22 replies to this topic

[Ryu]

So I live very near the border, like 1/2 a mile. I was thinking of just driving a small rental truck into TJ (note not pickup)? What do you guys think, will I get stopped? Will they let me in? Can I get insurance at the border for the truck? Or is this the stupidest thing you've heard?

[Chiquito]

No personal experience but I don't think the border guys will care. You will almost certainly be violating the terms of the rental though. You probably won't be able to get insurance because you are not the registered owner.

[vagabundo]

There is no moving truck/van rental company in the US that I know of that allows there vehicles to be driven into Mexico. But I have driven U-haul trucks into TJ twice without incident.


There's a moving van rental company in TJ just South East of the new Costco that I rented a van from once. I didn't try it but they said that it was possible to drive their vehicles into the US.

[fatboy]

how do the taxes work?
suppose i bring some furniture down to tijuana to my apartment from san diego.
or a stereo and television that is so old it is practically worthless due to depreciation.
do i have to declare the items at the border, and is there a penalty if i don't?
and what are the fees or taxes associated with cheap ass stuff.

--------------

i read the answer to my question in another post.
in that post, the member paid $40 for a truckload of stuff and was able to buy insurance for the truck.

[sdc]

Used items you don't have to pay dues on.

[fatboy]

thanks, sdc.

so you are saying that if i move from san diego to tijuana, i don't have to pay "duties" on my things, i just have to declare them?

so the person who paid $40, that was for brand new items that was in the moving truck?

i don't recall there being anything new on her list.

http://www.tijuanabl...p?t=558&start=0

[andy]

You may want to stop by customs and pick up a brochure and ask some questions before your move.

I think even with used items they need to be declared if you are over your exemption amount. You get to set the value.

Also, I believe 'personal items' such as clothing, food etc don't count towards the exemption. They really will be looking at electronics and appliances.

[sdc]

I'd go through the no declare line if I were you and take your chances with getting the green light....

[Tcat]

I agree with SDc.

I am on van/pickup load #7 today. I have a small storage locker where I drop things from Seattle. Some days I walk across with my back pack and carry over say a stereo amp or some computer parts. Nobody even asks me for the button to red light/green light.

The auto will auto get a light. It seems that green light is heavly favored at commute time (5:15 PM to 6?)

I have planned my trip each time for a red light and not had enough of interest. Today it will be 88 pounds of brand new rigid fiberglass panels covered in colored burlap that has been flameproof coated. I will be using this "artwork" as sound panels to cut down the reflection of internal noise from the all tile and concrete walls that make up my digs...

That just isn't very much stuff or very interesting even in an inspection.

[Chiquito]

I have also noticed that most cars seem to get the green light in San Ysidro at commute times. Have also passed around 10 or 11 at night and about every car was getting a red light.

Last week I got the red light and went to inspection. I had about 15 bags from Vons, 4 from Walmart, 5 from Home Depot, all loaded, maybe $600 worth of stuff. The aduana guy took a quick glance thru the window and waved me on.

[ItsJustBeachie]

The same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago. Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Walmart, and Pier One Clearance Center. (MORE THAN $600 bucks lmao)...I almost had heart failure when the red light lit up as there wasn't even room for my boxer inside the Beetle with me...oh yeah, and the notebook computer behind the driver's seat...I popped the trunk, Mexican border agent peeked in, smiled and waived me on. In shock, I sat there looking at him like, you're sure??? LOL Yeah, he waived me on.

Now, the mornings...I'm getting to know all the U.S. Agents...Citizenship? You LIVE HERE???? LOL Bringing anything back? Yeah, let me see, half my breakfast (bought on la linea) and the water for my Starbucks in the to go mug. They laugh and send me on my way.

Beachie and Utah the Boxer Babe

[Chiquito]

I came into the US Friday morning about 6 AM. My Explorer loaded with suitcases and duffle bags, almost hanging out the windows. Told the guy at the gate I had a ceramic cat and coffee mug from Mexico and everything else was US goods returning. He waved me thru without looking. I didn't think it would be that easy. Most of the stuff I bought in Mexico, furniture, appliances, household stuff, I left there. Strange to be homeless.

[jdcs167]

I dont think I read if the rental truck into TJ happened, any one find out about this ? I want to move from TJ to somewhere else in TJ, but I want to do it at my own pace and time. Every place in TJ I call will only rent it with the driver and only until 4pm. I want to move later in the evening and drive the truck myself. Any experience / advise welcome as I want to do move this weekend.

Hank,

[galvezis]

When I moved to playas I brought ALL my stuff EVERY DAY for about 2 weeks. Boxes one day, my couch the next day, then the big screen and so on...THE RED LIGHT NEVER TURNED ON!!! Maybe I got lucky...By the way, I brought everything back on my Expedition, one day at a time from a storage place in Chula Vista.

[jdcs167]

Thats what I did when I came down, but now im just moving to a different place in TJ and I want to rent a truck to do this so that I can get it done in one day.

[zunigan]

I have had a full load in my truck for the last 4 months. Sometimes I can't even see the back seat. Truck bed full, I have gotten all my tv's, dvd players, stereo and almost all my small furniture items. So far so good. I just drive into the no declare line and keep on going. I have noticed that in the early morning when I am in line to cross back to the us that early at 5 am they seem to get the red light alot more than at 8 when I cross on Saturdays. I have been bringing in 2 x 4's and plywood and they don;t even seem to look my way.

[dreambrother]

You may want to stop by customs and pick up a brochure and ask some questions before your move.

I think even with used items they need to be declared if you are over your exemption amount. You get to set the value.

Also, I believe 'personal items' such as clothing, food etc don't count towards the exemption. They really will be looking at electronics and appliances.

well there goes me bringing my fender strat, lcd tv, and collection .

i came late at night and no one said anything when i did bring my stuff over. had my tv-old thing though-cds, but lots of clothes and food.

[BajaGringo]

Timing does have a lot to do with whether you get a red light. I have also noted that late at night and early mornings are when I see more red lights. Monday-Friday late afternoons with the crowd coming back to Tijuana seems to be one of the best. I have also noticed that rainy days are almost red-light free. Could be just a coincidence - haha...

[Tj Jack]

If you drive as far right in the lane as you can (without running up on the island) you miss the meter in the ground with half your car and will almost never get a red light.

[BajaGringo]

Actually I have heard that is true with either side of the lane. Not sure how true it is...