Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Yaxchibonam

Mar 3, 2006, 12:17 PM

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Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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Amigos, I am flying back to California (SF) after 6 months in southern Mexico, and have almost $2,000 worth of stuff, mostly artesanias, some embroidered clothing, a few books, tapes, posters. When I declare $2,000 on my customs declaration, what is likely to happen? Is there an established limit to the value of goods you can bring back to the US? I may start making 6 trips per year to Mexico to bring back about $2000 worth of stuff. So I need to educate myself....any insight and experience would be most appreciated. Muchas gracias! Lorena
Yaxchi

patricio_lintz

Mar 4, 2006, 9:45 AM

Post #2 of 10 (3190 views)

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Re: [lcassady] Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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You will pay US customs duty on everything above $300 USD.

Be sure that you have no prohibited items: leathers of many types of endangered species, tortuga shells,etc.

Yaxchibonam

Mar 18, 2006, 10:59 AM

Post #3 of 10 (3121 views)

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Thanks, & more questions....

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Thanks for your answer, Patricio. I am trying to decide whether to send my boxes via MEX POST or the more expensive Multi Pack or UPS. If you have had experience with either, could you tell me a little more about the procedures I should follow (i.e. leaving the box open for inspection), costs, etc. For instance, where does the actual inspection take place...at the border, or at the post office in Oaxaca?
Thanks,
Lila
Yaxchi

johnv

Mar 18, 2006, 6:38 PM

Post #4 of 10 (3093 views)

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Re: [lcassady] Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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I drove a pick up truck, loaded 6 feet high with 29 crates of blown glass, across the border into the US, and was charged nothing by US Customs, although they inpected it. This was before NAFTA.

rainer

Mar 19, 2006, 3:02 PM

Post #5 of 10 (3065 views)

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Re: [lcassady] Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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You can check some of the information you need by reading "Know Before You Go" on the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Website.

Here is a gist:

"Personal" Goods have a personal exemption of US $ 800 per person, and the next US $ 1,000 are at "0%" now. After those $ 1,800 you will have to pay whatever the duty is for the particular items. Most items from Mexico are free of duty under NAFTA (ie. handcrafted items), BUT NOT ALL.

"Commercial" Goods (like you are thinking to bring) come in under different rules. Whether free or dutiable, you do not need a "Formal Entry" if the total value of your shipment is UNDER $ 2,000. All you need in htis case, really, is a list of items and their value; better would be to have invoices.

If the value is $ 2,000 or over, then a Formal Entry is required. To find out what is free or dutiable or restricted, your best bet would be to contact an Import Specialist at CBP, or a US Customs Broker (private enterprise - not connected to CBP).

If not, you may end up spending hours at the border to clear your stuff. And don't bring any IPR stuff (fake Gucci, Polo, Walt Disney,etc.; they will be confiscated) Also, don't bring items that would have to go through USDA, Fish & Wildlife, or FDA.

Like I said, "Know Before You Go" is a good initial source of information.

Hope this helped some.
Smile

Rolly

Mar 19, 2006, 3:47 PM

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Re: [rainer] Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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Look here for "Know Before You Go:" http://www.cbp.gov/...ravel/vacation/kbyg/

Rolly Pirate

johnv

Mar 19, 2006, 5:12 PM

Post #7 of 10 (3040 views)

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Re: [lcassady] Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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Here is a link to a section of the US Customs Website that deals in "Customs Duties by Chapter": http://www.usitc.gov/...apter/index_2005.htm
Many items do not follow a cut and dried rule, such as a certain percentage of duty on anything over $US300. Many things are duty free in any quantity, such as the truckload of glassware that I mentioned above. I just looked up that glassware using this link, and it is still duty free.

rainer

Mar 19, 2006, 5:53 PM

Post #8 of 10 (3029 views)

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Re: [johnv] Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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I don't know where you guys get the over $300 info. For many years it was $400 now it's $800 but that ONLY goes for personal items.
And a truckload of glassware will probably NOT be accepted as a personal shipment, and, therefore, being more than $2000 in value, requires a Formal Entry. Some items require a formal entry when over $250; the tariff book won't tell you that but an Entry Specialist or broker will. Unless you already know what you're donig, don't try it without informing yourselves.
Smile

johnv

Mar 20, 2006, 7:23 AM

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Re: [rainer] Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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I acted as my own entry broker and did the paperwork on the spot with the help of an Agent. It was very easy.

Gayla

Mar 20, 2006, 9:20 AM

Post #10 of 10 (2993 views)

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Re: [lcassady] Value Limits at US Customs--Returning from Mexico

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A lot of art work, especially folk art, can be imported in excess of the $800 exemption without additional charge. I've done it, generally listing the art by category on the declaration form, i.e. - Folk Art/Oaxacan wood carving or Folk Art/Huicol yarn painting/beadwork - followed by a lump sum amount for all the pieces in that category. I also try to get as many receipts as I can, but receipts aren't always available depending upon where and from whom you're buying.

On my last trip to Oaxaca I came back with close to $1,800 worth of goods, mostly folk art and food (yes, I am a power shopper with regard to these two items). I delcared all of it, didn't fudge the prices because I had receipts for my high ticket purchases, and didn't have problems with customs, though I was holding my breath and expecting to pay.

I came back from Moneterrey last year with nearly $1,200 in folk art and food and once again declared all of it. I cleared customs in Houston on that trip and did get diverted for a secondary inspection but that was because I had declared ag products. And at that, they merely asked what agriculture I was bringing in - dried beans and posole corn - and put all my luggage through another x-ray machine without opening it.

Honesty is the best policy when dealing with any branch of the U.S. government ;-) and U.S. customs is no exception. The links provide above are excellent and contain a lot of valuable information. I only related my experiences because I bring back a lot of folk art/artwork and generally that is not subject to additional duty over the $800 exemption. Oh, and BTW, clearing customs at SFO shouldn't be too hard. Of the 3 airports in CA in which I've cleared customs when returning from Mexico, SFO was the fastest and the smoothest.