Going through Customs Rapidly

by John and Margaret Fleming

Agencia Aduanal Ibarrola Elías is the customs agency we always use when importing our periodicals. Located on the main street on the left after you cross the border into Sonoyta, it is easy to locate. But what we like best is the excellent service we receive.

Bernardino Ibarrola Elías established the agency in Sonoyta in 1993. There are now 3 other locations in Agua Prieta, Nogales, and San Luis. Ibarrola Elías is certified by ISO-9002, an international organization dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of quality for customs brokers.

The office, which was remodeled in 2000, boasts state-of-the-art technology. It has 6 computers, 2 copiers, a fax machine, and computer software to streamline the process of importation. It's also an attractive place to stop, because even though small, it has an open design, white tile floors, and lots of light that all make the room seem larger.

But, more important than the physical setup, are the persons who work there. They are Rafael Lopez, who has been there the longest--7 years, Raquel Garcia and Ricardo Contreras, who have both worked there one year, and Eduardo Ruelas, who has  been with the agency 7 months.

Here's how the system works in practice:

When we get our invoice from the printer in Tucson, we fax it to Ibarrola Elías, telling them when we expect to be there. We usually do this the day before. When we arrive, they have the necessary papers ready for us; Someone--Rafael or Ricardo--takes them to the bank next door, pays the fee, and then hands them to the customs official. He checks everything, OKs the paperwork and sends us around the building to a gate where an immigration officer opens it, checks our papers, opens the gate, and lets us through. Then we return to Ibarrola Elías and pay what we owe them.

The service is getting faster and faster. We used to have to wait in the office for our papers to be drawn up--15 minutes to half an hour--so I would take my book of crossword puzzles and work on one while I waited. But the last few months I haven't had time to open the book before the documents were ready. Last month, Ricardo must have seen our truck coming because I didn't even get into the office. He met me outside the door.

Sometimes we have to wait for the customs officer; it depends on how many other vehicles are in line. But it's seldom more than a few minutes. This is a welcome contrast to the way it was years ago when we often had to wait an hour or more for the customs broker and then another two hours for the customs officials.

Ibarrola Elías has made it a pleasure instead of an ordeal to import our  periodicals. All the people are very pleasant and cooperative. Raquel speaks English, an added bonus, although we find our Spanish adequate for communicating with all of them.

The agency has another service that may interest potential importers. If you fax an  invoice for the merchandise to them, they will give you an estimate as to the fees you will have to pay. Since the rates are different for different types of merchandise, this will save time and trouble and aid planning.

The telephone number for Ibarrola Elías is 011-526-512-1878. This is also the fax number.

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