I decided to take my chances with Mexican customs instead.
One of my friends here had a sister coming to Guadalajara late in March, and the sister (whom I’d never met) quite willingly received my laptop at her home in the US — I had to call my credit card company and tell them that I wanted a special ship-to address for this large purpose, and the computer company then had to call the credit card company for a special permission, but that all went through fine. The sister had my laptop at her house for a couple of weeks, and let me know that it worked.
Once you arrive in Mexico, whether by land or air, normally you push a button and get either a red or green light. If it’s red, then you have to talk to a customs agent. I had been visualizing her getting a green light, and sure enough she did, so there was no customs. And I soon had my new laptop! If she had gotten a red light, and had had to pay some duty, it still would have come out way ahead of the other price.
I’ve had the computer a few days, and just now I decided to see if I could upload images to my blog, which for some reason I couldn’t do from Kelly’s computer. No problem, so you photo fans can look forward to more pictures. This one is part of the Lake Chapala Society, and typical of a lot of the architecture around here.
Hi Rosana,
I’m a native from Guadalajara and I enjoy reading your
posts as I’m always intrigued about the way foreigners see my country.
I just read this article and although is been a while
since it was written I would like to add some valuable information about
customs for any person coming to Mexico from the US. Any person can bring up to 1
laptop; 1 photo camera and 1 video camera with them without having to pay any
customs as those are considered personal items. Surely all the items should not
be sealed in their original packages otherwise you will have to pay duties indeed
as those might be seen as items for re-sale.
Also, if you bring more than 1 of those items with you
and if you don’t declare the items prior to getting the red light then in
addition to the custom duty you might also have to pay a fine for not declaring
the goods.
So as a suggestion to your readers if anyone is bringing
electronics to any friends/relatives just bring 1 of each per person and bring
those already opened as if those were already being used to avoid any custom duties.
Best regards,
Hugo Perez
Thanks, Hugo!