New tricks in Mexico

[FIF]

Well a couple things have come to my attention recently. One from personal experience and one story. It seems the cops in Mexico(local not Federal) are targeting U.S. plates with single occupant vehicles. No witness and it never happened, right?
Along a stretch in T.J. I was about the 4th one on the same street with U.S. plates driving by myself pulled over in a 1 mile section.
The other was a story was a $60 ticket for talking on the cell phone while driving. Not illegal but I guess it was THAT day.
I know it's nothing new that race weekends are big $$ weekends for the police, but they're getting pretty creative.
Just a friendly piece of advice.

[JrSyko]

I've heard that if you call them on the bogus "tickets" and tell them that you want to go see the judge and pay the fine there they will start to back out of the ticket. My cousin tried it once and it worked. I never tried it as you have to bee pretty confident you were right.

[michael_loomis]

Definately call their bluff .... it has worked for me .... i got tired of paying bribe money to crooked local cops ..... the last time i got pulled over for absolutely no reason , i told him lets go see the judge, we got half way there before he stopped and returned my license....one time i gave a cop 5 bucks , he told me 10 dollar minimum , we had just won a race and we were headed to town in an overcrowded nissan p/u . I told the cop BS , you'll take the 5 or you'll get nothing ! (remember that VIC lol ) ...he took the money and left us alone.

[slimjim]

that is what my college spanish techer teacher told me to do everywhere in baja, and even most of mainland mexico. you just better make sure you are a confident spanish speaker.

[pciscott]

Unfortunatly this is one of the problems that keeps people from coming down to Mexico. The few bad cops work under the assumption of fear. I have never paid on a ticket that I did not deserve. The way the country operates is the Police will tell you that you have to follow them to the Police station to take care of a ticket this is 100% true and my suggestion is to follow them and be patient. The language barrier and our fear of the Urban Legend that Mexico is dangerous makes us do crazy things. A quick $20 bucks was easier in the past just to clean up the mess, but the price has gone up. I have a friend on his way down to chase that got pulled over for doing 100 plus on the toll road. The Cop said he was going to have to follow him to the station and my friend freaked and pulled out his wallet. The Cop said no follow me and when my friend got up to $200 bucks he took the money and my friend now thinks that Mexico sucks. I drive down to Ensenada 4 times a month and have been pulled over many times. My advice to you all is #1 Do not panic and show fear this is what the Cop wants to see because the more fear he senses the more money you will pay. #2 Never offer the cop a dime!!!! tell him you want to see the judge. #3 Be patient more times than not you will be let go because the bad Cop would rather not waste his time when he see's he will not be getting a quick $50. When you do deserve the ticket be patient at the police station, I have found that no one is in a hurry south of the border and that most of the time the ticket is pretty cheap it will cost you more in time than it will in money. I got a speeding ticket for 100 plus miles per hour that cost me 1 hour and 20 minutes and 200 pesos (20 bucks). The best part is nothing on my US drivers licence. I love Mexico and hope that all of you never get pulled over South of the border, but when you do DO NOT FREAK OUT OR PAY THEM ANY MONEY THEY DO NOT DESERVE!!!!!!

[stuckthrottle]

Just like to add the there are some pretty crooked judges out there too (a long story from san felipe). So just dont be an ass when youre in a foreign country...or in your own for that matter.

[Baja_Seve]

I spend 3 of 4 weekends a month in Baja. Agree totally with Scott's advice. Always, always call their bluff if they want to negotiate on the spot. That $100 you fork up because you're scared sh*tless might cost you $6 back at the police station. If you're totally innocent or it's a petty offense, you stand a good chance of him backing off and seeking better prey. If you're guilty, how much time and money do you have to go through the routine? If it's a serious offense and you are guilty, well, good luck dude, you're on your own.

Last weekend I was pulled over going east out of Tecate just before the Hwy 2 toll road for "speeding." Despite local traffic either passing me or going the same speed. No doubt they're looking for gringos that have some cash - pick-up trucks with dirt bikes, 5th wheels or other toys. But this cop was smart - insisted the "judge" and "payment office" were closed until Monday and that's when I knew it was b.s. So we literally had a Mexican "stand-off" while he started to come down from his initial $100 down to $20, but I insisted on going to the police station to pay the "fine." Eventually, he gave me my license and registration back, with the usual warnings about driving safety, and the 30 minutes of highway discussion saved me a bunch of money. At all times, I was courteous, respectful and polite.

Alot of people will tell you that "mordida" is an acceptable way of life in Mexico. I disagree - by uninformed visitors paying these outrageous bribes, you're only encouraging it.

Seve

[twillis]

my cousin's family moved to mainland Mexico ten years ago, and has to deal with the "mordida" all the time. A friend of her's was crossing back into Mex and the cops asked to search her stuff. She had nothing but a box of sandwiches. They asked for the sandwiches, wanted to charge her a tax for the food. She refused, sat on the curb and forced herself to eat the whole box of sandwiches in front of them.

[DailyPedal]

One time, at band camp...oops, wrong forum. Anyway, one time on the way down to San Felipe, I ran a stop sign in Mexicali (the infamous double-stop signs) and was pulled over by a motorcycle cop. A righteous bust. He wanted to "pay the fine for me" to save me time, we went back and forth for ten minutes and I told him I wanted to go back to the station. He said "follow me" and took off on his bike, whipped a U in front of traffic going into town. By the time I cleared traffic, he was gone. I still drove back into town looking for the guy and passed him going the other way...it was like some comedy movie as we kept crossing paths in town. I was scared, thinking he thought I was trying to ditch him-didn't want to get shot for fleeing. Meanwhile he's just fishing for another patsy. I finally gave up trying to turn myself in and split toward SanFelipe. After the race I came home via TJ just in case...LOL http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[dezdude]

Pretty abnormal story for this topic.

Once I was pulled over for speeding around k58 on old highway 1. Mind you we had people in front of us and behind us doing the same speed, but they were locals.
The officer wanted us to go down town, well the closest office was far away, would have meant driving back to town 30 min then back to camp. So we decided to try to pay it off, we asked how much to pay here just because of the inconvenience of driving. He seemed very hesitant to let us pay him (Our first clue should have been the clean cop car, clean police suit, and very good english).

After paying him the measly $40.00 we continued on our way. A bought a 1/4 mile further down the road he pulls over again. He gets out of his car and proceeds to tell us it is against the law to pay an officer off. Told us in the future to always go to the station and pay the fine. Then he gave us back our $40.00.

They are out their trying to stop all the crooked cops down their mainly because the P.D. probably isn't getting any money due to all the cops pocketing it all.

Just a cool story thought you all would appreciate.

Jeff

[John_Bitting]

Sounds like TJ cops once again took advantage of the racers en route to mexico. We were in a standard non lifted truck and had no problem, John Baker in a crew cab with chase rack pulled over for speeding on a hill, Danny towing out Feldkamps car I heard also got popped, Eric Allen also got pulled over towing. This really sucks. On our way home from the 500 we saw 5 vehicles pulled over in TJ, they all either had a trailer with car, spares, quads, or lifted all dirty. Is there nothing anyone can do?

[klaus]

I'd say the key is not to agree to corruption.
Follow the proper procedure by going to the station and pay your (small fee) ticket. If everyone would do that then the corrupt cops would not pick on us.

[SpareChangeRacng]

Danny did get pulled over and his ticket was like $100 or more. He talked the guy down to $40 and some shirts or something like that. I can't remeber the exact amount, but know his ticket sounded extremely high. I think it's BS, but hey it's Mexico - what can you do (especially if you're not a fluent spanish speaker). I just consider racers w/ trailers just another source of income for dirty cops. The race weekends are big weekends for all businesses down there - why shouldn't cops try and mil it too?? - F--king bastards! Steve

[klaus]

cause its illegal.
Read Scott's post above.

[Michael_Flores]

Danny paid $100 and a streamline fabrication sweatshirt... the cop wanted $150.

[klaus]

go to the station and pay $20.00 or whatever the ticket is. Might take an extra minute but that very same cop will remember you and never hassle you again...or good chance he wont even want to go to the station because its also extra work for him..and you run free. That's my advise...stop encouraging police corruptions.

[jeff]

Cruise a standard non-lifted truck backwards against a closed lane of traffic? http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/smile.gif --- By the way, it's actually got a 3" lift under it but you'd never know because it rides so buttery smooth. The cops are gonna pop whoever they think has money. It's no different than California in that cops sometimes pull over the pimped out 26" wheel runnin' gangsta mobiles because they think there's a good chance some drugs might be on board. In Mexico the best is to politely say....

Soy familiar con procedimiento del policía en México. Me placería pagar el boleto en el palacio de justicia. Lléveme al palacio de justicia ahora por favor! Pagaré alegre el boleto delante del juez. Le seguiré allí y pagaré el boleto.

"I am familair with police procedure in Mexico. I would be happy to pay the ticket at the courthouse. Take me to the court house now please. I will gladly pay the ticket in front of the judge. I will follow you there and pay the ticket."

It might not be great spanish but it gets the point across that you ain't takin' no bull from no crooked cops.

Aloha

[stuckthrottle]

we got pulled over friday morning on the big uphill heading out of tj by a bike cop. He wouldnt take 20 bucks saying that he had taken 1500 from some car carrying drugs just the day before. We wouldve gone to the station but it was already 615am (and the bikes had already started). anyways, he finally settled for 30.

[martininsocal]

I have to agree with Klaus and Jeff here. In one instance flashing a badge kept me from a ticket for not having a "third" rear view mirror on my buggy. The other time, I justtold the cop I would pay at the station to his superior. I guess he figured by the time all that occurred and his boss kept the cash, he would be out a couple other easy scores from unsuspecting Americans who watched "Midnight on the Orient Express" recently and would gladly hand over their wives to stay out of a mexican jail. Don't pay the street cop, 9 times out of 10 they will let you roll out.

[BlueCoyote]

One of our crew got pulled over in Ensenada on some BS turn on a green lite charge. He told the cops he wanted to go to the station. Cop replied - you want to go to jail??? He said yes, take me to jail now to pay the fine. Then he mentioned the name of the Cheif / Commander... After after a few minutes they were promptly let go.
We were told unless you done serioiusly farked up, go to the station and pay there.
The Federaly check points were cool, one wanted to see under my hood (nothing to hide, I was just tierd and wanted a shower) so wipped out the race currency - steekers - inspection over, adios amigo.....
The road thru TJ was crawling with motorcycle cops on Sunday AM. Hope no one got shaked down too hard....

[michael_loomis]

the more you guys give in and pay the crooked cops .... the more we are gonna get pulled over.

BEEN THERE DONE THAT ! go to the station ! you will NEVER make it there cause once the cop realizes your calling out his BS he will let you go with a "warning".

[dadomin8r]

I'm amazed that cop pulled you over to give your money back.

Over the years I've had plenty of run-ins with the mexican cops and it's always an uncomfortable position to be in. Call me crazy, but when you are in the middle of a foreign land in the middle of the night and someone with a machine gun that is yelling at you, in a language that you can't understand, and tells you that you are going to jail for some stupid traffic violation, I want to pay them right there and get out. I am a foreigner that doesn't speak the lingo too well and would rather pay the $150 to some A-Hole holding a machine gun than piss him off by standing up to him and telling him "yeah, take me to jail, I dare you". Mexico isn't a safe place...

Tickets aren't the only problem down there. What about an accident (traffic, injury traffic, racing accident), would any sane person wait around for the upstanding mexican justice system to work thru the insurances to make sure everything comes out rite for you? I wouldn't. I've heard horror stories from when my dad used to head to mexico and I've learned from hem...NEVER GO DOWN W/O CASH and when you get in trouble, find a way out of it.

Don't kid yourself by saying you can make a difference by going to the courthouse everytime to teach them a lesson. The upper regions of Mexico are very poor and desparate, policia are no exception, that's why you get pulled over for no apparent reason and are threatend with the ultimatim "jail or bribe".

Once I get to where I am going it's no big deal, but everywhere in between like chasing in a race, it stinks especially when you're rollin' solo.

[klaus]

Imagine what a mexican feels like here that doesn't speak english....after he gets pulled over....

[Kritter]

I getted pulled over all the time Klaus! I feel pissed off.

[tedmales]

at least here somebody who get pulled pver has some rights, unless they are in texas or arkansas. the, squeal like a piggy........

[martininsocal]

Hey Ted- You gots a real purty mounth...

[SpareChangeRacng]

Exactly - the cops here don't point machine guns (I know - that's only the 16 year old federales down there) at them and yell to pay or go to jail. Plus If US cops pull over someone who does not speak the language, they will get someone (many cops these days are bi-lingual) who does.

[stuckthrottle]

its not the 16 year old "federales" that have the machine guns, Its actually 18 and older army "kids".
the "federales" (policia federal de caminos) are kinda like the CHP here, and they just carry guns. Theyre usually older guys though.
The bulk of the problem lies within the "policia" though, not the army kids. When have you heard/seen the guys in green get out of hand, purposely point a gun, or take a bribe?

Perhaps Omar can shed some light on the subject and explain how all it all works?

[John_Bitting]

The guys in Green took a box of tshirts out of one of the Pflueger chase trucks in Ojos at the 500 because the driver was by himself. Nothing he could do except watch them pass them out amongst each other.

[dadomin8r]

" When have you heard/seen the guys in green get out of hand, purposely point a gun, or take a bribe?"

6 of them pointed a machine gun at me and a friend while we were trying to cross the TJ border. They said we had to go to jail over an expired california tag on our jet ski trailor. That one costed me $140 on the spot.

Another time there were about 3 or 4 of them policing the beach in Ensenada and apparently didn't like us riding quads. They started yelling, pointing machine guns at us, and running after us. I didn't hang around to see how much they wanted.

[stuckthrottle]

wow i stand corrected.
that sucks.

[Dave_G]

Dan Smith from Enduro and my business partner Wally got pulled over by a motorcycle cop near T.J. on the way back. Dan is such an expert at this that he played his usual SUPER dumb with the "no comprende" stunt. The cop finally got so frustrated wasting so much time with him and was missing out on hosing other people that he just drove off. That has happened to Dan about a half a dozen times over the years and it has worked for him every time. He almost looks forward to getting pulled over just so he can play the game. http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Dave

[01_el_tiburon]

I called my mother cousin, shes the state Turism Board Delegate in Mexicali, She said to send a copy of all this actions, including the rock throwing incidents, Shes gonna send a copy to the Secretary of Tourism and the Governor. We cater for the governor and he used to be our neihbor and is a very aprochable peson, Ill coment this subjec to him, being a buisness man himself, this things drive him crazy. im sure itll sit in some office for a while, but when it happens again,we'll send him another letter, several letters in, he's gotta make some phone calls.
Besides not paying the bribe, theres little to do......By the way, the federales, police and army kids dont go after americans only, At the puertecitos check point, they got a 12 pack, 4 jumbo sodas and a 3 pack of Menudo cans from my chase suburban,...but they do like dollars better than pesos.......

It all comes down to the mexican way of letting things be and letting things happen and not giving a crap about anything, mexicans pay bribes all the time to save money and hassles and everybody does it, and unfortunetly its part of our culture. Its comes with the same package as being able to ride all over mexico including the beaches and being able to ride the sea, dunes and streets,riding with no plates in San Felipe, or not having to turn the boom box down at 4.00 a.m cause the neihbor called the cops on you. Besides, whee on this continent will you have 1000 miles in a straight line, point to point to race in, without the BLM being all over you cause your parked on the wrong side of teh race course. Consider il your land fee.... http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Trying to rationalize this in an amercian culture is impossible. Ive been stopped 4 times in the US for minor trafic things, and in no way absolutely, does a CHP officer make you feel like a criminal, in danger or guilty like a mexican cop does
.
Mexico is like fudge "mostly sweet...., but with a couple of nuts"

Theres this old movie staring Anthony Quinn which i dont remember the title, that resembles the mexican police way of thinking. He stars as an old rusty mexican bandido, while some american guys want to smuggle some money out of the country and Quinn goes somthing like this "Pinchi gringo...., you have a lot of money, dont be greedy.... give me some. You clean your aces whith 20 dollar bills...come on, give me some money.... .

No justification, just some cultural background. Itll never go away.....

[Junior]

Damn that hill in TJ just before you get in line is STEEP! Busy place for policia to nab people.

Jr

[prerunner1499]

are they smart enough to tell real dollars from printed dollars! Hmmmm maybe one could us a high tech modern printer sitting next to your computer to print some "ticket dollars" for mexico trips. I really doubt it they would look for the watermarks, metal strips, or other "hidden" marks on out gringo bucks. Beat them at their own corrupt game!!!!!!
The BASTARDS!!!!

[SANDlessNSeattle]

Dude it's called counterfeiting...and the last time I checked a federal offense...but if you wanna goto prision go right ahead....... http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Bonze2001]

Thats the thing that I dont know if everyone is actually realizing...YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS!! No right to "call home" for bail, no right to an attorney, and no right for a speedy trial. I cant understand why you guys would argue with a guy with a gun that could shoot you dead if he wanted to and probably get away with it, or take you to jail and no one would ever see you again. Or plant drugs in your vehicle if he wanted to and what would you say?? Remember he makes the rules not you because he has a gun.....So Mexico still scares the hell out of me personally, for only the fact that if a cop wants to do whatever he wants...he can. I know that right now there are american citizens in mexican jails for things as dumb as carring prescription dugs with them in unmarked containers....

Besides that, the country looks beautiful and hopefully some day it will be a safer environment. I do want to go down for a race sometime but as of now I will play on the safer side of US races.

-Ryan

[empire231]

that is exactly what I thought the whole time. when everyone said to tell the cop to take you to the court......, I dont know about that, It's just sketchy because you don't relly have any rights there.... if your alone, they could just beat you up and take your money! I dont think I would fight back at gun point. maybe I'm just paranoid, but that's just the outlook I have on it.

[kats]

It's not that bad guys. Really!

[fishd00d]

Thats a great story and might happen to one in a million people that visit there lol. What about all the times people go without anything happening at all?

It really isnt that bad at all....

[sirhk100]

If you're not an idiot you'll be fine... Hell, last year me and fish were idiots and we were still fine. Remember that tire/pole barracade fish? How much did that cost?

[fishd00d]

Ya if anyone was going to goto jail it would have been us then lol. Only cost $40 and good to go! Mexico rules!

[Travisfab]

I have been going down to mexico all my life, 3 or 4 times a year and have never had any problems. As long as you follow the rules like you do in the US there should never be a problem. It seems like the guys I know that already have a bad track record here are the ones complaining about mexican cops, I wonder why?

[michael_loomis]

of course you have rights ...


remember all the stories you hear , there are 2 sides.

[HotRod82]

I have had great luck in mexico and never had any real trouble. However you need to be REALLY careful calling a cops bluff. Back in 94 a friend of mine was down surfing like he had a thousand times before and was pulled over on the toll road for speeding. After insisting on going to the station he was drug out of his car and arrested. His car and belongings were never seen again. He was charged with assault and thrown into the famous Mesa prison where he literally had to fight for his life. To make a long story short, it took his family nearly 3 months to find him and buy him out. The cost? upwards of $45,000 all in cash to attorneys and certain politicians. Yes I know this is an extreme case, but if I can play dumb and negotiate my way down to 10 bucks I will take that deal anyday. cheers.

[baja619]

I have been busted some many times...

On a day trip out to mexacali to watch herbst put up at the CODE, we got hassled by the federalis for 35 minutes. they searched the entire car and all of our bags. They ended up finding a little peice of "herb" supposedly. We finally got out of their to only get busted in tecate for trying to drop right near the front of the border line out of an ally. No one even gave an inch so we turned around and found the end of the line. As we drove past and did a u-turn at the end of a dead end street and proceeded to get in line a police officer on bike pulled us over for an illegal u-turn. The vehicle was searched again but this time they found a switch blade that my buddy had just bought that same trip. They paid him off for like $45.

I beleive that fight ing the corruption is the better alternate.
From now on as long as we dont deserve being hassled I pledge to go to the court.

[Racbaja]

Two weeks ago a friend headed down to Mexicali with his buddies blazer, he crossed through the nothing to declare line and got pulled to the side to be searched. They found four King coilover shocks he was taking down to mex to get rebuilt. They asked for registration and ID, he had registration but had forgotten his ID so they impounded the truck and siezed the shocks. 700.00 dollors later he and the owner of the blazer were able to get it back but have not been able to get the shocks. Always declare when you enter Mexico and always carry an ID even if you live next to Mexico like we do.
www.bajacoalition.net (http://www.bajacoalition.net)

[MikeAdams]

What did he need to declare- the shocks? How does that work, if we bring anything into Baja we have to declare what it is we are bringing in and show it to them? What a mess. I've been fortunate to never have a problem- but I wouldn't of had 700.00 to get my truck back!

[ntsqd]

[ QUOTE ]
Theres this old movie staring Anthony Quinn which i dont remember the title, that resembles the mexican police way of thinking. He stars as an old rusty mexican bandido, while some american guys want to smuggle some money out of the country and Quinn goes somthing like this "Pinchi gringo...., you have a lot of money, dont be greedy.... give me some. You clean your aces whith 20 dollar bills...come on, give me some money.... .

[/ QUOTE ]

If Quinn is playing a bandido leader and James Brolin plays the leader of some Nortes' who rip off a Drug Lord played by James Coburn and find Lindsey Wagner (Bionic Bimbo) in jail along the way it's called "High Risk". (http://www.filmbug.com/asin/B0000YEE4Y) Oh, and the final scene with machine guns and hand grenades being tossed out of a DC3 is choreographed to "Satisfaction."

[gotdesert]

Mike heres the deal at the border, you have the rigth to cross a lot of things, ex. if you are on vacations: travel or camping stuff, luggage, groceries, 1 cel, 1 gps, 1 photo & 1 video cam, 1 laptop, etc and you have 50 dlls of franchise by land and 300 by air or water(credit) per person if you need to pay taxes on something
Also you are alowed to bring up to 20 packs of cigarretes, 25 cigarrs, 3 liters of wine, liquor or beer

if you are just crossing the border with different stuff than the above i suggest you to declare the items because can be a bad day, you can take the chance but is not worthit you know what i mean. $$$$$$$$

Anyway thats Mexico an just like any other country will be some rules we have to follow, i was born in Mexicali and have to deal with this stuff alot of times.

Also, don't forget I.D. if driving License, Insurance and cash try to get pesos at the money exchange place, you will get more money for your dlls.

I hope this info help to everybody i do search for this stuff but the page is in spanish only, if you wan to translate heres the link:

What Do You Need Arriving To Mexico (http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/webadunet/aga.aspx?Q=r30)

[MikeAdams]

Thanks Ricardo..

[cgaddis15]

Same situation with us a week ago, We were taking a tranny and some tires and wheels down to curry when we got the red light. Everything was visible in the bed of the truck, because it had never been a problem before. But Mexican Customs insisted we were smuggling. After giving them id's, insurance, and registration, they wanted legal birth certificates. Impossible. Two days and $600 later, we got the truck back. However the tranny tires and wheels will forever be property of Mexico. Big loss, and so much for NAFTA!

[Jack]

Just got back from a cruise down there, and the customs form said anything over $800 needed to be listed.

[partybarge_pilot]

Red light, what red light? I'm sorry, I must have been looking the other way......

[Desert_Roller]

I copy that!!

[Red_Star]

This is kinda off topic, but since reading this, Im getting a little iffy.

I MIGHT be buying a truck in mexico (prerunner), What would be some precautions I should take, and what about getting back across the border?

Ive never been to mexico since I have become older, last time was when I was about 6 or 7. What all do you need? Passport?,License, money...

Any advice is appriciated!!!
http://www.race-dezert.com/vb3/attachments/old/images/graemlins/cool.gifJeff

[BA_DirtDriver]

So what's the best thing to do with a chase truck that has generator,Nitrogen bottle ,CO2 bottles hand tools, air tools, race jacks, easy ups, tire rack with spares, motor oil, trans oil, other spares like battery, alternator, PS pump, oil pump, water pump. belts etc. Didn't get a red light at last years 1000 but got one one a vaction trip and just blew through with the whole family in the car... What light I didn't see a light was to be the response but we were in a middle lane and they couldn't get out there to stop us. Wouldn't have been an issue with nothing but clothes in the car anyways, but a chase truck filled up would be a bummer to get impounded. I guess we could deliver the truck to a customs broker a day earlier and have them clear it in and then just walk over and get a ride to pick up our vehicle at an agents location. Has anyone done this?

[WorkInProgress]

We do this for our work once a week and use a customs broker. I think it costs us 80 bucks wether we brought a pickup truck or our big freightliner.

[VictorZRPromo]

Hi All! My Dad Has A Forwarding & Broker Agency In Mexicali, So I Grew Up Around The Aduana BS All The Time, See, There Is 2 Sides To This, Either You Make Friends With Them, And Most Of The Time, You Will Get The Privilege Of Going Through The Red Light With Just Waving Hello, Or Getting Stopped And Searched. Even Us Locals Have Gone Through This, I No Longer Carry Emergency Tools, Because Once I Almost Got My Truck Impounded, Because The Guy Wanted To See The Reciept For Duties For The Tools. And The Other Time, They Where Asking For The Original Of The "Pedimento" (Shipper) Of All Cars, Of Course No One Carried This In The Cars, So Everyone Was Getting A Ticket, When I Confronted The Leader About This Being Illegal, He Threatened Me By Taking Away My Car. So He Finally Let Us Go And Warned Us To Always Carry The Pedimento With Us. Regarding The Police, It Is Always Good Sense Not To Play Along, Always Be Polite And Just Ask Him To Take You To Pay The Fine, A Lot Of Time The Fines Are No Way Near What You Offer In Bribes, And This Way You Help By Not Feeding The Corruption Monster. It May Be Not Much, But It's A Start. We Have Enough Problems With The Drug Cartels Buying The Police, As To Give Them Another Source Of Income Harrasing Our Brothers Across The Border. It Makes Me Feel Ashamed Whenever I Read These Stories. But What Richy Says It's True, There Are Rules Going Into Mexico, Just As There Are Rules Going Into The US. Even If You Have Something In Plain Site On The Bed Of Your Truck, It Is Classified As Smuggling Is You Did Not Declare It. So, If You Are Taking Something To Mexico For Repairs, And It Is Not Bolted To The Vehicle, It Is Classified As Cargo. Except For 1Camera, 1 Camcorder, And 1 Laptop Per Passenger. Go To The Official Website For Mexican Customs. Know The Rules, And Don't Be Afraid To Call Your Mexican Friends To Get Info, Before Something Happens. Believe Me, We Want You To Return!!!!

Here Is The Information In English: I Will Post The Link At The Bottom.

Mexico Customs - Entering Mexico

To enter Mexico, you will need either a valid passport or your original birth certificate along with a valid photo ID such as a drivers license. Citizens other than U.S. or Canadian may have other requirements such as a visa. Please contact a Mexican consulate or embassy near you.
NOTE: If you are entering Mexico by any means other than airlines or cruise ship (see below) and staying for over 72 hours and/or traveling more than 20 miles beyond the border, you will need a Tourist Card.

For those of you entering on an airline or cruise, your identification must be presented at the airline/cruise check-in. Once on the plane/ship you will be given two forms to fill out - one for Immigration (Tourist Card) and another for Customs (Customs Declaration Form). There are restrictions as to what you can bring to Mexico......Some of these restrictions are limits for "duty free" and some are absolute, such as firearms without a permit not to mention drugs (do not bring either into Mexico).

All tourists traveling to Mexico have the right to take with them their personal luggage duty free.
Most commonly encountered restrictions are (import duties could be assessed if you exceed these amounts):

Some food items - especially plants and seeds
Cigars and cigarettes - up to 20 packs per person
Liquor and wine - up to 3 liters per person
Film or videocassettes - up to 12 rolls/cassettes
Medicine for personal use - must have a prescription if the medicine is psychotropic or if you needed one to get the medicine in the first place
Illegal controlled substances & drugs - a no no!
Firearms - only for hunting and must obtain a permit from the Mexican Consulate in advance
The Immigration counter is your first stop after you disembark the plane/ship. Here you will have to present your passport (or birth certificate) along with the Tourist Visa you filled out. Your tourist visa and passport will be stamped to make your arrival official. (You will need to keep your passport and tourist visa with you at all times while in Mexico - make copies in case you lose your originals). Next proceed to the baggage claim area for your luggage.

Customs is the last step, here you will need to have your Customs Declaration Form handy (the other form you were given on the plane/ship). Mexico has adopted a "Red Light - Green Light" system for customs. If you have put "Nothing to declare" on this form, you will be asked to push a button....... If the light is green you can exit without inspection; if the light is red you will be subject to inspection. This is a random system, and therefore there is no way to know whether you will get a green or red light. Consequently you need to be honest on your Customs Declaration and declare anything over and above what is allowed, paying all applicable duties. If you do not, and are caught by a red light, the fines may be very steep. One note, Mexican customs officials may assume you know about the "Red Light - Green Light" system and not say a word. No problem, step up & push the button.

Entering By Land
All of the above applies to those who enter by land. Other than picking up your Tourist Visa/Card and having the proper identification, the only difference is the "green light - red light" system. If you are driving, the lights will be in the lane you cross in. Look for yours and if it's green, then drive away. If it's red (and there should be a bell or buzzer sounding) then you need to pull over to the Customs (you'll be pointed in the direction by an officer) area for an inspection.
Same process for those of you walking in to Mexico. More than likely you will be directed to push the button on a solitary "stoplight" with the same system as other entries. Some busy border crossings like Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez may not have you push the button unless you have packages. It's the Customs officials decision. These borders are so busy with tourists and locals crossing back and forth that it would be almost impossible to have everyone do this so they will randomly select people to push the button.

NOTE: If you are driving, sailing or boating to Mexico, you must have insurance for your vehicle/means of transportation.


Official Mexican Customs Page In English! (http://www.mexonline.com/mexcustoms.htm)

[Stevespeed]

So what's the scoop on being 100% safe if you are a chase crew with tools and equipment. The FM3 Visa for Technicians and Engineers taking tools or machinery into Mexico? What kind of duty would there be on tools? What would the procedure be? Never been hassled about my tools yet, but don't want a first time. Have way too much money invested to take a chance on confiscation. Did have to pay duty one time on race spares and almost lost new gps's in the box for chase crews on another trip. Is the declare your tools thing bulletproof or is there corruption involved there too?

[JESSE_at_TLT]

Don't mean to take this too far off-topic, but can anyone tell me if we'll need passports for the 1000? I know driver's licenses have always been OK, but when we were down at the 500 I heard that they were going to start requiring passports. What kind of ID are we really going to need?