Mexican Customs Agents Aren't Scamming Tourists Cancun's Airport, Import Taxes Are Real

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, most feel the need to remain tethered to the digital world in some capacity. Some travelers are discovering the hard way that Mexican customs agents in Cancun will tax them at the airport for bringing multiple electronic devices into the country. While tourists feel like they are suddenly being extorted, the law has always been on the books but just selectively enforced.

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Mexico’s law only allows one portable computing device to be brought into the country tax-free. The levy can be up to 19 percent of the device’s value assessed by the agent. The headaches really begin when you dig into what’s defined as a portable device. Cell phones are in their own separate category, where you’re allowed three. However, tablets aren’t separated, so you can’t take both a MacBook and iPad into Mexico free of charge. This is what happened to Florida resident Tammy Levent. USA Today explained:

When Levent arrived at the airport this time, she had two check-in suitcases and a carry-on with her. Passing through customs, she was flagged to one of the tables where her luggage was examined by an agent. The agent pulled out her iPad and laptop, telling her, “You can’t have both,” she recounted to USA Today. She said she’s always brought these devices with her before, and this was the first time it was an issue.

Levent said her older generation iPad was considered worth much more than it really is by the agent, making her fine higher than she felt was fair. “This was wrong,” she said about her experience.

“At the end of the day you want tourism but you’re driving people away,” Levent said. “You have huge companies like pharmaceutical companies… (bringing bring groups in) and they’re coming with laptops and iPads.”

The rule is intended to prevent people from profiting from reselling merchandise. Agents can tax clothing, footwear, hygiene products and beauty products if you bring in more than what would likely be used during your stay. The custom law also covers a wide variety of technologies essentially dead in 2024. For example, travelers can bring five laser discs, 10 DVDs, and 30 CDs into Mexico tax-free.

I’m not going to argue for or against Mexico’s import laws, but I will state that you should be aware of any country’s rules when you plan on visiting. Don’t be like NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, who was detained at Cancun International Airport for bringing a handgun into the country last year.