Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

robt65

Mar 21, 2011, 9:21 AM

Post #1 of 12 (5370 views)

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Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Can someone tell me the dollar amount of goods one can import into Mexico for personal use without using a broker? I think I have overspent on this trip. I have bought some clothing for the family, and some tools and light fixtures electrical wire, breaker box and breakers among other things. I am close to $3000.00 and I cannot remember the upper limit where I do not have to get a broker. Please remember, I do not know if it makes a difference of not but I am on an FWM2 immigrante visa.

Thanks for any heads up about this.

robt65

(This post was edited by robt65 on Mar 21, 2011, 9:29 AM)

Rolly

Mar 21, 2011, 9:42 AM

Post #2 of 12 (5356 views)

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Re: [robt65] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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$3,000 dollars is the limit for no broker. Clothing and other personal items don't count.

Rolly Pirate

robt65

Mar 21, 2011, 9:52 AM

Post #3 of 12 (5353 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Thanks Rolly,

Still a little confused here though. These are not items that I am moving for my household after immigrating, but rather items that I have bought shopping NOB for remodeling our home including electric tools, hand tools, a Bar B Que, Some shelving units, light fixtures as well as newly bought clothing for other members of my family. Don't I have to declare newly bought clothing as gifts?

robt65

Casa

Mar 21, 2011, 11:55 AM

Post #4 of 12 (5334 views)

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Re: [robt65] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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How much should I pay for those additional goods that are not part of my luggage or the $75 exemption?
If you exceed the $75 exemption for less than US$3,000, you must pay duties and taxes. There is a flat 16% rate of duties and taxes and you must fill out the payment form intended for it, which is available at the Customs counter.

If the amount of the goods is over the US$3,000, then you must hire the services of a customs broker, who will present the legal forms to pay the duties and taxes (you can ask where to reach one at the Customs Office).

http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_10259.html

robt65

Mar 21, 2011, 6:16 PM

Post #5 of 12 (5302 views)

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Re: [Casa] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Hello Casa,

I did take the time to read ALL parts of the link you sent. I thank you for that. However . . . . . . . there is still nothing definitive regarding "clothing bought new" for my family. There are several references to clothing but nothing regarding if it is clothing only for the person whose luggage it is or if it is clothing in general. If I could be sure was allowed for any and all clothing (duty free) I am set and I owe you and Rolly a beer! So again . . . . . I am concerned about newly purchased clothing for my daughters and family).

robt65

sparks

Mar 21, 2011, 7:40 PM

Post #6 of 12 (5289 views)

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Re: [robt65] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Yikes ... I would worry about >>>>> electric tools, hand tools, a Bar B Que, Some shelving units, light fixtures

.... and forget about clothes - relax!! Put them in a plastic bag or wash them first if you are that worried

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

Casa

Mar 21, 2011, 8:08 PM

Post #7 of 12 (5281 views)

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Re: [robt65] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Basically clothing is only exempt when it is for your personal use during the trip.
Therefore technically you are required to pay duty on any clothing that is not for your personal use during the trip that is over your allowable deductible amount which is $75 USD by land. (I think you would have a hard time saying your daughters clothing was yours that you needed for the trip) Having said that I do not think customs will worry about the clothes. Take the tags off, wash and put in your luggage (suitcases) in my experience customs is mostly interested in stuff in boxes or stuff they think you are reselling. (bunch of kids clothes with tags means maybe you have a store or boutique that you are supplying) of course YMMV

If you are a Mexican Citizen (I don’t think you are but others may find this information useful) the deductible amount is raised to $300 USD when crossing the border between April 11th and May 11th 2011.

Click the coloured text to go to the relevant Aduanas web page

Rolly

Mar 21, 2011, 8:35 PM

Post #8 of 12 (5272 views)

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Re: [Casa] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Casa is right about the clothes. It's a not a big worry unless you get a really alert and gung-ho inspector.
In all the years I've prowling the internet, I have only read one story from a guy who got caught brings clothes for family who were not with him.

Rolly Pirate

playaboy

Mar 22, 2011, 6:51 AM

Post #9 of 12 (5249 views)

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Re: [robt65] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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I would just declare everything at the border and claim up to $3000. Don't go over that amount or you will end up paying a broker and be delayed a couple of days. Re-packing stuff is a good idea.

The last time I pulled a cargo trailer down to the Yucatan, I was pulled over 4 times and had my paperwork checked and trailer inspected. I had over $3000 and I am glad I used a broker for legally importing the load instead of trying to sneak stuff in.

Reefhound

Mar 22, 2011, 7:21 AM

Post #10 of 12 (5243 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Was that me? We always stuff the van chock full of clothes for extended family down there. Only time we had a problem was at Allende last year when a young man insisted we could not bring clothes for others and he didn't think they were all ours. After a long standoff he got frustrated and waved us by.

robt65

Mar 22, 2011, 8:54 AM

Post #11 of 12 (5224 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Hi Rolly,

That is exactly what I was worrying about. I guess Last Christmas I was lucky enough to have landed "that one really alert and gung-ho inspector" at Matamoros. I was grateful that I turned around and drove to Colombia #2 and crossed there without declaring the clothing. I was told that same story that reefhound was told . . . . . when the inspector told me I could not bring clothes for others into Mexico who were not in the car with me. I couldn’t even pay duty on them. This was the same inspector that told me I was only allowed to bring n five children’s toys and no more. Can you imagine going home to two children with only five toys at Christmas? I sure was happy the trailer was too full for the inspector to walk into and the travel trailer was so long that they wanted me out of their inspection lanes in a hurry! I guess I could always claim cross dressing as a hobby but what about the baby's clothing?!?!?!? (smiling) Oh well "nothing ventured . . . . . . nothing gained" I guess the worst that could happen is to get denied and turned around, go back to my trailer and unload a few things and just bring them back on my next trip home. It is really is different traveling by one’s self coming through customs. There are not as many options coming through customs traveling into Mexico and the limits obviously are much lower, topping out at $3000 per person. Oh Well! . . . . . . “Así es la vida”
Robt65

Moisheh

Mar 30, 2011, 6:32 AM

Post #12 of 12 (5057 views)

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Re: [robt65] Amount of Goods Allowed to Bring into Mexico on an FM2 Immigrante Visa Without a Broker

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Robert: Keep in mind that if you are over $3000 the 16% flat rate does not apply. There is no free amount. You will pay duty on each and every item. Goods from Asian countries have about a 50% duty!! Are you alone? If your wife is also present it is $3000 per person.