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Paul Rodriguez

Mar 18, 2003, 11:36 AM

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Help in moving out of U.S.

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Hi to one and all! I will soon be joining you, hopefully. However, I have run into a problem that I would like your input on. Basically, it is this: since I plan to get my FM3 in Mexico, I will be required to return to the states to get my menaje de casa. Since I will have had no formal residence in States for several months, I am not sure if I would be prohibited from picking a consulate that would closer to my new Mexican location, or whether I would be required to return to L.A. ( a dreaded thought, if ever there’s been one) or could I choose one like Laredo (which is the one that the movers will be using)? I know I would need to be there in person to process the form. Does anyone know how long this would take?

My other question has to do with a customs broker. I don’t know how to use him. I guess I don’t understand his function – and what things I need to be aware of in choosing one.

Any help in resolving these problems would be greatly appreciated.

jennifer rose

Mar 18, 2003, 1:10 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1445 views)

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Re: [Paul Rodriguez] Help in moving out of U.S.

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Paul, if you qualify, I highly recommend that you obtain your FM-3 in the U.S. (I know, I sound like a broken record on this issue, but that's my opinion and I'm not changing it!) You should be able to obtain your menaje de casa from the Consulate by mail, in which case a trip back would not be necessary. As has been discussed ad nauseum, the practices and procedures vary from Consulate to Consulate. Call the Consulate's office and check to see if this can be accomplished by mail. If it can, I would recommend that you provide an address of a trusted friend in Los Angeles to receive the complete household goods visa. Each Consulate has its own timeline for issuing the menaje de casa -- ranging from the next business day to about a week. In any event, it's a fairly quick process. The essential element is having your paperwork in proper order.

The customs broker is hired by the moving company. You will provide the menaje de casa to the moving company, who will handle all of those finer details for you.

Paul Rodriguez

Mar 18, 2003, 1:26 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1416 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Help in moving out of U.S.

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Jennifer, I appreciate your advice. I would love to do this all here, but the run-around I've gotten here is incredible. The consulate closest to me which would be a easy drive, simply will not handle FM3s. The next closest also would not handle them. The only one which will, is in the heart of Los Angeles and at my age trying to fight the traffic and finding a parking place, and standing on line (they accept no appointments, and they often require to have return at another date) is extremely taxing. At this point, it would require a very long drive into the most congested part of the city and to wait (only God knows how long) and to return again. So, for these reasons, I am loath to go through the ordeal. I'm not trying to be obstinate, but I have fibromyalgia and sitting that long and waiting line are very hard on me. So, please don't think me an ingrate for not following you well-reasoned plan.

Paul

(This post was edited by DavidMcL on Mar 18, 2003, 1:53 PM)

Rolly

Mar 18, 2003, 2:45 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1412 views)

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Re: [Paul Rodriguez] Help in moving out of U.S.

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Paul,

There is parking directly across the street from the consulate in LA. The entrance is on the side street, not in front, but it is on the side of a steep hill. You only have to wait in line the first time; after that you will have a pass for any return visits. When I dealt with them 3 years ago, there was no way to reach them by phone.

I don't see how you can get a menaje by mail since you have to pay the fee and present the receipt to get your approved menaje. I found the young man at the menaje desk to be very helpful -- but he is probably gone by now.

Personally, I don't see any reason why your idea of doing it in Laredo wouldn't work. I recall a post here many months ago from someone who did that.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

Georgia

Mar 18, 2003, 4:21 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1392 views)

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Re: [Paul Rodriguez] Help in moving out of U.S.

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Hi, Paul, I don't know what I did right (or wrong) when I got my FM-3 and moved my stuff to Mexico, but I didn't personally acquire the menaje de casa. What I did was hire a good mover (in my case, Mayflower) who took care of everything (and at the lowest bid, no less). I gave him a list of what I was sending in Spanish, copies of our FM-3s and the company took care of the rest. Ignorance was bliss in my case. The company seemed to know exactly what they were doing (unlike me) and everything went very smoothly. I didn't have to deal with a customs broker, the mover took care of everything. I have no clue what you do if you move yourself, but that was not my case.

devildog

Mar 23, 2003, 6:32 PM

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Re: [Georgia] Help in moving out of U.S.

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We are planning some time this year of moving to mexico....self moving...can anyone help with advice? Thank You.

jennifer rose

Mar 23, 2003, 8:43 PM

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Re: [fgm315] Help in moving out of U.S.

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It would be helpful to know if you're planning on moving in stages, bringing in what you can during several trips, or one giant "Beverly Hillbillies" move. Wait! During all of my treks southward until making the big, final move with a real moving company, I felt like one of the Beverly Hillbillies.

You will not be able to rent a U-Haul or Ryder and drive it across the border. How do you plan to transport your stuff?

Read (yeah, that means doing a search on this site) about what can be brought in under a tourist card or FM-3 duty-free. Then think about those elements of your worldly possessions which don't fall within those categories.

There are those who divest themselves of nearly everything except their underear and a laptop, and there are those who move everything, lock, stock, and barrel. There are those who've made moves by transporting everything somewhat piecemeal to the border, sending it on to their destination in Mexico by bus. And there are some who've used the post office.

What kind of lifestyle do you contemplate in Mexico? A monastic existence, with a single lightbulb as your only luxury, or something out of Architectural Digest? Do you plan to bring a quantity of furniture and appliances, or do you plan to buy new once you land?

FWIW, I highly recommend sending books using the USPS M-bag rates. You can read about that at the USPS website. http://www.usps.gov

If you're planning on moving an entire household, you may find it well worth the time, trouble, effort and expense to consider a professional mover.

Rolly

Mar 23, 2003, 9:02 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1225 views)

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Re: [fgm315] Help in moving out of U.S.

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Hola FGM,

I have a page on my website that may help you in your planning. It's the story of how I did it, and what I learned along the way.

http://rollybrook.com/...o_move_to_mexico.htm

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook