Confiscated in Mexico!

mbelair · 25th May 2008, 19:04

When I went in April, we just bought the Sodasorb from Matt in Playa . The Sodasorb he sells did the job and saved us the trouble of traveling with the chemical.

bgpartri · 25th May 2008, 21:28

Many years ago, I was taking a Dolphin to Cabo and had two big bags of lime on the top of one of the suitcases. I pushed the button and got the red light to open my bag.

I unzipped the top, and flipped it back. The agent saw the bags, burst our laughing, and waved me through without looking in the bags. I'm sure he thought it was a practical joke.

Bruce

oldguydiving · 26th May 2008, 01:08

My own foreign travel experience, heck TSA experience, is that discretion is inconsistently applied...and this observation from a fed!

Consider, MB you're inspector and his crew got chewed out yesterday for some infraction and/or had a recent bad experience with another Rebreather diver, or just US tourist - and you bore the brunt.

Anytime you enter another country, or return to the US, you are at the mercy of officials who have a great deal of discretion but are not very high on the food chain - probably a bad mix but common for all that.

I think you did the right things but the situation mitigated against you. Be happy you didn't wind up in a Mexican jail. I've pulled US citizens out of several and they are truly unpleasant.

Happy trails,

Mixaddict · 26th May 2008, 02:16

Quote: (Originally Posted by wedivebc)

Never had a prob in Cancun. Always include the MSDS sheet in the bag.

Yeah, we had the MSDS sheet in with the tub. The problem is the manufacturer's warning about it being mildly corrosive. That put him right over the top! I was afraid that if I tried to pass customs without the original manufacturer's label, that they would be even more suspicious. Live and learn. Next time, we'll break it down and put it in several different bags and spread it amongst the group.

pattimegdiver · 26th May 2008, 04:33

It seems to be a hit or miss game.
I remember at the airport in Portland, the Delta queen behind the counter had no clue what scrubber was and after my traveling partner was yelling at her, and getting her name, it still did not matter, we eventually handed it over to Delta because they would not let us put it in our checked baggage. The real funny part is that I took my rebreather on the plane with a full packed scrubber and nothing was said to me at the time of inspection in Portland or at the Cancun inspection point. You just never know, I will always buy it through Protech if I am traveling to Playa or Belize.

silent running · 26th May 2008, 10:10

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict)

Yeah, we had the MSDS sheet in with the tub. The problem is the manufacturer's warning about it being mildly corrosive. That put him right over the top! I was afraid that if I tried to pass customs without the original manufacturer's label, that they would be even more suspicious.

Randy, this has not been my experience in Mexico or in the Pacific. 12 trips and I've never had a problem, except the one time I didn't cover up the warning label on Sofno in TCI. A little tape over the warning will not arouse any suspicion as the more you make the container look like it's second hand, the more you look like just another person coming into the country with used stuff repacked into a 2nd hand container, which is very common with residents.

Word to the wise-it's brand new stuff with no wear on it that arouses the most suspicion as they love to catch people bringing in new stuff to sell, to get around the duty. The more you can make your gear look like it's only for personal use and not new, the better. In fact, I only have had to pull out the MSDS 1 other time, when the customs guy in the Philippines saw my nice fresh Sodasorb container-which sensibly has no corrosive warnings-because he said the container was new. I had to spend my time convincing him I had no commercial use for it, not trying to tell him it was a "safe" chemical. He eventually understood when he saw how much other diving crap I had and let me pass...

**fireman** · 26th May 2008, 13:37

I flew to cancun with sorb both in vacumm packed baggies and a tub. The guy running the machine waved me over but one of his coworkers saw my rebreather and waved us on--with a smile. Tourist dollars.
I have a tub of 4-8 unopened in Coz for sale.

**mattmexico** · 26th May 2008, 14:16

yo

I am sorry to experience on the Cancun airport. Inconsistency with customs personell is one way to describe your experience. For years all baggage coming into Cancun airport is x-rayed to look for items taxable or strange looking.

When I do fly into other regions to dive my ccr I try never to take with me any absorbent but if I have to will carry it in clear ziplock bags and declare it as packing material.

The manufacturer sheets did not even safe me once while flying into the U.S.

When coming into Cancun with a lot of diving gear or photo gear always state it is personal photo equipment or personal diving equipment. Under Mexican Customs regulations you are allowed to bring in as much gear as you like as long as it is for personal use.

Mexico is undergoing a long, painfull and slowy coming on successfully campaign against corruption. A lot of federal agents and in particular customs and immigration agents all the way up to top brass where fired over the last 5 or 6 yerars. Trying to bribe a federal customs or immigration agent inside the airport is not such a good thing to do anymore. I personally do not bribe anyone in Mexico. I refuse to do so ... but on the other hand I have plenty of time and do speak the language.

sorry again to hear about your experience.

greetings
Matt

p.s. we do have only mesh 6-12 Sodasorb in our store

**Gill Envy** · 26th May 2008, 19:46

I just double checked and the small, 10.3 lb "mini" kegs of safnolime do not have the "mildly corrosive" warning on them. I take mostly 5gal bucket's of sodasorb and use the "mini" kegs of safno to distribute the weight more evenly to avoid overage. I've even taken used "mini" kegs of safnolime and filled them with sodasorb.

this is the declaration sheet that has worked for me so far:

This is Co2 absorbant material for rebreather scuba diving equipment:

Transport Considerations: Sodasorb And Safnolime Co2 absorbent is non hazardous as defined in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and U. S. Department of Transportation regulations contained in 49 CFR. Because there is less than 4% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) active ingredient in the material it is not classified as a corrosive and therefore may be transported by land, sea or air without the need for any special hazard or shipping warnings.

While departing seattle, I am available by cell phone for questions regarding these contents (***)***-**** ask for George.

Thanks for keeping us safe!!

ridge · 27th May 2008, 01:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by ridge)

Always worth finding out about the government to customs chain of command and getting an email or fax to confirm legality before you travel

This normally cuts across the corruption crap especially where you can insist they call the head dudes office

If they still screw you a nice comprehensive call and letter to your embassy/consulate in country, followed up by a call and letter to their embassy back in your country should do the trick for the future.

Oh and next time pack some extra kevlar and lock your door

Reply

Who do you ask for.....Director of Sofnolime Control?

No wonder government is bloated and taxes are so high!

John

Well John,

being English I always enjoy a bit of irony

now the corruptions going down (slowly) the taxes are beginning to actually get paid so things actually can get done more than they used to......

well sort of.....

And the advice in my original post still stands...and hey use proforma letters to their head dudes with "copied to" addresses at the head normally including your own countries officialdom always puts the pressure on.

The Mexican Customs Authority (Administracion General de Aduanas) is unsurprisingly the centralized federal Mexican government agency charged with the responsibility of controlling importations and exportations to and from Mexico.

It is under the general control of the Federal Mexican Government Ministry of Commerce and Industrial Development in its' Department of Customs.

After the change of governments at the federal level, Felipe Calderón nominated Luis Roberto Patrón Arregui as Customs director, but he failed to win the support of the Senate, which did not even debate the nomination, and days later, he was replaced by Juan José Bravo Moisés.

Wait for it, the PRD had expressed reservations for political reasons!!!!!, given that Patrón was married to Norma Coppel, sister of hotel owner Ernesto Coppel and cousin of Enrique Coppel, one of the promoters of Calderón’s presidential campaign!

A little bit of a change but enough to matter for the vital Rebreather Sofnalime supply train

The Administracion General de Aduanas website should give Sofnalime importees all they need

http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/index.html

heralding:

“We are all obliged to comply with these Customs provisions. If you feel that you are being subject of a corruption act please denounce it immediately. You may report it at the Secretaría de la Función Pública desk located at this airport or by calling toll free to (01 -800) 112 05 84”.

But the main page gives also Sofnalime importees what they need most:

“Aduana Mexico welcomes you! (Christ almighty thats even more polite than British Customs)

Our commitment is to offer you a respectful and efficient service.

Aduana Mexico is aware of the situation our users face when they arrive to our territory. With this in mind, we offer this brochure in order to inform you of the steps you have to take to pass through customs. In this brochure you will find helpful data and information about your rights and obligations. We are here to help you, always focusing in offering our services with transparency.

What do I have to do upon arriving to the Airport?
Customs Inspection
What can I bring in duty free?
Which items may be included in my personal luggage exempt from duty?
In which cases should I pay taxes?
Which other items must be declared?
Which goods are restricted?
Which goods are prohibited?
How much should I pay for those additional goods that are not part of my luggage or the $50 exemption?

Plan your trip and request information in advance!”

Villa Rides!

Ding Ding

25th May 2008, 19:04	#11 (permalink)
mbelair RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 83	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! When I went in April, we just bought the Sodasorb from Matt in Playa . The Sodasorb he sells did the job and saved us the trouble of traveling with the chemical. __________________ Marc
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25th May 2008, 21:28	#12 (permalink)
bgpartri CEO-Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Titan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 423	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Many years ago, I was taking a Dolphin to Cabo and had two big bags of lime on the top of one of the suitcases. I pushed the button and got the red light to open my bag. I unzipped the top, and flipped it back. The agent saw the bags, burst our laughing, and waved me through without looking in the bags. I'm sure he thought it was a practical joke. Bruce __________________ http://www.shearwaterresearch.com Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment. Last edited by bgpartri : 25th May 2008 at 21:32.
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26th May 2008, 01:08	#13 (permalink)
oldguydiving New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Arlington Virginia USA Posts: 6	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! My own foreign travel experience, heck TSA experience, is that discretion is inconsistently applied...and this observation from a fed! Consider, MB you're inspector and his crew got chewed out yesterday for some infraction and/or had a recent bad experience with another Rebreather diver, or just US tourist - and you bore the brunt. Anytime you enter another country, or return to the US, you are at the mercy of officials who have a great deal of discretion but are not very high on the food chain - probably a bad mix but common for all that. I think you did the right things but the situation mitigated against you. Be happy you didn't wind up in a Mexican jail. I've pulled US citizens out of several and they are truly unpleasant. Happy trails, __________________ "if to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches and poor men's cottages prince's palaces"
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26th May 2008, 02:16	#14 (permalink)
Mixaddict RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah USA Posts: 520	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by wedivebc) Never had a prob in Cancun. Always include the MSDS sheet in the bag. Yeah, we had the MSDS sheet in with the tub. The problem is the manufacturer's warning about it being mildly corrosive. That put him right over the top! I was afraid that if I tried to pass customs without the original manufacturer's label, that they would be even more suspicious. Live and learn. Next time, we'll break it down and put it in several different bags and spread it amongst the group. __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution, Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
(Online)

26th May 2008, 04:33	#15 (permalink)
pattimegdiver RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 307	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! It seems to be a hit or miss game. I remember at the airport in Portland, the Delta queen behind the counter had no clue what scrubber was and after my traveling partner was yelling at her, and getting her name, it still did not matter, we eventually handed it over to Delta because they would not let us put it in our checked baggage. The real funny part is that I took my rebreather on the plane with a full packed scrubber and nothing was said to me at the time of inspection in Portland or at the Cancun inspection point. You just never know, I will always buy it through Protech if I am traveling to Playa or Belize. __________________ Patti Meg Diver Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk
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26th May 2008, 10:10	#16 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,873	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict) Yeah, we had the MSDS sheet in with the tub. The problem is the manufacturer's warning about it being mildly corrosive. That put him right over the top! I was afraid that if I tried to pass customs without the original manufacturer's label, that they would be even more suspicious. Randy, this has not been my experience in Mexico or in the Pacific. 12 trips and I've never had a problem, except the one time I didn't cover up the warning label on Sofno in TCI. A little tape over the warning will not arouse any suspicion as the more you make the container look like it's second hand, the more you look like just another person coming into the country with used stuff repacked into a 2nd hand container, which is very common with residents. Word to the wise-it's brand new stuff with no wear on it that arouses the most suspicion as they love to catch people bringing in new stuff to sell, to get around the duty. The more you can make your gear look like it's only for personal use and not new, the better. In fact, I only have had to pull out the MSDS 1 other time, when the customs guy in the Philippines saw my nice fresh Sodasorb container-which sensibly has no corrosive warnings-because he said the container was new. I had to spend my time convincing him I had no commercial use for it, not trying to tell him it was a "safe" chemical. He eventually understood when he saw how much other diving crap I had and let me pass...
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26th May 2008, 13:37	#17 (permalink)
fireman rEvo combat swimmer Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 549	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! I flew to cancun with sorb both in vacumm packed baggies and a tub. The guy running the machine waved me over but one of his coworkers saw my rebreather and waved us on--with a smile. Tourist dollars. I have a tub of 4-8 unopened in Coz for sale. __________________ Heres to you Capt. Bill Never Forget, and stay safe everyone.
(Online)

26th May 2008, 14:16	#18 (permalink)
mattmexico PROTEC MEXICO Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Optima RB80 / Clone Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Prism Topaz Sport Kiss RB80 / Clone Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mexico, Q.Roo, Playa del Carmen Posts: 772	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! yo I am sorry to experience on the Cancun airport. Inconsistency with customs personell is one way to describe your experience. For years all baggage coming into Cancun airport is x-rayed to look for items taxable or strange looking. When I do fly into other regions to dive my ccr I try never to take with me any absorbent but if I have to will carry it in clear ziplock bags and declare it as packing material. The manufacturer sheets did not even safe me once while flying into the U.S. When coming into Cancun with a lot of diving gear or photo gear always state it is personal photo equipment or personal diving equipment. Under Mexican Customs regulations you are allowed to bring in as much gear as you like as long as it is for personal use. Mexico is undergoing a long, painfull and slowy coming on successfully campaign against corruption. A lot of federal agents and in particular customs and immigration agents all the way up to top brass where fired over the last 5 or 6 yerars. Trying to bribe a federal customs or immigration agent inside the airport is not such a good thing to do anymore. I personally do not bribe anyone in Mexico. I refuse to do so ... but on the other hand I have plenty of time and do speak the language. sorry again to hear about your experience. greetings Matt p.s. we do have only mesh 6-12 Sodasorb in our store __________________ N 20' 37.617' W 87' 04.693' www.andreaswmatthes.com
(Online)

26th May 2008, 19:46	#19 (permalink)
Gill Envy Shearwater Copis Divers Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: seattle Posts: 1,347	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! I just double checked and the small, 10.3 lb "mini" kegs of safnolime do not have the "mildly corrosive" warning on them. I take mostly 5gal bucket's of sodasorb and use the "mini" kegs of safno to distribute the weight more evenly to avoid overage. I've even taken used "mini" kegs of safnolime and filled them with sodasorb. this is the declaration sheet that has worked for me so far: This is Co2 absorbant material for rebreather scuba diving equipment: Transport Considerations: Sodasorb And Safnolime Co2 absorbent is non hazardous as defined in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and U. S. Department of Transportation regulations contained in 49 CFR. Because there is less than 4% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) active ingredient in the material it is not classified as a corrosive and therefore may be transported by land, sea or air without the need for any special hazard or shipping warnings. While departing seattle, I am available by cell phone for questions regarding these contents (*)-*** ask for George. Thanks for keeping us safe!! __________________ Gill Envy ...Because I wasn't born with gills! ><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>><(°>
(Online)

27th May 2008, 01:56	#20 (permalink)
ridge New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sussex Posts: 19	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by ridge) Always worth finding out about the government to customs chain of command and getting an email or fax to confirm legality before you travel This normally cuts across the corruption crap especially where you can insist they call the head dudes office If they still screw you a nice comprehensive call and letter to your embassy/consulate in country, followed up by a call and letter to their embassy back in your country should do the trick for the future. Oh and next time pack some extra kevlar and lock your door Reply Who do you ask for.....Director of Sofnolime Control? No wonder government is bloated and taxes are so high! John Well John, being English I always enjoy a bit of irony now the corruptions going down (slowly) the taxes are beginning to actually get paid so things actually can get done more than they used to...... well sort of..... And the advice in my original post still stands...and hey use proforma letters to their head dudes with "copied to" addresses at the head normally including your own countries officialdom always puts the pressure on. The Mexican Customs Authority (Administracion General de Aduanas) is unsurprisingly the centralized federal Mexican government agency charged with the responsibility of controlling importations and exportations to and from Mexico. It is under the general control of the Federal Mexican Government Ministry of Commerce and Industrial Development in its' Department of Customs. After the change of governments at the federal level, Felipe Calderón nominated Luis Roberto Patrón Arregui as Customs director, but he failed to win the support of the Senate, which did not even debate the nomination, and days later, he was replaced by Juan José Bravo Moisés. Wait for it, the PRD had expressed reservations for political reasons!!!!!, given that Patrón was married to Norma Coppel, sister of hotel owner Ernesto Coppel and cousin of Enrique Coppel, one of the promoters of Calderón’s presidential campaign! A little bit of a change but enough to matter for the vital Rebreather Sofnalime supply train The Administracion General de Aduanas website should give Sofnalime importees all they need http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/index.html heralding: “We are all obliged to comply with these Customs provisions. If you feel that you are being subject of a corruption act please denounce it immediately. You may report it at the Secretaría de la Función Pública desk located at this airport or by calling toll free to (01 -800) 112 05 84”. But the main page gives also Sofnalime importees what they need most: “Aduana Mexico welcomes you! (Christ almighty thats even more polite than British Customs) Our commitment is to offer you a respectful and efficient service. Aduana Mexico is aware of the situation our users face when they arrive to our territory. With this in mind, we offer this brochure in order to inform you of the steps you have to take to pass through customs. In this brochure you will find helpful data and information about your rights and obligations. We are here to help you, always focusing in offering our services with transparency. *What do I have to do upon arriving to the Airport?* *Customs Inspection* *What can I bring in duty free?* *Which items may be included in my personal luggage exempt from duty?* *In which cases should I pay taxes?* *Which other items must be declared?* *Which goods are restricted?* *Which goods are prohibited?* *How much should I pay for those additional goods that are not part of my luggage or the $50 exemption?* *Plan your trip and request information in advance!”* Villa Rides! Ding Ding
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