importing by sea

I sympathize with you in your discovery of the complex bureaucracy in Mexico.  It hurts if you don't know the right questions to ask.

I really shouldn't butt in, but here's a chance to share my experience.  My household goods which I brought in on an FM2 8 years ago in two "vans" total 256 cu. ft.  FM2 is now "Residente Temporal or Permanente."

Since I had worked overseas before with the move handled and paid for by my employer, I played it cautious this time and had a professional mover pack me and do all the paperwork for Mexico and coordinated with a specialist in international moves to do the required "Menaje de Casa"(inventory) in Spanish and pay all fees to Mexican customs and immigration.  The total came to $5,000.  Other than the week or so delay in customs after it arrived in Manzanillo, my move went off without any difficulties.

If it's not household effects included in your visa or not household effects at all, you may be in for time consuming red tape and high fees.  The only thing I can think of is make contact with a moving company in Canada or the US that does international shipments, the big ones do, and see if they can give you a contact with a company that has agents or connections in Mexico that know about these things.

The freight forwarder/customs broker my employer used many years ago was Brennan & Company in Laredo, TX.  It may be a place to start just to gather information.

Good luck.

Hola Gudgrief
Appreciate your interest. If you should re-read my post you may discover that my container is here ,I am here. My concern is having to hire the Customs Broker.
Because of the involvement of the broker, the Gov. requests and demands all kinds of charges.
No broker wants to handle such a small container ($640Value). I have found an Agent (Import/Export), who has prepared the documents for a minimal fee but the total cost is still 21,600 pesos plus the $326 US Port Landing Fee.
The total costs because of the Customs Broker is well over $4500.
Is there a legal way around this scenario??

Lonecowboy wrote:

Hola Gudgrief
Appreciate your interest. If you should re-read my post you may discover that my container is here ,I am here. My concern is having to hire the Customs Broker.
Because of the involvement of the broker, the Gov. requests and demands all kinds of charges.
No broker wants to handle such a small container ($640Value). I have found an Agent (Import/Export), who has prepared the documents for a minimal fee but the total cost is still 21,600 pesos plus the $326 US Port Landing Fee.
The total costs because of the Customs Broker is well over $4500.
Is there a legal way around this scenario??

The US fee seems strange.  Was the box shipped in a way that required unloading it in the US and loading it on another ship?

I wouldn't know who to consult in Mexico.  A Mexican lawyer might help but it might be another costly exercise and dead end.

Again, best of luck

Gudgrief
The $325 US was the un-loading fee at the doc here in Manzanillo.
I'm guessing I'll just have to put a higher sentimental value on my old stuff, suck it up and 'pay the freight'.
Thanks
Bill