Category Archives: Tijuana

San Ysidro “Stacked Booths” will speed up border crossing. By: Miguel Sedano

August 20, 2011

San Ysidro Border 2011

Even though demolition at the San Ysidro Port of Entry will be closing as many as five re-entry lanes at a time in the next few months, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said Thursday that traffic may actually flow faster through the busiest border crossing in the Western Hemisphere.
Traffic will be “channeled” into fewer lanes, the pace shouldn’t slacken because Customs will be opening additional inspection booths at each gateway to process two vehicles at a time. The so-called “stacked booths” are being used at other border crossings according to officials and have proven efficient.
San Ysidro is undergoing a massive, three-phase, $577-million reconstruction which requires the contractors to tear down existing structures that sit directly over the top of the 24 lanes of wall-to-wall, bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Since June, the Colorado-based Hansel Phelps Construction Co. has been “surgically” dismantling the sprawling administration complex above the traffic. Central to the process is a towering yellow crane that dominates the border landscape.
Starting at the end of August through Thanksgiving, the project enters a particularly tricky phase as remaining shell of the building must come down. To accomplish this, processing booth areas will be closed off as each section is torn down, affecting up to five lanes.
When it comes to figuring out which lanes are functional, Customs and Border Protection will try to remove the guess work for border travelers. A traffic engineer in Tijuana has been contracted to design a strategy for channeling vehicles to the “stacked booth” gateways.
By the end of August, Customs will have operating 10 gateways with “stacked booths” to process two vehicles simultaneously.
When completed, the reconfiguration and expansion of San Ysidro will have 62 northbound inspection booths, expanded processing facilities, a dedicated bus lane and express lanes for the “trusted traveler” programs – SENTRI and Ready Lane vehicles.
This first phase is fully funded and is on track to be completed by the summer of 2014, officials say.
The second phase, which includes the construction of the new administration building and pedestrian route and Phase 3, the realignment and expansion of I-5 south with expanded capacity and a transit center on the Mexican side of the border are as yet unfunded.

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First Look At Salma Hayek & Mathieu Demy In ‘Americano’

May 18, 2011

Written by: Oliver Lyttelton – THE PLAYLIST

It’s always said that when it comes to breaking into the film industry, it’s not what you know, but who you know, and it’s hard to deny that nepotism is rife in the industry. But when it’s meant that talents like Sofia Coppola, Nicolas Cage, Peter Fonda, Drew Barrymore, John Huston and, uh, Clint Howard, to name but a few, it’s hard to complain too much. Today we’ve obtained an exclusive first image of a project that utilizes a number of members of famous film-making families, and it’s looking pretty promising.

First Look At Salma Hayek & Mathieu Demy In ‘Americano’

First Look At Salma Hayek & Mathieu Demy In ‘Americano’

Actor Mathieu Demy comes from famous film-making stock, being the son of French film-making giants Agnes Varda and Jacques Demy, and he’s already racked up an impressive career in front of the camera, in films like “God is Great, But I’m Not,” “Aram” and “The Girl On The Train.” Now, according to a press release from BAC Films International, who’ve picked up all of the worldwide rights to the project, he’s made his directorial debut, on a self-penned project entitled “Americano,” and he’s attracted fellow filmmaking family members to the cast like Chiara Mastroianni, daughter of Marcello Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve, Geraldine Chaplin, daughter of Charlie Chaplin and Carlos Bardem, the older brother of Javier Bardem. But the film will be toplined by Demy himself, opposite international star Salma Hayek.

Demy will play Martin, a man grieving from the death of his mother, and escaping a failing relationship, who returns to Los Angeles, where he grew up, to sort out his inheritance. Troubled by childhood memories, he goes off to track down Lola, a Mexican woman (Hayek) who he knew in childhood, eventually finding her down at the Americano club in Tijuana, where she works as a stripper. Mastroianni will play Martin’s ex-girlfriend, while Chaplin will play an old friend of the family who kicks off his quest.

Demy comments in the press release “”Americano” is a film I have been working on for years. I wanted to tackle a theme that directly relates to my history, my identity: transmission. What do you inherit from your parents? How do you deal with it? And how do you write your own story?” And it seems like he’s using the unique advantages of his own upbringing: “I used footage from one of my mother’s film, “Documenteur”, where she filmed me when I was 8 and was living with her in LA. Those images find a special echo in the film, and question our relationship to fiction and reality. But I also wanted to do a universal film, that will travel and please all type of audiences. That is why I decided to gather a very special cast, whom I must thank for their support and their faith in the project.”

The film’s now in post-production, having recently wrapped its multi-lingual, globe-spanning shoot—it lensed in Paris, L.A. and Tijuana, and will be in French, English and Spanish—and should apparently be ready for the festival season in the fall, so a bow in Toronto or Venice wouldn’t be out of the question. Les Films du Losange will distribute in France, and BAC Films will be the sales agent. It all sounds fairly intriguing, and Demy’s parentage alone is reason enough to make us very, very curious about what he’s come up with.

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Baja California Responds To Safety Concerns And Eyes Rebound In Tourism

March 5, 2011

By Jeff Barnes, Editor, Mission Times Courier

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) – If safety concerns have kept you from visiting Baja California, the State wants you to know security has been stepped up across the region with your safety in mind.

Baja California Responds To Safety Concerns And Eyes Rebound In Tourism

Baja California Responds To Safety Concerns And Eyes Rebound In Tourism

The mayors of Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, Mexicali and Tecate recently invited media on a three-day tour of the region to discuss the changes that have been made to ensure the safety of tourists. The Mission Times Courier was one of several media outlets from California, Arizona and Nevada that joined government officials on the tour.

Tijuana’s new mayor and police chief say public safety for tourists is a top priority. Mayor Carlos Bustamante says media reports of crimes involving drug cartels over the past several years have led many to believe Tijuana has turned into “a crime city”. Today, officials say that perception couldn’t be farther from the truth. Police Chief Gustavo Huerta credits heightened enforcement and training for turning the city back into a safe place for residents and tourists. Thanks to greater coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement, the city has seen a higher number of seizures of drugs. The city has seen a 30% decrease in crimes involving cartel members and a 40% decline in violent crimes and robberies.

The police chief says new training standards and procedures have also been implemented to make sure officers are fulfilling their obligation. More than 500 officers have been fired for failing to comply.

“We’re not going to put up with any corruption,” Chief Huerta said.

A new “tourist police” force has been put in place in tourist areas, including Avenida Revolución, a downtown area known for its restaurants and shopping. The bilingual officers are more easily recognized and are eager to help tourists during their stay.’ read more »

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World-class plans for busy border crossing

September 28, 2010

$630 million, binational, eco-friendly expansion project is designed to lessen wait times at San Ysidro port.

By Sandra Dibble and Janine Zúñiga

World-class plans for busy border crossing

World-class plans for busy border crossing

Architects working on a major expansion and realignment of the San Ysidro Port of Entry, one of the busiest land-border crossings in the world, say they’re creating an environmentally friendly update that will quicken the flow of drivers and pedestrians.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to work on a facility that is this important, not only in terms of size … but also because of all the national security issues,” said the project’s top architect, Craig Curtis of Seattle- based Miller Hull Partnership.

The General Services Administration is handling the U.S. side of the project. It plans to spend $577 million, and the Mexican government will invest $54 million.

The port of entry will stay open during all three phrases of construction, but delays could occur. The first phase is taking place, with U.S. crews building a new 1,600foot-long pedestrian bridge.

More congressional funding is needed for the entire project, which won’t be completed until at least 2016.
Overview

The number of northbound vehicle inspection lanes will increase from 24 to 34.

Southbound lanes will increase from six to as many as 12.

There will be two pedestrian crossing areas in both directions on either side of Interstate 5. Currently, there is one northbound pedestrian crossing east of I-5, and one southbound crossing that’s west of I-5.

The revamped port of entry will have more buildings for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a larger primary and secondary vehicle inspection area, and a larger northbound connection and a realigned southbound connection to Mexico’s planned El Chaparral Land Point of Entry facility.
Community

The community has long pushed for a project that would decrease wait times at the border. Now it’s working with government officials to minimize disruptions to nearby businesses during the construction phases.

The San Ysidro Smart Border Coalition successfully campaigned for the second southbound pedestrian lane east of I-5. It’s still working to secure what it believes are fair payments to businesses displaced by the project.
Environment

Coordinators want the project’s buildings to receive a platinum rating, the highest designation for green construction offered in the U.S. They also hope to achieve “net zero energy” in all buildings, meaning that as much power is generated as it is consumed.

The United States has no netzero facilities that operate 365 days a year.

In addition, plans call for a 700,000-gallon rainwater reclamation system that would use the water for landscaping.

Architects say with a separate processing area for buses, they hope to encourage people heading north to forego their own vehicles and use public transit instead.
Mexico

The Mexican side of the project involves moving southbound lanes west of the current crossing and more than doubling their number — to 19.

Officials said by the end of this year, workers will complete two of four bridges connected to the expansion: Three will channel southbound traffic to different parts of Tijuana, while the fourth will feed into the northbound lanes.

Mario Diaz Solis, director of special projects for Baja California, said the new southbound lanes should be open by 2013.

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Look What I received at my front door at Palacio Del Mar. By: Miguel Sedano

August 9, 2010

Tijuana group aims to change city’s image
Gore, other leaders expected at meeting

TIJUANA — With drug gangs waging war on Tijuana’s streets last fall and many residents out of work, José Galicot began to brainstorm with a small group of friends. How could they show the world the Tijuana he knows, the city where he first prospered financially, the place that made the heart valve that keeps him alive today?
That conversation has now snowballed into Tijuana Innovadora, a $5 million effort led by the private sector to generate investment and change Tijuana’s image at home and abroad. Galicot is chief cheerleader for the wide-ranging conference planned for Oct. 7-21 at the city’s most important cultural center, the Cecut.
The list of guest speakers includes one of the world’s richest businessmen, Mexican multibillionaire Carlos Slim; former Vice President Al Gore; departing CNN talk-show host Larry King ; Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales; Twitter co-founder Biz Stone; Toyota executive Tetsuo Agata; space pioneer Burt Rutan; and Qualcomm Chief Executive Paul Jacobs.
Tijuana Innovadora is the latest — and by far the most ambitious — in a series of efforts led by Galicot to defend the city’s name.
“What we’re doing is taking a plate, throwing it on the ground, making noise and saying, ‘I’m here, this is what I am, look at me, United States, Europe ,’ ” said Galicot, 72, head of Tijuana’s Image Committee and a telecommunications and real estate investor. “Look at my factories. I am in a strategic location, right next to San Diego.”
Largely focused at first on the city’s manufacturing sector, Tijuana Innovadora now includes presentations on urban development, digital art, philanthropy and health care.
“What we’re trying to do is project a platform for a lot of things to happen in Tijuana — from infrastructure to new businesses to a new way of thinking to new techniques,” said Alejandro Bustamante, a Tijuana native, longtime leader in the city’s maquiladora (manufacturing) industry and champion of Innovadora.
The event’s price tag may be ambitious, but organizers are expecting to recoup their investment by selling conference tickets and vendor booths, seeking sponsors and private donations, and asking the government to underwrite one-fourth of the cost. Most morning sessions will be free, while $100 pays for the right to attend afternoon events on any given day. The dinners are being sold for $2,000 for a package of five.
Among the growing number of people joining forces for the event, many say just planning Tijuana Innovadora has had an uplifting effect — a chance to emerge from three years of incessant news about drug-related violence, kidnappings and an economic downturn that has cost tens of thousands of jobs and shuttered many businesses. At the group’s Wednesday meetings, these supporters include members of nonprofit groups, government officials, representatives of the city’s various chambers and a few backers from the U.S. side of the border.
Alida Guajardo de Cervantes, a cultural promoter in Tijuana, has joined forces with Tijuana Innovadora. She is leading a project to have residents across the city do a special dance at the same time — in schools, senior centers, factories, even in the yard of the state prison.
Scheduled for the conference’s last day, “Pa’ Bailar Tijuana” is a mass event with steps choreographed by the Tijuana-based dance ensemble Lux Boreal and set to music by Julieta Venegas, the Tijuana-born, Grammy-winning performer.
“I think it’s about showing who we really are. People in Tijuana get up and go to work,” said Guajardo, who was born in San Diego, raised in Mexicali and has lived in Tijuana for nearly four decades. “We have crime, but everybody has crime. Tijuana has always been fingered, all my life, as a city that has bad things.”
Tijuana Innovadora will strive to tell the other side of the story.
It is the story of a city that manufactures 98 percent of the headsets used by air traffic controllers worldwide, they said. A city that built the solar panels used at the stadium in South Africa that housed this summer’s World Cup. A city that expects to make 21 million televisions this year, according to DEITAC, a Tijuana group that promotes industry.
Few would deny that the city has struggled economically in recent years. Its maquiladora sector lost about 30,000 jobs between April 2008 and March 2009 — plummeting from more than 165,000 to 135,000. The factories are rebounding; they counted more than 146,000 employees in April.
IMCO, an economic think tank based in Mexico City, reports that Tijuana’s relative competitiveness slipped between 2006 and 2008, dropping from 15th to 31st place in a survey of 86 Mexican cities.
“Like the rest of the world, we’ve been in a recession, and we’ve felt it most strongly in the sectors that link us to the U.S. economy,” said Alejandro Mungarray, Baja California’s secretary of economic development.
The state has definitely turned a corner in recent months, he said, and “we’ve begun our recovery.”
Innovadora’s promoters are hoping to showcase certain industries such as medical device manufacturing, whose 41 companies employ more than 28,000 workers who assemble everything from catheters and orthopedics to pacemakers and heart valves. Another key sector is defense and aerospace manufacturing, with 31 companies and about 6,500 employees.
Promoters of industry said they are striving to grow out of the traditional model of export-oriented assembly plants that use low-cost labor and imported materials. With nearly 600 maquiladoras in Tijuana, “95 percent of the goods come from outside,” said Jaime González Luna, president of DEITAC. “We’re trying to make investment come in, but also evolve to the next step.”
One of those goals is to develop the city as a center for software development. Innovadora’s promoters have gotten some good news on that front: Microsoft has proposed establishing an “innovation center” in Tijuana that would provide millions of dollars’ worth of licenses and consulting services. The project would focus on developing technology for mobile devices.
Galicot, who like many of Tijuana’s well-to-do owns a home in San Diego, has long been a booster of Tijuana. He has spearheaded a program to decorate the city’s underpasses with murals, campaigned to copyright the city’s name and launched Paseo de la Fama, which displays photos of prominent residents in various locations.
When the Republican National Convention came to San Diego in 1996, Galicot led a public relations effort to bring journalists covering that event to Tijuana. The plan backfired when their attention was drawn to the kidnapping of a Japanese maquiladora executive in the city.
Galicot is undeterred by his critics.
“My first reaction (to Innovadora) was to tell him that he was crazy,” said Gastón Luken Aguilar, a businessman with cross-border ties and a close friend of Galicot’s. Luken has since changed his mind and plans to participate.
“It’s a very, very ambitious and very original grass-roots-driven idea,” he said. “I love grass-roots projects because there are very, very few of them in my country.”
By Sandra Dibble, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

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Baja building first in region certified green

June 2, 2010

Gold rating given for office project

By Sandra Dibble, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

TIJUANA — A 14-story office building in Tijuana’s Rio Zone is being celebrated today as the first certified green structure in northwest Mexico. Its amenities include bridges and skylights, a vast airy central chamber, and an aluminum skin to filter out ultraviolet rays.

Key members of the development team for Via Corporativo, a LEED-certified office building in Tijuana, are photographed in November.  David Maung photo

Key members of the development team for Via Corporativo, a LEED-certified office building in Tijuana, are photographed in November.  David Maung photo

“We wanted a building that would raise the bar completely in the region,” said Ramon Guillot Lapiedra, the project’s architect. “Certification is like icing on the cake.”

The certification comes from the U.S. Green Building Certification Institute through the rating system known as LEED, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The building, called Via Corporativo, achieved a gold rating, the second-highest of four possible designations. It is one of only three buildings in Mexico with that distinction, and the only one outside the Mexico City area.

The designation was given in April, but the owners held off on any public announcement. The rating has come amid growing efforts in Mexico to build LEED-certified structures. Mexico City has 18 certification projects in the pipeline, and the northern industrial city of Monterrey has five. In the Baja California capital of Mexicali, developers of the Solarium office building are going through the steps to achieve a silver rating later this year. read more »

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Unity of the Californias Is Main Message For the 5th Binational Mayor’s Summit

May 10, 2010

Unity of the Californias Is Main Message For the 5th Binational Mayor’s Summit

Unity of the Californias Is Main Message For the 5th Binational Mayor’s Summit

ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO—Taking advantage of the many opportunities shared between Southern California and Baja California was the main message delivered by speakers Friday at the Fifth Binational Mayors’ Summit here.

More than 220 civic and business leaders plus mayors from 14 cities on both sides of the border attended the summit, which had as its theme “Unifying the Californias.”

The summit, at which U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin was a keynote speaker, was the largest of the five inspired two years ago by an agreement between California Gov. Schwarzenegger and Baja Gov. Osuna.

Representatives of both governors attended Friday’s summit as did the consuls of several countries.

As well as welcoming and keynote speeches, the summit included workshops on border crossings, desalination/environment, economic development, public safety, education and a mayors’ roundtable. read more »

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Why do we continue to let fear dictate our adventures in Tijuana?

April 7, 2010

By Thomas Hughes, Esq

Thomas Hughes, Esq

Thomas Hughes, Esq

Last weekend I traveled to Tijuana, Mexico with a friend, Matt, from college.

Before leaving, all I heard from everyone, literally EVERYONE, is that you should not go.  I was berated by comments and questions like – If you go, be safe and don’t die.  Don’t get kidnapped.  Don’t get mugged.  Are you serious?   Why would you want to risk your life like that? Thomas, please think of your dog.

With these sentiments, I started to think maybe I should not go. Maybe this is a very, very bad decision. The fear from others infected my own thoughts. I grew nervous and doubted myself and my beliefs about traveling.

However, as I have learned to do, I decided to focus my energy on where this fear was originating.  Why are people so alarmed and scared to go 30 minutes away from where they currently are now?   Was the media creating this situation?  Were people actually witnessing horrible things first-hand?  Was Tijuana really that changed since the last time I was down there? Did traveling to Tijuana mean I was going to die?

Even though I was overwhelmed by people’s concern and preoccupied by my own inner doubts and fears, I moved forward. I chose actions that allowed me to travel even though all the signs pointed elsewhere. I did this because I do not share in the belief that you should let fear dictate your decisions in life.  In fact, I try constantly to do things in the face of that fear.

Thus, when the U.S. government announced a new security tourism travel alert for United States citizens traveling to Mexico the day before we left, I still moved forward. Even though CNN continued to show coverage of people being shot and killed in Juarez, I still moved forward. Even when my own friends and family cautioned me, voicing their concern for my safety and life, I still moved forward. read more »

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The Baja Blondes in Fox 5 Morning News

February 26, 2010

The Baja Blondes cast makes an appearance in FOX 5 Morning News with Chrissy Russo, Arthel Neville, Raoul Martinez, Shally Zomorodi – KSWB

Click to play video.

read more »

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What do I need to know when crossing the San Diego – Tijuana border? By Miguel Sedano.

January 21, 2010

What do I have to do when crossing the border?

Select carefully the lane to enter the country:
•    Nothing to Declare Lane
It is used when your exemptions do not exceed the permitted limits
•    Self-declaration Lane
It is used when you bring goods worth more than the personal or family exemptions, or when the amounts of goods exceed those amounts allowed in your personal luggage
Upon crossing the border, your vehicle will activate the Automated Selection Mechanism (stop light). When crossing the border on foot you will be asked to activate the mechanism:
o    The red light indicates that your luggage will be inspected
o    The green light indicates that you can drive through the Customs facilities without inspection
If you or your vehicle has been selected for inspection, a Customs Inspector will conduct the examination. If the Customs Inspector finds goods that should have been declared and you did not do it, the Inspector will classify and appraise the goods and will impose the corresponding sanctions.

If you mistakenly choose the wrong lane, you may approach a Customs Inspector and ask for a classification and appraisal of your goods for the corresponding payment of duties and taxes.

Customs Inspection

In some cases the customs Automated Selection System (stoplight) may determine, without human intervention that your belongings will be subject to customs inspection.

This is a simple procedure. We would appreciate your cooperation in order to make it an agile one too. Please follow our customs personnel instructions. They must treat you with courtesy and respect while they ask you to open your luggage and proceed with its inspection. Also, they must handle your belongings with care. Remember that all persons entering Mexico are obliged to comply with Mexico’s customs provisions.

What can I bring in duty free?

•    The items allowed in your personal luggage, according to the length of your trip
•    Up to 75 USD per person in permitted goods, or its equivalent in other currencies. Passengers traveling with family members (spouse and children) may combine their personal exemptions only when arriving together on the same vehicle. In order to claim this additional exemption, passengers must have the corresponding commercial invoices or receipts available
•    Beer, alcoholic beverages, manufactured tobacco and motor vehicle fuel (except for the fuel contained in the vehicle’s fuel tank) may not be included in this additional exemption

Which items may be included in my personal luggage exempt from duty?

1.    Goods for personal use, such as clothing, footwear and personal toiletries and beauty products, as long as they are appropriate for the duration of the trip, including wedding party items.
2.    Two photographic cameras or video recorders, 12 rolls of film or videocassettes; photographic material; two cellular telephones or radio phones; a portatil typewriter; an electronic calendar; a portable computer (laptop), notebook, omnibook or similar items; a copier or portable printer; a portable projector, and their accessories.
3.    Two sports equipment, four rods, three speedboats with or without sails and their accessories, trophies or recognitions, provided that they can be transported normally and commonly by the passenger, one stair climber and bicycle
4.    A portable radio for the recording or reproduction of sound or mixed tapes; or a digital sound reproducer or portable reproducer of compact discs and a portable reproducer of DVD’s, such as a pair of portable speakers, and their accessories.
5.    Five laser disks, 10 DVD disks, 30 compact disks (CD) or magnetic tapes (audiocassettes), for the reproduction of sound and five storage devices or memory cards for any electronic equipment.
6.    Books, magazines and printed documents.
7.    Five toys, —included those that are collectible— and a video game console and videogames.
8.    One device that permits measurement of arterial pressure and one for glucose, as well as medications of personal use; in the case of psychotropic’s the medical prescription should be shown.
9.    One set of binoculars and a telescope.
10.    Valises, trunks and suitcases necessary for the movement of goods.
11.    Passengers over 18 years of age, may introduce a maximum of up to 20 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco and up to three liters of alcoholic beverages, and six liters of wine; in excess of the above, cannot be imported without complying with applicable regulations and restrictions.
12.    Baby travel accessories, such as strollers and baby-walkers
13.    Two musical instruments and its accessories.
14.    A camping tent and camping equipment, as well as their accessories.
15.    Handicapped or old travelers may introduce items for personal use, useful to have a better performance of their activities, such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches and canes.
16.    A set of tools including its case, it might have a hand drill, wire cutters, wrenches, dices, screwdrivers, current cables, among others.
17.    Beddings, that will be able to include a set of matching sheets and pillowcases, a set of towels, a set of bath, a set of table linen and a set of kitchen.
18.    Up to two dogs or cats, maybe introduced as well as their accessories, provided that the corresponding zoo sanitary import certificate issued by (SAGARPA) is presented to the customs officials.

In which cases should I pay taxes?

•    Remember that you are entitled to bring in up to US$300 worth of goods in addition to the goods included in your personal luggage, and that you are allowed to combine this amount with family members
•    If you exceed this exemption, or if your family’s combined amount exceeds the combined exemption, you must pay duties and taxes. There is a flat 15% rate of duties and taxes, which is applied only to the amount exceeding the exemption (individual or combined). You must fill out a payment form, which is available at the Customs counter
•    If the value of the goods surpasses three thousand dollars (per family member) after subtracting the US$300 exemption, or if any of the goods is subject to non-tariff regulations or restrictions, you must hire the services of a customs broker. Private brokerage services are always available at the airport
•    From November 1st, 2009 until January 10th, 2010 you will be able to import goods in the mentioned procedure, as long as its value does not exceed 3,000 dollars
•    If you bring a desktop computer, you may pay duties and taxes by filling out a payment form as long as the value of the computer and its peripherals and accessories do not exceed US$4,000. If the total value of the computer and its peripherals and accessories exceeds US$4,000 you must hire the services of a customs broker

Which other items must be declared?

•    Animals, agricultural products and medications
•    If you are carrying more than US$10,000, or its equivalent in other currencies, in cash, checks, money orders or any other monetary instrument, or a combination of them, you must declare the amount exceeding US$10,000. You will not have to pay duties or taxes, but you must declare it on the Customs Declaration form. Failing to declare it is a violation of Mexican Law and such violation is sanctioned with administrative and even criminal penalties

Which goods are restricted?

•    Firearms and ammunition. In order to import firearms and cartridges you must secure an import permit from the Ministry of Economy and from the Ministry of National Defense.

For further information please visit the following websites: www.economia.gob.mx  and www.sedena.gob.mx.

Which goods are prohibited?

In accordance with the Law of the General Taxes of Import and Export, the following products are prohibited for the import and/or export:
•    Alive predator fish, in their states of young fish, youthful and adult
•    Totoaba, fresh or cooled (fish)
•    Frozen Totoaba (fish)
•    Turtle eggs or any class
•    Poppy seeds (Narcotic)
•    Flour of poppy seeds (Narcotic)
•    Seeds and spores of marijuana (Cannabis indica), even though when they are mixed with other seeds
•    Marijuana (Cannabis indica)
•    Juice and extracts of opium, prepared to smoke
•    Extracts and juice derived from marijuana (Cannabis indica)
•    Mucilage and condensed products derived from the marijuana (Cannabis indica)
•    Stamps or printed transfers in colors or in black and white, displayed for their sale in envelopes or packages, even when they include chewing gum, candies or any other type of articles, containing drawings, figures or illustrations that represent childhood in a degrading or ridiculous way, on attitudes of incitement to violence, to self-destruction or in any other form of antisocial behavior, known like Garbage Pail Kids, for example, printed by any company or commercial denomination.
•    Thallium sulfate
•    Insecticide (Isodrin or Aldrin)
•    Insecticide (Heptaclor or Drinox)
•    Insecticide (Endrin or Mendrin or Nendrin or Hexadrin)
•    Insecticide (Leptophos)
•    Heroin, base or hydrochloride of diacetylmorphine
•    Medication prepared with marijuana (Cannabis indica)
•    Medication prepared with acetylmorphine or of its salts or derivatives
•    Skins of turtle or doggerhead turtle
•    Goods that have been declared as archaeological monuments by the Secretariat of Public Education

For effects of the Customs Law, the import or export of prohibited merchandises is causal so that the customs authorities come to a precautionary detrain from said merchandises and the means of transport. Likewise, it constitutes an infraction related to the import or exports of this type of merchandise and is sanctioned with a fine: Therefore, these merchandises happen to be property of the Federal State, regardless of the penal sanctions establishes by the Penal Code.

If all this information seems to complicated for you, at Palacio del Mar only 35 minutes south of the border you will have a 24/7 concierge service that will be more than happy to assist you with any small or big request.

If you are thinking in moving to Mexico, don’t think more act today.  We Can Help.  Call today 858-433-0561 or email Miguel Sedano  info@rentinginmexico.com the perfect home is waiting for you.

Also posted in americans living in mexico, Baja Real Estate, Mexico News, Mexico Real Estate, Mexico Tourism, Palacio Del Mar Condos, retiring to mexico, rosarito tourism – 1 Comment
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