Sell car across border? & bring in 1M worth of items to sell??

[MrsJ]

Can some one direct me to the facts of the law?

My US citizen daughter is married to a Mexican. He thinks he can drive down from Minnesota to Laredo with a van full of gently used clothing [$1,000.+ used value]. Then have my daughter cross the Mexican border to give the clothes to a relative that would sell them in Mexico City for him. He then plans to sell the mini van in Mexico.

I told my daughter that it probably can NOT be done. But, alas, I can't find any facts, rules or laws. I've tried a google search.

If it was possible, wouldn't there be duty to pay to the Mexican side? And, you aren't suppose to bring into the USA over a certain amount of cash. The cost of used clothes can't be that valuable that it would be worth duty, gas costs, etc.

Thanks for your help.
Mrs. J.

[Ernie Gorrie]

A foreigner signs a temporary importation agreement when they bring the vehicle into Mexico. The agreement is secured by a bond, either in cash or in credit card authorization. The vehicle must be removed when the temporary importation agreement expires, usually when the foreigner leaves Mexico.

If the vehicle remains in Mexico after the expiry of the purchase, the vehicle is subject to seizure, the bond is subject to forfiture and the foreigner may be refused permission to bring another vehicle into Mexico.

A foreigner who is entering Mexico by land is permitted to bring US$50 worth of goods that will be left in Mexico. Duty is payable on goods in excess of $50. This is often ignored if the goods are of a variety of types, but $1,000.00 worth of used clothing would likely be pretty noticable.

[StrykerGT2001]

Her husband (if he is a Mexican citizen) would possibly be able to import the vehicle and get Mexican plates after paying all the taxes on it (which could be a lot). But I'm guessing the reason he isn't the one crossing the border with the car is because he's in the US illegally - why else would he have her do it instead?. With her doing the crossing, no way to sell the car without getting dinged for the whole bond amount.

Selling the clothes might work, or then again if they get stopped in customs they could get fined and dutied for well more than what he could possibly earn selling the clothes. Its pretty much smuggling, and the risk:return doesn't sound like it would be worth the drive or getting caught. I would personally be a little worried that he is thinking about trying to do this, especially if hes putting her as the one whos taking the risks.

[RVGRINGO]

It sounds like she is about to be used badly; maybe dangerously. Does she have a passport? Can she get herselfo out of Mexico alone? The whole scenario sounds pretty fishy to me. BEWARE!

[MrsJ]

Yes, I suspected it was not workable, but I still do not have the written facts to hand to my poor daughter.

We've already told her to never set foot in Mexico, especially not with any hairbrained illegal money making schemes.

BUT I still do not have any official information about border rules and fees charged to enter with goods, etc. Can anyone direct me to something in print???

Thanks, MrsJ

[sparks]

If all this took place in the free zone (first 21km) it could be done ... but it's illegal.

There is duty to be paid on imports ... and a process for importing cars

[BajaGringo]

The customs rules and reality are often two different things at the border. I spent some time working in Mexico City and one of the girls working for me would have her sister bring used clothes across once a month as you described. She told me that they would produce a low ball receipt for the used clothing (I assumed that they made one up themselves) and at the border they paid about 20% customs on that receipt as I recall. It seemed like a lot of work and risk to net a few hundred dollars after all expenses were considered.

As far as the vehicle it is easier to sell one in Mexico with US plates along the border than in Mexico City. With Minnesota plates it would be less desireable than one with Texas plates in Mexico along that border area. It would probably make more sense to sell it in Texas as the market there keeps prices about the same on both sides of the border. Some of the border areas are cracking down on "street sales" of vehicles and she could get into some problems that way.

I looked but could not find anything online giving guidelines but honesty goes a long way with the customs at the border and I would suggest that she take that route and be safe. Trying to make a few extra bucks is just not worth the risk...

[StrykerGT2001]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/c...s/cis_970.html

From the US state dept:

U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico with goods intended for donation within Mexico, or traveling through Mexico with goods intended for donation in another country, should be aware of Mexican Customs regulations prohibiting importation of used clothing, textiles, and other used goods into Mexico. These regulations apply even to charitable donations.

Prison conditions in Mexico can be extremely poor. In many facilities food is insufficient in both quantity and quality, and prisoners must pay for adequate nutrition from their own funds. Most Mexican prisons provide poor medical care, and even prisoners with urgent medical conditions receive only a minimum of attention. U.S. citizens who are incarcerated in Mexico are sometimes forced to pay hundreds and even thousands of dollars in “protection money” to fellow prisoners.

[RVGRINGO]

Mrs. J.,
You might suggest to your daughter that, "IF HER HUSBAND CONTINUES TO ATTEMPT TO USE HER FOR ILLEGAL PURPOSES" SHE SHOULD DIVORCE HIM IMMEDIATELY AND REPORT HIM TO I.C.E. IF HE IS ILLEGAL. REMIND HER THAT THERE IS OFTEN A LOT OF SCREAMING FROM THE WOMEN'S PRISONS LATE AT NIGHT. SHE CAN USE HER IMAGINATION.

[darlene]

I just learnt something very new to me..whenever I go to Mexico I always take used clothing for the orphanages I have no clue its against the law there..Oh my goodness...next time I guess I shouldnt..however the Canadian Air Lines I have used never said a word to me about this..last time I had to pay $107.00 for the extra baggage and another 20.00 as I took 50 lbs of candy for the orphanages...I even said..this is all going to a orphanage and I told them when I got the loving yellow light...in Mazatlan also..I guess I have been lucky..I btter not do that anymore..Thanks for the tip..I have seen the jails of mexico..( thats driving by...never been inside one..thank gawd )