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RickS


Feb 22, 2012, 9:48 AM

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Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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This info was posted on an SMA forum by "Glenn". I have never seen this discussed here.....



A friend received an unwelcome surprise when they arrived for their first ever week's vacation in Mexico this week. Upon arrival, on a flight from Dallas to Leon, they were taxed on their jewelry.

Luckily, they wear simple costume jewelry but it still added up to $591 U.S. dollars which, after a duty-free allowance of $300 U.S. for "merchandise additional to baggage", the 16% tax resulted in a bill for $600 pesos.

That's not too bad, but we have friends who come here who wear thousands of dollars on one single finger and will therefore be taxed many thousands of pesos upon entry.

I checked all the Mexican customs information and, sure enough, jewelry is not included in the list of personal items (though up to three surfboards are). I'm not aware if this is new or always been there.

Any suggestions (other than quit coming to Mexico, they obviously don't want you here) of how this tax can be avoided are welcomed.

Glenn

YucaLandia


Feb 22, 2012, 10:26 AM

Post #2 of 17 (5661 views)

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Re: [RickS] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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A friend received an unwelcome surprise when they arrived for their first ever week's vacation in Mexico this week. Upon arrival, on a flight from Dallas to Leon, they were taxed on their jewelry.

Luckily, they wear simple costume jewelry but it still added up to $591 U.S. dollars which, after a duty-free allowance of $300 U.S. for "merchandise additional to baggage", the 16% tax resulted in a bill for $600 pesos.

That's not too bad, but we have friends who come here who wear thousands of dollars on one single finger and will therefore be taxed many thousands of pesos upon entry.

I checked all the Mexican customs information and, sure enough, jewelry is not included in the list of personal items (though up to three surfboards are). I'm not aware if this is new or always been there.

Any suggestions (other than quit coming to Mexico, they obviously don't want you here) of how this tax can be avoided are welcomed.

Glenn

I know Rick is well intentioned but: Does this message smell a bit off to anyone else ?

Does anyone else believe that everyone entering Mexico will therefore be taxed many thousands of pesos upon entry.

By raising the old saw: " quit coming to Mexico, they obviously don't want you here ", it emits more than a whiff of a story made of whole cloth, told to further some personal agenda.

Third hand stories that refer to generic "friends" with no other substantiation leave me a bit cold - where many of them are often just party chat mis-repeated over cocktails.

If this were real, and an actual policy change, why are there no other reports of this?
~~~~

Rick,
Do you know "Glenn" personally - and is he a credible fellow?

Do you know the "friends" and are there any other reports from other expats who have experienced this supposed new Aduana policy?

Is there proof that the people who were supposedly taxed understand Spanish and speak it well, or is this possibly another expat misunderstanding what they were told - and giving the wrong answers to questions they don't fully understand?

If this is likely just some unsubstantiated, one-off, cocktail party gossip, why title the thread with the dramatic "Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico" ?

Would a better title be: "Has Anyone Recently Entering Mexico Been Taxed on Personal Jewelry?"

steve
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

(This post was edited by YucaLandia on Feb 22, 2012, 2:04 PM)

YucaLandia


Feb 22, 2012, 10:48 AM

Post #3 of 17 (5647 views)

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Re: [RickS] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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If this happened to be true, this seems like a great opportunity to ask to speak with a manager ( un jefe ) or ( un gerente ) to keep a rogue Aduana agent from supplementing his pay.
~~~~

Rick,
Can you ask Glenn to have is friend post a copy of the Aduana receipt that describes the items?
Savvy travelers keep their old Aduana receipts so they don't have to pay duties again when re-entering Mexico.
steve
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

Axixic


Feb 22, 2012, 1:27 PM

Post #4 of 17 (5606 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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It's BS. You know it's BS, I know it's BS, everybody knows it's BS.

joaquinx


Feb 22, 2012, 3:53 PM

Post #5 of 17 (5563 views)

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Re: Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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I believe that it is 300 usd for Mexicans and 3,000 usd for foreigners. That is if you get the luz roja.
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.

YucaLandia


Feb 22, 2012, 4:30 PM

Post #6 of 17 (5553 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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Aduana's current website (as of today) says that foreign travelers are allowed:

" Up to US$300 per person in permitted goods, or its equivalent in other currencies. Passengers traveling with family members (spouse and children) may combine their personal exemptions only when arriving together. In order to claim this additional exemption passengers must have the corresponding commercial invoices or receipts available "

and the $3,000 USD limit kicks in:

" 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). "

Full text of Aduana's current rules for passengers are listed at: http://yucalandia.wordpress.com/...s-rules-the-article/ - a Yucalandia article, because Aduana keeps killing off their webpages.
steve
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Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

YucaLandia


Feb 22, 2012, 4:46 PM

Post #7 of 17 (5549 views)

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Re: [RickS] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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A friend received an unwelcome surprise when they arrived for their first ever week's vacation in Mexico this week. Upon arrival, on a flight from Dallas to Leon, they were taxed on their jewelry.

Luckily, they wear simple costume jewelry but it still added up to $591 U.S. dollars which, after a duty-free allowance of $300 U.S. for "merchandise additional to baggage", the 16% tax resulted in a bill for $600 pesos.

The plot thickens:
A quick check of Aduana's official rules** - which the post claims to have checked - turns up another bogey.

The post describes that "they arrived" , which would indicate they are a couple - and the rules for married couples and families allow the group to pool their exemptions - so the total exemption would have been $600 for the couple.

This means that no taxes or duties would have been owed on the $591 dollars of jewelry told in the story, since it would be less than the $600 exemption.

**http://yucalandia.wordpress.com/...s-rules-the-article/
steve
-
Read-on MacDuff
E-visit at http://yucalandia.com

bournemouth

Feb 22, 2012, 4:57 PM

Post #8 of 17 (5546 views)

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Re: [YucaLandia] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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But travellers not accustomed to customs in Mexico and unaware of the rules and regulations could easily get taken to the cleaners, which apparently happened to these folks.

sparks


Feb 22, 2012, 6:40 PM

Post #9 of 17 (5526 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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If they like to wear that junk .... they can afford it. Next time maybe they won't be so proud of themselves

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

cookj5

Feb 22, 2012, 8:09 PM

Post #10 of 17 (5508 views)

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Re: [RickS] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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I am always mystified by people who bring lots of jewelry to Mexico, period. Even without the customs hassle described (whether it is bogus on not) you are just asking to get ripped off. Wearing such jewelry, even if it is of the costume variety, identifies you as someone who is worth mugging, or whose hotel room, home, or apartment is worth burglarizing.

Leave that stuff NOB in a safe deposit box, dress and act modestly, avoid driving huge, expensive SUVs, and you should be fine down here. Otherwise, you might as well wear a big neon sign saying "Rob Me--Good stuff here!"

joaquinx


Feb 23, 2012, 6:12 AM

Post #11 of 17 (5450 views)

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Re: [bournemouth] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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But travellers not accustomed to customs in Mexico and unaware of the rules and regulations could easily get taken to the cleaners, which apparently happened to these folks.

Yet there are those who believe that a tourist permit (FMM) is good for a year, if you speak slowly enough Mexicans who can not speak English will understand you, and they can easily get a job soon after arrival.
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.

Moisheh

Feb 23, 2012, 6:44 AM

Post #12 of 17 (5440 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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What has happened to this forum? Sparks replies with some sort of left wing comment. Sort of a "make the rich pay" while another offfers travel advice about not wearing jewellry. Shame on both of you. Have you ever seen the bling that Mexican women wear? Not cosume jewellry. Of course one shouldn't go the Tonala Sunday Tiangus with Liz Taylor's diamonds but there certainly are some wealthy expats with wive's that have a lot of jewels. But of course they can afford to have that stolen so it serves them right! NOT! In more than 25 years of visiting Mexico with hundreds of crossings we have never been questioned about jewellry nor have we ever encountered anyone else that had this problem. As another person posted this was probably just some Aduanero looking for a few bucks or the story is bogus.

cindym

Feb 23, 2012, 3:24 PM

Post #13 of 17 (5377 views)

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Re: [Moisheh] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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I've traveled by air and car in and out of Mexico many times, I do wear a large diamond ring. I always wear it and don't think about it. I've never been questioned about the diamond, it is usually my only jewelry. How many women wear large diamonds all the time??
I really find the issue perplexing. Did it really happen?? If so was it not questioned??

donemry

Feb 24, 2012, 6:46 AM

Post #14 of 17 (5315 views)

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Re: [cindym] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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I have been here on MexConnect for 6 years and I am not close to be an old timer here. I have never heard of this. I think the BS flag needs to be raised.

rayitodeluna

Mar 18, 2012, 9:54 PM

Post #15 of 17 (4601 views)

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Re: [RickS] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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I was also warned - by Mexicans living in the states- to hide any expensive jewelry. Now granted, I dont own much expensive jewelry (my engagment ring was less than a thousand dollars) , but we do have our wedding bands/engagement rings which contain diamonds.

When we crossed, even though I knew the rules and was prepared to stand up for them, we DID get the short end of the stick. Perhaps because I crossed with a MXN national, but the Aduana basically ripped us off because my husband thought it was better if he talked to him. He didnt search our trailer, instead took a ganter at what the belongings were worth ( I had an extensive list and map thanks to the advise of Robert) and MADE UP A NUMBER . Her actually told us "if you turn around and cross at the other bridge you wont have to pay this much" . He simply didnt want to take the time to unpackour stuff.

We chose to pay and go, because being in a foreign country with two littles - racing to meet up with family on the other side....we juat didnt have the time or patience.

Our jewelry was notnlisted on the documents, but both my and my husbands wedding bands crossed in my bra. Why take a chanceon having it atolen or being charged for them - even if that isnt "the law" ? What the aduana did wasnt the law, but we paid nonetheless.

I can see these people being taken advantage of, but I have no idea on the validity of the story.

On the topic of wearing jewelry and looking flaunty - well, I dont. I choose to wear one ring instead of both - but I see women wearing more jewelry than I all the time. Depends on your comfort level in your neighborhood. My brother in law wears designer glasses, carries an iPod, an iPhone, an iPod watch and a seperate BlackBerry for work. He drives his BMW here in Mexico City and has never had an issue with being robbed. He does not live in a "nice" neighborhood.

Saftey is all relative I suppose.

~~~~~~ Enjoying life in northern D.F. with our family of Americans and chilangos.
Family and expat blog here : http://threecurlygirlys.blogspot.mx/ ~~~~~~

esperanza

Mar 19, 2012, 6:09 PM

Post #16 of 17 (4512 views)

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Re: [rayitodeluna] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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Rayito, in every post you make you talk about living in Mexico City. You may not be aware that in fact you live in the State of Mexico, not in the Distrito Federal. La Isla and I both live in Mexico City, but although you live relatively near the border, you are north of the city. Tlalnepantla is a municipality all its own. Find out a lot about your town and your government here: http://www.tlalnepantla.gob.mx/portal/.

And here's a map to show you where you are in relation to Mexico City: http://maps.google.com/...&sa=N&tab=wl

Let us know when you can come to the city!




http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com








rayitodeluna

Mar 19, 2012, 8:22 PM

Post #17 of 17 (4487 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Don't Bring Jewelry into Mexico

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Rayito, in every post you make you talk about living in Mexico City. You may not be aware that in fact you live in the State of Mexico, not in the Distrito Federal. La Isla and I both live in Mexico City, but although you live relatively near the border, you are north of the city. Tlalnepantla is a municipality all its own. Find out a lot about your town and your government here: http://www.tlalnepantla.gob.mx/portal/.

And here's a map to show you where you are in relation to Mexico City: http://maps.google.com/...&sa=N&tab=wl

Let us know when you can come to the city!

I know, my inlaws told me that even though our mailing address is Tlalnepantla our physical address is in DF. [ edited , as I realized it wasnt smart to broadcast my exact location on the internet, sorry!].

Apples and oranges, I still dont want to wear tons of jewelry. ;). That was a preference even in the states though, so I guess it as nothing to do where I live now LOL.

Cant wait to see some more downtown!

~~~~~~ Enjoying life in northern D.F. with our family of Americans and chilangos.
Family and expat blog here : http://threecurlygirlys.blogspot.mx/ ~~~~~~

(This post was edited by rayitodeluna on Mar 19, 2012, 8:52 PM)
 
 
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