ATTENTION: UW PHOTOGRAPHERS going to Baja Mexico:

[Architeuthis 118]

This tread is, for me, a great warning to go to Baja Mexico (I was there once in 91, it was phantastic, but under these circumstances I will certainly refrain from going there by airoplane). I am not going to be the idiot for the mexican border guards...

I have a question: Does anybody know how the situation is, when going there by rental car, just from California (US) via the street? Do they apply at this border the same stupid rules?

The reason, why I am asking, is that I will retire in two weeks and will have plenty of time . I have been once in California (Pasadena) for a year and still have very good friends there, that I plan to visit on this occasion (including dives in the kelpforests there). They suggested that we make a  roadtrip down to Baja California (starting fom LA) together. I only will join, when the regulations at the regular border at the road are less stupid, as I intend to take all my UW-photographic equipment with me...

 

Wolfgang

Edited August 30, 2022 by Architeuthis

[TimG 62]

20 minutes ago, Architeuthis said:

The reason, why I am asking, is that I will retire in two weeks and will have plenty of time 

Yay! Congratulations! I hope you have a very long and fun-filled one. I can recommend it!

[waterpixel 63]

4 hours ago, Architeuthis said:

This tread is, for me, a great warning to go to Baja Mexico (I was there once in 91, it was phantastic, but under these circumstances I will certainly refrain from going there by airoplane). I am not going to be the idiot for the mexican border guards...

I have a question: Does anybody know how the situation is, when going there by rental car, just from California (US) via the street? Do they apply at this border the same stupid rules?

The reason, why I am asking, is that I will retire in two weeks and will have plenty of time . I have been once in California (Pasadena) for a year and still have very good friends there, that I plan to visit on this occasion (including dives in the kelpforests there). They suggested that we make a  roadtrip down to Baja California (starting fom LA) together. I only will join, when the regulations at the regular border at the road are less stupid, as I intend to take all my UW-photographic equipment with me... 

 

Wolfgang

Congrats Wolfgang! I've heard that if you drive; it should be fine as it's only the custom agents at the airports in Baja that rip you off.

[Tinman 27]

I've done a lot of road trips into Mexico with underwater camera equipment and never had any issues with customs agents in Mexico. Regulations do limit the number of cameras you can bring, but I've never been questioned about how many cameras I've got.

-Tinman

[calbeardiver 5]

I'm considering a dive charter that runs from the top of the Gulf down to La Paz, as it will let me get one tour of the area I've not been, without having to meet the gauntlet.  

[Architeuthis 118]

7 hours ago, calbeardiver said:

I'm considering a dive charter that runs from the top of the Gulf down to La Paz, as it will let me get one tour of the area I've not been, without having to meet the gauntlet.  

Hi Calbeardiver,

This sound sinteresting. Could you disclose the adress of this charter?

Wolfgang

[calbeardiver 5]

On 9/2/2022 at 12:18 AM, Architeuthis said:

Hi Calbeardiver,

This sound sinteresting. Could you disclose the adress of this charter?

Wolfgang

I'm sorry I missed your question when it could have been useful information.

Blue Water Photo in LA ran the trip which started last week (22nd) for 12 days on the Rocio Del Mar.   Charter price was 4495.  

BW has a couple of these each year, but I suspect the boats do it more frequently - iow, this isn't a repositioning charter.   If you want the full trip description, PM me and I'll send a url (which otherwise might border on advertizing?).  

[Nicool 26]

Has anyone else been charged the 16% tax for strobes/lights, or is it the norm to charge “only” on the housing?

[ianmarsh 37]

Hello all

Any recent up-to-date Intel on the La Paz, Cabo photo equipment "Tax" situation?

I am considering Socorro again, but this issue would likely kibosh that. Got heavily dinged in 2018.

Thanks in advance.

Ian

[calbeardiver 5]

On 1/9/2023 at 5:43 PM, ianmarsh said:

Hello all

Any recent up-to-date Intel on the La Paz, Cabo photo equipment "Tax" situation?

I am considering Socorro again, but this issue would likely kibosh that. Got heavily dinged in 2018.

Thanks in advance.

Ian

Are you still using the same housing?   It's supposed to be a one time robbery, so if you already got taken, and haven't moved onto new gear (or still willing to use the older one), bring your receipt along.  

[ianmarsh 37]

Wow... good info. Would never have thought of that!. I have moved on, so moot for me, but great info for others.

Thanks

Ian

[insomniac 8]

I'm heading there in three weeks, fingers crossed....

[UWPics 22]

Anyone tried buying a carnet for Mexico? You can get a boomerang carnet up to $50,000 for $300. https://www.atacarnet.com/import-mexico

[Freelio 11]

Worst case is they pull you in the back and bargain with you on price.  They didn't even write the model of the housing, just black Nauticam housing.  So I paid a couple of hundred and never have to worry again as long as I'm bringing in a "black nauticam" housing (and as long as I have the paperwork with me).

[Eyematey 4]

I have presented this option before but not received any affirmation. If, as a foreign traveler, you entered Mexico via another port of entry (not Tijuana), passed immigration and spent a day or so then flew to SJC (San Jose del Cabo) domestically perhaps from Mexico city, Guadalajara,  etc would you be subject to this immigration 'shakedown'? The reason I keep wondering is that I have asked friends who are Mexican nationals and UW photographers if they get hit up with these "taxes" in SJC when they arrive and they say NO. I would love to return to Baja via SJC with my UW camera gear but for last few years have avoided it. I live in California, so close but so far ~~~

Edited Thursday at 03:59 AM by Eyematey