eagles100 Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 After getting quotes of $12,000 Canadian for shipping just "stuff" (no furniture) from Eastern Canada to Mexico, we decided we would have to take the reigns into our own hands. We're seriously thinking of buying an enclosed cargo utility trailer in Canada and hauling it down with our SUV. Hubby will drive it and I will fly down. The plan is to bring both the SUV and the trailer back to Canada about 10 months later, sell both in Canada, fly back down to Mexico and buy a new car. Hubby will be Temporal and I will be Permanente; we're hoping to get our Visas this week. Hubby will then switch over to Permanente. We're looking for stories of your such experience, particularly at the border. Which Custom Broker did you hire? Did Customs give you a hard time. This will be a Laredo crossing. I did read the posts on here: http://www.chapala.com/webboard/index.php?showtopic=38018&hl=%2Butility+%2Btrailer which has given me some guidance. Gracias for your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezzie Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 I have crossed several times at Laredo pulling a couple of different size cargo trailers (24' and 10') all loaded with household goods and equipment. Anything under 10' you can cross at Bridge 2 but if over, there is not enough room to get through the customs area. For larger loads you need to use the Columbia crossing west of the city. Note that Columbia is not open 24 hrs. per day like the others are. Don't bother with a broker, it is a waste of time and money unless you have in excess of about $10K in declared value or want to try and get a duty exemption for your household goods on your Resident Temporal or Resident Permanente. If your trailer load is worth less than that (at garage sale valuations), just prepare a "Menage de Casa" and present it to the Aduana officials. They will check a few boxes to make sure it agrees with your paperwork (box# and contents) then will assess your duty (16% of assessment). You go inside and pay it (in MX pesos) then your good to go. The trailer gets attached to your TIP on your vehicle so it needs to be with the vehicle when you want to cancel the TIP on your way north again. At the interior checkpoint you will need to present your TIP and stamped Aduana receipt if asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagles100 Posted April 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 So if our goods are worth, at yard sale prices, $3,000, would it be worth getting a customs broker? And without a customs broker, would we still have to pay the 16% even though this would be our one and only import of household goods on our Permanente/Temporal Visas (within 6 months of receiving the Visas)? We haven't started our Menaje de Casa yet but we will begin that soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyfull Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 I know lots of people who have driven their own trailers down and none of them have used customs brokers. Ezzie has good advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryanram Posted April 22, 2013 Report Share Posted April 22, 2013 We have never used a broker,bringing in a 8x5 covered cargo trailer,through laredo#2 bridge 3 times.We declair 1000-1500US each time(depending on how much electrical we had..Never payed over $125USD which is payed in pesos. Also remember when you get your pesos for your trip,your cuota fee will be slightly higher as you pay per axle.I think our's was about.1000p on our last trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regc80 Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 I moved here last year and bought a pick up truck and a 5x8 cargo trailor. I inventoried everything and did not use a broker or agent. I did hire a guide that met me at the border through a local here with a good repuation, Mark Turford. He arranged a Mexican that lives in the border town, Reyanosa to walk across the border and meet me at 6am in the parking lot of a store and escort me across the border. He helped me handle all the fees, etc. I only had to pay $170 in duty for everything, as he was very charming and was able to get the Customs people to like him. We had to unload the entire trailor at the border and they looked at my stuff and agreed with my value of only $1,000 for everything. Then we reloaded, paid the Customs fees and were on our way. He took me across town where we met another guide, and this man drove my truck and trailor all the rest of the way, with me being the passenger. I had to pay $400 deposit for the truck/trailor and show proof of ownership of both. If you want Marks' contact info, then PM me and I'll be happy to give it to you. He was extremely helpful and helps gringos move across the border all the time. I highly recommend him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bourbonman Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 How is the import permit handled on the trailer? Connected to the pulling vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezzie Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 Yes, the trailer is listed on the TIP along with your tow vehicle. You will need to present the ownership and they will record the VIN# of the trailer as well as licence plate#. Upon exit, they will verify if it is the same "package" (VIN#s of both trailer and tow vehicle are the same as recorded in their computer). If they match, you will be able to turn in your window sticker and receive a refund of the amount you paid for the permit upon entry (less the admin fee). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezzie Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 So if our goods are worth, at yard sale prices, $3,000, would it be worth getting a customs broker? No, it would not be worth it. 16% of $3,000 is $480 US. A brokerage fee would be about that or more and you would have difficulty finding one that would want to bother for such a small shipment. And without a customs broker, would we still have to pay the 16% even though this would be our one and only import of household goods on our Permanente/Temporal Visas (within 6 months of receiving the Visas)? Yes you would still have to pay. Aduana will not give the exemption unless the importation is handled by a broker (see above). There is a special form that is used that only the brokers can issue. With time you will learn that "it is all about the money" when entering Mexico. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunyan Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 I made a very general inventory of numbered boxes in English and Spanish (Cocina, Ropa, Recámara, etc.) I had my 6'x12' trailer packed so that opening the back or side door made it look like mayhem. Told the guy all personal household stuff, maybe $1000 garage sale value. He looked in the back door & told me to close it up. IMPORTANT: keep the receipt they give you for paying the duty. After a dozen security stops on the road down from Nogales, the very last one wanted to see my declaration receipt. Had I not had it?????? I would think your biggest headache would be at US customs. I am now taking the pickup and trailer back to the States to sell them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xcalaker Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 I would think your biggest headache would be at US customs. I don't follow you on that statement. US customs are a non-issue when coming into Mexico. But yes!! Definitely ask for and keep any and all receipts. FOREVER! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunyan Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 The OP said he's coming out of Canada. Gonna have to go thru US Customs to do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezzie Posted April 24, 2013 Report Share Posted April 24, 2013 This post is about crossing into Mexico, not crossing from Canada into the US. But since you you need to do that if coming from Canada to Mexico by land with a cargo trailer, it is relevant for Canadians. Here are some of my experiences - again, it seems to be a new adventure each time I have done it - you never can predict what is going to happen. Each trip travelling to Mexico with household goods packed in a cargo trailer I have crossed at Sarnia/Port Huron in Ontario. First time, I presented my person to US Customs stating what the purpose of my trip was (moving to Mexico) and presented my "newly minted and duly authorized "Menage de Casa" I had just obtained from the Mexican Consulate in Toronto. Long story short - after much confusion and wrangling on the part of the US officials, I was refused entry and turned back to Canada. They said they needs "proof" I had ties to Canada and was not attempting to illegally migrate to and settle in the US of A. Apparently my passport, FM3 and Menage de Casa was insufficient evidence of my intentions. They wanted me to present further documentation such as recent utility bills, property tax bills, Income Tax returns, etc. So I left the trailer at a parking lot on the Canadian side and did the 6 hr. round trip back to my home and dug out "tons" of "evidence" of my ties to Canada (pay stubs, tax receipts, etc.). When I got back to Sarnia and attempted to cross again, I was hauled into the inspection office for another "chat". This time, they were unable to come up with a reason why I could not pass after inspecting my volume of paperwork. They did take it upon themselves to warn me that Mexico is a very dangerous place and I should reconsider my intention of moving there!! 2nd trip was a little easier, they didn't ask for my paperwork and merely looked through the trailer. 3rd trip, I sailed right through after about 30 seconds of chat with the Customs officer, I was instructed to "carry on". I guess their computer file now knows all about me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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