I have an emergent trip to the Huenited States for a funeral. I have been looking high and low for a desktop with XP and can really only find what I need in the Huenited States. I was on the verge of getting one and having Merkalink bring it in until this trip. Can someone give me the lowdown on bringing in a desktop? I'll be flying in so i'm going to have to pay some piper somewhere. Also, mule notification. I'll bring it if I'm able. Also, yeah, I know this is probably in the archives somewhere and I'll look when I get a chance (working and hey, it is a funeral so there is that to deal with), but if you're so inclined, feel free to answer. Otherwise I'll search tonight. Kthxbai! Oh, and also a bike. It is used and over 6 years old.
I've done it...twice and it's a luck of the draw kind of thing. My desktop and a 20" monitor (with stand unattached) fit in my targus laptop backpack and I brought it into Mexico, out of Mexico, and back into Mexico. The first time I was questioned what was in the bag when it went through Aduanas, said it was a computer, they asked how many, I said one, and they wanted to check it. Technically, you can only bring in one *laptop* duty free and apparently desktop computers are a different beast. They wanted to charge me the tariff rate on $1,800 dollars (their estimated value for the computer) but I had my receipt with me showing it was less expensive than that (of course, none of the really expensive custom stuff inside was mentioned...) I had to pay the tariff rate on that value, they gave me a receipt, and that was that. I had to take it back out of the country (and bring it back) to get some parts replaced and apparently, I was supposed to get some kind of notice before I left, stating I had already paid aduanas and was taking the merch out of Mexico with intent to re-entry...or something like that. However, I didn't do that I was worried about paying aduanas again when I came back with it (and had all my receipts handy) but was simply asked what it was, I said computadora, and that was that. Never had any questions asked in the US leaving or coming with it, and that computer has now made 2 roundtrips. Suerte.
The rule seems to be that most of the year you are allowed the peso equivalent of $300 US in duty free, and you pay 15% duty on the excess. So dummy up your invoice for $275 and roll the dice. Open it up, put some files on it or something and technically I suppose you could call it used. You could pass right by without a hitch. I returned on Friday, April 16 and they were not scanning as a zillion people were arriving and there was a huge backup. I had to push the button but that was it. The only time I got caught I had 3 cameras. But I thought the limit was $400 US. and had receipts for $150 and $180 for the other two. I had to pay 15% of $30 US, which at the time was $48 pesos. AND YOU HAVE TO PAY IN PESOS, OR I DID but this was maybe 5 years ago. The Aduana guy told me they did not make change. Poor me. The best I could do was $50 pesos so they jammed me for $2 pesos.
About the desktop with XP, whats so special about it that you are willing to fly one in? I got a friend who has a computer shop & can build a machine to your specs with XP. it has to be cheaper than bringing one from the other side of the river including the shipping & import taxes. If you need his info you can send me a PM & i will look him up
Why not order it from Dell Mexico? They will sell you, and deliver to you, a machine with an English OS (not sure whether you can still get XP, but then not sure why you want XP).
RG, What about an English keyboard? And is the price comparable to an American version, with and without duties? Oir deadly more $$? Thanks,
Of course you can get an English kb from them, though I think you do have to wait longer to get it. Seriously you should ALWAYS match the language of your o/s to the language of your keyboard, otherwise you will go nuts.
I bought my uber desktop through Dell Mexico just over a year ago, and although it was late (very late) it got here in the end. However, I was helping a friend about 6 months ago to follow the same route and it didnt appear possible anymore - the option to deliver in Mexico had gone. That was 6 months ago, I havent rechecked since.
I don't understand. www.dell.com.mx will bring you to Dell's Mexican site, where you can order a computer for delivery in Mexico. You can specify an English OS and keyboard while placing the order. As to the OP, who is looking for XP, be aware that with the exception of some XP Professional Corporate VLK builds, support is ending very soon. Within a few weeks you are going to have an "orphaned" OS. WIn 7 is stable, not power hungry and very reliable. Besides, no major builder will sell you an XP system anymore although some small indies may still have OEM versions that the can legally sell. Nevertheless, don't count on official support for any software problems and/or security problems as this OS is history (sorry, it was a really good OS).
Like I said, it worked when I used it to order mine over a year ago, and I got an English OS and keyboard (well it was US but close enough). When I tried to repeat the process with a friend 6 months ago the delivery to Mexico option wasnt available. I havent checked it since, if it works now once again then all well and good.