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Sculptari

Jan 4, 2011, 3:45 PM

Post #1 of 10 (4798 views)

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Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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Finally making what will probably be a long term trip to Mexico!

We will hit the border in our motorhome with a lot of artist and art restoration materials- including graphic art specialties (camera, scanner, desktop computers, specialty laser printer, etc) as well as the usual suspects (and some not so typical -heavy duty easels, air sculpting tools, 100's of pure pigments). If we stay, which is extremely likely, we will hiring our long time family lawyer to facilitate the appropriate FM-2's.

So the question of the day - with all this abundance of exotic materials, would I be better off declaring as FMM artist category at the border, or wait to bring it all in 'later' as an FM-2 importation? As an FMM, I would not be creating any works for sale in Mexico. Is this automatically a 'customs 'broker' issue to the aduana?

johnv

Jan 4, 2011, 8:43 PM

Post #2 of 10 (4763 views)

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Re: [Sculptari] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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Personally, I wouldn't even worry about it. I have brought in way way more than that with no Menaje and no nothing. However, I have not done so recently.

The items you list, in an RV, will pass with no problem, in my opinion. The one questionable item is the desk-top computer, and if worse comes to worse, pay the duty, but I wouldn't even mention having it.

There will be some on this forum, that will not agree with my opinion.

RickS

Jan 5, 2011, 7:27 AM

Post #3 of 10 (4734 views)

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Re: [Sculptari] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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Rolly has good information on this subject..... "Duty-Free and Prohibited Items". What you decide to actually do, of course, is your business (well, and maybe Mexico's).

See it at: http://rollybrook.com/dutyfree.htm

Rolly

Jan 5, 2011, 7:40 AM

Post #4 of 10 (4725 views)

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Re: [Sculptari] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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Sculptan, a word of caution. If you plan to sell your artwork in México, you will need a business endorsement for your FM2 or FM3. There is a quirk in the law that you need to understand. If you have an FM2 with a working or business endorsement, you can NOT have a foreign-plated vehicle. That rule does not apply to an FM3. So if you plan to sell your work, you probably do not want an FM2.

There is more useful information about moving to México here.

Rolly Pirate

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

lamur

Jan 5, 2011, 11:09 AM

Post #5 of 10 (4692 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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They did mention that they wouldn't be selling any artwork in Mexico.

Sculptari

Jan 5, 2011, 1:42 PM

Post #6 of 10 (4669 views)

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Re: [lamur] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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Its interesting, but frustrating, because there seems to be no way of finding out in advance. I have a list of "personal" items and then "business" items. The business items are necessary to conduct my business, which I am legally allowed to engage in while in Mexico, as long as no money changes hands. Simple - right? As Rolly and others have pointed out many times before - it most likely will depend on the customs officer assigned that day, at that time. If I don't like the answer, I can at least choose to return and try again, or hire a customs broker.

I'm thinking of nationalizing the motorhome, it won't cost that much, and then eventually (when I'm too old to drive) selling it with Mexican plates.

sharron

Feb 27, 2011, 11:53 PM

Post #7 of 10 (4020 views)

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Re: [Sculptari] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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I am also an artist who is moving to Mexico to live this July. I am now working in Asia and will ship all my tools, supplies, etc.
Did you run into any trouble with yours? I am worried about loosing my tools when the customs checks them.
Any info would be very helpful.

dongringo_catemaco

Feb 28, 2011, 8:10 AM

Post #8 of 10 (3987 views)

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Re: [sharron] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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Technically there is no problen shipping anything to Mexico.
This is my personal experience, which is not necessarily applicable across Mexico.

Using an international carrier like FEDEX
There are two bottlenecks;
Mexican customs: Although they have published guidelines, the interpretations are not equally applied. Expect 2 to 30 day delay.
Delivery: Generally within a few days of clearing customs.

Using the postal system
At present, generally, Mexican customs ignores postal mail.
Delivery: Up to several weeks after clearing customs. generally within a few days, but expect delays up to 30 days, and a loss ratio of 1 in 10 or less, depending on location..
Visit Catemaco News

tonyburton / Moderator

Feb 28, 2011, 9:23 AM

Post #9 of 10 (3971 views)

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Re: [sharron] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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You could always do what Damien Hirst did when he was stopped a while back from taking tools into Mexico which he needed to mount an artistic display... he attached all the tools to a sheet of hardboard, called it an artistic work, and was then allowed in without a murmur...

johnv

Feb 28, 2011, 9:34 AM

Post #10 of 10 (3969 views)

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Re: [sharron] Tools of Trade -Artist/Sculptor

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Sharon, you are speaking of shipping your stuff, while the original poster was driving the things into Mexico. There is a big difference.

You are much more likely to pay duties on items shipped. It is highly unlikely that items in a motor home would be hit with duties.

A further note is that USPS mail to Mexico is currently being held up in Mexican Customs for long periods of time compared to the past, due to changes in Mexican Customs operation. I am not sure if the private expedited carriers are affected because I never use them, but if you ship by a method that will ultimately be handled by the Mexican Postal Service, there could be length delays.

In the past USPS/Correos Mexicanos mail took 8 to 18 days, duty free 99% of the time, to central Mexico. Now I am waiting on 3 packages, one in Mexican Customs for close to a month, one other untrackable package in transit for over 60 days, and another untrackable package in transit over 30 days. My post office lady in Mexico, told me that the untrackable packages are no doubt in Customs also.

In the past I never lost a package, paid duties on a package, or waited longer than 20 days for a package, that was sent by USPS/Correos Mexicanos. That has all changed.

The Mexican Postal Service has been all but crippled in their international operations, due to the changes. (It is my belief that Calderon is trying "be like the United States", and have a US-like customs service. The thing is, that to do that, he needs more agents, more money, and more modern equipment, etc. I read that currently the Mexican Postal Service was faster 250 years ago.

(This post was edited by johnv on Feb 28, 2011, 9:37 AM)