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Duty-Free
and Prohibited Items |
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The information on this page was gathered from several sources, most importantly this Mexican official site in English. The Spanish version should be considered the more up-to-date. I have relied on the Spanish version where discrepancies occur. |
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DUTY-FREE ITEMS Each person may import the following items without paying an import duty:
1. New or used goods for personal use, such as clothing, footwear, and hygiene products, so long as they are in accordance with the duration of the trip, and their quantity does not suggest that they can be the object of commercialization.
2. One photographic camera and one video recorder, and, when appropriate, their power source; up to twelve rolls of unused film or video cassettes; printed or filmed photographic material; one cellular telephone apparatus and one pager; one typewriter; one new or used portable computer, of those called laptop, notebook, omni book, etc. In this case it is not necessary to have the permit before importation.
3. Two sets of used personal sports equipment, as long as they can be transported by one person.
4. One portable radio apparatus for the recording and reproduction of sound, or one dual purpose.
5. Five laser disks, five DVD disks, 20 compact disks (CD) or magnetic tapes (audio cassettes) for the reproduction of sound.
6. Books and magazines, whose quantity does not suggest that they can be the object of commercialization.
7.
Five toys, as long as they can be transported by one person. 8.
Medicine for personal use. The prescription must be shown if they are
psychotropic substances. 9.
Cases, chests, and suitcases necessary for the transport of goods. 10.
One pair of binoculars. 11.
One musical instrument, as long as it can be transported by one person. 12.
One tent and one set of camping equipment. 13.
One surfboard or sailboard. 14.
Regarding disabled persons, goods for personal use that, by their
characteristics, compensate for or diminish their disability. 15.
Adult passengers may also introduce a maximum of 20 packs of cigarettes,
25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, and up to 3 liters of wine, beer, or
liquor, with the understanding that a larger quantity of these products
cannot be imported without complying with the applicable regulations and
restrictions.
[Translation: having an importer's license.]
16.
If you bring a desktop computer, you may
pay duties and taxes by filling out a payment form as long as the value
of the computer and its peripherals and accessories do not exceed
US$4,000. If the total value of the computer and its peripherals and
accessories exceeds US$4,000 you must hire the services of a customs
broker.
If the total value of non-free items
exceeds $3,000 dollars (not including the desktop computer), you
may be required to hire a customs broker to handle your paperwork.
PROHIBITED PRODUCTS This list of prohibited items has been compiled from government publications and from reports by visitors. There is some variability among customs agents' views of the rules, thus some items on this list are sometimes allowed -- such as spices, frozen meat and cheese. If prohibited items are found, they will be confiscated, generally without any penalty, except in the case of guns, ammunition and illegal drugs.
1. Firearms and ammunition are strictly forbidden, except for hunting purposes when the rules indicated in section 4 of the Manual of Tourist Entry are complied with. Apply at your area Mexican consulate if you wish to bring a rifle for hunting, An unauthorized attempt to bring a gun or ammunition is one of the most serious offences one can commit in Mexico! Possession of so much as a single bullet will result in your being jailed for a very long time.
2. Possession of illegal drugs -- marijuana in any form including seeds, heroin in any form including poppy seeds, cocaine in any form -- may result in a fine or imprisonment and confiscation of your car.
3. Fresh or dried plant material including house plants, fruit and vegetables, spices, and seeds. Cooked, packaged and canned food is generally allowed.
4. Fresh or frozen meat, poultry and fish.
5. Dairy products including cheese.
6. Gasoline in containers
7.
Thallium Sulfate 8.
Imide of N-phtalilglutamic acid (Thalidomide) 9.
Medicinal preparations based on acetylmorphine, its salts or
derivatives.
10. Psychotropic drugs without a doctor's prescription.
11.
Insecticide (Isodrin, Aldrin, Heptachloro, Drinox, Endrin, Mendrino,
Nendrin, Hexadrin, or Leptofos) 12.
Turtle eggs of any kind 13.
Turtle or Green Turtle skins 14. Live predatory fish in their fingerling, juvenile, and adult stage. 15. Stamps printed in colors or in black and white, presented for sale in envelopes or packets, even when they include chewing gum, candy, or any other type of articles, containing drawings, figures, or illustrations that portray childhood in a denigrating or ridiculous manner, in attitudes which incite violence, self-destruction, or any other type of anti-social behavior, known as “Garbage Pail Kids”, for example, printed by any company or commercial denomination.
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