Customs

Came in yesterday and was worried about going through customs after reading the recent posts. I have had trouble with them before especially when bringing in school supplies and last time they really went through every single thing in our luggage. It does appear that everyone is getting searched. The couple that was at the same table as us were very upset. For some reason the agent was fixated on a ziplock bag full of costume jewelry. The man even shouted keep it if it’s that big of deal. They were eventually released with their bag of jewelry. Now I’m thinking great as my wife has a ziplock full of silver jewelry that she has bought over the years in Mexico.

I spoke to my wife about the process before we left and asked her to remain relaxed, friendly and respectful as she was upset at the mess they made out of our luggage last time. I help them open up all of our bags and joked around with the toy dart pistols l brought for my friends son. He only asked to see some seeds aka our big can of cashews and a bottle (Crown Royal) and off we went. It took us max 15 minutes from the plane to outside. Not near as bad as a previous post, maybe I was lucky or maybe it has something to do with attitude. No sé.

Glad to hear you didn't get hassled. Welcome back!

Since it doesn't appear to be a nationwide thing, I can only guess a local administrative bureaucrat is the problem.

Came in yesterday and was worried about going through customs after reading the recent posts. I have had trouble with them before especially when bringing in school supplies and last time they really went through every single thing in our luggage. It does appear that everyone is getting searched. The couple that was at the same table as us were very upset. For some reason the agent was fixated on a ziplock bag full of costume jewelry. The man even shouted keep it if it’s that big of deal. They were eventually released with their bag of jewelry. Now I’m thinking great as my wife has a ziplock full of silver jewelry that she has bought over the years in Mexico.

I spoke to my wife about the process before we left and asked her to remain relaxed, friendly and respectful as she was upset at the mess they made out of our luggage last time. I help them open up all of our bags and joked around with the toy dart pistols l brought for my friends son. He only asked to see some seeds aka our big can of cashews and a bottle (Crown Royal) and off we went. It took us max 15 minutes from the plane to outside. Not near as bad as a previous post, maybe I was lucky or maybe it has something to do with attitude. No sé.

What a chit show. Going to get my flight changed to come through MEX.

Ladies and gentlemen, leave your jewelry at home. We arrived on a flight from Phoenix on October 8. We were probably in the last 25% of the passengers to be treated to the Aduana experience. Immigration was fast and acceptable. When we exited immigration, we were very "excited" to see a long, L-shaped line extending from the X-Ray in Aduana all the way to the bathrooms.
After what seemed like an hour, as we had a 2 year old with us, we made it the X-Ray and placed our luggage through. The agent said something to another agent, and so without touching the button for a green or red light, we were directed to a table for a search.
They wanted to see the same zip lock bag of silver, costume jewelry that was previously mentioned in this thread. We have been here for 20 consecutive years, and never experienced this. They opened it, examined it, and asked if it was gold. We told them no, it was the cheap stuff that is sold on the beach. I doubt seriously if we would have been able to pay the fine (tarrif), or ever accounted for all the pieces after they went through it, if it had any significant value. Only half of Aduana was open, and they were slowing everybody up for this? I hope their supervisors are soon able to retire comfortably.

Appreciate that heads up. It helps fix my plans.

For my return to ZIH from Portland I'm planning now to go to San Diego and through CBX.

The best thing about it is the flight leaves TIJ at 3am. At that hour you will be one of maybe 6 people in line and you will likely have to awaken the customs agent to start the conveyer. They are not much interested in looking in your bags.

Somebody upthread said that CBX is expensive. It is US$15 one way and Volaris includes the fee in your ticket price.

The expensive part is that stay in San Diego. But then when you get off the plane at 8:30 on a normally beautiful Zihua morning, grab your bag and go, it all becomes worth it.

Near-equatorial sunrise at 35,000 feet is worth it too. Get a window on the left.