Tag: Arriving

  • Cancun Alert: Travelers Being Warned About Arriving With Too Many Electronics

    Cancun Alert: Travelers Being Warned About Arriving With Too Many Electronics

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    Are you planning a trip to Cancun? Then take a pause before you pack your suitcase!  

    You can bring as many swimsuits, garish Hawaiian shirts, and pairs of flip-flops as you like.

    But don’t pack more than one laptop!  

    Cancun Alert Travelers Being Warned About Arriving With Too Many Electronics

    Travelers to Cancun are now being warned about arriving at the destination with too many electronics.

    Here’s why and what you need to know.  

    How Many Electronics Can I Travel With? 

    There are no restrictions on the amounts of laptops (or other electronics) you can carry when you leave the U.S.  

    According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) American travelers can pack any number of electronics in either their carry-on or their checked-in baggage.  

    Silhouette of young woman working on laptop and waiting for flight in the Airport - Cancún International Airport

    This is also true for Canadian travelers, who also don’t have any limitations on the amount of electronics they can travel with.  

    But departure rules are one thing, and arrival rules are a whole different kettle of fish!  

    Mexico has very strict electronics limits that you need to be aware of if you’re visiting the country, especially if you’re landing in Cancun.  

    For example, you can only arrive in Mexico with one laptop without being taxed, according to Mexico’s SAT (Servicio de Administracion Tributaria).  

    Airport crowd in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico

    And there are other limits you need to be aware of too!  

    On the subject of electronics, you’ll be taxed if you arrive in Mexico with more than:  

    • 2 cameras and camcorders 
    • 3 cellphones or other wireless devices 
    • 1 GPS 
    • 1 laptop, notebook, or other portable computer 
    • 5 laser discs, 10 DVDs, 30 CDs, 3 software packs and 5 storage units for any electronic device.  
    • 1 portable audio recorder, audio player, or audio recorder and player, or 1 portable DVD player.  

    What Happens If You Have More Than These Amounts? 

    Modern travel is an electronic-heavy experience.  

    When I travel I’m inevitably carrying my iPhone, camera, laptop, and my kindle. My husband carries the same.

    Even our kids carry their own kindles and gaming devices!  

    Passengers Transiting Through Duty Free Zone In Cancun International Airport

    So what happens if you want to carry your everyday electronics with you when you arrive in Cancun?  

    The short answer is you’ll need to open your wallet!  

    Some tourists have reported being charged nearly $200 to ‘import’ their own electronic devices into Mexico with them, even for a short vacation.  

    The tax you’ll pay is based on the value of the additional item or items that are above the duty-free amount you can bring in, which is why there is no exact figure for this available.  

    female passenger of airplane sitting in comfortable seat listening music in earphones while working at modern laptop computer

    You’ll pay a 19% duty on the estimated value over the duty-free amount: if you’re carrying a brand new MacBook Pro, then this could cost you as much as $400!  

    Can you just say no? If you refuse to pay the tax, any electronic devices considered over the import limit can be confiscated.  

    The problem is that this policy isn’t universally enforced: some people are reporting that they are being fined considerable sums for carrying their own devices, while others are entering Cancun with more than one laptop with no problem at all.  

    Passengers Waiting In Line At Cancun Airport, Cancun, Mexico

    And the interpretation of each customs officer can be different too: some see a laptop and an iPad as 2 laptops or portable computer devices and will tax you accordingly, for example.  

    What’s The Solution?  

    When I flew into Cancun in May I decided not to take any chances: I just left my laptop at home!  

    I often carry my youngest son’s bags (containing his electronics) through the airport as well as my own, and having to explain the abundance of electronic devices this would usually mean I was carrying just seemed like far too much hassle.  

    If you don’t really need your laptop while you relax on the beach, then this might be the safest stance to take.  

    Inside of Cancun airport

    But for digital nomads, workcation travelers, content creators, and anyone else who travels with electronics and is dependent on them for their livelihood, tread lightly!  

    Some digital nomads consider this to be a stealth tax on digital nomads in Mexico, and you’ll need to consider whether you can live without your extra devices (or whether you can afford the fee to import them) before you travel.  

    Tor Brierley

    Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.

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    This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

    Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.



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  • Tourists Arriving In Cancun Will Automatically Get 180 Days In Mexico

    Tourists Arriving In Cancun Will Automatically Get 180 Days In Mexico

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    Unpredictable Stay Lengths Will Disappear As Pilot Program Is Tested In Cancun

    Tourists arriving in Cancun will now automatically receive 180 days to stay in Mexico, after a frustrating piece of paperwork was removed from the immigration process. The news will be a breath of fresh air for Digital Nomads, in particular, who utilize long stays.

    cancun night time shot

    The decision has been made to drop the FMM or Forma Multipla Migratoria in the Cancun airport. It should be noted that only Cancun International Airport is piloting the program, so anyone visiting through other airports in Mexico will still be expected to abide by the old protocol and may receive far less than the 180 days. It may be expanded if the Cancun trial goes well and no problems arise.

    For years, the Mexican immigration department used the FMM, to help regulate the tourists entering the country. The system was a frustrating one and could add an hour or more to the immigration process.  Although there was an option for tourists to fill the form out online, this often was futile, and those tourists ended up taking longer.

    security sign cancun

    Passengers on planes were typically given the form on the plane to begin filling out, but as many had already filled it online, they assumed they didn’t need to, helping create further backlogs in the immigration line after they were turned back by officers.

    As the airports continue to fight massive lines and wait times, the new rules will hopefully alleviate some of the pressure and ease the process for tourists.

    cancun airport

    Under the FMM system, tourists were left at the mercy of the immigration officer as to how long a stay they received. In years prior to Covid, 180 days was an expected allotment of time, but unexplained reasons during the pandemic saw the officers becoming far more specific in their decisions.

    Even if a tourist explained they wanted to stay for a month or more, the decision was left to the officer, and a random amount of days could be scrawled at the top of the paper. As no explicit announcement was made regarding the change in stance, many tourists barely registered the number of days given and would often overstay.

    security line cancun

    One of our own writers traveled into the country via Mexico City, unaware of the rule changes. He was given 32 days, while his partner was given 13. Neither of them was aware of the number of days offered until they were denied boarding a bus as one of them had overstayed.

    There was also the issue of keeping ahold of the FMM itself. Visitors were expected to keep the form and offer it upon exiting the country. If evidence of an overstay was found, they would be denied entry to the departures area and sent to pay a fine. Although this is fairly normal for immigration documents, the FMM itself was a tiny piece of paper, barely the size of a passport page, and easily lost. Many accidentally threw it away thinking it was a receipt, or just misplaced it.

    security line cancun airport

    But the developments in Cancun mean those are now a thing of the past. Instead of a form, online or otherwise, visitors will now receive a stamp on arrival, streamlining the process and giving clarity to the length of time tourists can stay in the country.

    The new process is available for most countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, but a few select countries like Brazil, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and Venezuela, will not be offered 180 days. Instead, they will receive 30 days and still need to fill out the FMM before being admitted to the country.

    aeromexico planes

    Digital Nomads will be extremely happy about the news, as extending stays can be a complicated process in Mexico. Cities like Tulum and Mexico City are now seen as major hubs for remote workers, and having a guarantee of six months can make a huge difference in planning for them.

    Regardless of the new process, tourists should still ensure they have any supporting documents as to how long they intend to stay, where they are living, and what the purpose of their stay is, as immigration officers still have the ability to question and deny anyone trying to enter the country.

    This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

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    Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling.  Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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