Job Discussion Forums

[heyduke11]

Thanks people. I am selling almost everything I own to do this. Yes it will be liberating. I just wanted to keep my music and movies ( I haven't even watched 99% of them) and the method to play and listen to them. But I also don't want them taken away. I guess its plan B what ever that is.

[Samantha]

Addressing your original post first, an FM3 isn't all you would need anyway. You would also need a 'Menaje de Casa' which gets approved by your home consulate. This all costs money and is a hassle. You really don't need this for a car load of stuff. It�s designed for those moving their house full of furniture and appliances in the back of a moving truck, and is a one time chance to get it across the border duty free. Customs brokers become involved and, of course, more money.

The winter snowbirds and seasonal retirees come down with their cars packed to the max each year with all sorts of things for their homes in Mexico. As long as the customs officer can see that you have used personal things in your vehicle you shouldn't pay much, if anything, in the way of duty. Bringing across new items will cause you grief. Have an itemized list of what you have in your car and place 'garage sale' value on each item. Don't offer to show the list unless it becomes necessary. Some border crossings are better than others. Nogales is a busy one (Hwy 15), used to seeing thousands of beach-bound tourists and all their possessions. Drive through the "something to declare" line and smile nicely. They will likely take a quick look and send you on your way. If you drive through the "nothing to declare" line and get a red light you should anticipate problems and it will cost you money or possible seizure.

Anyway, if you use common sense, don't drive at night, stick to main and well travelled roads, you should have no problems. Get a good map so you don't accidentally get off the beaten track. At night, stay in a 'motel de paso' where your car will have complete security. They are walled in 'privacy' motels situated along main roads, and someone on the outside can't see inside the property. You don't even get out of your car until you are parked inside the garage. From the closed garage, you walk straight into your room. Many of the snowbirds stay in these places because aside from loaded down cars, they often have dogs with them. Finding motels which accept pets is difficult in Mexico. Moteles de paso are clean and inexpensive, though you will have to specify that you want the full night and not just a few hours.

[Samantha]

I came across this list. Hope it helps.

[gypsygirl1475]

We're doing the same thing. Selling everything that is bulky and/or worth some mega cash, except some things are going to GoodWill, and the rest with us. I've been trying to convince my huband that he needs to sell some of his tools, but bless his soul, he want's to keep all of them for his business. His brother, father and nephews all have the same business too, and he lones things to them so they don't have to rent them. He said he can haggle his way through the border. We all know what that means.
However it is a hassle trying to get it all sold in time but it's worth the money and less stress. In the end we are still going to have almost a full load with our baggage and I've decide to keep all my camping and fishing gear for the trip down.

[MELEE]

[Guy Courchesne]

No mention of hockey sticks either...I brought 13 through with me once.

[TedSeastrom]

Got to D.F. Jan. 2 from Seattle, WA. I, too, sold everything--the VW GTI, keyboard, furniture, TempurPedic bed (that was hard, given the rock I now sleep on). Gave away the rest. Everything I own fits into two bags "not to exceed 62 linear inches and 50 lbs." Scanned my library of 154 books. Everything else is online: Skype for phone (plus a local prepaid cellular service). International mail management service with a US "permanent" address that scans/forwards/shreds/archives mail via website service page. Online banking--ATM/VISA work just fine. Furnished apartment--never want to own a piece of furniture again. I am virtually a virtual Ted. (Actually, the real me is stored in a secure, undisclosed location; a hologram is being projected to D.F.)

[Prof.Gringo]

[Guy Courchesne]

Real cheddar? I've seen some knock-offs at Walmart...stuff that barely deserves the label 'edible product'.

When I say cheddar, man, I mean a sharp breed. A good old cheddar that introduces itself quite rudely the moment it hits the taste buds.

[gypsygirl1475]

Real chedder must be hard to find in Mexico because my hubby pigs out on the stuff when he is here in the states, he always makes us get it from the deli when we go to Wal-Mart or Food Lion. All I ever see in Mexico is the white kind.

[Prof.Gringo]

It says chedder cheese, imported from California. I do believe its the mild variety, though. (sorry Guy ) I thought it was pretty tasty.

Getting good 'ol NorteAmericana cheese is tough here. Makes me want to go to Wisconsin for a weekend and just go crazy, cheesehead style.

[Guy Courchesne]

Don't ever come between a French Canadian and his St. Albert extra forte.

I've come across the mild stuff too. Costco sells a US mild cheddar we pick up frequently.

I came across an excellent goat Chihuahua cheese in a Mi Mercado late last year. I don't much like goat cheese, but this stuff was primo. Cheese with a purpose...strong enough to knock you off the taco stand stool.

...and another Mexico thread derailed by talk of good food.

[gypsygirl1475]

I'm curious about bringing a briefcase with my laptop and full of teaching tools? Do you think they will say much?

[Guy Courchesne]

[gypsygirl1475]

We're driving down so do you think border officials will have a problem or make me pay any taxes?