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woffoman

Mar 17, 2011, 7:33 PM

Post #1 of 8 (4657 views)

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customs asking for invoices

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I had a friend buy me some electronics in the US and then send them to me here in Mexico using UPS.

Now it is stuck in the Mexican customs and they are asking for the invoices. I could email them the invoices but they have higher prices than what the my friend declared. Basically, he opened up the packages, so that they could not be sold as new and described them as used with low prices less than half the invoice. He also described the package as a gift.

Has anyone else been through this and how did it get resolved?

PS, Never ship clothing or hygiene products (e.g. shampoo). For clothing they asked for duties 3 x the value that I paid for it. For hygiene products a special permit was required. UPS/Fedex will also screw you over royally on the shipping charges if you order it to be shipped back to the us.

Casa

Mar 17, 2011, 11:10 PM

Post #2 of 8 (4611 views)

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Re: [woffoman] customs asking for invoices

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Check out this link, it should give you some good useful information concerning goods crossing the border

woffoman

Mar 18, 2011, 12:00 AM

Post #3 of 8 (4605 views)

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Re: [Casa] customs asking for invoices

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Riiight.. Any practical advice on how to go about giving the mordida to customs? I don't think UPS will do it for me, with them being an international corporation and all.

If you had actually read the message, then you would have learnt that I am not crossing the border myself with the goods.

(This post was edited by woffoman on Mar 18, 2011, 12:02 AM)

Rolly

Mar 18, 2011, 12:07 AM

Post #4 of 8 (4600 views)

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Re: [woffoman] customs asking for invoices

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You have a computer. Make your own invoice for the purchase at a swap meet.
Aduana just wants some sort of paper.

Rolly Pirate

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

dongringo_catemaco

Mar 18, 2011, 9:50 AM

Post #5 of 8 (4516 views)

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Re: [Rolly] customs asking for invoices

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Gee, I got censored on another board for giving illegal advise. All the airborne carriers DHL, FEDEX, UPS go through the same rigamarole at customs. The preferred and cheapest way to ship to Mexico is via Preferred US Mail. Most of it is ignored by customs. If you are caught by customs, bite the bullet and pay up or ship it back. Although most stuff enters duty free, with the airborne's you'll always get nailed with the equivalent of IVA. Unless it is some specific product, like clothes or appliances made in China, expect to pay duty up to 3 times the value. My verfied experience with Preferred is, 4 out of 5 goes through unchecked, and 1 out of 10 gets lost or shows up 3 months later.
Visit Catemaco News

(This post was edited by dongringo_catemaco on Mar 18, 2011, 9:51 AM)

Axixic

Mar 18, 2011, 12:32 PM

Post #6 of 8 (4473 views)

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Re: [Casa] customs asking for invoices

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In Reply To

Check out this link, it should give you some good useful information concerning goods crossing the border

Yeah, you wouldn't want to get 10 years and a $250,000 fine for bringing in some electronics. Those must be some expensive electronics. Now I'm thinking twice about trying to smuggle in a swimsuit. Good thing I read that link.

woffoman

Mar 20, 2011, 2:29 AM

Post #7 of 8 (4333 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] customs asking for invoices

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Thanks to the ones who gave useful advice. I'll bite the bullet and send the invoices. I hope they don't put a fine on top of the 16% IVA but that is probably wishful thinking. I wonder what would happen in this case if I had just sent myself old stuff with the receipts long gone.

The moderator who sensored for giving illegal advice is not the sharpest crayon in the box. There is little point in obeying the laws when the worst criminals are writing them. If you are stupid enough to get caught just bribe the judge.

(This post was edited by woffoman on Mar 20, 2011, 2:34 AM)

tonyburton / Moderator

Mar 20, 2011, 8:20 AM

Post #8 of 8 (4301 views)

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Re: [woffoman] customs asking for invoices

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"The moderator who sensored for giving illegal advice is not the sharpest crayon in the box"

On the contrary, Rolly (the moderator) and dongringo_catemaco (who was reporting his experience on another forum) are both VERY SHARP "crayons in the box" !!