Requirement to sell U.S. Goods in Mexico

[Toddvan]

I am preparing to Sail Solo from California to Mexico.
Does anyone know the requirements to sell U.S. purchased retail merchandise in Mexico.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Toddvan.

[boatman61]

Hi Todd... Welcome to CF
Dunno if you'll get much feed back... seems to me its the other way round usually... Mexico to US... and the US aint happy

[Paul L]

Are you selling to locals or cruisers? The cruisers VHF nets are usually careful to list items for sale as 'trade for coconuts' to avoid issues.

[tropicalescape]

I started 3 used clothes stores in Mexico after having a hard time thinking that NAFTA only worked one way...After it was all said and done I came to the conclusion that it did work one way after they stopped me at the border and told me I had been violating the law! You can take "gifts" to people in Mex. if each package has a persons name and address on it plus the contents...Never tell them you are going to sale something in Mex. they do not like that at all from my experiance..good luck

[hellosailor]

Todd, you are asking cruisers for legal and business counsel?

That's not a good way to start a business. You probably will do better by having a talk with a "commerce attache" at a Mexican consulate or embassy. Their job is to help wanna-be businessmen meet the laws for doing business across the Mexican border.

You'll probably need both US and Mexican business licenses, clear the goods through customs, and conform to a batch of paperwork. But there's a man at a desk in most every consulate who gets paid to explain the rules to you and to encourage our business.

[Sailor_Hutch]

What U.S. goods? They don't make anything there anymore. So, on your mexican import document, the place of origin should read "China".

Unless, of course, you're planning to import burgers ...

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Todd, you are asking cruisers for legal and business counsel?

That's not a good way to start a business. You probably will do better by having a talk with a "commerce attache" at a Mexican consulate or embassy. Their job is to help wanna-be businessmen meet the laws for doing business across the Mexican border.

You'll probably need both US and Mexican business licenses, clear the goods through customs, and conform to a batch of paperwork. But there's a man at a desk in most every consulate who gets paid to explain the rules to you and to encourage our business.

And good luck getting anyone to explain anything with a new administration putting new people in offices they have no experience in. The immigration stuff down here has been a zoo.

[hellosailor]

" a new administration "
Ah, Rebel? Did they just hold elections down in MEXICO too? Because I did suggest he see a MEXICAN official in a MEXICAN consulate, and I don't think any of them are being swept up in a new administration this month or next.

Of course, I don't pay much attention to Mexican elections. I vote early and vote often, but I don't vote in Mexico.

[zeehag]

one must go thru the mexican hoops in order to be a seller of anyhting in mexico , if one is not mexican.

is possible, but you must do as ordered and mandated by mexican policy..
i believe the penalty for selling stuff here without permission is jail time. not a fun prospect, as i understand it. something about tariffs and duties and taxes....

[bobconnie]

Ive been Swapping stuff in other countrys for a long time and never had a problem ! Sometimes swapping is for other goods and sometimes for money ! I think ya need to Think about what ya want to do! maybe get rid of stuff ya don't need, but if ya want to support your cruiseing life ya might want to rethink your Ideas!! many places don't much care for ya setting up a business without proper permission and fees !! Trading and swapping are a old cruisers way of life LOL it's how we maintain ourselfs far away from our home shores! But having things to sell to locals, is a chancy way of living in some places ya could be looking at jail time or at least be asked to leave and never return !! seen it happen !! just sayin be careful !