Confiscated in Mexico!

jkaterenchuk · 27th May 2008, 01:26

Ridge

Whew....sorry for putting you thru so much work.

I might live in the USA but I am Canadian so I understand and enjoy the UK sense of humour.

John

Mixaddict · 27th May 2008, 02:08

Quote: (Originally Posted by mattmexico)

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

Matt,

You guys are a lifesaver! Nando sorted us out with some sorb, which was a huge help! We're having a great time in your wonderful caves down here. Thanks so much for the help.

Regards,
Randy

ridge · 27th May 2008, 09:55

I can see it all now.

"FAO - Juan José Bravo Moisés

Dear Mr Moisés,

Sofnalime for Sport Diving Tourism

I've always loved Mexico, the country, its people, its climate, its caves, its customs officers, I was wondering................."

Ding Ding

sdussault · 28th May 2008, 18:07

I ran into issues at the Boston airport where the carrier refused to take the canister. I too had the MSDS but to no avail. Had to leave it with TSA. Is there a way to confirm in advance if the stuff will fly or not?

-smd-

netmage · 28th May 2008, 19:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by sdussault)

I ran into issues at the Boston airport where the carrier refused to take the canister. I too had the MSDS but to no avail. Had to leave it with TSA. Is there a way to confirm in advance if the stuff will fly or not?

-smd-

Which carrier....? continental's website explicitly lists their lime policy... It'd be nice if all carriers published similar, so you could print it out to show the agent...

----------------
Note: for Rebreather Equipment: Soda lime that is 4% Sodium Hydroxide or less will be accepted in checked baggage. Soda lime that is 4.1% Sodium Hydroxide will not be accepted in checked baggage.

silent running · 29th May 2008, 01:54

Quote: (Originally Posted by sdussault)

I ran into issues at the Boston airport where the carrier refused to take the canister. I too had the MSDS but to no avail. Had to leave it with TSA. Is there a way to confirm in advance if the stuff will fly or not?

-smd-

Hello smd, sorry to hear that, was it Sodasorb or Sofnolime and what size container was it? -Andy

mattmexico · 29th May 2008, 13:46

Quote: (Originally Posted by ridge)

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

yo

.... whow ... exelent dig in the internet !!

thanx a lot for your time and effort
Matt

tibby · 2nd June 2008, 00:57

I was tasked with "smuggling" the second Sofnolime jug. At Randy's suggestion, I packed it in a lightweight duffel bag instead of leaving it in it's original cardboard box in order to make it less obvious. When I got to the customs check, a lady officer asked me what was in that particular bag and I answered "SCUBA equipment". She seemed satisfied and prompted me to push the button (for those who haven't been through Cancun customs: they ask everyone to push a button which selects "randomly" who gets a bag check and who doesn't. The button turns on a light which normally is green but occasionally turns red). I was lucky enough to get a green light

.
The trip was fantastic!
Tibby

Buck-O-Five · 2nd June 2008, 07:52

Just wear this t-shirt and they'll forget about the lime.

Seriously with trying to make it through with lime you have to dodge the airlines regulations and TSA regulations/stupidity. It is a crapshoot with both of them. It all depends on the attitude and/or experience and the amount of time you want to waste arguing with them. It's like gambling in Las Vegas, take only what you are willing to lose. Some fortunate guys will make it through and one hour later someone will get all of his lime taken.

Better to arrange for lime at your destination just in case or pre-ship it if you can. It will also save you +- 35 lbs with the serious weight restrictions going on now with the airlines.

**diver1369** · 2nd June 2008, 11:36

[quote=Gill Envy;189034]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.

According to DRE, Molecular Products no longer imports the 10 lb mini kegs... pity...

27th May 2008, 01:26	#21 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk . Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 745	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Ridge Whew....sorry for putting you thru so much work. I might live in the USA but I am Canadian so I understand and enjoy the UK sense of humour. John
(Offline)

27th May 2008, 02:08	#22 (permalink)
Mixaddict Always Learning! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Other CCR Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Draper, Utah USA Posts: 446	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by mattmexico) 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 Matt, You guys are a lifesaver! Nando sorted us out with some sorb, which was a huge help! We're having a great time in your wonderful caves down here. Thanks so much for the help. Regards, Randy __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution,Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
(Offline)

27th May 2008, 09:55	#23 (permalink)
ridge New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sussex Posts: 17	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! I can see it all now. "FAO - Juan José Bravo Moisés Dear Mr Moisés, Sofnalime for Sport Diving Tourism I've always loved Mexico, the country, its people, its climate, its caves, its customs officers, I was wondering................." Ding Ding
(Offline)

28th May 2008, 18:07	#24 (permalink)
sdussault New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH Posts: 10	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! I ran into issues at the Boston airport where the carrier refused to take the canister. I too had the MSDS but to no avail. Had to leave it with TSA. Is there a way to confirm in advance if the stuff will fly or not? -smd-
(Offline)

28th May 2008, 19:49	#25 (permalink)
netmage Hello Kitty...... Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 429	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by sdussault) I ran into issues at the Boston airport where the carrier refused to take the canister. I too had the MSDS but to no avail. Had to leave it with TSA. Is there a way to confirm in advance if the stuff will fly or not? -smd- Which carrier....? continental's website explicitly lists their lime policy... It'd be nice if all carriers published similar, so you could print it out to show the agent... ---------------- Note: for Rebreather Equipment: Soda lime that is 4% Sodium Hydroxide or less will be accepted in checked baggage. Soda lime that is 4.1% Sodium Hydroxide will not be accepted in checked baggage.
(Offline)

29th May 2008, 01:54	#26 (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: 1,810	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by sdussault) I ran into issues at the Boston airport where the carrier refused to take the canister. I too had the MSDS but to no avail. Had to leave it with TSA. Is there a way to confirm in advance if the stuff will fly or not? -smd- Hello smd, sorry to hear that, was it Sodasorb or Sofnolime and what size container was it? -Andy
(Offline)

29th May 2008, 13:46	#27 (permalink)
mattmexico Rebreather World Writer 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: 756	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by ridge) 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 yo .... whow ... exelent dig in the internet !! thanx a lot for your time and effort Matt __________________ N 20' 37.617' W 87' 04.693' www.andreaswmatthes.com
(Offline)

2nd June 2008, 11:36	#30 (permalink)
diver1369 Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 77	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! [quote=Gill Envy;189034]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. According to DRE, Molecular Products no longer imports the 10 lb mini kegs... pity...
(Online)

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