New Aduana Process at Columbia Crossing

This is for informational purposes only, not intended to solicit advice on what I should have done.

I tried to enter at Columbia this past Sunday afternoon (Nov. 5) hauling a trailer load of old car parts, tools and welding equipment.  I was refused entry and told to return on Monday at 9AM when a customs broker would be available to assist with my clearance.  As it turned out, Mexican Customs (Aduana) has set up a new process to handle all of the ex-pat Mexicans heading south for Christmas with car loads of gifts for their families. The program is called "Peguena Importacion" (Small Importation) and will run from Nov. 1 - Jan. 5.  It is being front ended by a third party association of local customs brokers.  Since there has been very little southbound traffic there since Nov. 1 due to the "Dia del Muerte" migration, I was the first person to be put through the new process!!!    After a mere 10 hours I became the proud holder of their first "tramite" under the new system.  My story is as follows for those who might be interested in these things.

If you have items to declare, you need to park in the area to the right just before you get to the gates (north side of main building).  The local customs broker that is on site at the crossing inspects your cargo, collects sales receipts, does the valuation and prepares the paperwork for presentation electronically to Aduana. The broker then gives you an invoice and then you go to the Aduana window and pay your import tax assessment.  They have set up a pay window on the outside of the building and you pay Aduana directly, not Banjercito as before.  You then get either an electronic "green light" or a "red light".  If green, you get your paper release and proceed with crossing and no further examination.  If you get an electronic "red light" then the customs inspectors want to have a look before they will issue the final release to you.

In my case, it was a complex entry because of all of the items I had no receipts or valuations for.  I was importing a bunch of pieces to help with my restoration project of a 50 yr. old rally car, a bunch of tools, body work equipment and a homemade car rotisserie!!  I had to completely unload the trailer then the broker took pictures of everything.  They then tried to do a valuation but couldn't get a handle on how to value such a bunch of unusual "stuff".  Their boss had to come and we agreed on a value of about $1000 US.  They then had a meeting with the customs folks to see if they agreed and if it would be OK, etc.  They then did up the paperwork and I paid the taxes.  Then there was a power failure, then there was a shift change of customs officers.  On top of this, lots of back and forth training of the new girl on how to prepare the documents, etc.  Then I got a "red light" and more "discussions".  All said and done, after more passage of time, I got my release, gratitude from all for my patience and an apology from the Aduana officer.

During the time, I developed a relationship with a couple of local birds (the black ones with the iridescent blue breast - sort of a type of jay?) hanging around (they liked my potato chips), had a nice talk with one of the soldiers and became friends with the broker's employees. When I finally pulled out at around 7PM they were all lined up on the ramp waving me good bye. Made it to Monterrey in time to grab a cold beer and then off to my hotel bed.

You write very well, thank you.