Jump to content
Chapala.com Webboard

Laredo Southbound Crossings


Ezzie

Recommended Posts

Coming into Mexico at the end of November from the Toronto area and will be bringing a "Menage de Casa" in a large pickup truck pulling a 24' cargo trailer (this is larger than I need but is all I have for a trailer right now). Will be coming into Laredo on I35. The "owner" of the Menage de Casa (my wife) has a recently issued FM3, is a resident of Mexico and will be accompanying the goods. I have followed the examples of how to put together the bi-lingual Menage as outlined on the Strom-White Movers site, identified and recorded the serial#'s of all electronic items and labelled all of the boxes. The truck and trailer are in my name and I will be returning to Canada with them a couple of weeks later. I am coming in on a tourist visa since I still reside in Canada, just moving stuff for my wife's apartment in Chapala.

What is the best crossing to use for an early crossing (6-7AM) on a Saturday morning?

Are there any tips anyone can provide to minimize the pain of the crossing?

Are there any declared value limitations I should be aware of?

Sorry for the questions but I have had so many different opinions I am confused on what is fact and fiction.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Any crossing should be fine, but most seem to prefer Bridge #2 at Laredo.

By the way, just how big is that 'large pick-up truck'? There is a point at which Mexico considers a truck a commercial vehicle and won't let it into the country. I don't know if it is 3/4 or 1 ton, etc., so it might be wise to check on that, just to be sure.

Have a good trip.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a 2006 Ford F350 - 1 ton dually. GVWR is 5300kg (11,600 lbs.) and is lisensed as a personal use vehicle and not as a commercial vehicle. I can find no information (yet) to indicate that such a vehicle would be refused entry. I have sent a query to Banjercito to see if they have any further info about this.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well this is the email I got back from Banjercito as a reply to my query.

"In Mexico it is not allowed to transport a "Menage de Casa" on a personal vehicle. Mexican Customs will not let you through.

A Pick up with a maximum load capacity of 3500 kg could get a temporary import permit; your Ford with a GVWR of 5300 kg minus Curb Weight has a load capacity of around 2700 kg, and therefore qualifies for a permit, but we recommend you not to make this long trip with your truck and trailer just be rejected at the border. "

Anybody else heard of this?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suggest that you contact Strom-White movers in Ajijic, www.strommoving.com/ , and see if they would accept your load at their Laredo warehouse, with your menaje de casa. Then, they would move the goods from there to Chapala and solve your problem.

You could either follow, leaving the trailer in Laredo at a storage facility, or return both the truck and trailer to Canada from Laredo.

I have heard that people in your situation have been 'surprised' by having to hire a broker at the border, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is this some new rule?

"In Mexico it is not allowed to transport a "Menage de Casa" on a personal vehicle. Mexican Customs will not let you through.

I have not heard of this before and we contacted an Immigration specialist in Ajjijic yesterday who denied there is any issue with bringing your goods in yourself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Just completed my round trip from the Toronto area to Chapala and back. Had the pleasure of visiting in the area for a week. Rather than go through a diary, this is a summary of what I learned that may help others contemplating a similar trip.

- I love Mexico and have my heart set on living in the Lakeside area as soon as I can get my affairs NOB completed, despite all the bad PR due to recent violence

- its about 4200km. each way and we did the drive in a little over 48 hrs. each way (not including lost time due to border crossing BS)

- US Border Services are paranoid, unprofessional and have no clear understanding of how to handle or process a person doing what I was doing

- going through the effort of completing and getting a "Menage de Casa" certified by your local Mexican Consulate ahead of time just so you can get a duty exemption is a complete waste of effort for any entries valued at less than about $3000 US at garage sale valuations

- higher valued "Menage de Casa" entries must be accompanied by a "Pedimento de Menage de Casa" which is only available through a Customs Broker or else Aduana will refuse you entry - not a viable option for lower valued shipments

- best to present a list in a similar format to a "Menage de Casa" but with an additional column showing your estimated garage sale values for furniture and electronics items and then pay the 16% duty on that amount

- they didn't seem to have a problem with my list in English only (I mistakenly handed them the wrong one and they didn't ask for the Spanish translated version I had with me)

- you get a $300 US exemption off the total declared value of the items you are bringing in

- your personal items such as clothing and toiletries, etc. are not dutiable

- don't go through the Aduana area at Bridge 2 if you have a vehicle and trailer package longer than about 30' - my package is a little over 50' long and the place just cannot handle anything of that length - bent one trailer rim and ripped the sidewall out of another tire on a curb plus created a horrendous traffic jamb

- use Columbia if you are crossing during the limited hours Columbia is open

- the cleaning lady in the Aduana office is the only one in there that can speak English, she is an ex-USA prison visitor that was "returned" to Mexico against her wishes but a delightful lady - give her a good tip for her help

- if you are bringing in a motorcycle or ATV in your trailer, it is just added to your vehicle permit and must exit as a package when you exit Mexico or you will not be able to cancel the permit - doesn't matter who owns the bike as long as it has an ownership

- the climb on the Cuota south out of Saltillo is really long and a hard pull, biggest climb of the trip

- the roadside Mexican mechanics on the otherside of the hill DO have used hose clamps you can use to put the blown turbo pipe back on your rig

- there is a really nice new tourist centre in the median at San Pedro worthy of stopping for good food and clean restrooms (3 pesos fee), a welcome oasis in the middle of the dessert

- the road between San Luis Potosi and Lagos de Moreno is really crappy and the worst road of the trip

- travelling at night on the route listed on the Strom-White website feels safe due to the volume of transport trucks hauling at all hours of the day and night

- I love Mexico and have my heart set on living in the Lakeside area as soon as I can get my affairs NOB completed, despite all the bad PR due to recent violence (did I mention that already?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Only consolation about that truly crappy stretch of Ruta 80 between SLP and Lagos de Moreno is that the whole thing will be bypassed and replaced soon. You probably noticed yourself driving alongside a not open but pretty much finished new road. Interestingly, the new Guia does NOT show the very good and open for one year stretch of new cuota from the old southern end of Ruta 101 to Ruta 75 but it DOES show the replacement of this part of Ruta 80 (we call) the road from Hell as under construction. Supposed to open some time next year is my understanding. It alone should cut off a half hour and reduce much wear and tear on the vehicle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We always use bridge #1 and have had no problems with our list of items in English and lots of fun with the English/Spanish translations of items! It may not be suitable for rigs of your size and driving thru Laredo in town to get to bridge....just came back from shopping in Texas a couple of weeks ago and declared a little over $1,000 USD, they did a cursory look, we paid our 16% and were on our way. We like this crossing because it is so easy to get to migracion from there!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So glad you made the trip safely and without too much incident. I have many lovely stories about US Border Patrol agents reactions to Canadians driving to Mexico. They hit me entering and leaving on the move down and gave me a really nice long inspection on my last trip to Laredo from here. And it will be my last trip after their attitude. But that is another thread. When are you back full time? Will you make the drive again? So happy you love it here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you CCC. I hope to make many trips again to the area and to join my lovely wife there on a permanent basis as soon as I can sell our home NOB.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...