Did you know that you can get fined for bringing a laptop and a tablet to Mexico? While I’d like to think that I’m familiar with most of the important customs and immigration laws around the world, this is a new one to me…
In this post:
Mexico limits you to one computer-like device
USA Today has an interesting story about how a woman was fined $200 at Cancun Airport (CUN) for bringing both a laptop and a tablet through customs. She had traveled to Mexico a countless number of times before with the same setup, and didn’t have issues.
However, this time around her belongings were inspected at customs, and when the officer discovered she had two computer-like devices, she was fined.
To my surprise, this is actually a law in Mexico, and has been for a long time. However, it seems that enforcement of this has increased in recent times, according to Riviera Maya News. The official government website lists all the things that you’re allowed to bring with you into the country on a tax-exempt basis. When it comes to electronics, here’s what it states:
Two cameras or camcorders and camera gear; three cellphones or other wireless devices; one GPS; one electronic organizer; one laptop, notebook, omnibook or other portable computing device; one portable copier or printer; one CD burner and one portable overhead projector and its accessories.
As you can see, you’re limited to “one laptop, notebook, omnibook or other portable computing device.” If you exceed that limit, you have to pay a 19% tax on the value (up to $4,000). The traveler who was caught reports being forced to pay that tax on a highly inflated amount, as she was on the hook for a $200 fine for an older generation iPad.
This law seems kind of ridiculous
Admittedly lots of countries have quirky laws as it relates to customs, though I’ve gotta say, this seems especially bad. It’s totally normal for travelers to have both a laptop and a tablet, since they serve different purposes. Like, you can have three cell phones without issue, but you can’t have a laptop and a tablet?
I can appreciate the concept behind this (in theory), but this almost seems designed as a revenue generating policy, rather than anything else. That doesn’t seem like good business for a country so heavily reliant on tourism.
Now, it’s important to emphasize that you’re not going to be jailed, or anything, if you bring multiple electronics into the country, so it’s not like you should be scared. Furthermore, only a small percentage of travelers actually have their bags searched at customs. Even with this knowledge, plenty of travelers may still opt to bring a laptop and tablet into the country, knowing it violates rules, since the risk is fairly minimal.
For what it’s worth, the United States doesn’t have any restrictions on how many electronics you can bring into the country. Of course if you’re suspected of attempting to sell them rather than using them for personal use, you could be on the hook for import taxes.
Bottom line
While it’s nothing new, I’ve just learned that Mexico limits each arriving international traveler to having a single computer-like device, whether it’s a laptop or tablet. If your bags are searched at customs and more than one is found, you could be on the hook for paying a 19% tax on one of the devices. You learn something new every day, eh?
Were you aware of Mexico’s restrictions on electronics? What do you make of this law?
Drive away the tourists in another way? Good thinking.
Another reason to NOT go to Mexico, in addition to all the drug cartels.
Such a rule would only make sense if applied to commercial practices: bringing laptops or tablets into the country for sale, for example. Most people have a laptop and tablet nowadays, just for personal use. It's insane to have it taxed as imported goods every time.
And who the hell still has CD burners? It clearly shows that the law was made and passed in a different time when electronics and gadgets played a...
Such a rule would only make sense if applied to commercial practices: bringing laptops or tablets into the country for sale, for example. Most people have a laptop and tablet nowadays, just for personal use. It's insane to have it taxed as imported goods every time.
And who the hell still has CD burners? It clearly shows that the law was made and passed in a different time when electronics and gadgets played a different role. They should really update this law to reflect current day society.
I live in Merida, Mexico, and usually take two trips to the USA per year. (I'm retired and just visit my sister in the USA now.) Several times they've asked me how many laptop/notebook computers and how many tablets I had, explaining only one of each could be brought into the country duty free. One of each.
I live in Merida, Mexico, and usually take two trips to the USA per year. (I'm retired and just visit my sister in the USA now.) Several times they've asked me how many laptop/notebook computers and how many tablets I had, explaining only one of each could be brought into the country duty free. One of each.
(entered before I was finished) I also twice in the past two years was subject to a fine tooth comb baggage search, i.e. everything removed from the bags and set on the counter, and had both a notebook and a tablet, and there was no duty/fine assessed.
I've experienced this a few times traveling with a work laptop, a personal laptop and a bag of other electronics.
Most memorable was in Lima, Peru - I was selected for additional entry customs screening, they found the two laptops in my bag, and explained that I would have to pay (if I recall correctly) a fee in the amount of 25% of the value of the second laptop, which I could collect when departing...
I've experienced this a few times traveling with a work laptop, a personal laptop and a bag of other electronics.
Most memorable was in Lima, Peru - I was selected for additional entry customs screening, they found the two laptops in my bag, and explained that I would have to pay (if I recall correctly) a fee in the amount of 25% of the value of the second laptop, which I could collect when departing the country with the same device. I suppose it's to stop people bringing in bags full of electronics to sell without paying import taxes.
To get my money back when leaving the country however, I had to get to the customs office inside the secure arrivals area. The only way to do this was to get an airline check-in agent to abandon her desk and escort me backwards through the customs channel. An hour and a half and much searching of paperwork later, I had my money back and was now being final-called for my flight.
Well, This is the customs been very bad and pretend they are working.
It not correct!
You can bring up to $500 dollars In addition to everything that you can bring or import (laptop, mobile phone, cds, personal items, tapes, cigars, liquor, clothes, etc) to Mexico tax free.
Mexico is obsess with the imports of goods, and this comes since
the 1970´s. We mexicans always plan how we come back to Mexico and carefully pack everything we are taking home.
See when Don ask Mexico to pay for the wall, they need to find money somewhere.
Or maybe the Mexicans were way ahead of Mossad and want to keep it's country safe from mass electronic device bombing.
I thought there was a country, and for some reason I'm thinking it was Australia (though I was just there and this wasn't an issue) with a strict limit, and when you got there if they searched you and you were over the limit they issued you an inventory receipt (for lack of a better term) and when you left the country you had to have those same items with you to show that you...
I thought there was a country, and for some reason I'm thinking it was Australia (though I was just there and this wasn't an issue) with a strict limit, and when you got there if they searched you and you were over the limit they issued you an inventory receipt (for lack of a better term) and when you left the country you had to have those same items with you to show that you weren't illegally importing computers to sell there. If you took them with you when you left then all good, if not then taxes/fines. Could have been Brazil. I could also be just completely misremembering this and it wasn't a thing anywhere, does this ring a bell for anyone else?
My point with all of this is that if the intent really is to prevent people from bringing extra electronics into the country to sell then do the system that I just mentioned.
They fined me around $50 USD about 10 years ago for bringing two laptops into the country; one being a personal and one a work. They didn't care that one was a company issued laptop. Annoyed but wasn't worth fighting over $50. Validated my thought to stay away from these unsafe, shady countries and spend my tourism dollars in safer and friendlier places.
How hard is it to pay a $20.00 Bribe to The Mexican Officials.
I watched someone try to do that in the Los Cabos customs office while I was waiting to pay the tax on my second laptop (that I declared, so there was no fine). It didn't work out well for them. After the officer yelled "Put your money away!", they got to sit and wait while everyone else in line went ahead of them.
I have always declared my second device and only got stuck...
I watched someone try to do that in the Los Cabos customs office while I was waiting to pay the tax on my second laptop (that I declared, so there was no fine). It didn't work out well for them. After the officer yelled "Put your money away!", they got to sit and wait while everyone else in line went ahead of them.
I have always declared my second device and only got stuck having to pay after probably half a dozen times. Now I have the receipt to show for future entries too. Whether it works or not remains to be seen, but the officer said it would.
I’ve lived here since 2005 and customs is always a hit and miss. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten through customs in a breeze and then other times it’s like they go through everything with the fine tooth comb— just two weeks ago in Leon we were searched and they made me pay 19% on thousand dollars worth of vitamins, which I was told was illegal to bring in and that I...
I’ve lived here since 2005 and customs is always a hit and miss. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten through customs in a breeze and then other times it’s like they go through everything with the fine tooth comb— just two weeks ago in Leon we were searched and they made me pay 19% on thousand dollars worth of vitamins, which I was told was illegal to bring in and that I should buy them in Mexico (hahaha). Anyway long story short, always bring your receipts for everything because if you get searched and do not have them and they question the value they will look it up online and charge you the highest price that they find. Also just as a tip, if you’ve just arrived in business class and think you’re going to be the first to get out the door because you had priority baggage handling. Slow down and wait a flew minutes… it’s best to wait a few minutes so customs is fully engaged with searching other people’s bags. You can usually see when they’re searching through bags and you have a better chance of getting through without them even looking through your stuff.
this is great advice for basically any developing country with customs issues
Never been to Mexico, nevertheless, I've been doing exactly that same routine in many countries for years. Just wait while the initial rush of pax get caught by initially enthusiastic customs officers...then slide in somewhere among a bigger group of other pax in the second rush. Heads up: Australia is particularly anal about customs checks, esp if you're not white.
I’ve flown into Mexico a few hundred times with multiple electronic devices and it’s never ever been an issue. Perhaps she was argumentative or disparaged Mexico?
There goes my Mexico vacation. I always carries my work laptop and a personal Ipad with me. Been to Mexico few times but only once in Puerto Vallarta my checked luggage was scanned and opened on arrival. Now let's say they fine the person for brining a laptop and Ipad, if they person returns with same electronic items when they leave the country, the custom should refund the money.
Add this to the horrid taxes on hotels rooms(3 levels of taxes) up to 40% of the bill...At one hotel we had 2 orders of fries and 2 skinny margaritas=====$88 USD and they wanted a tip even tho there was a service charge and a charge to put onto the room bill!!! insane..We will really re-think MEX
There's also a $500 per person exemption. And arguably the tablet could be a GPS device or electronic diary. I would have appealed either under the $500 catch all exemption or the electronic diary or GPS device exemption. But yes this is dumb.
Yes - I had that happen at Cabo San Lucas (SJD) in March - very annoying and definitely not a great policy as it truly has made me rethink about going back there vs. the myriad of other destinations that I can fly direct from YYC when I am looking for a sun escape. I did get a receipt which they said I should carry with me in the future and I would be allowed...
Yes - I had that happen at Cabo San Lucas (SJD) in March - very annoying and definitely not a great policy as it truly has made me rethink about going back there vs. the myriad of other destinations that I can fly direct from YYC when I am looking for a sun escape. I did get a receipt which they said I should carry with me in the future and I would be allowed in without paying the tax on return visits. Given corporate security these days I don't think it is uncommon to travel with two laptops / tablets and it seems very shortsighted on the part of the Mexican government. It's not like I was going there to open a second hand laptop store with two computers.
Panama also has a similar and ridiculous rule on electronics.
I get that they are trying to fight resellers, but come on. There's a difference between a few devices and filling your baggage with iPhones in unsealed boxes.
Yep, got nailed on this in Cabo in February. Completely ridiculous! Airlines and US customs give you no warning
Why should US Customs "give you warning". They are under no obligation to communicate to you customs and entry requirements of every country on the planet. That is YOUR responsibility... KNOW BEFORE YOU GO....
Angry much?
It’s the norm for poorer, corrupt countries to try to extract as much as possible from travellers. Even if you haven’t violated any laws, are you really going to argue with customs and risk deportation in a country with weak rule of law?
The silver lining is if you commit an offence, you can usually bribe your way out of it (if you can even call that a pro).
"to try to extract as much as possible from travellers."
Sounds exactly like what happens in rich, corrupt countries.
The funny thing is, you're too ignorant to know that you've just described the US and most of western Europe as well... just the level of wealth needed to do so, tends to be higher.
Between shakedowns of tourists by cops, overpriced hotels and restaurants, and safety issues outside of major tourist zones, Mexico is hardly worth visiting anymore. This just adds another reason to avoid.
I got charged the tax for bringing in a small drone, Mexican customs was insistent that drones are for commercial purposes only, even when i pushed back, stating that it was solely for personal use only.
I had a work laptop and personal one with me once at Queretaro airport (QRO). They told me the rule and tried to get me to pay the fine. Luckily my fluency in Spanish helped in this situation. I explained three times that I do not own the work laptop, that it belongs to the company and I did not pay for it. The customs officer told me this was not an exception to the...
I had a work laptop and personal one with me once at Queretaro airport (QRO). They told me the rule and tried to get me to pay the fine. Luckily my fluency in Spanish helped in this situation. I explained three times that I do not own the work laptop, that it belongs to the company and I did not pay for it. The customs officer told me this was not an exception to the rule, but that she would make an exception one time. I did not have to pay the fine. The takeaway: if you can, politely push back a few times, and they may grant you an exception.
Btw, I read your articles religiously. You are my go-to travel blogger!
Because of high import duties and protectionist policies to encourage donestic industries, electronic products tend to cost 2-3 times in Latin America v the US, if you can even find them. Travelers bringing in these products from the US can make a nifty profit selling them on the gray market. Thus, the Customs enforcement. Odd that they are seizing used electronics, they usually only bother with new products.
I believe this law was originally intended to ensure the collection of import taxes on goods intended for resale, especially when you could buy certain laptops for cheaper in the U.S., take them in your luggage, and sell for a profit in Mexico. 15-20 years ago tablets weren't really around, and it was much less likely for someone to bring multiple laptops on vacation. Nowadays it's quite common for someone to have a tablet, a...
I believe this law was originally intended to ensure the collection of import taxes on goods intended for resale, especially when you could buy certain laptops for cheaper in the U.S., take them in your luggage, and sell for a profit in Mexico. 15-20 years ago tablets weren't really around, and it was much less likely for someone to bring multiple laptops on vacation. Nowadays it's quite common for someone to have a tablet, a personal laptop, and a work laptop, which is theoretically liable for a 19% tax on the two higher value of the three. I have read reports online that if you can prove one of your items is a work-issued electronic (such as a having a sticker from your company on the back), the customs officials will relent.
As you said, this seems to be highly YMMV. I would suspect this recent rise in enforcement is a bald-faced money grab from foreign tourists, which will surely taint the image of Mexico as a great destination if it continues in any capacity. Based on anecdotal reports online it seems to be enforced mostly commonly at major tourist airports like CUN and PVR. FWIW, when I flew into a smaller airport in central Mexico a couple weeks ago, I had no issues.
But THREE cellular phones or other mobile devices? Why would you need three phones? Unless one was a burner because....
I wonder if this traveler tried to successfully argue the tablet was an "other mobile device".
That exception was put in place due to pressure from the Cartels.... Its Mexico !
One of the most corrupt countries in the world. I avoid it like the plague.
Why does Mexico do this? Because they can.
I’ve been to Cancun once and had a pleasant time, but there’s nothing about the destination that makes it worth the hassle of crossing a border and dealing in foreign currency.
There are resorts in Florida and Southern California to suit my needs for a warm climate.
And pay far higher prices for comparable quality in the US with customer service standards I'd say not as great
Developing countries are so funny. I just returned from Bangladesh where you are asked if you are bringing in any chandeliers, refrigerators or satellite antennae. And if you do, you need to pick the red channel at customs and God only knows what happens then. So make sure to remove all the chandeliers from your carry-on before jetting off to Dhaka!
So regular light fixtures or lamps alright as long as not called a chandalier?
You just saved me from a very big hassle! Now I am only going to transport my chandeliers through Dubai and no longer through Dhaka!
Curious what an ereader/Kindle would be considered? And then there are Fire Tablets which have some characteristics of a tablet but are otherwise ereaders.
Kindle doesn't count. I straight up presented the situation to them on what will probably be my last trip to CUN back in June and was waved right through.
I would not go that far - the person who you asked said it doesn't count. Mexico customs is not great at being consistent in their decisions to begin with, let alone a grey area like an e-reader where it isn't explicitly excluded from the one-per-person requriement, so the next time you get searched, that person may have a different opinion than the one you talked to.
If you apply the "Well it's Mexico," logic to everything, this whole thread is pointless as it could be said about anything. But we were 2 people with 2 different agents searching and went 2 for 2 on it not being excessive.
leave it to mexico