Import Fees?

Okay I feel really silly asking about this green button. I have stuff to bring. Where's the green button! hahaha

Okay - thanks for bumping this up . . . I've never been to Mexico.

 

Leigh - what do you mean about the photographers?

 

Robin

Photog: since they (I assume) do not have work permits for the events they are shooting -they have to sneak their equipment into Mexico. As tecnically they are in mexico as tourists they are only allowed one video camera and one regular cammera per person.

 

If they are caught they would have to import their equipment to the tune of up to 35% tax on the value of the equipment plus fines.

Same goes for OOT goodies. If you are caught you would be liable for fines plus tax.

 

It IS a good idea to have a $50 or $100 dls. bill in your pocket just in case you do have to pay someone a "tip"

 

My best advise always is to do things and ask for forgiveness later and always act dumb.

 

Sadly, If you do try to do things right you probably will get swamped in paperwork!!

Wow . . . had no idea. Thanks for the heads up.

If you travel by plane you have the "right" to import $300 USD in merchandise per person, no matter if you are family or not. So I strongly suggest to spread out your stuff in different suitcases and bags so you dont exceed the total amount if the red light bling.

 

If you are a photog or you are in Mexico to work dont declare you come to work , bring your stuff as part of your luggage as tourist , because is true.... they will ask for an special permit to work , etc.. and its going to be a pain..

 

I heard one story of a musician that declared he was here for playing in a concert and the event got cancelled because this guy ended in the jail of the airport.. so, play safe!!!

 

I am so sorry to give this feedback but this is true, bring $20 and $50's to "tip" in case you have issues...

This thread is giving me mixed feelings!!! I am glad it was posted because it's great information...but I don't know if I want to go through all this trouble?? I would think that the best way to not get questioned too much if you get a red light would be to have things spread around...

 

So is it really possible to give the bags to FI if he is first and gets a green light? Or do they really catch on to that?

 

another reason not to do oot bags and maybe buy gifts down there?? Hmmm

It is possible to do the swicheroo on the baggage plus kind of legal. You and your FH (and other family members if you want a third option towards a green light) will have to fill out seperate declartion forms. Then you will each kind of stand toghether with luggage but have him hand his form to the customs agent and he will press button. If he gets green have him grab ALL of the luggage but maybe leave one with your clothes. You will act as if this is your luggage and go through the same procedure. Most of the international airports are a mess each time a flight arrives and you can do this pretty easy. Just go over the system with your family or FH.

Here's what ended up happening with us when we landed in PV. We had some stuff spread out among other travelers, but basically had an entire mega-sized duffle bag with OOT stuff. We got a red light.

 

We get to the inspection table and there are like 3 people working. So 2 of them start on our bags. The girl who was inspecting the duffle bag was on her cell phone and kind of halfway paying attention anyway. She did pick up things like the neck safes, playing cards, dominoes, etc. and look at them a second. The inspector next to her looked at it too, then asked me if I was getting married. I said yes and they zipped our stuff up and let us go.

 

That was it, no hassle. Maybe we were lucky? Someone once mentioned being in Cabo I think and being asked for receipts to verify the value of the items. I don't know how common that is, or if Cabo is more stringent than PV, but we had no problems whatsoever.

 

Leaving PV they inspect your luggage again, and I had some leftover trinkets that the lady inspecting thought were cute. She called another lady over to look at them and I asked her in Spanish if they had kids and wanted them. They did so we gave them 2 bags of stuff and lightened our load at the same time )