UETA, a new duty-free store selling liquor, cigarettes, perfume, and specialty gift items, has just opened in Lukeville. We visited it on our most recent trip to Puerto Peñasco and had a chance to talk with Mario Tovar, the store manager. He was most gracious and answered all our questions fully. The salespersons in attendance were also friendly and helpful. They all appeared to be bilingual.
The store is at the far south end of the shopping center that houses the supermarket, an insurance agency, a cafe, and a laundry. When we first walked in, our impression was one of spacious elegance. On a table in the center of the large room several glass globes of various sizes enclosed burning candles. One side of the room was well-stocked with cigarettes and liquor; the other had glass shelves holding perfumes, pen sets, sunglasses, and watches. Among the perfumes we noticed Nina Ricci, Calvin Klein, Gucci, and Tabu.
A look at the liquors showed many familiar American and European brands: Cutty Sark, Buchanan's, Johnny Walker, Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Chivas Regal, Drambuie, Grand Marnier. There was also a selection of wines, Finnish and Russian vodkas, Southern Comfort, brandies, gins, and Mexican beers. Free-standing shelves held tins of Danish butter cookies, cheese biscuits, beef jerky, and other food specialties.
UETA stands for United Export Trading Association. This international company owns over 150 duty-free stores in the U.S. on both the Mexican and Canadian borders. Customers can buy items in the U.S. and take them across the border into Mexico or Canada. They thus avoid the substantial charge for import duty.
According to a new law just enacted Oct. 15, 1996, U.S. citizens who buy liquor at UETA can take it into Mexico and bring back 1 liter per person per month, the same limit they now must observe for beverages bought in Mexico. The liquor must be declared as part of the $400 worth of merchandise they are allowed to import from Mexico. Mario told us, however, that not all of the U.S. Customs guards are yet aware of this law and may confiscate bottles, believing it is illegal to import them. Our advice is to buy only as much as you are going to drink in Mexico and avoid any possible hassle at the border.
We were informed that Mexican law allows U.S. citizens to import 3 liters of alcohol and 2 cartons of cigarettes per person into Mexico. Mexicans who live south of Sonoyta may import the same amount, but persons living on just the other side may not import liquor and cigarettes.
It's possible to realize major savings by buying liquor and cigarettes in a UETA store. For instance a carton of cigarettes that would cost $19 elsewhere in the U.S. sells for $9.50. We bought a bottle of brandy for $4.50 that would have cost probably $15 at a U.S. liquor store and $8 or $9 in Mexico. Mario says that their prices range from 30% to 50% off typical U.S. stores. On perfume and gifts, customers must pay the 5% Arizona tax.
We asked Mario if he had mostly U.S. customers. He said, no, actually he gets about half Mexicans and half Americans. The most popular purchase among Mexicans is Buchanan's scotch.
Mario Tovar has worked for this company since 1993. He started in sales in one of the California stores and worked his way up. When the store manager's position in Lukeville became available, he applied for and got it. Mario is a Mexican citizen, but his bilingual skills and his experience on both sides of the border make him an international entrepreneur.
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