La Frontera with Pati Jinich

It's estimated that more than 600 billion dollars worth of goods and services are traded between the US and Mexico every year.

To ship across borders companies hire customs brokers who help with everything from paperwork to logistics.

"Cactus Melon" uses Gamas company, one of the largest customs brokers on the border.

And Gilberto Perez was one of their first drivers 30-years-ago when they only had two trucks.

Now they have dozens.

I found you Gilberto, how are you?

Very good, Pati, how have you been?

Very good.

Thanks for the ride youre giving me, right?

Sure, come in.

Gilberto Perez crosses the border at least twice a day, 6 days a week.

Much of the import export trade happens in trucks like this one.

Gilberto, are you from here in Nogales?

Nogales, Sonora.

I was born here.

Is all your family from here too?

Yes, my father was from Puebla, my mother was from here in Nogales, Sonora.

I started working.

My parents died very young and I had to start working.

We are seven brothers.

- Seven brothers.

- I am the oldest.

How old were you?

I was about 15 years old, 16.

- When your parents died?

- Yes.

So Gilberto, you became the mother and father of all your siblings.

Thats right, they were very young.

I was a baker, then I was a cake delivery driver, etc.

And from there I joined Grupo Gamas here.

And how old were you when you started?

Twenty-seven.

How many years ago?

Already 26 years.

26 years!

And your main job is to cross merchandise?

Merchandise from Mexico to the United States and from the United States here to Mexico from differenct parcels and factories.

Over Gilbertos 26 year career with Gamas, customs has evolved from pen and paper declaration to fully electronic.

How have you seen the change.

regarding the exchange and transportation?

A lot of changes, they made the customs crossing very big How was it like in the beginning?

Very small.

There were only two entrances for cars, everything was manual, the papers had to be signed and once you entered customs you stayed where they sent you, and now everything is electronic and.

Its much faster.

Yes, its more efficient.

And they also have a program that is for the certified companies, driver, the truck, and the machinery.

You enter through a different fast line and you cross in 10-20 minutes, depending on how many cars are in the line.

Thank you, Gilberto.

We are here to serve you.

I would love to go with you to cross again.

Whenever you like, we are here.