Hookum
Tucson, Ariz.
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Joined: 08/01/2008
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Prayerwarrior,
I spend a lot of time and effort in hiding the stuff. With huge compartments on the Eagle, towing the Explorer with kayak, I manage to find a lot of areas to stow stuff without looking like I'm a smuggler. I rarely get checked, they usually just ask about "guns". This trip I even have 4 TV's (the kind that don't have signals in U.S. but work good in Mex) Clothing and dishes are easily hidden.
What is frustrating is to see the huge loads on PU's going south. They are selling the stuff and getting it through. You and I are just willing to GIVE it to the needy and we run paranoid with our little endeavor. I have not figured out the system and I don't speak enough Spanish to handle the logistics on my own.
Last year, I loaded up a large trailer with used steel, lumber, and tools to go down and build a small boat dock for the locals. I went directly to Customs and declared my load,(willing to pay the duty) he turned me around to get "importation documents from a U.S. brokerage. I spent the whole following day with 3 brokerage houses who all shunted me off (by ignoring me) until the 3rd guy did say he couldn't help and to try it again that night. I tried it 24 hours later, got the SAME inspector who was pissed and turned me around again.
I could not understand why, if I declared my stuff and was ASKING to pay them, that guy would not take my money. So now I do it the slightly illegal way and make myself look like a dumb tourist, so far the dumb part is working for me. I'm helping the people I can. It's not at the level that a church group can do but it's enough for me.
Would enjoy pairing up with your group for around December in the Kino area. Maybe we can exchange ideas.
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qtla9111
Monterrey, Mexico
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Joined: 09/17/2003
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Just my personal opinion. Better to collect money and buy the products and used clothing here in Mexico. Saves hassle, time and frustration and helps the local economy.
We see people with their pickups coming to Mexico to visit family and they are filled to the gills with used junk. We have plenty of used stuff to buy here.
1998 Nissan Pathfinder
2004 Shadow Cruiser 18ft.
Living and Boondocking Mexico
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prayerwarrior
fulltimer
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Joined: 07/29/2009
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HOOKUM,
Thanks for the insight. Guess it's better to ask forgiveness rather than permission. We might be in for a lot of frustration trying to do thins the "right" way. Don't know if we'll be able to hide all the stuff. Attended church in Desert Hot Springs, CA for the first time last week and a nice lady made a general appeal. Two days later we had a box full of NEW children's clothing as well as 4 large bags of "nearly new" clothing and baby blankets. America may look "ugly" to some, but I'm constantly heartened by our true caring and generosity. Would love to hookum-up with you sometime! Do you want to e-mail?
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maggybeck
North in summer, south in winter
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Joined: 01/08/2008
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I don't see any need to "hide" any of this stuff. I brought lots of used clothing,and toys down in Oct. Most of it was under the bed. The customs and army people who wanted to look inside our rig seemed more interested in what was in the refrigator than anything else. We routinely offer juice and soda to anyone who looks thirsty. Where are you dropping off your stuff in Kino? do you have place for distribution of clothes, toys, shoes, etc.? I can let you know a place if necessary. I think the Aduana are only interested in those who bring such huge quantities it appears to be for resale.
Maggy
Maggy
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tcman
Aldergrove, BC
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Joined: 07/02/2009
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I'm taking down a lot of school supplies this year in my trailer, for one school, & hoping I have no issues.
2006 SnowBird 9'6
2005 Chev SRW
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prayerwarrior
fulltimer
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MAGGYBECK,
Thanks for the offer. Don't know exactly where we'll deliver the goods. My husband is a member of Rotary Club International (there are clubs all over the world) so we e-mailed the club in Hermosillo. Haven't heard back yet. Used the "language tools" link on my Google and all I had to do was write my note in English and it translated it into Spanish for me! Really cool. If they answer back in Spanish I can translate that, too. We are trying to learn Spanish anyway.
You said you might have a contact? Would be interested.
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maggybeck
North in summer, south in winter
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prayerwarrior: The Club Deportive in Kino Nuevo always does a Christmas thing for the kids. Likewise, the campground where we are always does a Christmas thing for the kids. This includes passing out school supplies and toys etc. Please PM me with your email address and we can talk further about this.
Maggy
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