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Information on every topic for living on Lake Chapala
www.focusonmexico.com
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MEXICAN CUSTOMS REGULATIONS (ADUANA)
IMPORTING PERSONAL GOODS
The following
information is courtesy of Lic. Adriana Perez Flores at Ajijic Legal &
Immigration Services, Ajijic.
Telephone (376) 766-4777 or 4888.
www.ajijiclaw.com or
info@ajijiclaw.com
Most
foreigners at one time or another bring personal items or household goods across
the border into Mexico.
Whether it was in your luggage flying in, in your car driving in, or in a
transport truck you hired to bring down
your items. This has always been a straightforward simple matter, and still is
if it's done right. But things are
changing and the rules are now being strictly enforced.
We will not discuss the
rules and regulations of flying in, (Please see
table below.), as you never travel
with
furniture and appliances. However, when traveling via car into Mexico, many
people often bring items such as
small kitchen appliances (toasters and kettles for example) lamps, art, or any
item that makes their stay here
more comfortable. These items have never drawn the attention from customs when
driving in, eyen if you got
the red light at the border of the 25 km checkpoint. As of 2004 these items
must be declared at the
Mexico/US border. If you do not make such declarations, customs at the
checkpoint can arrest you, and
confiscate your vehicle and contents. If a declaration is made, and certain
items are left and found later,
the same results will happen, arrest and confiscation. Please remember, if your
possessions are confiscated,
you will not get them back as you would have been charged with smuggling.
When moving large loads in
a truck, or even in your own large vehicle, the importation list you had
authorized
from a Mexican consulate must be accurate. Anyone who obtains a new FM-3 or
FM-2 has a 6-month window
to move his or her personal belongings into Mexico duty free. These lists must
be filled out according to what
is in each box. For example, box one contains 5 towels, 6 glasses, and a Sony
radio, model number XYZ and
serial number 123. Box two contains etc, etc. Once this list is completed, in
Spanish, a Mexican consulate in
the country from which you are traveling must authorize it. This list or the
boxes cannot be changed or altered
later without having the list recertified. Most household items are
permissible for bringing into Mexico if done
properly, except if the items are brand new, then you must report them as new
and pay the appropriate duties.
If mistakes are made such as two transposed digits in a serial number, they will
be overlooked. But if an
inspection is done on your items crossing the border, and more significant
mistakes are made such as not
including a model or serial number, customs will start to inspect your items
more closely. If they find errors on
items totaling more than $30,000 pesos, you will be arrested for smuggling, and
your possessions will be
confiscated and sold at auction. Even if you hire a company to import your
items for you, you are still liable
for any mistakes made to the inventory list, as you are the one who obtained it.
The moving company will have
their own set of problems as well if they try to deal with these kinds of
mistakes.
We are not trying to tell everyone that these worse case scenarios are going to
happen to every individual, but
this is the law. With confirmed reports of actual customs vehicles being beyond
the 25 km checkpoint and
turning people around and bringing them back to the checkpoint, it would seem
the Mexican Custom Officials
are now enforcing these laws.
WHAT
CAN I BRING BACK INTO MEXICO?
|
Articles
for personal use, new or used in quantities reasonable for the duration of
your trip. |
|
A video,
movie, or still camera, with its case and power supply and up to 12 rolls of
film or videocassettes. |
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Printed
or filmed matter. |
|
A used
sports article, which may commonly be transported by 1 person. |
|
Books
and magazines, in a quantity not to be used for commercial purposes. |
|
Medicines for personal use, with a prescription for any narcotics. |
|
A
portable computer, new or used, laptop, notebook, Omnibook, or similar. |
|
Adults
may bring up to 3 liters of wine, beer, or liquor, up to 20 cartons of
cigarettes, 200g of tobacco,
or 25 cigars. In the case that you wish to bring more than 25 cigars, the
quantity must comply with regulations and fees of other authorities. |
|
The
bags, boxes, or luggage used to transport the above. |
IF YOU ARE
NOT A RESIDENT OF MEXICO, YOU MAY ALSO BRING THE ENTIRE ABOVE PLUS:
|
A pair
of binoculars. |
A
camping tent and equipment. |
|
A
television not to exceed 12 inches diagonal. |
A set of
fishing gear. |
|
A
portable radio or tape recorder. |
A pair
of water skis. |
|
2 laser
discs. |
2 tennis
racquets. |
|
20 CD's
or tapes of music. |
5 toys. |
|
A
typewriter. |
Scuba
equipment. |
|
A
musical instrument, which may commonly be transported by 1 person.
|
A VCR. |
IN
ADDITION, IF YOU ARE FLYING INTO MEXICO:
|
Up to
$300 US in other articles you are bringing with you, unless your port of
arrival is within 25 miles of the border, in which case it is $50 US,
excepting your alcohol and tobacco. |
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