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ZihuaCornerBar

Oct 3, 2009, 5:44 PM

Post #1 of 30 (2282 views)

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Would I make it?

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Hypothetically, If I decided to drive a car down from Tijuana to Guerreo, without getting a Temporary import permit, would I make it? Do I absoulutely have to stop at Aduana? This is a hypothetical, but I'm trying to get some feedback.

The OP in the previous thread inadvertently drove down without FMT nor import permit, so I'm wondering how thats possible....

http://www.harryscornerbar.com

arbon

Oct 3, 2009, 6:06 PM

Post #2 of 30 (2263 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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What vehicle will you be driving across at Nogales very early in the morning?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"the paranoid style"
or
Why people vote against their own interests.

(This post was edited by arbon on Oct 3, 2009, 6:11 PM)

ZihuaCornerBar

Oct 3, 2009, 6:11 PM

Post #3 of 30 (2255 views)

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Re: [arbon] Would I make it?

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Its a 2004 model Full size pickup, so, no its not 10 years old...

http://www.harryscornerbar.com

(This post was edited by ZihuaCornerBar on Oct 3, 2009, 6:12 PM)

arbon

Oct 3, 2009, 6:14 PM

Post #4 of 30 (2251 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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It has more to do with speed and noise than age.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"the paranoid style"
or
Why people vote against their own interests.

(This post was edited by arbon on Oct 3, 2009, 6:15 PM)

ZihuaCornerBar

Oct 3, 2009, 6:15 PM

Post #5 of 30 (2248 views)

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Re: [arbon] Would I make it?

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The TJ border is not a problem...you just drive across. But do they actually have checkpoints that will send you back? I don't remember any last time I drove down...

chinagringo

Oct 3, 2009, 6:23 PM

Post #6 of 30 (2246 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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My question is: why would you want to take the chance?

Granted every border set-up is different and they appear to be changing all the time. In the case of the Aduana south of Juarez - they just opened a new facility that you CANNOT bypass! All traffic must go through there. On our way down on the 14th of August, it was relatively low key but we did have to show paperwork. On our way north on August 29th, we looked over and saw plenty of military with vehicle mounted machine guns, etc. There is a new sense of seriousness!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

arbon

Oct 3, 2009, 6:31 PM

Post #7 of 30 (2243 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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"The TJ border is not a problem...you just drive across. But do they actually have checkpoints that will send you back? I don't remember any last time I drove down."..

That's right, but you still have to cross the Baja border to the mainland. (On the Map) Eh
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"the paranoid style"
or
Why people vote against their own interests.

bournemouth

Oct 3, 2009, 6:38 PM

Post #8 of 30 (2239 views)

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Re: [arbon] Would I make it?

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As you come through Sonora and reach the Sinaloa border, you have to stop and show that you have an All Mexico permit - you could try and drive on through but the US plates will give the game away. It's a long way back from that point to Kl. 21 where you get the permit.

sparks

Oct 3, 2009, 7:04 PM

Post #9 of 30 (2230 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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Friend of mine crosses the border and starts taking dirt roads before the KM21 stations. Last year he had his truck stolen so didn't have to worry about the next legal entry

Sparks Mexico - Sparks Costalegre

ZihuaCornerBar

Oct 3, 2009, 7:36 PM

Post #10 of 30 (2213 views)

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Re: [sparks] Would I make it?

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I'm not going thru Baja; just crossing thru TJ, then down to Guaymus thru the mainland. The truck is legal, but I have no pink or reg for it, only bill of sale + I already brought 1 car in...

Rolly

Oct 3, 2009, 7:53 PM

Post #11 of 30 (2211 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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The bill of sale should work -- it did for me. BUT the fact that you already have a vehicle in country is a show stopper. So the answer to your question -- Very damn unlikely.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
This is a good time to be living in Mexico.
A clean house is the sign of a broken computer.

Kimpatsu Hekigan

Oct 3, 2009, 8:00 PM

Post #12 of 30 (2204 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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All of Baja is a "free" vehicle zone, so no temporary vehicle importation permit is required. In Sonora, the "Hassle-Free" vehicle zone extends from the border along the west side of Hwy 15 south to the Km 98 checkpoint south of Empalme (near Guaymas). This is the last place to obtain a vehicle permit. Once you pass this facility, you're supposed to have the "All-of-Mexico" sticker (decal) on your windshield and the papers to go with it. But no one checks, so you could just cruise on by. Beyond that point, without a sticker, your vehicle would be in Mexico illegally.

As bournemouth says, the next problem is on Hwy 15 at the Sonora/Sinaloa border where traffic with non-Mexican plates is diverted off the highway to check for the sticker. But I've seen new-ish pickups with California plates just ignore the sign and keep on going. I have no idea if they had a sticker or not. You could by-pass this checkpoint by driving inland at the Masiaca turnoff in Sonora and proceeding south on unpaved tertiary roads to El Fuerte, Sinaloa, and then back to the main Hwy 15. Any foreign-plated vehicle on back roads will attract attention, though, especially this time of year because of clandestine agricultural activities in the area.

Between there and Guerrero, you will likely encounter several road stops manned by Federal Highway Police. They're mostly looking for seat belt violations, but if they get suspicious, they can ask for your papers. If you don't have them..."Poof!" There goes your vehicle. These Federal officers are supposed to be bribe-proof. Ditto for the Army, which has numerous checkpoints along Hwy 200 that runs from Tepic, Nayarit, south along the coast. (I've been told that the Federales, the Aduana police and the Mexican military are the only entities who can legally seize your vehicle.)

So...could you make it? Probably yes, but even one small screw-up that results in an encounter with the authorities could cost you your vehicle plus a lot of money and perhaps some jail time.

Don't forget to stop at the border or at an inland checkpoint like Km 21 south of Nogales to get a tourist card (FM-T) for yourself. At least you'll be in the country legally, even if your vehicle isn't.

FWIW,

-- K.H.

ZihuaCornerBar

Oct 3, 2009, 8:18 PM

Post #13 of 30 (2193 views)

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Re: [Rolly] Would I make it?

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Ok, thanks for that info, Rolly. I guess I could put the truck into my friends name and try to bring it in that way...I am also towing in a trailer and a 19ft Bostom Whaler that I plan to bring in legally by going to Aduana in TJ.
I have an FM3, but rarely mention that when I trave in/ out of Mex via plane...I always get an FMT. I return to the US every 2-3 months anyway.

The Banjercito website says only a pink slip or registration card will do...anyone else brought their car in with only a bill of sale?

and thank you, kimpatsu_hekigan, for all that info...big help

(This post was edited by ZihuaCornerBar on Oct 3, 2009, 8:23 PM)

ZihuaCornerBar

Oct 3, 2009, 8:39 PM

Post #14 of 30 (2183 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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Oh yeah, another thing: Would I have a problem at Banjercito getting an import permit for the trailer/ boat, since I have a vehicle in Mex already? Iguess what I am asking is if a trailer/ boat can only be imported in conjunction with a vehicle, or seperately as well?

I've been in Mexico now since January (Zihuatanejo) and absolutely love it. Love the people, the culture, the freedoms. I always have a big smile on my face. I managed to open a small bar that became a hit within a month, and I never owned a bar ever before...it doesn't make alot of money, but its something to do, it;s fun, and my spanish has gotten unbelievably good in a 9 month period!

Anyway, just wanna get this truck and this stupid boat here

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chicois8

Oct 3, 2009, 9:39 PM

Post #15 of 30 (2165 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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You may get lucky,I cross from Lukeville AZ into Sonoyta MX each year, about 20 miles east of Sonoyta highway 2 is diverted and a everyone checked (where you can get an FMT and Auto permit) I notice that at every stop I make whether it is a toll booth, Agriculture stop at border lines or the end of the no hassle Sonora/Sinaloa free zone there seems to be federales parked or someone looking at the windshield...At the Sonoyta checkpoint they made it clear they wanted to see the original registration even though I brought a copy of it and the pink slip...I guess you are driving around without insurance, since your vehicles will be in Mexico illegally so insurance will not be covering them...

Hound Dog

Oct 4, 2009, 6:07 AM

Post #16 of 30 (2132 views)

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Re: [chicois8] Would I make it?

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I am reminded of a story. The Federales hang out in Monterrey waiting to nab U.S. plated cars illegally in Mexico coming from Nuevo Laredo and a few years ago the powers-that-be in DF mandated that the import stickers be placed on the windshield in front of the rear-view mirror which is what we did and sure enough, on the autopista that traverses suburban Monterrey a Federal cop pulled us over and approached the car demanding our import papers. We showed him the papers and the import sticker and he went into a rage about Mexico City functionaries and I quote (translation by Dawg):

"¡Idiots! (Dawg is having some fun with his Spanish keyboard) ¡Morons! Those airheads in Mexico City sit in their cubicles and make imbecilic decisions and those cretins have never worked the roads and I doubt they ever even leave those cubicles except for lunch and the last place the import sticker should be placed is in the middle of the windshield where there is no way we can see it without pulling over the car and wasting our time in these ridiculous confrontations and I hate those useless bureacrats with a passion. Just move along. Sorry to bother you folks. ¡Damn!"

(This post was edited by Hound Dog on Oct 4, 2009, 11:04 AM)

ZihuaCornerBar

Oct 4, 2009, 10:43 AM

Post #17 of 30 (2076 views)

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Re: [Hound Dog] Would I make it?

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So since I already have a truck in Mex (it's been there for a year now), can I still bring in my trailer boat or will there possibly be a red flag?? I think I'll bring the boat/ trailer in legally, and take my chances with the truck...

jerezano

Oct 9, 2009, 10:03 PM

Post #18 of 30 (1933 views)

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Re: [ZihuaCornerBar] Would I make it?

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Hello,

ZihuaCornerBar said:>>I have an FM3, but rarely mention that when I trave in/ out of Mex via plane...I always get an FMT. I return to the US every 2-3 months anyway.

A typical Mexican maneuver. Works well. Unfortunately it is absolutely illegal to posses two different visas at the same time. I have no idea what the penalties would be if discovered. Please let us know if it ever happens to you.

Hasta pronto. jerezano.

Rolly

Oct 10, 2009, 6:33 AM

Post #19 of 30 (1898 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Would I make it?

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The penalty is revocation of the FM3.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
This is a good time to be living in Mexico.
A clean house is the sign of a broken computer.

Carron

Oct 10, 2009, 8:20 AM

Post #20 of 30 (1875 views)

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Re: [jerezano] Would I make it?

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This happened to me around 2001. I had to endure numerous repeat trips over several months of intimidation to MIgracion in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. I was threatened with deportation, confiscation of my $200,000 NM homestead there, no more permits to enter Mexico in the future..
Finally they let me off with a $300 US fine.

Zarcero

Oct 14, 2009, 2:41 PM

Post #21 of 30 (1702 views)

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Re: [Carron] Would I make it?

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Hypothetical discussions are always fun, especially when the topic involves doing something illegal. This is one of my fun ones.

Would I make it? A Tale of Entry into the US

Juan: I’d like to go to Gringolandia to visit my brother. He lives in Houston. I can’t get a visa, but if I try to sneak in do you think I can make it?

Julio: Sure many have done this. Don’t you like read the newspapers and stuff?

Juan: Where shall I cross?

Julio: I would recommend the following:

(1) That you swim across a few hundred meters south of Ciudad Acuna’s southern most bridge. The river is a little wide there and therefore not so well patrolled. You can swim it but make sure you use a chaleco salvavidas. Best time for crossing is about an hour before dawn.

(2) Buy a waterproof handheld walkie-talkie, but wrap it in plastic anyways. Have your brother buy the same on the other side and agree on what channel you want to use, so like you are not on different radio frequencies when you try to communicate. Comprende?

(3) Swim with bathing trunks, as wet clothes will weigh you down. Put a change of clothes in a backpack in a waterproof bag. Walkie-talkie in the backpack too. Make sure the bag is sealed and waterproof, because if the clothes get wet, they will become heavy, whereas if the bag is sealed you will have added buoyancy if you leave some air in the bag when you seal it. Jeans, good trekking shoes, black long-sleeved shirt. You will be crossing private ranch land on the US side for about two miles once you hit the US side.

(4) Agree in advance on an approximate pick-up point. Keep in mind the current in that area will sweep you a bit downstream. When you get to the US side, simply call him on the walkie-talkie and have him come get you. Just make sure you and he have similar maps. You can also study the terrain via GoogleEarth and GoogleMap beforehand. In fact, talk over the phone with him while using GoogleMap, etc. You will have fun just doing the planning. Really, it’s so cool, like ninjas and stuff, and you can do all this from an internet café here in Mexico.

Juan: But what about interior checkpoints that are manned by the US Border Patrol?

Julio: Not a problem. When your brother picks you up, tell him to just drive east on US90 out of Del Rio. When he gets to Bracketville have him turn left (north) on Texas Ranch Road 334. You can also stop and see the fake Alamo used in the John Wayne movie. Ranch Road 334 will take you TX55, turn south on TX55 and this will put you in the town of Uvalde. Doing this has you loop around the US Border Patrol checkpoint that is located in Cline. Comprende?

Juan: Julio, you are so smart. How do you know all these things?

Julio: Well Juan, I used GoogleMap and GoogleEarth. I can see the border check point on US90 right there on the internet. Then I called a pocho friend of mine in Gringolandia who checked the route out for me on his motorcycle. In return I gave him some Cuban cigars I bought at La Casa del Habano in Monterrey.

Juan: Es verdad? You are muy loco.

Julio: Well only hypothetically speaking.

Moral of the story: The law is broken on both sides of the border. Be careful what you do and discuss on the internet 'cuz you never know who is watching.

(This post was edited by Zarcero on Oct 14, 2009, 2:43 PM)

Carron

Oct 15, 2009, 8:08 AM

Post #22 of 30 (1616 views)

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Re: [Zarcero] Would I make it?

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Does your post take into consideration the new border fence which had recently been installed all along the northern bank of the river south of Cd. Acuna???

Zarcero

Oct 15, 2009, 10:18 AM

Post #23 of 30 (1593 views)

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Re: [Carron] Would I make it?

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As of Feb 2009 I have seen no such fence. Since your are right there at CdA, what do your binoculars reveal? Seems to me, construction of these fences has either stopped or never even got off the ground.

smokesilver

Oct 15, 2009, 10:43 AM

Post #24 of 30 (1583 views)

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Re: [Zarcero] Would I make it?

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The current adminstration/congress have just CEASED all wall construction along the border along with this decision was continued rantings & ravings fm the wingnuts.

Zarcero

Oct 15, 2009, 11:22 AM

Post #25 of 30 (1577 views)

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Re: [smokesilver] Would I make it?

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Which wingnuts? Seems to me both the Left and the Right wanted the fence and then didn't want it, and so on and so on, depending on what suited their agenda at the time.

Del Rio was just about the only border town in Texas that wanted the fence. Most ranchers along the border (and it's all private ranch land along the border) did not want the fence due to the loss of ranch land and rights-of-way needed to construct the fence.

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