Final month, TPG reported on the rising variety of vacationers pressured to pay a high-quality after unknowingly breaking a little-known Mexican customs rule that enables just one moveable computing system per traveler. As per the regulation, a laptop computer and a pill are each thought-about private computing units. (You can even carry as much as two cellphones.)
The rule isn’t new, however enforcement — together with public outrage — has been on the rise. Vacationers have taken to social media (and the TPG Ideas inbox) to carry consideration to the scenario, resulting in protection by a number of information shops.
One TPG reader, Karen Bishop, was pressured to pay about $100 earlier than she might clear customs at Cancun Worldwide Airport (CUN) throughout a latest go to as a result of she and her husband had every packed a laptop computer and an iPad for his or her journey.
On Oct. 11, Quintana Roo Gov. Mara Lezama introduced that Cancun Worldwide Airport is eliminating what she described as a “very outdated regulation” that “not matches the instances through which we reside.”
The announcement was made through a Facebook video. Within the video, Lezama mentioned the regulation “has harmed the vacation spot’s repute and precipitated discomfort and inconvenience to our guests.” After assembly with the Nationwide Customs Company of Mexico, Quintana Roo (the state the place Cancun is situated) made the choice to “remove this cost for each nationwide and worldwide vacationers.”
Lezama went on to say that “tourism is important for Quintana Roo” and efforts to constantly enhance how vacationers are served are ongoing.
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This modification is efficient instantly. Earlier than the change, passengers touring by Cancun Worldwide Airport might be charged 19% of the worth of prohibited gadgets, as decided by the customs officer.
Private electronics usually are not the one gadgets topic to fines underneath Mexican customs rules. There are a number of gadgets — together with cameras, cellphones and GPS units — which have per-traveler amount limits when touring to Mexico. You possibly can view the total record here.
Do not forget that vacationers to Mexico should additionally full an Official Entry Immigration Kind, often known as a Vacationer Card. This card is free, and you’ll apply online earlier than your journey to avoid wasting time upon arrival. Some areas, together with Quintana Roo, require vacationers to pay a visitor tax. It can save you time on the airport by paying your tax on-line earlier than you allow in your journey.
The change to Mexico’s private baggage guidelines presently solely applies to Quintana Roo. Vacationers flying to different airports in Mexico should be topic to a high-quality if they bring about multiple private computing system by customs.
In case you are touring to Cancun, nevertheless, now you can clear customs with a number of private computing units.
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