Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

MadisonLn

Aug 23, 2010, 7:30 AM

Post #1 of 10 (3249 views)

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Need for Customs Broker?

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My wife and I are moving to San Miguel d'Allende and the first phase of our move will occur in a few weeks when we drive from North Carolina with some household goods in our SUV (no trailer). We've obtained FM3 and Menaje de Casa, all in the past 4 weeks from our local Mexican consulate. (We've also abtained the car permisso) When we received the Menaje de Casa, the consulate worker told us we will need a customs broker. She went to a back office, called one in Laredo and returned with information indicating we would need to pay about $300. She couldn't explain any further, particularly when I pointed out that we were under the impression that we pay no duty provided we move household goods within 6 months of obtaining our FM3. Can anyone shed light on this and provide any recommendations?

Rolly

Aug 23, 2010, 8:01 AM

Post #2 of 10 (3235 views)

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Re: [MadisonLn] Need for Customs Broker?

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You were informed correctly. A customs broker is required to process the paperwork with Mexican customs.

Rolly Pirate

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

MadisonLn

Aug 23, 2010, 8:45 AM

Post #3 of 10 (3220 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Need for Customs Broker?

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Thanks, Rolly. I'm planning to cross the border at 7AM on sunday morning.
Do you have a suggestion as to how to process this in advance, or at least such that I'm not significantly delayed at the border? (This may be covered in your book, but I just received my copy).
I'm also curious over what service the customs broker provides for their $300 fee?

Rolly

Aug 23, 2010, 9:16 AM

Post #4 of 10 (3215 views)

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Re: [MadisonLn] Need for Customs Broker?

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A customs broker is required by the Mexican customs service (Aduana) if you have a menaje de casa or if you have non-personal items totally more than US$1,000. The value of the items is the current resale value, but the original or replacement cost.

If you think the value of your household items is less than $1,000, I suggest you forget about the menaje and just pay the duty, if any. FM3 folks are often allowed a lot of leeway, so the chances are your duty will be less than the cost of the broker.

Rolly Pirate

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

robt65

Sep 5, 2010, 3:39 PM

Post #5 of 10 (3002 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Need for Customs Broker?

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Hey Rolly,

Again anything that is for sure is not for sure in Mexico. Unless it has changed in the past year, I had my menaje de casa made out from Goggle translate in two different colors. Red for Spanish, Black for English, with all the necessary model numbers and serial numbers. My total amount was a little over $1900 USD and I never used a $300 dollar customs broker. Didn't have to unload the trailer. They did ask the first time to open a couple of boxes and to check and that was that. Had all boxes numbered and labeled on the outside with a list of each box's contents. Last time it was a value of over $1100 USD just for the new 42 inch flat screen television and wall mount, and I continue to this day to use this same method, without any problems. This is at the Matamoros crossing (Veterans International Bridge). One time I brought over a total of almost $2500 USD of power tools, using the same lists I make from Goggle Translate in Red and Black. Most of the things I have brought I neve had a reciept for either. I really like using this Port of Entry. Maybe someday they will change as to how it is supposed to be done but as of yesterday, the same thing, however yesterday's load was only $800.00 USD worth.
I have brought across three different computers and two different laptops from my home and never questioned. Total of two dogs and one cat and never questioned.

Robt65

(This post was edited by robt65 on Sep 6, 2010, 3:38 AM)

Moisheh

Sep 5, 2010, 3:59 PM

Post #6 of 10 (2997 views)

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Re: [robt65] Need for Customs Broker?

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I consider Rolly to be an actual expert but I thought the franquicia was now $3000 per person????

Moisheh

Rolly

Sep 5, 2010, 5:05 PM

Post #7 of 10 (2989 views)

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Re: [Moisheh] Need for Customs Broker?

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During the Christmas/New Year season, the government often raises the duty-free amount to US$300. This year (2010) they also increased the amount that would trigger the need for a broker to US$3,000. This seasonal program ended 11 April 2010 and reverted back to $75 and $1,000. So far as I know that has not changed.

The duty rate is now 16%.

Rolly Pirate

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

Moisheh

Sep 6, 2010, 5:53 AM

Post #8 of 10 (2950 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Need for Customs Broker?

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Rolly: I dont have the link but last year sometime I thought it had changed to $3000 period. The $300 duty free does not apply to foreigners. To make things even more confusing the English on their web site was different than the Spanish???

Moisheh

Casa

Sep 6, 2010, 8:32 AM

Post #9 of 10 (2920 views)

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Re: [Moisheh] Need for Customs Broker?

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Below are the texts and links to the Aduanas website that say the same thing you are saying.

Con motivo del Programa Paisano, durante el periodo comprendido del 28 de junio al 31 de agosto de 2010, los pasajeros de nacionalidad mexicana provenientes del extranjero que ingresen al país por vía terrestre, con excepción de las personas residentes en la franja o región fronteriza, podrán importar al amparo de su franquicia mercancía hasta por 300 dólares o su equivalente en moneda nacional, asimismo, los pasajeros procedentes de la franja o región fronteriza al interior del país, podrán importar al amparo de su franquicia mercancía hasta por 300 dólares o su equivalente en moneda nacional.

Declaración voluntaria

Es el medio en el que el pasajero internacional que arriba a México puede realizar la importación de las mercancías distintas a su equipaje personal y que exceden del monto de la franquicia a que tiene derecho, sin necesidad de contratar los servicios de un agente aduanal, siempre y cuando el monto de sus mercancías no exceda a 3,000 dólares de los Estados Unidos de América o su equivalente en otras monedas. Para ello es necesario, que las mercancías no estén sujetas a regulaciones y restricciones no arancelarias.

(This post was edited by Casa on Sep 6, 2010, 10:05 AM)

Rolly

Sep 6, 2010, 8:45 AM

Post #10 of 10 (2918 views)

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Re: [Casa] Need for Customs Broker?

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So, $3,000 it is. Thank you.

Rolly Pirate

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