could probably slide right through and then make $2000 profit at the local branch of ITESM. Of course this is highly dishonest and I don't recommend it to anyone.

My mother and best friend both flaked out and refused to drive 4 days down only to hop on a bus to the airport and fly back home. Imagine the nerve. So I decided I will drive back in July, when it's nice and hot, the days are 6 hours longer, and there will be enough time to make a trip out of it. I don't particularly believe in research because the information on-line, and even from embassies, varies so widely it's practically useless. I'd rather rely on personal anecdotes. My director's husuband is from New Orleans and has driven back and forth every 6 months for 8 years, never had a problem, and used to bring back EVERYTHING in a winebago (sp?). The guy built a huge house here mostly out of crap he brought back in his camper, if you can imagine.

In the mean time, I have decided that as long as I live in Mexico I might as well buy the latest and greatest in electronics and sell them used a year later at the same cost in order to cover plane tickets. i haven't actually done much of this yet but with proper advertising and a large pool of rich 18 year olds, it shouldn't be hard.

well, i'm going to go put the dirty capitalist in me back in the cage. thanks for the advice,
matt

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: wimped out

hooshootoo · Joined: 27 May 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Louisiana

I don't understand all of the things I hear about how much it costs to bring your car, computers, pets, etc. into Mexico. I was advised not to get my FM3 until I got there. Come in on a tourist visa - then "change your mind and stay" - and there is no problem at all in bringing in your car. In addition, "you can bring a laptop but not a PC" unless you document the used value of the PC, prove it is for work, and get special permission from the Mexican consulate... well - a gazillion snowbirds bring their PCs in every year and nobody says anything at all. I brought mine - with documentation of value and proof it would be used for work, but no special permission - and not a word was said. Then there is the matter of pets. I spent a fortune documenting 4 animals... and TRIED to get someone to look at the documentation. They just laughed at me. I did, however, need documentation for the animals when I brought them back. As for car insurance, you can buy temporary insurance at the border and then find a good insurance agent when you get where you are going. None of this is nearly as hard as "the rules" say it is.