First off, I don't want to start a discussion about the ethics of avoiding import tax. That being said, I really wouldn't have the time to go around from store to store in Penasco to find what I needed. So, we're bringing some furniture down from AZ in an open pickup bed. I've heard that sometimes you have to pay tax on imports, but I've also heard that you can get a "pass" to furnish a home. And if it's your own furniture (eg: you say it's used), it's not a problem at all. It's not a ton of stuff, but we planned to take it out of the boxes anyway. (A couple of lounges, a couple of chairs, a glider bench.) We don't have to scuff it up or anything, right?
nope, just put it in the truck and hope for green light. I have been stopped with numerous "used" items, no issue. Been stopped with new mattress, household items, no issues. Only time I paid tax was when i requested too, one time.
Complete remodel of condo, stopped 3-4 times, never anything more than a question or two.
We brought down a ton of new stuff. Most of it was taken out of the boxes but not all. Luckily, we only got the red light once. I think we paid $75.00 on about $500 worth of stuff. The other trips we were lucky to get green.
Have some receipts from say Denise's Resale Barn. For 25 % of value ready...my bet is they will pull you over with that much stuff...best to spread it out
Take all out of original packaging and use the phrase "Usado" (used) or Segunda mano, (second hand) if you get the red light.
But really hope to get the Green light and continue on with a quick wave to the agents.
The problem with a lot of the furniture we brought down was that it needed to be assembled. We hid a ton of stuff flat, under what looked like the flat bottom of the SUV. It's easier to hide stuff when it's enclosed in an SUV rather than a pick-up. We made sure the SUV didn't look like the Beverly Hillbillies when you looked through the windows, either. They can still pull you over even if you get the green light. The extra $$ was only for December and January - for Xmas gifts, etc.
We was faced with the same dilema. We needed patio furniture but I got tired of being a "smuggler". The last few times we needed furniture I hired a broker and paid the tax on my "used" furniture. The last time we went to Sam's Club in town and found what we needed. The price was extremely reasonable and they delivered. Must admit I felt good about supporting local business.
We was faced with the same dilema. We needed patio furniture but I got tired of being a "smuggler". The last few times we needed furniture I hired a broker and paid the tax on my "used" furniture. The last time we went to Sam's Club in town and found what we needed. The price was extremely reasonable and they delivered. Must admit I felt good about supporting local business.
With some stuff that's fine - like patio furniture. But there was no place locally that I could find modern, contemporary style furniture. I did not want my condo to be decorated in the Mexican rustic style. Not that I have anything against that, but everyone does it to death. We get a lot of Mexican nationals renting our place and they don't want Mexican rustic decor - they want modern. We have fresh bright walls, dark espresso wood furniture and our accessories have all the color.
Is what we thought but it changes for 1 tem to multiple items. We had 3 people in car and an a/c unit at $750 and they said could only claim a maximum of $300 duty free per car load on one item. My sister corrected me and said they tried to say $75 per person but she had new rules on ipad which she brought up to custom lady...rules had just newly changed so was a bit of confusion. Is $300 per person on multiple items. So 15% duty was paid on balance. When they were looking at a/c unit she was asking if we had more, had we understood the law better and had said yes, we would of got $900 exemption and no duty. Still was a huge savings over mexican cost. Is nice you can combine exemptions with others as canada / usa border will not allow it. We claimed it as it was such a huge item and had read duty was much higher if they found it during red light search....was also something we definitly could not say was used.
Go to Elektra. They have all kinds of appliances there at a very reasonable price. I paid 290 bucks for a 9 cubic foot fridge last year. They also deliver for 8 bucks.
Go to Elektra. They have all kinds of appliances there at a very reasonable price. I paid 290 bucks for a 9 cubic foot fridge last year. They also deliver for 8 bucks.
Thanks. I just had guessed that if there were an appliance place in town, there would be no variety. Will check it out.
All new. The same fridge I got for 290 at Elektra was 475 at Coppels. I am bad with street names but it is east of Benito around Simon Morua. You can see the sign from Benito.
Mumbles Coloniales on Constitucion had exactly what we needed in a fridge and delivered it that afternoon! Really great people and prices!
Coloniales has nice selection of appliances. I needed a new propane range a few months ago and picked up a good Whirlpool SS unit. They also carried units by MABE (mexican division of GE). Best of all, they delivered it to Playa Encanto free of charge. I also needed to replace my propane water heater recently and picked it up there. It's a nice family run store. VISA/MC accepted.
I had a 2 ton unit from Mumbles installed for $40,
and was thru them. I also supported a local store rather than major chain like Sams,
Sorry Jerry, I will do that every time even if it's a few bucks more. But that's just me.
I did go to Muebles Coloniales but they did not have the size I needed. I needed a 9 cubic foot, the biggest that would fit in my 27 foot 5th wheel and Col0nias only had dorm size and king size. I did look around at other things and think Elektra was a little better in prices. My fridge is a Mabe, the Mexican GE. However, Elektra does charge to deliver.....Don't go to Coppel, they are very expensive! My refrigerator purchase effort should have it's own thread! LOL! It took the better part of 3 days spread over 2 weekends and my handyman had to go to make sure he could fit it in. And then he had to trim. And take the door off my trailer to get it in! LOL! And, Elektra does not take dollars or Debit cards and trying to cash that many dollars into pesos in one day was fun! However, I enjoyed the experience! LOL! Anyway, good luck in your purchase!
2 weeks ago had to buy a new water heater. 40 gallon one came out to $238.00 USD at Muebles Coloniales. Has a 1 year guarantee. They were quick and easy to work with - would definitely buy from them again.
Is what we thought but it changes for 1 tem to multiple items. We had 3 people in car and an a/c unit at $750 and they said could only claim a maximum of $300 duty free per car load on one item. My sister corrected me and said they tried to say $75 per person but she had new rules on ipad which she brought up to custom lady...rules had just newly changed so was a bit of confusion. Is $300 per person on multiple items. So 15% duty was paid on balance. When they were looking at a/c unit she was asking if we had more, had we understood the law better and had said yes, we would of got $900 exemption and no duty. Still was a huge savings over mexican cost. Is nice you can combine exemptions with others as canada / usa border will not allow it. We claimed it as it was such a huge item and had read duty was much higher if they found it during red light search....was also something we definitly could not say was used.
So it's $300 per person only on multiple items? If you have one item that is $400, and two people in the car, you only get the one $300 exemption, not $600? So we'd have to pay 16% tax on $100? Not a lot of money, I'd just rather stop and pay $16.00 than get the red light and have to pay more for not declaring.