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talosian

Jun 27, 2004, 3:52 PM

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I'm really gonna gamble here.

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I leave Wed. driving to Nogales and I'm going to go to the Mexican Counselate there and try for my FM-3. Long story about my Passport not arriving in time, etc. I know one is told to go to the Counselate in their hometown but as of when I drive out of Los Angeles, I don't have a "home town" any more.

Worst case scenario is I won't get the FM-3 and will have to pay duty on the stuff I shipped by air. Whatever. It's all an adventure.

Now back to the archives for the best routing which is not over a bad mountain road.

Lakeside - - - - ready or not, I'm gonna be there with bells on (which is better than handcuffs on).

Spock/David
"When all logical explanations have failed, we must look to the illogical for the answer.

Esteban

Jun 27, 2004, 4:38 PM

Post #2 of 12 (646 views)

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Re: [talosian] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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That idea sounds crazy. You may have to hangout in Nogales, Arizona for two or three weeks and there may not be a consulate there. The nearest one is in Tucson...I think. Just go across the border and head south on the toll road (hiway 15 to Hermosillo). Drive to Navojoa the first night, Acaponeta the second and on to Guad. the following day. Three easy days. Get your FM-3 at migracion where you'll be living... a much easier way to go.

kirkswig

Jun 27, 2004, 5:21 PM

Post #3 of 12 (633 views)

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Re: [talosian] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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BTW, I recommended the Sky2C outfit to my brother who is also moving (but to Hawaii, not Mexico) and he was pleased at first, but then balked at using them for shipping his stuff.

To hear him tell it, they won't give you the itemized invoice detailing all of your stuff until after it's all in their possession.

The fear I think is that there are scams by various moving/storage/shipping companies where they take your stuff, and then basically hold it for ransom while jacking up their fees for the service. If you don't pay, you don't get to see your stuff again.

FWIW, I've flip-flopped on this several times now, and have decided to get rid of most of my stuff and just replace as much as is needed when I'm in Mexico. I should say I made this decision before hearing my brother's concerns.

I hope they're unfounded and that your stuff all arrives in one piece, and without incident.

To boldly go where no wig has gone before.

esperanza

Jun 27, 2004, 5:46 PM

Post #4 of 12 (627 views)

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Re: [Esteban] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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According to the Mexican government's website, there is (or was) indeed a Mexican Consulate in Nogales.

However, I'd a whole lot rather be sitting in LA getting my FM3 than waiting for god knows how long in Nogales, Arizona.

To each his own.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Uncle Jack

Jun 27, 2004, 5:57 PM

Post #5 of 12 (624 views)

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Re: [talosian] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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http://www.nafinsa.com/consulatedir.htm

NOGALES, AZ
571 N. Grand Avenue
Nogales, AZ 85621
Tel: (520) 287-2521
Fax: (520) 287-3175
Email: consumex@dakotacom.net

kirkswig

Jun 27, 2004, 6:39 PM

Post #6 of 12 (611 views)

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Re: [esperanza] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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I don't know. Does the consulate in Nogales answer the phone? If they do, they're the clear winner in my mind. Tried getting through to the consulate in L.A. and after many attempts I just gave up.

I had a similar experience the first several times I tried calling the consulate in Las Vegas (after I found out there was one.) And at least in Vegas that was important because they don't keep normal business hours... they were closed on one or two weekdays, or closed early, I forget which now. You don't want to make the trip only to find out they ain't home.

To boldly go where no wig has gone before.

Esteban

Jun 27, 2004, 10:03 PM

Post #7 of 12 (580 views)

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Re: [esperanza] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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Oh yea, without a doubt, waiting in Nogales for an FM-3 sounds like hell to me. I mean take it or leave it but if I had the choice, I don't see the big deal about going south and picking up your FM-3. What's the point? I don't get it?

jennifer rose

Jun 27, 2004, 10:16 PM

Post #8 of 12 (577 views)

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Re: [Esteban] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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Mexican Consulates don't operate like a Jack-in-the-Box or One-Hour Martinizing, where you can pick up your order from a drive-through window. The fastest most operate, provided you have all of your documentation in order, is a full working day from the receipt of your application, and most don't operate that fast. You will need your FM-3 before you can get the menaje de casa. And while those applications are processed somewhat more speedily than the FM-3, you're not likely to get same-day service on that either.

Now, add in the cost of a hotel in Nogales. You're going to be spending at least $100 USD/day just on lodging, cooling your heels while the papermill churns. I've already forgotten what you indicated you were bringing down, but if my memory serves me right, there wasn't so much that would involve a great deal of duty. And the duty would likely be far less than the cost of additional lodging and the application fee for a menaje de casa.

In your situation, you might come out ahead simply heading toward your Mexican destination on an FMT, paying whatever duty may be levied against whatever it is that you're bringing, and apply for your FM-3 once you land at your place of residence.

talosian

Jun 28, 2004, 9:58 AM

Post #9 of 12 (505 views)

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Re: [Esteban] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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I have had my personal items shipped to GDL and I can only get my Menaje de Casa stamped/approved in a Counselate in the U.S.

I also called the AZ consulate and if I ask for help, I may (MAY) be able to hand carry it through. As I said, it's a gamble.

Spock
"When all logical explanations have failed, we must look to the illogical for the answer.

Esteban

Jun 28, 2004, 11:40 AM

Post #10 of 12 (486 views)

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Re: [talosian] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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If I had my choice, I'd have it done at the consulate in Tucson rather than Nogales. You'd be much better off spending a month in Tucson rather than one in Nogales. Good luck.

alex .

Jun 29, 2004, 6:58 AM

Post #11 of 12 (411 views)

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Re: [Esteban] looked at some real estate in Nogales

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Man there are some fancy digs in Nogales. A little bit up the hill from the park that has the swimming pools and skateboard course; there is some serious money up there.
Alex

jerezano

Jun 29, 2004, 7:51 PM

Post #12 of 12 (323 views)

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Re: [talosian] I'm really gonna gamble here.

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Hi, If somebody knows the answer, please post it. The question is this: Some 15 years ago when living in Harlingen, I tried to get my FM3 in Mc Allen at the Mexican consulate. They refused saying that since I lived in Harlingen I would need to go to Brownsville and the Mexican consulate there, and I did so. I received the FM3 in two days, one day to submit the application and a return the next day to pick up the signed and stamped FM3. Here is the question: Have policies changed and you can now pick up an FM3 at a Mexican consulate in the US that does NOT cover the area of your residence? If policies have not changed then you may be forced to go to Los Angeles.

My experience of 15 years ago has not been repeated. My own advice is to go the the Mexican Immigration office here in Mexico covering the area of your Mexican residence and apply there. It will usually take two or three visits just to find out what documentation is necessary and make the application. They always seem to forget to tell you all the items necessary. The FM3, once you have the proper documentation(particularly on finances) is usually issued without much of the paperwork required at the Mexican consulates and is much simpler to obtain. It does take longer. Usually a week to 15 days, but you are issued a letter stating that you have applied for the FM3 and that covers you even if your tourist document runs out during that interim waiting period. The new FM3 will also protect your temporary importation of your car so that you do not have to renew that. Of course, some Aduaneros will try to extort a mordida out of you claiming that the FM3 does not cover, but if you carry a copy of the applicable portion of the Ley Aduanera in Spanish, they will always back down. Or at least have with me on at least five occasions.

Don't forget, that yes, the import document for your household goods must be issued by a Mexican consulate in the US, and the importation must be withing six months of the day your new FM3 says you entered Mexico. Also, don't be fooled. That document will cost you money. Fifteen years ago that cost was over $100 US dollars. It is not free. All it does is prevent the imposition of import duties on your USED household goods.

I would really appreciate an answer to my question. Let's hear from somebody with experience.

Adios. Jerezano.