Save yourself import taxes by knowing the rules*
*This blog is for tourists or snowbirds coming to Mexico for a temporary visit. When immigrating, much broader allowances can apply.
Crossing international borders can feel a bit tricky these days. To keep your trip to Mexico easy and worry-free, here’s a quick guide to what you can pack tax-free in your luggage. If you go over these allowances, you could be subject to import taxes of up to 19%.
- Personal goods, such as clothing, footwear, toiletries, and beauty products, as long as they are suitable for the duration of the trip, including a bridal trousseau; baby items, such as a chair, portable crib, stroller, walker, and other essentials, along with their accessories.
- Two cameras or video cameras; photographic equipment; three portable cell phones or other wireless network devices; one global positioning system (GPS); one electronic organizer; one portable computer (laptop, notebook, omnibook, or similar); one portable copier or printer; one burner and one portable projector, with their accessories.
- Two personal sports equipment, four fishing rods, three gliders with or without sails and their accessories, trophies, or awards, as long as they can be commonly and normally transported by the passenger.
- One portable device for recording or reproducing sound or mixed media; One or two digital image and sound recording or reproduction devices, one portable DVD player; one set of portable speakers, and their accessories.
- Five laser discs, 10 DVDs, 30 compact discs, three software packages, and five storage devices for any electronic equipment.
- Books, magazines, and printed documents.
- Five toys, including collectibles, and one video game console, as well as five video games.
- One blood pressure monitor and one glucose or mixed blood pressure monitor and their reagents, as well as personal medications (in the case of psychotropic substances, a medical prescription must be provided).
- Suitcases, flasks, trunks, or any other item necessary for transporting luggage.
- One binocular and one telescope.
- Two musical instruments and their accessories.
- One tent and other camping supplies.
- A hand tool set with its case, which may include a drill, pliers, wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, and power cords, among others.
- Passengers over 18 years of age may bring a maximum of 10 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco; up to 3 liters of alcoholic beverages, and 6 liters of wine.
- Seniors and individuals with disabilities may bring items that, due to their characteristics, compensate for or alleviate their limitations, such as walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, canes, and other assistive devices.
In addition, you may import, up to 3 pets or companion animals that you bring with you, such as cats, dogs, canaries, hamsters, guinea pigs, budgerigars, cockatiels, ferrets, parakeets, turtles, small wild birds (except birds of prey), as well as accessories required for their transportation and grooming, provided that you present the customs personnel with the animal health certificate for their import, issued by SAGARPA (National Agency for Agricultural Development). In the case of wild animals, you must also present the Verification Record issued by PROFEPA, which verifies compliance with the non-tariff regulation or restriction to which they are subject.
Duty Free
You can now bring merchandise with a value of up to $500 tax-free, in addition to your personal baggage, if your entry is by air or sea, year-round; and if your entry is by land, only during the holiday season; the rest of the year, the duty free is $300.
Thinking about making Mazatlán your full-time home? 🌴 Mazatlán Newcomer Services can help you prepare for every detail, from housing and paperwork to practical tips for living comfortably in the tropics. Contact us today to start your journey with confidence!
INFORMATION SOURCE:
http://omawww.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/pasajeros/Paginas/Mercancia_ingresar_Mexico.aspx