Moving Furniture Across the American Border into Playas Baja California Mexico

Do not plan to move a lot of furniture across the border when moving to Playas. It is possible to do so, if you have obtained an FM3 visa (see article on visas). However it is expensive to move furniture across the border  and especially so without the FM3 visa. Moving furnitur from one place to another once here, would be also be quite expensive.

Importing  household goods with  FM3 requires a detailed list of every item on the truck. If  there is a serial number on the  item, record it in the  paperwork.   A big  binder  with a  picture of each item  and the description beside it would be helpful.   If  that is  too much work, maybe rethink what is necessary to bring.  Travel across the border in the  truck with the driver if at possible.  Stories about truck drivers claiming  multiple "inspections", with having to pay either duties and/or bribes for which they want to be reimbursed,  are all too common.

I came with just what could be put in a full sized rental car. Since I did not know if I would be staying I did not take anything that I could not easily afford to just discard when I chose to return, computer and personal effects excepted. My "car full"   included two folding canvas beach chairs, a folding cot, computer table to be assembled,  kitchen and personal items, just what was  needed to be reasonably comfortable for a few weeks while getting settled. At the car rental return office, a service company contracted to move everything across the border, stowed everything from the rental car into a SUV and drove acorss the border without any problems. Once here,  a small bar refrigerator was purchased for $30  and a  queen size bed, new and quite firm, was purchased for $100.

One  approach would be  to rent a locker at a self storage unit on the USA side. Then bring  across  one or more  items at a time.  If walking across utilize  a back pack  Nobody bothers to ask  any questions. With  an FM3,  new goods can be imported  without paying import taxes. Typical purchases such as a new printer or monitor can easily be brought in with no problems. 

There are familiar stores in Tijuana, e.g.  Home Depot, Office Depot, Costco and WalMart. That is in addition to the stores that are Mexico based and the independent stores. Smart shopping yields pricing in line with the USA. Casual shoppers will find prices higher. Again, I recommend contacting   taxi driver/concierge extraordinaire, who will help you.  Juan Garcia  Taxi Libre  1 664 228 1111.

There are many stores and shops in Playas offering ever conceivable kind of household items in all price ranges. There is a huge swap meet in Tijuana proper with great bargains.  There is always Craigs list in San Diego and Tijuana. There are numerous thrift shops on both sides of the border.  Many small neighborhood stores have great bargains.  An Ikea is located near  downtown San Diego. You can find companies that will bring items into Mexico for you on Craigs list or on  tijuanablog.com.

Each time I have moved from one apartment to another (4 times in two years before FINALLY finding the RIGHT place

I paid $40 to two men who furnished their own pickup truck.  I did not permit them to move my computer set up electing to do that by taxi as it is my "lifeline" and I would find it difficult to replace financially.  I packed and unpacked everything myself to facilitate moving cheaply.  These movers also moved my propane gas tank each time, disconnecting and reconnecting it. 

Looking for a Job? TRCB Recommends this FREE Report

Getting Past The Gate Keeper: How to get the work you love and the money you want by Colin Daymude at The Job Genius. Download this FREE Report at www.TheJobGenius.com OR Simply Enter information below to gain immediate access:

First Name * Email *

• Article Word Count: 575
• |
• Total Views: 992
• |
• permalink