TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » Moving to Baja Full/Part Time

We received two bids for moving our personal goods to BCS. The first bid from an established U.S. moving company was for $15,000. The second from a Mexico carrier was for $5000. They were so far apart in price it was actually difficult to determine what to do. We definitely had no intentions of spending $15000, our stuff isn't worth half that

We were considering using the Mexico carrier, but our load wasn't enough to fill up a truck. Our partial load would occupy a section of a semi carrying some other products bound for La Paz. It would first go to their warehouse in La Paz, transfer to a smaller truck, then back North to our destination. A bit too much packing and unpacking for my liking. Too much opportunity for loss or damage.

So, for less than the cost of any of the moving quotes, we bought a brand new trailer. It will move us, then serve as a storage unit during construction. That will free up space in the garage for construction materials. Another bonus is that we can sell the trailer when we're done and make back some of the cost. The downside is I'm-really-not-looking-forward-to-customs, nor towing it, but without a schedule we can take our time and drive slow.

I sure hope customs doesn't want to inspect too many boxes. In order to secure the load better (we have to drive over a lot of washboard), I've actually been crating in sections of the load. If they want to inspect too many boxes, there's going to be a lot of screws to unscrew.

I think you made the wisest choice. As you sit there in customs fretting, just keep reminding yourself that this is going to help you keep your construction budget...

Smart move!! Just a thought....but have you thought about putting your garlicky refrigerator at the very back of the trailer, so if they want to inspect the trailer contents, you can open the refrigerator, which could have a STRONG negative impact towards inspecting the entire load?

Write destination room/ & type of contents on each box...."dishes/glassware", "linens", "pots & pans", "garage", "books" etc....& leave a few boxes easily accessible. If you're lucky, they may audit a few accessible boxes & decide you're good to go! Or not!

One key is to have a well done menaje de casa. My good friend Rolly has put together a good page on that very subject:

http://rollybrook.com/menaje.htm

Contract a customs broker and they can make this a lot easier for you. It will be well worth the money spent.

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

One key is to have a well done menaje de casa. My good friend Rolly has put together a good page on that very subject:

http://rollybrook.com/menaje.htm

I've been reading his articles for quite some time. I've modeled my Excel spreadsheet off his list below. I've got a couple versions though. I'll start with a simple list like his, if that doesn't seem to be going over well, I've got another list. Each box is numbered, and in that list I have a corresponding inventory of what's in each box. I'll start simple and go from there.

I'm not worried about getting "caught" as we not hiding anything. I just don't want to unload the trailer, it took me too many days of fitting the puzzle together to survive the washboard road with minimal damage. Plus my back is protesting big time

I thought of getting a broker ahead of time, but I've read about, or talked to many who have done this without hassle. A friend of mine went through recently (with the new guards), hauling a HUGE load of lumber. Said they were very professional and it only took 45 minutes.

Longlegs you were reading my mind...The garlicky fridge is in the back Knock the socks right off them

To me, it seems the only ones that have issues are those that try to sneak through in the regular lanes, or are hiding big items. We're claiming everything, so I hope it goes well. My only concern is the fridge and freezer don't look very used. I guess if worse comes to worse we'll pay some sort of duty on them. The unknown always seems to keep me second guessing.

We imported our solar equipment about 5 years ago without a broker. Didn't have issues, just took a VERY long time. It was a hot miserable summer day. This time at least the weather will be more comfortable. I'll bring a good book.

We will be keeping our fingers crossed for you guys. When / where are you planning to cross???

Not sure yet about the date, still organizing some things that we don't have a completion date for yet, but should be mid December. We'll go through Otay.

Might I suggest the dry riverbed about halfway between TJ & Otay?

Or one of those border tunnels we keep hearing about. Supposedly some are big enough to drive a truck through...

You know you have friends along the way,
Keep everyone posted, at least to when you are on the road.

Good wishes are with you!

Any ideas here as to what time of day is best for these guys to hit customs at Otay???

Somehow I think hitting a customs agent would get the trailer emptied out for sure! Not to mention it wouldn't be a smart move towards furthering International Relations!

Thanks for the well-wishing's. We're still waiting for some insurance documents, and I'm not sure they will arrive by the time we have to be out of our house. Unfortunately we can't leave until that's handled. We may have to park our camper at one of the beach parks in the meantime.

I think we'll just make an early morning run at Otay and hope for the best when we finally get everything taken care of. I wonder if anyone's tried to go through customs on Christmas day? That's really not that far off now.

Customs at Otay is not open on Christmas - they will turn you back at the border. Happened to somebody I know years ago who tried to cross on Thanksgiving with a big van of household goods...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Customs at Otay is not open on Christmas - they will turn you back at the border. Happened to somebody I know years ago who tried to cross on Thanksgiving with a big van of household goods...

I just caught that...Thanksgiving in Mexico?

Launch day is approaching. Of course things are taking longer than planned. We "should" be out of our house today, but we're going to try and get one more night (the new owners bought it as a vacation home so they're not moving in). Either way, we'll be staying in our travel trailer for a day or two while we wrap up a few last minute obligations. Going to be weird to be homeless in the town where I've lived for 31 years.

As excited as we are to leave, it's a bit emotional . It's weird saying good-by to the neighbors. When they say "have a great life" instead of "see you later", it has such a final feeling to it.

I don't think we'll make it outta here by Saturday. I'd like to leave Sunday, but no brokers at Otay. A Monday sendoff is looking most likely.

No internet after today, cable is getting shut off. I'll try to post how it's going somewhere along the way. See you in Mexico!

Why am I picturing two blond kids with surfboards strapped to the top of an old car? Best of luck, you two!! Hope to see you in La Paz one of these days before long.

I know exactly what you mean with all the emotions of moving on and excitement for the adventure ahead. And believe it or not, Mexican customs at Otay closes on Thanksgiving...

We made it! Arrived on 23rd. Took this long to get the internet up. More to follow......