Canadians are being fined for bringing too many electronic devices into Mexico
Travelling to Mexico from Canada? Be mindful about how many electronics you’re bringing with you. Many Canadians have been fined for going over the limit, often without realizing it.
It’s easy to slip up if you aren’t aware of the limitations. For instance, just by packing both your laptop and tablet, you’ve already exceeded your allowance.
Why is this happening?
Mexico has a strict list of tax-exempt items you can carry in your luggage. Customs officials pay extra attention to alcohol, cigarettes and you guessed it—electronic devices. If you bring more electronic devices than you’re allowed, you’ll likely have to pay an expensive tax and risk losing your devices.
Although this information is available on both the Mexican Consulate General in Montreal and Canadian Government websites, many travellers are unaware of the rule and end up getting stuck with an unexpected travel expense.
How many electronic devices can I bring to Mexico?
To avoid paying a fee, brush up on the rules and regulations from the Mexican Consulate General in Montreal below. Make sure to pay attention to the specific limits for each item.
Regarding electronic devices, here’s what you can bring:
- 2 cameras or camcorders and camera gear
- 3 cellphones or other wireless devices
- 1 Global Positioning System (GPS)
- 1 electronic organizer
- 1 laptop, notebook, omnibook or other portable computing device
- 1 portable copier or printer
- 1 CD burner
- 1 projector, and its accessories
- 1 audio player or audio recorder and player (or 2 digital sound and image recorders or players instead)
- 1 portable DVD player
- 1 set of portable speakers and its accessories
- 5 laser disks, 10 DVDs, 30 CDs, 3 software packs and 5 storing units for any electronic device
In addition to electronics, here’s the full list of tax-exempt items you’re allowed to bring into Mexico:
- Baby gear, such as strollers, car seats, cribs, walkers and their accessories
- 1 tent and other camping articles
- 2 sets of personal sport gear; 4 fishing rods; 3 gliders with or without sails and their accessories; trophies and awards, as long as you can carry them without any difficulty
- 2 musical instruments and their accessories
- 1 hand tool set, including its case, a drill, pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, power cords, etc
- 1 pair of binoculars and one telescope
- 5 toys, including collectables, 1 videogame console and 5 video games
- 1 blood pressure monitor and 1 blood glucose monitor (or 1 monitor for both purposes)
- Valises, trunks, suitcases or any other item needed to carry your personal belongings
- If you are over 18, 10 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco; 3 litres of alcoholic beverages and 6 litres of wine
- Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches or any other assistive device for the elderly or disabled people
How much will I have to pay if I go over the limit?
If you go over the limit, you will likely have to pay a 19 per cent duty fee on the estimated value of the extra devices.
For example, in the scenario where you bring both a laptop and an tablet, you would be charged based on the value of one of those devices.
However, it’s worth noting that the customs officer will be the one to determine how much your devices are worth, and depending on their evaluation, the fee can get quite expensive.
If you don’t declare your electronic devices and are over the limit, you risk the possibility of paying a higher fine and losing your gadgets altogether. To avoid a more stressful situation with customs security, always declare your devices upon entry—especially when you’re over the limit.
Does the United States have similar rules for travellers?
This may cause you to wonder, does the United States (U.S.) have this rule in place for travellers?
Here’s what you need to know:
- Bringing personal electronics: Generally, you can bring your personal electronics, like laptops, tablets and phones into the U.S. without paying any fees, as long as they are not for commercial purposes. However, if you bring in a large quantity, customs officers may question whether they are intended for resale, which could lead to additional duties.
- Possible inspections: According to the U.S. Customs and Border Control (CBP), on rare occasions, CBP officers may search through your devices during the entry process. If you refuse an inspection, the officer may take your device, delay your travel or deny entry into U.S.
To learn more about what you can and can’t bring into the States, visit the Transportation Security Administration website.
Travel tips for any location
By doing a bit of research on the country you’re planning to visit, you can save yourself a few headaches—something many travellers are learning the hard way in Mexico.
Before travelling outside of Canada, consider these helpful tips:
- Check the Canadian Government website for information on your destination’s entry and exit requirements, health advisories, natural disasters, regulations and more.
- Visit a travel clinic to learn about any diseases, health risks or required vaccines for the country you’re visiting. Be sure to book your appointment well in advance as some vaccines require multiple doses over a certain period to be effective.
- Purchase travel insurance to protect yourself against unexpected costs associated with illness, accidents, lost baggage or flight delays.
- Take a look through our pre-travel checklist to ensure you’ve covered all of your bases before you go.
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