Moving to Mexico; FM-T, FM3, Vehicle importation & insurance.

[AdePuebla]

I came in through Nogales over a year ago on an FMT. well i didn't even have the FMT yet when i went through... whatever office it is that checks your stuff. the first thing i did was park, and the guy came over and we had a pick up truck with the little camper thing on the back part and i had it FULL of stuff. i ihad a desk top computer, a laptop, a tv, printer, dvd player, dvds, and household items, like dishes, clothes, blender, toaster etc. i made a list and put what i thought was a good price? total i had down like $400 USD and told them it was all household items. they didn't even look at the list, they just asked what it was worth, i told them $400 USD and they charged me 400 pesos i believe and gave me a receipt which i didn't use. Then after that, i went over to the immigration office and got my FMT. i've been on FMTs since then. Using the 6 months experation as an excuse to go home and visit family. will have to get an fm3 eventually. about how much money you should have to ge tthe fm3.... i have a friend who got hers with a family of four and all the money they had was her husband making 1500 pesos a week. i've heard that it all depends on the state or city or office you apply in.

I really doubt they would take your computer away, they might just charge you a tax on it? not sure, but to be safe you should back up your computer on an external hard drive.

[BryansRose]

From what I could learn, a laptop is portable, making it a tourist item, while a desktop is not portable, so it's household goods.

I needed mine, not for work, but for communication. It's how I keep in touch with friends and family. Also, it's a lot of my entertainment. The best information that I got was that if I got a red light, I'd have to pay duty on it. BUT... to do the red light/green light thing, you have to enter the lane for "nothing to declare", so I was also prepared to play dumb and not know that I couldn't bring my computer in.

If you go "nothing to declare" and are searched and they find stuff, it could be confiscated along with your car, is what I have been told. So I was a bit worried, but took the chance.

It seems that there is no place to get official information on this subject. It's all word of mouth. So I can share my experience, but I won't swear any of what I say is official, accurate info.

[floridagal]

Thank you AdePuebla & BryansRose, you pretty much answered my question - as best as you could - so I get the idea that I should declare that I have a dollar value of household goods rather than chance confiscation because they don't want to see a grown grandmother break down and bawl her eyes out right then and there.

I've worked too hard on the stuff that's on my computers and even with it backed up, that's a lot of money down the drain AND countless YEARS in hours of work if they confiscated my computer - I could not live with that.

IF you declare stuff and pay their fees, does that guarantee you can keep your things? As long as they are legal goods, I mean - as I would NEVER bring anything in that was not!

Thanks again,
Donna

[AdePuebla]

it's a lot easier to just pay 40 bucks then to go through the hassle of having to empty out your automobile and have them search through your stuff. Since I declared and they kinda just peaked in the back, I didn't have to go throug any green light red light thing. So i think if you declare you should be all good. I dont know where you are crossing but I think Nogales is the best and safest place to cross. and once we paid and left nogales, there were only two stop points we crossed, one was checking to make sure our car was legal, and the other was a check to make sure we weren't bringing and weapons or drugs.

I dont want to hear about any grandma bawling her eyes out either!

[floridagal]

AdePuebla, I totally agree as I'm just wanting a peaceful, hassle-free trip. I don't mind paying, it helps support a beautiful country that I hope to make my home.

My driving companion (I found one - yippee) has his own favorite crossing and it's closer to where I'll be coming from... and he's been such a great resource for advice too.

I've already had so much stress making this decision that I don't need ANYTHING to make me break down. I've given away a lifetime of possessions already and I'm just ready to settle down and live a peaceful life helping others as I can, along the way.

What I've learned since January would already fill a book about retiring to Mexico... lol. Maybe I'll write it one day. I'd like to earn enough money to buy a nice little house or two to use for snowbird/vacationer rentals down the road when I get the rest of my obligations tended to. Ahh... the stuff of dreams......

[AdePuebla]

Well I wish you a hassle free-trip! And glad you found a travel companion, since driving alone would be tough!

I agree, no more stress needed. it's hard enough moving, let alone to another country!

[BryansRose]

floridagal, I'm glad to hear you are coming! And having a driving companion is great. I was prepared to drive from Chicago alone, but a friend insisted on going with me. Now, I don't know how I would have done it without her. That said, now that I've made the trip, I have no qualms about driving up to Laredo on my own for some shopping.

[floridagal]

Thank you - my mind is made up - and I'm so excited - just wish I had a home to rent, instead of depending on temporary housing that's tourist-priced but all will work out as it should. I am trusting the Universe totally on this one.

I didn't want to do it alone, not ONE TEENSY IOTA, even tho I could have if necessary - but having a bilingual companion who can drive, teach me Spanish and knows the country is priceless.

Everything is falling into place........ right down to the teeny, nitty gritty stuff now. WOO HOO!

Now if I could just hear from my friends in Chapala who "fell off the grid" about two weeks ago............ *sigh*

[sparks]

A laptop is a travelling and business computer ... often necessary. Desktops are more likely to be imported. Electronics are generally cheaper in the US so it's a market issue

[floridagal]

Thanks Sparks... that makes it make more sense. Well, in order to keep my "baby" I've had for five years now, I'll be happy to pay the tariff if they want me to, just to be able to use her.