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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: nassau73 on August 07, 2019, 10:11:34 PM

Title: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: nassau73 on August 07, 2019, 10:11:34 PM
It seems more and more of the bands that us oldsters enjoy seem to play shows in late winter in Mexico.

So, anybody have any experience with carrying audio recording equipment across the borders?

I'd only be doing a Roland R-07, small mics with a 6 foot cable and a Church UGLY Battery Box. I'm just wondering about having to claim anything because of tariffs, etc. I've never done anything like this before, but I'm contemplating attending one of the shows that will take place in Cancun in Feb 2020.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: mnm207 on August 07, 2019, 11:00:45 PM
I have carried audio and photo equipment out of and back into the US frequently and never had a problem. Usually I bring a handheld recorder plus small omni lavs; though to Sri Lanka I brought a MixPre3 plus omni lavs and a small parabolic reflector, no one said boo. For the amount of gear you're describing, it's most likely no one will see or care about it--same as any tourist's DSLR camera. If one were traveling with large amounts of equipment (think large scale TV productions or high-end fashion shoots) looking into a carnet would be prudent.

The only challenge you may have is explaining the UGLY battery box at the security screening. The last couple of flights I took the screeners wanted to see my D100.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: opsopcopolis on August 07, 2019, 11:10:24 PM
You'll be fine packing it normally. I bring my M10 and CAs on basically every trip I take these days. Just remember you're not trying to sneak it in this time
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: daspyknows on August 07, 2019, 11:14:06 PM
Pack it all together in carry on luggage.  Do not check it or it may "disappear".  Be prepared to potentially ask a few questions and volunteer to hook it all up if they happen to ask.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: heathen on August 08, 2019, 11:26:09 AM
Wrap everything in a protective layer of cocaine and you'll be fine.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: illconditioned on August 08, 2019, 12:00:30 PM
LOL @ CA-UGLY.
Looks like a lot of stuff I build.Gaffer tape + hot melt glue.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: jerryfreak on August 08, 2019, 03:47:49 PM
it would be hard to be assessed tariffs bringing used gear into the states without factory packaging

also we dont have tariffs on mexican electronics
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: pohaku on August 09, 2019, 12:29:35 AM
They might be curious about the Ugly (TSA might as well) since it looks like hacked electronics, but I doubt you will have any issues.  I have schlepped equivalent stuff (full size mics, M10, cables, stand) over the Canadian border and they never look.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: daspyknows on August 09, 2019, 01:23:27 AM
They might be curious about the Ugly (TSA might as well) since it looks like hacked electronics, but I doubt you will have any issues.  I have schlepped equivalent stuff (full size mics, M10, cables, stand) over the Canadian border and they never look.

If you fly through major airports they won't bat an eye.  SFO, JFK, LAX, Las Vegas, Seatac, Dulles, Heathrow, Prague, Schipol not a second look.  Oakland, Richmond Va were much more intrusive.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: mnm207 on August 09, 2019, 02:22:51 PM
If you fly through major airports they won't bat an eye.  SFO, JFK, LAX, Las Vegas, Seatac, Dulles, Heathrow, Prague, Schipol not a second look.  Oakland, Richmond Va were much more intrusive.

Anytime I'm flying with audio or photo equipment I expect that I'm going to get some personal attention. I think this security attention is different than the customs question central to the OPs post.

I agree that security at regional airports is more likely to have questions than at the big hubs. However on recent flights out of JFK *any* electronics larger than a cellphone were asked to be pulled out of carry on before going through the x-ray machine; I asked specifically about my recorder and was told to pull it out of the bag. At Schipol earlier in the year they wanted to see the recorder as did security at GSO and PDG (at GSO they ignored the strobe power packs also in the bag and took the time to confiscate my multitool that apparently is now no longer allowed in carry on).
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: opsopcopolis on August 09, 2019, 02:29:36 PM
If you fly through major airports they won't bat an eye.  SFO, JFK, LAX, Las Vegas, Seatac, Dulles, Heathrow, Prague, Schipol not a second look.  Oakland, Richmond Va were much more intrusive.

Anytime I'm flying with audio or photo equipment I expect that I'm going to get some personal attention. I think this security attention is different than the customs question central to the OPs post.

I agree that security at regional airports is more likely to have questions than at the big hubs. However on recent flights out of JFK *any* electronics larger than a cellphone were asked to be pulled out of carry on before going through the x-ray machine; I asked specifically about my recorder and was told to pull it out of the bag. At Schipol earlier in the year they wanted to see the recorder as did security at GSO and PDG (at GSO they ignored the strobe power packs also in the bag and took the time to confiscate my multitool that apparently is now no longer allowed in carry on).


EU airports are way more likely to make you take everything out of your bag. US airports have started asking, but I usually ignore them, with no consequences. The only reason they make you take out laptops is because they can't see through them.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) on August 09, 2019, 04:46:52 PM
With the equipment you have it's doubtful you'd have an issue (since it looks more like consumer gear), but for others with more "pro looking" gear you may be asked if you are a professional (i.e. getting paid), since you may need a working visa if you are getting paid. Obviously for us you'd just say it's a hobby like photography.

Going into Mexico no one has batted an eye for anything for me (never took gear there, though). They know you are there to spend money...and that's all that is needed to have a smooth trip through customs. I've pretty much have strolled through Mexican customs without them even looking at my passport.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: pohaku on August 09, 2019, 05:55:30 PM
Id have even less concern about Mexican Customs than US Customs, and it generally shouldn’t be a problem, especially with the minimal gear involved.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: RyanJ on August 11, 2019, 11:10:04 AM
My favorite is when you pack a box full of DATs. People have no clue what they are. lol
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: heathen on August 12, 2019, 09:05:56 AM
My favorite is when you pack a box full of DATs. People have no clue what they are. lol

The Abbott and Costello routine practically writes itself...

"What's that?"

"DAT."
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: mountaintaper on August 13, 2019, 01:45:24 PM
I've traveled all over the world and back with gear..nobody cares, nobody has ever asked me questions about it.
Title: Re: Getting equipment in/out Mexico
Post by: guitard on August 19, 2019, 08:24:31 AM
Only semi-related ...

I tape audio and record video and have traveled overseas with my equipment at least 100 times over the years.  Several years ago, I acquired a nice little mono-pod for my videocam.  It was collapsible down to around 8-9".  That thing triggered the x-ray machine operator every time I went through the security check.  In spite of my desire to keep all of my gear together in one carry on bag, after going through that maybe a half dozen times, I just started packing it in my checked bag.