Any issues with bringing new toys thru customs?

[think]

I was reading Hekab Be's wish list and it says as long as your electronics and other donations are used (not in original packaging) and in with your clothes, there aren't any problems bringing them into Mexico. That got me thinking... I will be bringing a suitcase full of new (still in the retail packages) toys and books. Just curious if anybody has any experience with this type of thing. Do I have to 'claim' this stuff? Pay taxes on it? Etc.? Thanks :)

[think]

well, somebody on LG already answered my question. :D http://www.traveldocs.com/mx/customs.htm

[james]

write this down and take it with you. though I doubt you would get stopped for the toys, if they ask about them, they'd need a heart of stone to mess with you:

Son unos regalitos que voy a donar a una iglesia. Van a distribuirse entre unos niños desafortunados.

That means that they are gifts that you are giving to a church that is going to give them to some disadvantaged children. I'm just assuming that's what you are doing.

[think]

cool, thanks. and you're pretty much right, minus the church part.

[minniemex]

Just a small hi~jack!!
http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Smileys/th_hein34.gif http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Smileys/th_whoo12.gif you leave tomorrow!!

Have a great trip!! Takes lots of pictures and make lifetime memories!!

[PhyllisB]

I brought a backpack full of Spanish-language books for kids with us on our last trip, and didn't have any problem. We also had a big duffel full of kids clothes (despite not traveling with any) courtesy of Pepper. No problemas. I've never brought toys, though.

Have a great trip!

[think]

Thanks :) I won't get to Mex until tomorrow, but we are actually about to head out in less than an hour :D (flying out of a nearby city and staying the night there.) See you guys in a couple of weeks! :wave:

[Gale in KY]

Easy Fix..take the stuff out of the packages..lol. It all depends on that green/red light thing..they won't even look in your bag unless you get the red light. I would definitely write down what James suggests.
The one time I got the red light, I had alot of supplies for Hekab Be..school supplies, pencils, tablets of paper etc. I simply told them they were "donations" for the Akumal Library and they told me to go on thru. No problem at all.

Have a great time! Are you flying out of Indy? That seems to be the best airport for a deal right now...I hate driving two hours though..I am spoiled to having an airport 15 minutes away.

[Steve O]

I missed the time line on this one but you should take everything out of the package and bring the receipts down with you. I believe you are allowed to bring $300 worth of new items in with you duty free if flying by air. $50 by car. If they are in the suitcase and you get the green light, you are ok. If not, they will want to see the receipts for the new items. If you don't have the receipts they might let you through or they might not. If they don't let you through they will assign a value to each item and charge you duty on anything over your limit. If something is still in a new package and they can see it, you won't get the green light. They will search your luggage. The green light is not random.