Bill....
I bring lots of stuff across, both the crossing south of YUMA, and Gringo Pass.
Never had a problem, but if you have "stuff", I always go thru the "declare" lane!
That stops them thinking you are hideing anything, if stopped.
If you have new stuff, they want receipts, to see jf you are over limit for tax.
With the stuff you are bringing, what I do is just tell them its old stuff under limit, and just say nothing!
I brought truck loads of stuff, boxes, funiture, building supplies, cloths!
If its new stuff, no matter what the value, and they somehow see its new, they want receipts.
And my wife seems to always stick in bed of truck a big cooler full of burger meat, hams, turkeys, bags of dog food each trip.
It seems we have been very lucky all the times we crossed, never ever, had anything taken away by the Mexican agents when they seen it!
They really know what the blankets and cloths, and old use stuff is for. They are not stupit. Even if the cloths are not allowed, whatever you say, they know its for their poor needing Mexican people.
They did with us, just let us go with the stuff. Unlike the US side where there is no way caring, just never bend rules!
They see the ice chest, old stuff, and really just interested in receips for new stuff and to look for the really illegal stuff like guns and such.
I just get out and talk to them, answer questions and just be nice.
They always let me/us just go on. I even talked them out of tax a few times.
May have a problem next trip, that is the way luck is!
So Bill, my input is,,,,
just go across the declare side, cause if they see it, best be on that lane.
And just not worry about what you have.
Stop, declare, talk nice and be respectful, for whatever will happen, will happen that way! The crossing is easy. Now when we take stuff, its not the jail illegal stuff, I don't give it second thought.
The Mexican border guards then, will decide your fate! And they can decide if the stuff needs a gest-a- mate for taxes, or approval to drive away.
Best, if leave your head blank, arrive, and just let the ball bounce as the outcome! Remember, your at their mercy, be cool and polite!
And it will just be another pain in the ass check point!
the man
