Confiscated in Mexico!

Mixaddict · 25th May 2008, 01:06

There are a group of eight of us that have descended on the cenotes in Akumal area to do a little cave diving. Since we were diving CCR, and could not locate any 8-12 sofnolime anywhere in Mexico, we brought it with us. It was in the original tub, with the manufacturer's label on it. We also printed out the specs in case anyone was concerned about it being toxic. It flew right through the TSA in the US without any problem.

When we got to customs in Cancun, they pulled us out of line (I'm sure because we had so much rebreather crap with us, and scanned every single case and bag. They had a complete heart attack about the sorb, and said that we were trying to import dangerous chemical into Mexico, and that they would not allow it under any circumstance.

They also tried to confiscate our rebreathers (It got really ugly when we thought that we would not be able to get through customs with our kit!) We argued back and forth for a couple of hours to no avail, and finally had to surrender the sorb to the customs dude but they let us take our kit through!

They have supposedly put it in a warehouse, where we can hire a customs broker to bring it through for us, but it will take up to two weeks and will probably cost more than the sorb did in the first place. Additionally, they are demanding that a chemical test be run on it to prove to them that it really sorb and not something else!

The amazing thing about this entire situation, is that another diver in our party was able to bring another tub right through customs a day later without even so much as a word!

Fortunately, Protech in Playa was able to provide us with a replacement tub of 4-8. Not exactly what we wanted, but it will work in a pinch! Thanks to Protech for saving the day!

The good news is the HH CCR worked like a charm and we had a great dive at Taj Mahal!

JS1scuba · 25th May 2008, 01:58

Next time pack it like this and be prepared to give the guy a fast $500

Mixaddict · 25th May 2008, 03:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by JS1scuba)

Next time pack it like this and be prepared to give the guy a fast $500

My suspicion is that I would have sailed through if it were packed like that!

**wedivebc** · 25th May 2008, 06:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict)

My suspicion is that I would have sailed through if it were packed like that!

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

scubagrunt · 25th May 2008, 06:52

Sorry to hear that Randy!! i took 40# of sorb in hidden zip lock bags and got away with it. customs pulled me out to, they were all twiterpated by my camera gear which they wanted to charge me inport tax on!!! what an ordeal and crap. i got through after only 30min of "discussions".
mel
thanks for the thread, as i will hide it even better next time!

silent running · 25th May 2008, 10:20

Thanks for the heads up Randy. Did anybody in your group speak Spanish and did your Sofnolime containers have those f'ing "mildly corrosive" warnings on them?

Even with an MSDS sheet saying it was safe to fly, I had some genius in Turks and Caicos tell me that because it was "mildly corrosive", I couldn't take the unused portion back home with me. The Captain of the airplane got involved and being an x USN aviator, knew what it was and brought into the cockpit with him, just to spite the guy. It was actually kind of funny at that point, but I never bring home unused sorb anymore because of it, and when bringing in Sofno, I always cover up that m' f'ing warning.

Somebody should ask Molecular Products to take that stupid warning off of the container, to stop any further misunderstandings, who is it meant for anyway? Little children usually can't read and wouldn't know what "corrosive" meant if they could.

No wait, it's probably an EU requirement and must be on the container by law, oh heavens thank god, somebody is looking out for all those unsuspecting people who use CO2 absorbent in their household lives everyday... -Andy

ridge · 25th May 2008, 13:04

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

“It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.”
Mark Twain

jkaterenchuk · 25th May 2008, 13:41

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

“It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.”
Mark Twain

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

No wonder government is bloated and taxes are so high!

John

Mark Chase · 25th May 2008, 15:54

I went through Cancun with 20kg of Spherasorb. It raised an eyebrow but the supervisor let it go no problem. I was obviously lucky.

ATB

Mark

hoppyinca · 25th May 2008, 18:33

Quote: (Originally Posted by JS1scuba)

Next time pack it like this and be prepared to give the guy a fast $500

when I flew from Dallas to Las Vegas to dive the B-29 I actually did pack my sorb like this... MSDS in each of the two bulging gallon size bags... no problems at all...

I bet it would be an even bigger problem bring it FROM Mexico!...

hoppy

25th May 2008, 01:06	#1 (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	Confiscated in Mexico! There are a group of eight of us that have descended on the cenotes in Akumal area to do a little cave diving. Since we were diving CCR, and could not locate any 8-12 sofnolime anywhere in Mexico, we brought it with us. It was in the original tub, with the manufacturer's label on it. We also printed out the specs in case anyone was concerned about it being toxic. It flew right through the TSA in the US without any problem. When we got to customs in Cancun, they pulled us out of line (I'm sure because we had so much rebreather crap with us, and scanned every single case and bag. They had a complete heart attack about the sorb, and said that we were trying to import dangerous chemical into Mexico, and that they would not allow it under any circumstance. They also tried to confiscate our rebreathers (It got really ugly when we thought that we would not be able to get through customs with our kit!) We argued back and forth for a couple of hours to no avail, and finally had to surrender the sorb to the customs dude but they let us take our kit through! They have supposedly put it in a warehouse, where we can hire a customs broker to bring it through for us, but it will take up to two weeks and will probably cost more than the sorb did in the first place. Additionally, they are demanding that a chemical test be run on it to prove to them that it really sorb and not something else! The amazing thing about this entire situation, is that another diver in our party was able to bring another tub right through customs a day later without even so much as a word! Fortunately, Protech in Playa was able to provide us with a replacement tub of 4-8. Not exactly what we wanted, but it will work in a pinch! Thanks to Protech for saving the day! The good news is the HH CCR worked like a charm and we had a great dive at Taj Mahal! __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution, Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
(Online)

25th May 2008, 01:58	#2 (permalink)
JS1scuba RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Sport Kiss Classic Kiss MK 15.X Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ - USA Posts: 594	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Next time pack it like this and be prepared to give the guy a fast $500
(Offline)

25th May 2008, 03:14	#3 (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 JS1scuba) Next time pack it like this and be prepared to give the guy a fast $500 My suspicion is that I would have sailed through if it were packed like that! __________________ Randy Thornton (MixAddict) Inspiration, Evolution, Hammerhead & Sentinel CCR Instructor
(Online)

25th May 2008, 06:18	#4 (permalink)
wedivebc Dave Tomblin Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,507	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by Mixaddict) My suspicion is that I would have sailed through if it were packed like that! Never had a prob in Cancun. Always include the MSDS sheet in the bag. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
(Online)

25th May 2008, 06:52	#5 (permalink)
scubagrunt CCR Diva Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other SCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 441	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Sorry to hear that Randy!! i took 40# of sorb in hidden zip lock bags and got away with it. customs pulled me out to, they were all twiterpated by my camera gear which they wanted to charge me inport tax on!!! what an ordeal and crap. i got through after only 30min of "discussions". mel thanks for the thread, as i will hide it even better next time! __________________ "No good deed goes unpunished!" www.silentscuba.com
(Offline)

25th May 2008, 10:20	#6 (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! Thanks for the heads up Randy. Did anybody in your group speak Spanish and did your Sofnolime containers have those f'ing "mildly corrosive" warnings on them? Even with an MSDS sheet saying it was safe to fly, I had some genius in Turks and Caicos tell me that because it was "mildly corrosive", I couldn't take the unused portion back home with me. The Captain of the airplane got involved and being an x USN aviator, knew what it was and brought into the cockpit with him, just to spite the guy. It was actually kind of funny at that point, but I never bring home unused sorb anymore because of it, and when bringing in Sofno, I always cover up that m' f'ing warning. Somebody should ask Molecular Products to take that stupid warning off of the container, to stop any further misunderstandings, who is it meant for anyway? Little children usually can't read and wouldn't know what "corrosive" meant if they could. No wait, it's probably an EU requirement and must be on the container by law, oh heavens thank god, somebody is looking out for all those unsuspecting people who use CO2 absorbent in their household lives everyday... -Andy
(Offline)

25th May 2008, 13:04	#7 (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! 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 “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” Mark Twain
(Offline)

25th May 2008, 13:41	#8 (permalink)
jkaterenchuk . Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 1,085	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 “It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” Mark Twain Who do you ask for.....Director of Sofnolime Control? No wonder government is bloated and taxes are so high! John
(Online)

25th May 2008, 15:54	#9 (permalink)
Mark Chase RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,854	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! I went through Cancun with 20kg of Spherasorb. It raised an eyebrow but the supervisor let it go no problem. I was obviously lucky. ATB Mark __________________ See my "Doing It Chasey" video where I'm locked into a padded room, naked, with two ball bearings and within an Hour, I manage to lose one and break the other!!! Kevin Juergensen 16/11/08 [/quote]
(Offline)

25th May 2008, 18:33	#10 (permalink)
hoppyinca New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA USA Posts: 253	Re: Confiscated in Mexico! Quote: (Originally Posted by JS1scuba) Next time pack it like this and be prepared to give the guy a fast $500 when I flew from Dallas to Las Vegas to dive the B-29 I actually did pack my sorb like this... MSDS in each of the two bulging gallon size bags... no problems at all... I bet it would be an even bigger problem bring it FROM Mexico!... hoppy __________________ "The government is merely a servant... merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them..." - Mark Twain
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