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nckingofmellow

Feb 7, 2003, 1:10 PM

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Update to our FM3 income requirement delima

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Last month we posed a question regarding the issue we were having with the Raleigh, NC Mexican Consulate regarding 2 items. Here are follow-ups to the problems.

1. The Raleigh Consulate told us we would have to furnish proof of income while in Mexico of $2,500.00 (usd) $1.500 for 1st person and $1,000 for 2nd. We contacted the Consulate in Atlanta, Ga (which has supervisory controll of Raleigh, thank God), and after several days of follow-up received a call from them today staing they had contacted Raleigh and informed them that they were incorrect and the requirement would be $2,000 for the 2 of us.

2. The Raleigh Consulate told us they would not issue a menaje de casa since we are only taking a few items and thet we could just pay the importation taxes which would be less than the cost of a menaje, and that taking our used desktop compuet would be ok. The official in Atlanta also tols us the exact same thing...no menaje necessary and no problem with the desk top computer. I guess we are going to hold our breath on this one. We will be entering the country on the ferry to Progresso. Any ideas/suggestions?

Frank & Dale

Rolly

Feb 7, 2003, 4:13 PM

Post #2 of 8 (2323 views)

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Re: [nckingofmellow] Update to our FM3 income requirement delima

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When I was dealing with the consulate in Los Angeles for my move, the friendly guy I was dealing with told me that the consular service is a different part of the government from the customs people and that he could not speak for what they would or would not allow. I believe that to be true. I also believe that you have been given wrong information about your desk top computer.

I would do two things: First, try to get the consulate to send you a letter (in Spanish) assuring you that you can take your computer. That letter would not have the force of law, but it might give you some support in your discussions with customs. I doubt you can get such a letter, but you can try. Second, I would remove the hard drive, so you will not loose your programs and data if customs seizes your computer, as I think they will.

After you get to Mexico, please come back here to let us know what happened. Your report will be helpful to others.

Good luck,

Rolly Pirate

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

parvati

Feb 7, 2003, 6:03 PM

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Re: [nckingofmellow] Update to our FM3 income requirement delima

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I post this not to disagree with anything Rolly has said on the subject but only to share one story of my family's crossing experience.. BTW, Rolly, I'm a newbie here and I really enjoy both your informative contributions to this forum and the super web site that you have put together. Nice work ! http://Rollybrook.com

My brother and sister-in-law moved to Jocotepec about a year ago and only had their FMT's at the time.. They both speak Spanish well and crossed at Laredo with just a mini-van load of personal goods, two dogs and a cat. Among other things, the Mexican customs agent asked if they had any computers with them and they indeed declared their desktop PC, 15" Monitor, and printer.. They were asked if the equipment was six months or older (it was) and the subject changed to the other items in the van. They paid no duty and proceeded on their way.

In preparation for our move we have asked the local Mexican Consulate here in Orlando, FL and were told if the desktop was older than 6 months it would be OK without a menaje de casa. But I think we probably all agree that doesn't hold any weight with a customs offical at the border. It would seem to me that every crossing is subject to some very arbitrary factors including the very mood of the inspector at that given moment..

The more paperwork you have on you the better.. Sales receipts to prove the age of the equipment might be just the thing that gets the OK ..or maybe nothing short of a menaje de casa will be acceptable at that particular moment. In closing I would say that fluency in Spanish is a big plus factor when face to face with the customs inspectors.

Good Luck and please follow up with any new info ..

Garrett in Florida..

(This post was edited by parvati on Feb 7, 2003, 6:06 PM)

Rolly

Feb 7, 2003, 7:04 PM

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Re: [parvati] Update to our FM3 income requirement delima

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Hola Garrett,

When dealing with the Mexican bureaucracy things can get mighty confusing. To borrow a line from the old silent melodrama movies: What's a poor mother to do?

Glad you enjoyed my website. Thanks for the kind words.

Rolly Pirate

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

Sherrill

Feb 7, 2003, 7:33 PM

Post #5 of 8 (2261 views)

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Hope that info from Mex Consul NYC might be of help to you..

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Somehow I ended up with this small script-sorry. OK, below is the link. I pasted in what I thought was pertinent; says the income requirement is $1,500 for a couple. May be possible that Raleigh, SC does not deal with a lot of emmigrating from US to Mex. Rolly gave you the right advice re computers. Once you go to this site, check what you are entitled to bring with you. Last I heard was a lap top was ok but not the printer or scanner. AND not a desktop unless you want to pay heavy import tax. ROLLY also gave you good advice re what they tell you at the Consul is very different from aduana. They are two separate entities and the Consul is not going to be there when you try to enter Mexico with your stuff! From personal experience the Consul in LA said sure we could bring an outboard motor as part of our household goods. However, when it arrived by cargo ship in Progreso, Yucatan; customs kept it until we paid the duty-$150US. And this happened because we were ignorant and did not check the list of what one could import duty free!

http://www.consulmexny.org/...fm3_retirees_all.htm

Proof of economic solvency: Applicant must prove a monthly income of $1,000.00 USD dollars, or equivalent in Mexican currency. If the applicant will be accompanied by members of his immediate family, the minimum income required will be $500.00 additionally per month for each member 15 years of age or older
The documents accepted as a proof are: Bank statement, Social Security or Pension Receipts; such documents must be notarized and bear the apostille issued by the Secretary of State of the State where the documents were notarized

Import of Household Goods into Mexico

Requirements for Household Goods Visa:

FM2 or FM3 (Mexican authorization to live or work in Mexico, issue by the Ministry of the Interior of Mexico or any Mexican Consulate, during previous six months)

Original and four photocopies of the household goods inventory in Spanish and typewritten.
First page must have the name of the person
who holds FM2 or FM3, address in the USA and
his/her temporality of residence and the
address in Mexico. The last page must be
signed by the titular of the FM2 or FM3.

Electronic items must be described with model, serial number and brand.

Consular visa fee: 124.00 us dollars.

It takes 24 hours to process this visa at this consulate

gurley

Feb 7, 2003, 9:10 PM

Post #6 of 8 (2221 views)

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Re: [Sherrill] Hope that info from Mex Consul NYC might be of help to you..

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Sherrill,

Thanks so much for the posted website of the Consulate in NY, which has, it looks like, some great info re visas! I am persistently trying to get information regarding how to learn whether or not I might be granted a work visa for a small business of one (my own little nutrition counseling business).

Any ideas from folks regarding how to research this while here in the States AND when we travel to Ajijic and San Miguel/Guanajuato in May?

I've learned so much from reading the forums. I really appreciate all the wise people willing to share!

Thanks in Advance,

Rose
God Bless the World - No Exceptions!

pau

Feb 8, 2003, 7:38 AM

Post #7 of 8 (2204 views)

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Re: [nckingofmellow] Update to our FM3 income requirement delima

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The consulate people gave you good advise in regard to the menaje de casa. For a truck/van load of stuff, it is better to just do a personal importation and pay a small duty (they are all used items, right?) I brought a van full of personal stuff 2 years ago with a menaje de casa and the Laredo customs told me to get a customs broker to process the paperwork. Most would not handle it and the one that did wanted $500.

I went to the Colombia (sp?) crossing and was allowed in after paying about $50 in duty for the personal items plus duty on the desktop computer (as new). No chance on bringing the computer in as used.

pat murray

Feb 10, 2003, 6:45 AM

Post #8 of 8 (2089 views)

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Re: [nckingofmellow] Update to our FM3 income requirement delima

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HI...i have driven through at Mccallan (sp) twice in the last year. each time driving my truck with cap and pulling a trailer. each time both trailer and truck were packed within an inch of their lives with my houshold furniture and misc....including a desk top, monitor, printer, etc. i did not use a manajede casa for either trip, but paid the duty..for both trips..the cost was less than $300 in duty. on the first trip, i told them that i had the computer with me. on the second trip i had three dogs with me, as well. no problem. they did sort of poke around at the furniture on the trailer (it was covered with tarps), but that was about it. never even asked to see the papers on the dogs.. on each trip, i did get the red light when crossing at customs. i think they just took one look at the packing job..things mushed into every corner...and just decided it was not worth unpacking it all. on each crossing though, i did see cars stopped and everything in the car and suitcases, etc. removed and searched. i belive that it is just different dependent on when you cross, where you cross...and as someone said..the mood of the day. if you are coming over on the car ferry, that company may be able to clarify some of this for you. good luck. pat