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…
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?
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