I have brought in a suitcase full of Lego Technics and a suitcase full of kids karate equipment. The border patrol just asked why I had it and when told them it was gifts for Nica kids they let me go in with no charge. I do try to buy gifts in Nicaragua, when possible, but somethings are very tough to find.
This is a good reminder as I am flying in two weeks. I remember back in the early 2000s in flew in and brought a brand new TV without any issues or taxes to be paid. 😆
That's a nice way of looking at it in general, however it's not that clear. For example. I had a computer motherboard that I shipped in using an authorized carrier. The carrier paid import taxes. However, when I needed to take that part back to the USA for repair, there was NO process. We were specifically told that upon return the item would be seized and that we would have to pay import taxes on it. They weren't friendly about it either.
I'm not aware of anything that is "forbidden" that's actual medicine. I've never heard of that being a thing in any sense. Some things are challenging to bring in, but I've never actually heard of that being an issue either. But obviously you do need to check both what you can bring AND what you can get locally. The answer to that will always be to talk to a doctor and/or pharmacy to get the details. Then it is quick, official and accurate.
The simple way to check is to ask Google. Here is an example of the answer I got: "Yes, you can bring a personal prescription of (name of prescription medication) into Nicaragua, but you must have a valid prescription from your doctor and carry it in its original packaging with the pharmacy label to avoid any issues at customs; it is always best to check with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health's Pharmacy Department for the most up-to-date information regarding bringing prescription medications into the country." Hope this helps!
Funny story: I came through Aduana last night and got searched because they thought I might have a drone. There was a little old abuela in front of me and they were tossing her sh!t everywhere! I felt really bad for her, a little old lady getting picked on by The Man. By the time they were done, they had found at least six cell phones and various other things. Guess they knew what they were doing. LOL. And they take this drone thing very seriously....
I got my old, small, domestic sewing machine taken (which I explained I needed to continue teaching my homeschooled girls who were with me), it was clearly not new or 'sellable'. The man understood and was kind about it but said I still needed to come back some days later and pay for it. I wouldn't have minded paying there and then but it's not been easy to get back to the airport, since we are in another city. I do want to retrieve it at some point since it is a bit sentimental (and as you say I do owe them the money for the tax) but I was just wondering how long they might hold onto something like that? I don't want to make the trip all the way there at quite a bit of expense if they have got rid of it after a month or 3 months for example? Do you have any idea? No one I speak to seems to know. ... Interestingly, my large "Berkeley " type counter top water filter system with 4 large cartridges made it through and a small blender! So it is quite random!
The expectation is that you stay by the airport until that clears. I have never heard of anyone going as long as I did, which was three days, and it only took that long because they wouldn't let me into aduana for that long. Maybe they hold indefinitely, but I would guess not very long. But I really don't know.
They caught me bringing some water filters a while back, had like 10 of them but packed them all over my luggage. They found one and told me I had to come back to pay the taxes on it. Told them to keep it, it wasn’t worth the drive back to get it back.
I always warn about water filters because I've seen people specifically get busted with those before. And I've seen them try to leave them behind, but at least a few years ago, you aren't allowed to leave them. They want the taxes, not the filter. So the taxes officially are owed once the filter arrives, not because you get to keep it. You might get lucky and have someone look the other way because they got a free water filter, but officially it's owed import taxes no matter what. Loads of people do the "just keep it" and can't get out of security because they still owe the taxes.
Aduana,... let me tell you of my Nica customs adventures! Short version: 2 yr old Ubiquiti WIFI AP w/poe in ziplock bag & poker chips (100 used chips) also in a ziplock back. 3 different government buildings around airport and telco offices, over several days (ok, it is the holidays). Multiple photo copies of official documents, passport, costs off goods samples. Final fee: C$4,400/$120... what?!... umm, Feliz Navidad Nicaragua! They got some nice used tech this year (btw, this didn't include my 3 year old outdoor high gain TP-Link AP... they wouldn't even let that in at all. Can you say "concrete house" with remote office in exterior guest house (crimping CAT6 for me I guess).... and Poker chips??? Anyway, I'd stand clear of any networking tech/casino supplies. Imho 😁
It's amazing how many people try to bring in poke chips - it would never occur to me to bring that, even as a perm resident. I hear this one constantly. But never from tourists, it's always expats bringing them in to run a poker game (something that's actually illegal in much of the US!) But it seems every community has expats running a big money poker game so the chips are a big deal. Since they are used for actual gambling, and not much use without that, they are taxed as a business import (same as they are viewed in the US.) I can't believe that they didn't allow the TP-Link. We can get those in country. We can get the really long distance ones here.
@ScottAlanMillerVlog ok, I get it now. Didn't realize this was a big thing in Nica (real money poker). I figured something fun to do with the boys. Oh well, find something else then. Yeah, raised an eyebrow for me also. I see the APs in country also, so I figured I would just grab some old ones and throw them in the suitcase. Live and learn 🤷♂️ I wonder what the cost would have been if they added the outdoor AP? Not that it matters! Happy New Year! 2025! To another year of wonderful vlogs! 👏
Importation of casino gaming equipment is closely regulated by the Casino Office of the Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público. To legally import casino equipment including poker chips a license is required and a permit must issued prior to the importation. The exception is playing cards which are readily available in Nicaragua. The permits are required due to the importation and consumption taxes charged for importation of gaming equipment to casinos. It's a source of revenue for the government.
@markmcknight3822 Wow,... Thanks for that little tidbit of insight! Didn't realize the can of worms I was getting into with that last second packing decision. Definitely NOT going to tickle the sleeping bear with my 10 foot feather again.
You really should never bring a dog cargo to Nicaragua, period. No, central aduana does not work weekends. But that's hardly your risk. Too many people have horror stories of their dogs being left to expire on the tarmac. A dog in cargo does not enter the country with you and you have no protections for them. If you are lucky you'll only get extorted as you have no recourse being outside of all national jurisdictions. If they don't feel like getting the dog, they can just leave it. You are utterly powerless in that situation as you've not entered the country yet. I can't warn enough... never do this. Some people have done it with luck, but you are gambling on your pet's life. Only travel with your pet in your possession. We know close friends who've nearly lost their dogs in the sun without water or AC.
Hello Scott my wife and are moving to Masaya in November and she wants to bring her pet lizard, and a cat. I read the comment below and now I concerned that she will try to bring them. From what I see its a bad idea to bring pets of any kind into Nicaragua.
No, I was very specific that you don't bring animals IN CARGO. Cats and lizards should fly on your lap or at your feet on a plane. Not in cargo. Animals with you are fine. Some people drive down to avoid cargo. I did a private plane to avoid cargo. Cargo is already very, very dangerous for animals. But it means you aren't in possession of them when you arrive and once you are separated, you have no power. Only travel with animals in your possession. Then it's fine.
I managed to bring my old one with me and they said nothing too. Officially the paperwork says you get only one, because LOADS of people bring them to sell them. It's a major smuggling thing affecting the economy. But I was bringing one that was halfway through a transfer that only Claro could do in country (and the screen said that) so I wasn't worried. No way to have been smuggling. But they didn't ask.
Binoculars will get you stopped my first trip my friend brought his and they kept us there a hour because they looked military quality is what we were told like they worried he was spying . If you bring new clothes take them off the hangers and move the tags . I always bring my girlfriend a bag of clothes.I always bring two phones because if one gets lost stolen or broken. Keep one on your person and one in your bag . I’ve never had a problem.
How long ago was that? It's illegal for them to hassle you about binoculars. You can always keep a copy of the presidential order that was sent directly to aduana forbidding it on your person. Showing that you know that they are defying a direct presidential executive order should move things along. Binoculars are specifically sacred.
I have brought in a suitcase full of Lego Technics and a suitcase full of kids karate equipment. The border patrol just asked why I had it and when told them it was gifts for Nica kids they let me go in with no charge. I do try to buy gifts in Nicaragua, when possible, but somethings are very tough to find.
This is a good reminder as I am flying in two weeks. I remember back in the early 2000s in flew in and brought a brand new TV without any issues or taxes to be paid. 😆
Hello Scott I’m from new York & I heard you say you was in New York was wondering what part of New York.
Rochester
That's a nice way of looking at it in general, however it's not that clear. For example. I had a computer motherboard that I shipped in using an authorized carrier. The carrier paid import taxes.
However, when I needed to take that part back to the USA for repair, there was NO process. We were specifically told that upon return the item would be seized and that we would have to pay import taxes on it. They weren't friendly about it either.
What are the rules about prescription medication? How do you find out if any of your prescriptions is forbidden in the country?
I'm not aware of anything that is "forbidden" that's actual medicine. I've never heard of that being a thing in any sense. Some things are challenging to bring in, but I've never actually heard of that being an issue either. But obviously you do need to check both what you can bring AND what you can get locally. The answer to that will always be to talk to a doctor and/or pharmacy to get the details. Then it is quick, official and accurate.
The simple way to check is to ask Google. Here is an example of the answer I got: "Yes, you can bring a personal prescription of (name of prescription medication) into Nicaragua, but you must have a valid prescription from your doctor and carry it in its original packaging with the pharmacy label to avoid any issues at customs; it is always best to check with the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health's Pharmacy Department for the most up-to-date information regarding bringing prescription medications into the country."
Hope this helps!
Funny story: I came through Aduana last night and got searched because they thought I might have a drone. There was a little old abuela in front of me and they were tossing her sh!t everywhere! I felt really bad for her, a little old lady getting picked on by The Man. By the time they were done, they had found at least six cell phones and various other things. Guess they knew what they were doing. LOL. And they take this drone thing very seriously....
I got my old, small, domestic sewing machine taken (which I explained I needed to continue teaching my homeschooled girls who were with me), it was clearly not new or 'sellable'. The man understood and was kind about it but said I still needed to come back some days later and pay for it. I wouldn't have minded paying there and then but it's not been easy to get back to the airport, since we are in another city. I do want to retrieve it at some point since it is a bit sentimental (and as you say I do owe them the money for the tax) but I was just wondering how long they might hold onto something like that? I don't want to make the trip all the way there at quite a bit of expense if they have got rid of it after a month or 3 months for example? Do you have any idea? No one I speak to seems to know. ... Interestingly, my large "Berkeley " type counter top water filter system with 4 large cartridges made it through and a small blender! So it is quite random!
The expectation is that you stay by the airport until that clears. I have never heard of anyone going as long as I did, which was three days, and it only took that long because they wouldn't let me into aduana for that long. Maybe they hold indefinitely, but I would guess not very long. But I really don't know.
Thanks for your reply. I'll try and find out more information but it's probably gone. @ScottAlanMillerVlog
DPS department of Public Safety.
They caught me bringing some water filters a while back, had like 10 of them but packed them all over my luggage. They found one and told me I had to come back to pay the taxes on it. Told them to keep it, it wasn’t worth the drive back to get it back.
I always warn about water filters because I've seen people specifically get busted with those before. And I've seen them try to leave them behind, but at least a few years ago, you aren't allowed to leave them. They want the taxes, not the filter. So the taxes officially are owed once the filter arrives, not because you get to keep it. You might get lucky and have someone look the other way because they got a free water filter, but officially it's owed import taxes no matter what. Loads of people do the "just keep it" and can't get out of security because they still owe the taxes.
Can I bring canned tuna into Nicaragua and vitamins and minerals and herbs in a bottle
I’ve been wondering the same.
Canned tuna, maybe. Any reason you want external tuna rather than the canned tuna available in country?
@@ScottAlanMillerVlog my interest is more regarding medication and vitamins. Thank you.
I have never had issues with meds arriving or departing Managua
Aduana,... let me tell you of my Nica customs adventures! Short version: 2 yr old Ubiquiti WIFI AP w/poe in ziplock bag & poker chips (100 used chips) also in a ziplock back. 3 different government buildings around airport and telco offices, over several days (ok, it is the holidays). Multiple photo copies of official documents, passport, costs off goods samples. Final fee: C$4,400/$120... what?!... umm, Feliz Navidad Nicaragua! They got some nice used tech this year (btw, this didn't include my 3 year old outdoor high gain TP-Link AP... they wouldn't even let that in at all. Can you say "concrete house" with remote office in exterior guest house (crimping CAT6 for me I guess).... and Poker chips??? Anyway, I'd stand clear of any networking tech/casino supplies. Imho 😁
It's amazing how many people try to bring in poke chips - it would never occur to me to bring that, even as a perm resident. I hear this one constantly. But never from tourists, it's always expats bringing them in to run a poker game (something that's actually illegal in much of the US!) But it seems every community has expats running a big money poker game so the chips are a big deal. Since they are used for actual gambling, and not much use without that, they are taxed as a business import (same as they are viewed in the US.) I can't believe that they didn't allow the TP-Link. We can get those in country. We can get the really long distance ones here.
@ScottAlanMillerVlog ok, I get it now. Didn't realize this was a big thing in Nica (real money poker). I figured something fun to do with the boys. Oh well, find something else then.
Yeah, raised an eyebrow for me also. I see the APs in country also, so I figured I would just grab some old ones and throw them in the suitcase. Live and learn 🤷♂️ I wonder what the cost would have been if they added the outdoor AP? Not that it matters!
Happy New Year! 2025! To another year of wonderful vlogs! 👏
Importation of casino gaming equipment is closely regulated by the Casino Office of the Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público. To legally import casino equipment including poker chips a license is required and a permit must issued prior to the importation. The exception is playing cards which are readily available in Nicaragua. The permits are required due to the importation and consumption taxes charged for importation of gaming equipment to casinos. It's a source of revenue for the government.
@markmcknight3822 Wow,... Thanks for that little tidbit of insight! Didn't realize the can of worms I was getting into with that last second packing decision. Definitely NOT going to tickle the sleeping bear with my 10 foot feather again.
How about bringing a dog in cargo to Nicaragua? Been told aduana does not handle pets on weekends.
You really should never bring a dog cargo to Nicaragua, period. No, central aduana does not work weekends. But that's hardly your risk. Too many people have horror stories of their dogs being left to expire on the tarmac. A dog in cargo does not enter the country with you and you have no protections for them. If you are lucky you'll only get extorted as you have no recourse being outside of all national jurisdictions. If they don't feel like getting the dog, they can just leave it. You are utterly powerless in that situation as you've not entered the country yet. I can't warn enough... never do this. Some people have done it with luck, but you are gambling on your pet's life. Only travel with your pet in your possession. We know close friends who've nearly lost their dogs in the sun without water or AC.
Hello Scott my wife and are moving to Masaya in November and she wants to bring her pet lizard, and a cat. I read the comment below and now I concerned that she will try to bring them. From what I see its a bad idea to bring pets of any kind into Nicaragua.
No, I was very specific that you don't bring animals IN CARGO. Cats and lizards should fly on your lap or at your feet on a plane. Not in cargo. Animals with you are fine. Some people drive down to avoid cargo. I did a private plane to avoid cargo. Cargo is already very, very dangerous for animals. But it means you aren't in possession of them when you arrive and once you are separated, you have no power. Only travel with animals in your possession. Then it's fine.
Another state gov that is too big to fail; too big to care.
I did not know about the cell phone rule. I brought in an extra cell phone and gave it to my novia; and nobody said anything about it.
I managed to bring my old one with me and they said nothing too. Officially the paperwork says you get only one, because LOADS of people bring them to sell them. It's a major smuggling thing affecting the economy. But I was bringing one that was halfway through a transfer that only Claro could do in country (and the screen said that) so I wasn't worried. No way to have been smuggling. But they didn't ask.
Binoculars will get you stopped my first trip my friend brought his and they kept us there a hour because they looked military quality is what we were told like they worried he was spying . If you bring new clothes take them off the hangers and move the tags . I always bring my girlfriend a bag of clothes.I always bring two phones because if one gets lost stolen or broken. Keep one on your person and one in your bag . I’ve never had a problem.
How long ago was that? It's illegal for them to hassle you about binoculars. You can always keep a copy of the presidential order that was sent directly to aduana forbidding it on your person. Showing that you know that they are defying a direct presidential executive order should move things along. Binoculars are specifically sacred.