Crossing the Border

Man I'm so jealous as I would love to relive the first time going to HK again.

It is illegal. I don't like risking it personally yet all the times I have crossed, not once I would have been checked /caught.

My luggage was searched only once in 4+ years. It was weird, that night they had agents manning at every table behind the scanner and were checking the next luggage once a table opened. I happen to go through when there was an open table. They basically unzipped the luggage and ran a (latex gloved) hand in your luggage not opening it but cracked just enough. He found my toiletries bag and was feeling it so I just offered to open the suitcase and he nodded his head "no" and then told me I'm free to proceed.

He was feeling for something like weapons and not something small like a vape pen because I had a bunch of small things like that in the bag and luggage and he didn't care.

Mind you, this happened once in probably over 30+ crossing ls for me as some trips I go back and forth a few times.

The part of the scanner happens after the customs passing. Mexican citizens just walk through holding up their Mexican ID and non citizens go through another line. So the process is the same regardless if you are disk citizen or not.

Honestly, I am way way more concerned of being caught by a police officer on the street as I have read stories they actually frisk your body looking for things like money. If they found a vape pen with mota, my guess that wouldn't be good.

I have an amigo who loves to smoke mota with his chica and he always brought it with no problem. I mean the customs process is you just basically walk with the large crowd though.

My suggestion is don't bring it or hide it good in luggage where it can't be conveniently found like in stacked folded clothes pockets.

Thanks for the reply @justinyoo I think I will leave it at home and just do some recon work for my first time. Once I get an idea of what its like I might risk it. Ive done it before on a plane but that was a couple of years ago and apparently this law just went into effect january 2026 where it is now “strictly prohibited “ as opposed to a couple of years ago

wait is crossing the border with a vape illegal, or even just vaping in TJ/MX?

If the latter, that would be awesome.

You can have up to 5 grams of weed for personal use in Mexico, but buying, selling and crossing the border with it are illegal. A buddy while in Mexico working hit someone in the eye with a golfball and ended up in jail for 3 days. I wouldn't risk anything for even an hour in a Mexican jail.

too much to risk in mexico and usa… with border agents on both sides… and especially with the policía in tj! driving riding and walking! if you really want the vape or weed let her get some in the hotel. hk security will confiscate it too. tj policía will take ‘what ever’ as illegal as an reason to take your money. even just you being there they may hassle you. and with their attitude it is best to use hk’s zona shuttle both ways. it’s free. i tip the driver $2. no taxi, not even uber. it’s not safe now outside in public. i still go but reduce your exposure to the policía.

book in advance online. hktijuana.com for cascada. no deposit to reserve. do it in advance. be sure to buy the hk vip card $70 just before checking in. 70% hotel discount monday and tuesday nites. 20% wednesday thru sunday. free drink too . 20% off food at azul and senda norte café. other perks too.

policía usually driving everywhere but also some on foot. don’t run… not everyone is bad. but too many are. they usually don’t go into the bars. but sometimes it happens. and hide most your money.

Is it still possible to buy the discount card at the front desk? I used to request it while checking in and they would send a runner to fetch it and I’d tip him a dollar. I have not done that this year though, my recent trips have all been day trips only.