Job Discussion Forums

heyduke11 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

I am wanting to move to Mexico. My question is this. It is my understanding that to get a FM 3 one must have a address in Mexico. If i don't have a address this means I will have to go to Mexico rent a house get a address, come back to the USA, get my stuff and go back. Sooooo what is a person allowed to take into Mexico on a tourist visa? Is there a web site that would tell me what I can bring in or what the cost would be? I am looking to move to San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas. That is a long drive at $3.00 a gal. I would want to do it only once if possible.

gypsygirl1475 · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 78

Here's a webpage that might help. http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/whatstuff.html
I'm sure that many more will contribute soon. This is an ongoing issue it seems.

MO39

MELEE · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject:

Can I ask some questions?

Why drive to Chiapas? Why do you want to have a car in Chiapas? What do you think you will do with the car? What car is it? Year and model? Who's going to fix it? Where will you get the parts?
It will probably be more trouble than it is worth. Chiapas is one area where I wouldn't recommend a foriegner explore by car. Chiapas and heavy drug cartel areas of the north are really the only places where a foriegner travelling alone by car is in danger. Especially if you have your car loaded with household goods.

I have a car, but I also have two small children (still in car seats), if I didn't have the children, I wouldn't have a car. It is a lot of trouble, almost more than it's worth.

I recommend you take a look at the People's Guide to Mexico. It's a book and there is also a website.

heyduke11 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

I want to drive because I have too much stuff to take on a plane or a bus. I also want the freedom of a truck. I am taking a white water raft and all the gear, plus a espresso machine & grinder, 1000 cds & 500 DVDs, Surround sound system. Anyway you get the picture. As the Delbert McClinton song says Too Much Stuff. I could get robbed in my own town here in the states if I went to the wrong part of town. I realize that Mexico isn't the states but I guess thats what I like about it. I have been to Chiapas many times before on a Tourist visa and never felt that my life was in Danger.

gypsygirl1475 · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 78

We were going to bring our stuff too but the taxes made us change our minds. Plus family is more important than my material items that can be replaced. I have to sell my Mustang for a truck, we need it for my husbands business in Mexico.Everyone is different...

As for feeling safe in Mexico... I feel more safe in Mexico than here in the states. The past few months here we have been broken into 4 times, we were told to move but won't be able to till Feb when we move to Mexico. We've had to sneak in and out of the house or play car rotation games so people think some one is in the house at all times and I have to pack up the laptop and digital camera and take it with me when I leave. Mexico has always felt more safe to me, though I'm sure there are unsafe areas. When we party all night in my neighborhood in Mex. till 4am the streets are dead and I feel more safe there than here at 4am.( or anytime of day)
Sorry to babble on... Embarassed

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

I doubt your life will ever be in danger on Mexican highways (beyond Edomex or New Jersey drivers)...just your wallet. I think Melee was alluding more to the idea that the cops are going to have a field day with you eliciting bribes of all kinds.

I think you'll have some trouble on the border with the CDs and DVDs. 1000s is a little much to call 'personal'. Consider putting them into a more easily transportable format or leave them at home.

I had a hard enough time bringing cheddar cheese through the airport. Worked out in the end, though I did have to sit through a border agent's 10 minute spiel on how good Mexican cheese is and all the varieties he recommended I try. Laughing

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:53 am Post subject:

heyduke11 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

Well looks like I need to buy a I Pod and a 1 terabite HD. Thanks for the info.

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

20 CDs
Not sure how many DVDs.
Once transferred to .mp3 or .ogg you can fit about 10,000 songs in 5 Gigas.

Sell your stuff It'll be liberating. You can buy a very nice little stove top expresso maker here in Mexico. Mine is stainless steal, but I saw a silver one for sale recently...
Bring the raft, you'll need to rent it out to supplement your teaching income in Chiapas.

You life is not in danger, your possessions are. You don't need them and you don't need to flaunt them to all the road checkers, they will relieve you of them simply because. Military, Transito, Zapatistas, other autonomous groups who routines close the Chiapan highways. This year has been a very bad year for Chiapas economically.

heyduke11 · Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 8

First of all I want to thank everybody for all of their replys. That is why I came here is because you people live in Mexico and I don't. I have been there many times as a tourist. I know that I would not be able to take 1000 cds and DVD's without paying some import tax, I just wondering what the going rate is. As far as the espresso machine goes, there is no way I could sell it. Its my baby. People move to Mexico every year and from what I hear most have no problem. So why am I going to be that person who is harrased by everybody between Brownsville and San Cristobal and removed of my possions and money by everybody from the police to the Zapitistas. If Mexico is that bad and corrupt then why does everybody on this form live there?

MO39 · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject:

MELEE · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:08 pm Post subject:

Depending on the day, official, or color of your shirt, you may not be able to pay import taxes. You may be refused entry with those items, or they may be confiscated, or then again they may not even bat an eyelash and you'll have no problem. It's a gamble. You can't bring the CDs if you are searched, even if you offer to pay the tax because that's Mexico's nod at fighting piracy. I once came in with over 20 CDs, but through the airport and got the green light, no search. A coworker got the read light, but talked his way out of it arguing that as an FM3 holder he was neither a tourist nor a permant resident, and the regulations stated x number for tourists, x number for citizens and permant residents.
Like MO said, most of us flew in with two bags. Also most of us were looking to get out of the material rat race.
You're the only one who can decide how much you're willing to risk. We are just pointing out what the risks may be.

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

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

Amen to the liberation of getting rid of your stuff. A side bonus is the chunk of cash you can make doing it - I sold all of my cd's after putting them on my computer/ipod, my big book collection, a lot of tools, and random other stuff in a moving sale and made a few thousand dollars to help finance my trip down here.

If I were you, I would allow myself an indulgence or two about the things you're super passionate about (Espresso machine? Rafting gear? You have some large passions.), and ditch the rest. Anything you're seriously pining for after a few months, you can always buy in Mexico later, probably for cheaper (I'm thinking dvds, here).

And I drove down from Chicago, via California, without problems in a loaded-down car, but only came as far as Guadalajara. Good luck.