March 2, 2013
Yucalandia offers the following update to Aduana’s policies on what is allowed for visitors to Mexico as a part of an ongoing series of articles on common issues. We welcome you to propose your own questions or issues for additional articles.
Here’s a List of the Contents of this Article:
Click on any of the following topics to go to that Section.
What can I bring in duty free?
Which items may be included in my personal luggage exempt from duty?
In which cases should I pay taxes?
Which other items must be declared?
Are you planning on driving into Mexico with you household goods? ~ Menaje de Casa Rules (English) ~
Aduana: Menaje de Casa ~ (Spanish)
SAT – Directory of BANJERCITO Offices that Handle Vehicle Imports
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Back to the article:
Aduana’s current webpage for passengers and Aduana’s current webpage for import rules for passengers says:
What can I bring in duty free?
° The items allowed in your personal luggage, according to the length of the trip
° Up to US$300 per person in permitted goods, or its equivalent in other currencies. Passengers traveling with family members (spouse and children) may combine their personal exemptions only when arriving together. In order to claim this additional exemption passengers must have the corresponding commercial invoices or receipts available
° Beer, alcoholic beverages and manufactured tobacco may not be included in this additional exemption.
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Which items may be included in my personal luggage exempt from duty?
° Suitcases, trunks, and the necessary bags to carry your belongings
° New or used goods for personal use, such as clothing, footwear and personal hygienic products, in reasonable quantities, according to the length of your trip and that they may not be subject to commercialization
° Medications for personal use. In the case of psychotropic substances you must present the corresponding medical prescription ***
° A photographic camera, a video camera and, if it is the case, its power charger; up to 12 rolls or reels of unused film or videocassettes; printed photographic or filmed material; a cellular telephone; a pager; a pair of binoculars; a typewriter; a new or used portable computer: laptop, notebook, omnibook or another of similar kind; a new or used portable photocopier or printer; a portable radio set to record or play sound, or both
° Two personal used sport articles that can be normally transported by one person; a camping tent and camping gear; a wind surf with or without sail; four fishing rods with their respective accessories
° Five laser discs, five DVD discs, 20 compact discs (CD) or magnetic tapes (audiocassettes); books and magazines in reasonable quantities and that they may not be subject to commercialization
° Five toys that can be normally transported by one person
° A musical instrument, that can be carried by one person
° Persons with disabilities may include those items for personal use that due to their characteristics may replace or reduce their disability
° Adult passengers may bring, in addition to the above-mentioned items, up to 20 packages of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, and up to three liters of wine, beer or liquor. Passengers must fulfill all the applicable non-tariff regulations and restrictions when importing additional amounts of cigars.
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In which cases should I pay taxes?
- Remember that you are entitled to bring in up to US$300 worth of goods in addition to the goods included in your personal luggage, and that you are allowed to combine this amount with family members
- If you exceed this exemption, or if your family’s combined amount exceeds the combined exemption, you must pay duties and taxes. There is a flat 15% rate of duties and taxes, which is applied only to the amount exceeding the exemption (individual or combined). You must fill out a payment form, which is available at the Customs counter
- If the value of the goods surpasses one thousand dollars (per family member) after subtracting the US$300 exemption, or if any of the goods is subject to non-tariff regulations or restrictions, you must hire the services of a customs broker. Private brokerage services are always available at the airport
- From November 21st, 2005 until January 10th, 2006 you will be able to import goods in the mentioned procedure, as long as its value does not exceed 3,000 dollars.
- 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.
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Which other items must be declared?
- Animals, agricultural products and medications
- If you are carrying more than US$10,000, or its equivalent in other currencies, in cash, checks, money orders or any other monetary instrument, or a combination of them, you must declare the amount exceeding US$10,000. You will not have to pay duties or taxes, but you must declare it on the Customs Declaration form. Failing to declare it is a violation of Mexican Law and such violation is sanctioned with administrative and even criminal penalties.
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Which goods are restricted?
• Firearms and ammunition. In order to import firearms and cartridges you must secure an import permit from the Ministry of Economy and from the Ministry of National Defense. For further information please visit the following websites: http://www.economia.gob.mx and http://www.sedena.gob.mx.
• Hams and Cheeses, well sealed in their original packages, with all labeling intact are allowed: SAGARPA: Ingreso de jamones y quesos ,Firehttp://senasica.gob.mx/?id=3694
***Aduana de Mexico offers a specific list of medications for which Mexican Custom’s has special rules. See: http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_11149.html Read Section 8.
~ Aduana de Progreso has confiscated incoming shipments of grease products, including small tubes of water-proof fishing reel grease. The person who ordered the grease was sent an official notice by Aduana asking him to come to the Administrative Offices at the Progreso Muelle. The Aduana supervisor told him that all grease products were forbidden for import by private individuals.
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Which goods are prohibited?
- Narcotics, insecticides and live predator fish of any size. Stamps, stickers, drawings, illustrations or printed materials representing children in a denigrated or ridiculous way, or inciting violence. For further information please visit the Mexico Customs website http://www.aduanas.gob.mx
- The Ministry of Agriculture prohibits the following goods since they represent a great risk for the introduction of plagues and diseases: earth, straw, padded containers of hay, straw decorations without processing; homemade foods; flours of animal origin; fresh, dry, canned or frozen meat and meat products, such as smoky, salted and mature sausages that have been elaborated in countries under absolute quarantine (Europe, Africa, Asia and South America). For additional information please visit the website http://www.sagarpa.gob.mx .
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How much should I pay for those additional goods that are not part of my luggage or the $50 exemption?
If you exceed the $50 exemption for less than US$3,000, you must pay duties and taxes. There is a flat 15% rate of duties and taxes and you must fill out the payment form intended for it, which is available at the Customs counter.
If the amount of the goods is over the US$3,000, then you must hire the services of a customs broker, who will present the legal forms to pay the duties and taxes (you can ask where to reach one at the Customs Office). ”
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Are you planning on driving into Mexico with you household goods?
Here is our crude translation of Aduana’s current official rules for bringing in household goods using a “Menaje de Casa”.
The following used household items can be imported duty-free:
~ The furniture and utensils of a house, used exclusively for the use and proper and regular treatment of a family, clothes, books, booksellers.
~ Works of art or science, they do not constitute complete collections for installing exhibitions and art galleries.
~ Scientific instruments for professionals as well as workers and craftsmen tools, provided they are essential to the development of the profession, trade or occupation.
~ Scientific instruments and tools that enjoy the exemption may not be a complete set of equipment for the installation of laboratories, clinics or workshops.
Foreigners interested in importing household goods duty free, must certify that the household goods were acquired at least six months before the date you enter Mexico.
People who are allowed to imports household goods, without payment of taxes on foreign trade are:
- Mexican students or researchers
- Residents of the border zone or border region
- “Inmigrantes” (FM2) and national repatriated or deported persons
- “No immigrante” (FM3) or associated ministers of religion or religious or correspondent, distinguished guests and visitors
- Diplomáticos
Important:
No utensils are considered part of the following commodities:
~ Goods which the persons concerned have been abroad for commercial or industrial activities.
~ Vehicles.
Legal basis: Article 61 Section VII and 142 of the Customs Act, Articles 90, 91 and 94 of the Customs Act Regulation, Rule 3.3.3. of the General Rules on Foreign Trade for 2012. Aduana: Menaje de Casa ~ (Spanish)
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If you are entering by land or sea, you can check the following official map of Aduana offices, along with their contact information, hours of operation, and addresses: Map of Aduanas del Pais
Happy Trails !
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Feel free to copy while giving proper attribution: YucaLandia/Surviving Yucatan.
© Steven M. Fry
Read-on MacDuff . . .
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What kind of number do they put on things like used cement mixers and power planners? I tend to fix things myself, my big tools are something that I would want to mule down if I bought in Yucatan. Who sets the value on a 50 year old cement mixer? It’s not pretty but it works great, I’d hate to pay $100 USD for the old beast just to cross the border. What kind of import taxes do regular folk have to pay?
Norm,
whew…. The last friend I know who brought down a bunch of that kind of stuff (a gasoline powered welder, and 1/3 of a bus of tools and household goods etc) wound up in a standoff with Aduana for a while – and Aduana ultimately caved and charged him an arbitrary $300 or $400 for the whole lot.
On another trip, we hauled in a 16 ft totally enclosed trailer that was about 1/3 full of household goods – and they waved us through – they were only concerned about a bag of prescription medicines. We also brought in a pickup load stuffed full of household goods and a 4′ x 6′ trailer loaded 6 feet deep: $300. easy-peasy – But the key to easy-peasy was having a printed spreadsheet list including every item and estimated prices.
If they just give your load a visual once-over, and it’s clear that you aren’t hauling drugs, guns, bales of cash, lead batteries, food, or supplies to run a business, you will likely be waved through with no $$$ – which is the experience of 100′s of people reporting going through Laredo/Nuevo Laredo early in the day. Matamoros Aduanas has a stiffer reputation for charging arbitrary fees.
All the best and safe travels. Stop by and stay a while at our home in Merida if you like…
steve
Thanks Steve. Hope to be in Yucatan next November. I have my eye on the Reo Bec/Calakmul area for some off the beaten trac ruins. Mid January is a trip into Yaxchilan viva Palenque. My plans are a remote highland Guatemalan ruin called Mixco Viejo for the 12/21/12 winter solstice.(I’ve seen clear evidence of local Mayan use there in the past) I plan on driving my van down, doing a ruin trip with you and your buds would be very cool if we can line up our ducks.
What if you arrive on your own sailboat?
I really can’t bring canned smoked fish from Germany? That is our main protein backup on our boat, very surprised about that detail. We have over 200 cans that are good till 2017.
Barker,
We don’t know import rules for arrival on your private boat. Do they inspect the contents of personal boats when you arrive?
Can you leave the cans of fish on the boat? I will ask some friends who sailed the Caribbean for roughly 12 years, using Mexican ports what they know.
steve
Hi Steve, thanks for the quick reply. I can absolutely leave the canned fish on the boat. I’ve only arrived in Mexico via sail boat once and that was a friends boat. No officials ever came on board but that doesn’t mean they wont and ignorance is never an excuse. Thank you for the offer of asking your friends. I’m enjoying the other great information you have posted. Glad I found your blog. Cheers.
Hi there. I’m driving to Merida in July with two 12-yr olds. Does the personal exemption apply to them as well as individual exemptions – as to laptops, CD’s and the like. The way I read it, we, as a family, have a combined exemption of $900US above the personal luggage exemption. Am I correct? Does the $300US exemption apply before receipt of FM2/3? Thanks for your advice, and your blog.
Claire, correct. The exemption has nothing to do with your INM permit application.
Can you not bring a laptop and ipad into Mexico?
Aspen,
One person can bring in both as an airline or bus passenger.
Aduana might charge you 15% duty on one of them. – or they might not. If you are traveling with a companion, have them carry one of your 2 computers. Or, carry a print-out from Ebay showing a low price on one of the computers, so that any duty charged is low.
e.g. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-iPad-16GB-Wifi-3G-Case-Bundle-w-Square-Trade-Warranty-/220966591308?pt=US_Tablets&hash=item3372a29b4c shows a price of $160 – which would get only a $24 duty if Aduana chose to assess duty on your 2 computers.
steve
Thanks for your reply. I’m somewhat confused as to the 300USD exemption. http://www.aduanas.gob.mx indicates up to 75USD exemption above the personal luggage when driving in, but allows 300USD exemption when flying in. Also, ‘…in order to claim exemption…passengers must have the corresponding commercial invoices or receipts available’. The items I’d like to bring in above the personal luggage exemption is mostly kitchen stuff, bedding, school supplies for 2 children,(and family pics/portraits) have been used for several years and, of course, no receipts. How do I get around this? Do I list an approx cost from way back for each item?
Many thanks again for your help. Methinks I worry too much.
Claire
Claire,
You’re welcome.
A friend regularly makes 3-4 trips a year here to Merida with household goods. She makes an Excel spreadsheet naming each item in Spanish, serial numbers for electronics etc, and prices – with multiple copies, so Aduana can keep one in their records, and you can keep yours with you for showing at various checkpoints throughout Mexico.
She goes onto Ebay to find images and prices for used items – and prints out copies as supporting documentation for her estimated prices on the spreadsheet. Aduana has accepted her spreadsheets every time with no hassles. No drugs, no firearms, no meats or produce, medications only with prescriptions…
Are you still confused about the differing limits for land entry vs. airline passengers? The rules have describe charges for different services, but the amounts and requirements seem clear. Government requirements around the world often do not make sense to the rest of us. *grin*
You’re right not to worry. Most people cross the border with either no duties or small payments. Many people are just waved through after cursory load checks.
steve
Does anyone know if you can bring white unbleached flour into Mexico? We are planning a trip tp Merida soon and would like to be able to bring flour with us if possible.
Thanks in advance
Kathryn,
Our friends have brought us bleached bread flour on their last 2 flights with no problems: King Arthurs’s in new unopened commercial packaging. I mention the commercial packaging, because sometimes Aduana confiscates food products that are in baggies, bulk, etc – while passing/approving commercial food products in their original unopened packages. Is this their official policy ???
steve
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If I’m driving in and bring a used tv that’s value would be less than 400.00 do I have to stop to declare
Thanks
Dawn
Hi Dawn,
Outside of your personal (exempt) items, each person is allowed to import $300 in household goods per person. Check Ebay and find a reasonable price for your TV. Many travelers find that if you give Aduana an excel spreadsheet listing the ebay prices of you goods is enough for them to wave people through after inspecting the list. They may ask for printouts of the ebay webpage for items.
If they do decide to charge a duty, it would be just 15% of the total amount OVER the $300 per per person limit. If you have 2 people in the car, the total exemption is $600.
Happy Trails,
steve
Hi! I am coming back home after almost 2 years outside of Mexico. Last time I arrived with my really old laptop to give to my mom and my new one. Both were bought in Mexico and the customs people gave me some problems. This time I am traveling with my Lap Top and I would like to bring my ipad also. Does anyone know if I could have a problem again?
Andrea,
Welcome home!
There are several issues here. Aduana’s import rules on computers are very specific: only 1 computer per person as personal itmes exempt from duties. They do simple and effective X-ray scans on all bags that clearly show computers as unique items. Further, the Aduana agents are very familiar with what computers look like on X-ray.**
If you want to bring in 2 computers, why not follow the rules, and be ready to pay any duty?
Is following a clearly stated and fair law “having a problem”?
Do we like it when foreigners try to get around laws in our home country?
e.g. Do we like it when foreigners intentionally dodge paying taxes, get paid illegally, just so they can save a little money?
Bring printed receipts to show what each computer costs, and have enough cash ready to pay a 15% duty.
They may not charge you the legal duty, but you will stay legal and have your bases covered in either case.
Happy trails,
steve
**We have seen Aduana handle it either/both ways. Some people are charged a small duty on the second computer, other people are just waved through.
My husband, daughter and I are traveling into Mexico for an extended stay (around five months) and would like to bring our dog and two kittens. What is required to bring them into the country? Is this even allowed?
Hi Molly,
You can bring in the animals as long as you have the appropriate veterinarian’s certificate of good health. There are good discussions on this topic on Yolisto and Mexconnect. Gringodog also has very good current information on this.
steve
My wife and I are traveling into Cancun airport on Thursday. We both are on diets and require special diet food to eat during the day. They are all in commercial packaging and include powder drink mixes, cereal, and protein bars. Can we bring these items into Mexico? Do we have to report anything for these?
Hi Andrew,
This is an area where the letter of the law and the enforcement/practice of the law (regulations) diverge.
Fortunately, the practice of almost all Aduana agents for the past 25 years has been that they allow all packaged, non-meat or non-fruit . products. If your foods are in commercial, new, unopened packages, in quantities appropriate for personal usage, then you will likely sail through Customs (Aduana). Your stuff should not look like you are opening a health food or supplement business – where case loads of stuff looks like “mercancia” (commercial goods).
In practice, you cannot bring in meat products – even if they are cured/cooked in new commercial packaging – e.g. DO NOT try to bring in SAUSAGES or DrIED MEATS – unless you are willing to possibly have them confiscated as you enter Mexico. Sometimes processed meats slide through, and other times not. No FRESH FRUITS ! NO DRIED FRUITS ! (these may slide by) NO FRESH VEGETABLES ! All of these things are considered Agricultural Products.
If you need to bring in a bunch of protein bars or packets of mixes, I would pack them loose – not in a sealed box or original box- but instead either in a crude grocery sack or loose in your suitcase. If they are in their original box, they may be considered “mercancia” and you will have to beg and explain and plead that they are only for personal use. If you have a friendly physician who will write you a note explaining your special diet as a medical condition, then it may all go even smoooooother.
Don’t worry, don’t fuss, follow the advice given above … and if Aduana fusses at you: Be patient, stay very calm, but be helpful and persistent. Many many many times, Mexican officials appear to be bringing down the hammer, starting to deny foreigners something, … but if the foreigner stays calm, does NOT get pushy, ASks for help, and listens respectfully to all the scolding and warnings by the Mexican official, then… many many times the Mexican officials take pity on us, and allow us to break the rules, and they wave us through, especially after we promise to be good good doggies, next time ….
Good Dog! Take your biscuit and go… … vs … BAD DOG ! ~ NO BONE ~
So, even if it looks like things are going badly, and they are reading the rules to you, chapter and verse, stay hopeful. Many times they will relent, scold you, instruct you, and then wave you through. The people who get frustrated, get angry, get pushy, growl or get barky … often do not get what they want (flaunting authority here often backfires??).
*grin*
Happy Trails!
steve
I’m flying into Puerto Vallarta and am bringing a small used synthesizer as a gift. Is this allowed? Will I be charged an import tax? I bought it on ebay for $270. Thank you!
Hi Amy,
If you show Aduana employees your receipt for $270, and they accept this value, then because it is less than the $300 USD personal exemption, you would owe no duties. Aduana is not required to accept the values we present, especially because many gringos make up their own fake receipts. Aduana personnel may choose to reject your $270 valuation, especially because their regulations call out electronics as special items.
If you have more than $30 in other goods in your bags or possession, that are not personal clothes or personal toiletries, then they can charge you import duties on any combinations of items valuations that exceed the $300 USD per person per flight personal exemption limit.
Happy Trails,
steve
Hi! I flying in to visit friends and am planning on bringing them a wooden sculpture. Do you know the regulations surrounding obviously dead or treated wood?
Hi rachel,
If it is wood in a natural form, like worm-hole-ridden untreated drift-wood sculpture, then it could be an issue. If it is a well finished, highly polished piece of carved sculpture, like an African ironwood or ebony figurine, then likely no problem.
What airport are you flying into? Cancun is back to using their red-light / green-light system, so, if you get a green-light, they wave you through. We just came through Cancun on Saturday with 4 suitcases loaded with things (including 2 laptops and a desktop computer and electronics gear and 6 big kitchen knives etc) that would generally trigger the X-Ray tech to flag us for an Aduana agent to examine our goods and receipts, but the X-ray tech said nothing, and we got a green light. Ironically, even with the green-light for our family, they did ask to check my wife’s little back-pack/purse, as I rolled through with my 4 big bags loaded with suspect items.
Conversations with 3 different Aduana managers and supervisors all confirm that IT IS ALL UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL AGENT… The individual agents are given broad discretion in deciding what items to confiscate, what items to allow to go through duty-free, and what items are charged a duty…
Happy Trails,
steve
Hi I had a family friend take some items (clothes, shoes, personal items) in 2 boxes to my husband in Jalisco. Most of it new but without the tags. It seems as he has an issue at inspection with his truck and for being over the limit in goods, he had other boxes as well and they took away his truck. They told him he can pay the taxes for the goods that went over the limit but he didn’t want to. Is there any way that I can get my items back from the Aduanas? is there a time limit to claim the items. This is in Tijuuana B.C. I’m loosing about $300 worth of merchandise. Please help as I have researched all day and can’t seem to get an answer. Thank you in advance
Hi Jessica,
Have you called Aduana in Tijuana?
Aduana offers a nice map of all their locations, where you click on a city, and the contact information and address pop up:
Map of Aduana del Pais
I suspect that the formal thing that happened with your friend who tried to import too much is that he got tagged for attempting to bring in what Aduana considered commercial quantities of items. If he did not pay the duties, then I think the legal process he completed was: He formally surrendered the good inside Mexico, rather than taking them back out of Mexico.
Since he likely surrendered the goods, then they likely cannot be recovered. This is equivalent to you going into US airport security with a knife and large scissors. TSA Security gives you a choice, surrender the knife & scissors, … or leave security with your things, mail/ship your knife and scissors to someone, and then return to try again to get through TSA security.
Alternately, if your friend did not formally declare that he was bringing in more than $75 of items for import (trying to illegally bring in multiple boxes of goods as personal items), then Aduana likely seized the goods as undeclared imports of goods that were clearly not his personal items. If the goods were seized as undeclared items being brought in with bad faith, then they definitely are not available.
Did your friend get his truck back? Was he stopped at the Aduana checkpoint about 25 km into Mexico? This part of the story is very unusual ~ implying that Aduana was convinced of some bad faith or attempts to smuggle things?
This is one of those cases where it would have been much cheaper to pay the 15% duty, than to try to slide-by without getting caught.
Come back and tell us what happened,
steve
Hello, I am flying into Cancun and bringing wedding decorations and gifts. Do you think I will have to pay duty for these items because they are over $300. Any advice?
Hi Steph,
Cancun has returned to using the red-light / green-light system. If you get the green light (like most people), then they wave you through, so, you are most likely not going to trigger the 15% duties, unless their X-Rays show you bringing in commercial quantities of things. Since Aduana can assign ANY value they want to each item, you may want to bring an Excel spread sheet printout of the prices of each non-personal item, and RECEIPTS for every non-personal item. e.g. Let’s say there are some electronics gifts in the haul: They love to charge excessive duties on electronics, and I have had them assess $200 duties on a $75 receiver (which I ultimately argued them down to $15).
Best Wishes !
steve
Steve,
I promise… my last question on all these threads of yours. You have been so informative and I’m sure you are more worried about the new immigration and Aduana car threads than this one.
As I begin to pack things up and prepare paperwork to come down, my next concern is prescriptions. On many sites there is talk of Americans being jailed for having legitimate prescriptions. I will be attempting to bring my script of Alprazolam (xanax), which according to aduana is a psychotropic substance that must be declared. many sites have said don’t bring them even if they are legitimate. I will have about 20 pills, in the original labeled bottle. I also scanned a color copy of the prescription before taking it to the pharmacy and then today I went ahead and had a doctor note written up (of course in English, however). But, after reading some posts elsewhere… my next stop is Yolisto where a member has talked about being questioned about their scripts at a checkpoint. Do you have any opinions on how risky it is to bring this into Mexico? Thanks for any insight.
Chad
Hi Chad,
This is beyond our ken.
On the surface of things, if you declare that you have them, and have a legitimate legible prescription for them, and they are in the original container, and you have only personal use quantities (not commercial quantities), then it all sounds good. They might confiscate them???
Re Yolisto and the person questioned at a checkpoint:
For the one incident I know that was reported on Yolisto, I was present for the whole thing. The couple had a 16 ft enclosed trailer, about 20% full. Aduana had the owner open the back trailer door to inspect the load. They had us tell them the contents of a few boxes, and then had us open those few boxes to confirm the contents. On the top of one of the containers they inspected, there was a zip lock bag with about 10 different bottles of clearly-used prescription meds, all in their original pharmacy bottles with their labels.
Since there was more than 1 or 2 bottles, and because the couple did not have written prescriptions for the bottles, the Aduana agents argued that they should confiscate the bottles. I served as the couple’s facilitator and translator, because they did not speak Spanish. The discussion went back and forth with the Aduana agents for between 5 and 10 minutes, discussing that the pills were legitimate, and that the official labels on the bottles were accurate/unaltered and served as documentation of them being officially prescribed by a legitimate doctor, and that these were personal quantities… Aduana agents were adamant that they must confiscate the bag due to the lack of written prescriptions. The wife then pointed at a withered, sunken section of her elderly husband’s leg (exposed below his shorts), and she said that he needed the pills for his bad leg.
The Aduana agents were clearly touched by her appeal, and they softened. They half-heartedly tried to say (again) that they had to confiscate the bag of prescriptions, and she persisted her sad story saying that he was pitiful and he needed the medicamentos… They surrendered, and let us go, with the pills.
What should you do? Contact Aduana yourself.
steve
Hi Chad,
Sometimes a bit of research can help. Xanax drug name is…. Alprazolam .
Did you search the Aduana website for Alprazolam?
http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_11149.html
“What articles can a passenger introduce as part of his/her personal luggage?
Each passenger (even if he/she is minor) can introduce articles that are mentioned next, new or used, like part of his personal luggage, without the payment of taxes:
…
8. Devices that permit measurement of arterial pressure and glucose, as well as medications of personal use; in the case of psychotropics the medical prescription should be shown.
Explanatory notes: Psychotropic substances are considered such as:
Alobarbital
Alobarbital aminofenazona
Alprazolam ”
Looks like you are fine, especially if you make a copy of the Aduana webpage listing the requirements for Alprazolam / Xanax.
Happy Trails,
steve
I guess the big question is… Did this occur at an aduana checkpoint (the one just outside of Nuevo Laredo)? Or a state/local/federal checkpoint? I didn’t get that in her post.
I guess I could see the concern with 10 bottles, whereas my number won’t be as high. I just don’t want to do be behind bars for LEGALLY importing something. That’s what gets me. It is not illegal to bring prescriptions in, but there are reports of issues. I always thought that the actual label on the bottle served as a prescription since pharmacies will take the original.
I guess, the good news is that they were just going to confiscate the bag and not haul them into jail.
Please let me know (in case the mentioned person doesn’t… I know that they are heading north again soon) if this was the 25km checkpoint or a random stop. Thanks again for everything.
Hi Chad,
It was at the border in Nuevo Laredo.
As she wrote on Yolisto, she now hides things inside compartments in her truck. After leaving the Aduana checkpoint at the border, she hid anything she thought might be a problem.
Hiding things? Not good.
If Aduana finds even one cached item, they can tear your vehicles apart – taking off the door panels, interior cabin panels, taking the seats apart, etc.
Happy Trails,
steve
We fly our private plane to Loreto Baja CA Sur at least once a month to a rental we have secured. We are always needing to bring with us foods that we can not find in the town of Loreto. We have heard ALL KINDS of comments and rumors from our ex-pat friends regarding custom restrictions on food, however, I have searched the Internet and have not found ANY legal information. Could you please tell me the restrictions for foods into Mexico (cooked, cured American meats, poultry, pork, fish), eggs, dairy, juice, fruit, vegetables, cereal, bread. Is there a web site that I can print a document from?
Two Fun Junkies Flying to Loreto!
Pam
Hi Pamela,
Read the article above:
http://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/what-can-i-bring-into-mexico-mexican-customs-rules-the-article/#Which%20goods%20are%20restricted
Click on the button that says: Which goods are prohibited?
steve
We will be bringing a 20′ trailer with all our worldly goods into Mexico through the Laredo border crossing this fall using our one-time household goods exemption. We will have a menaje de casa approved by our local Consulate. My question is: Do we need a customs broker to clear the goods across the border or can we simply do it ourselves? I cannot find a definitive answer with a reference to the applicable Mexican law anywhere. In fact I have found contradictory answers on various Forums. If we do need a customs broker, can you recommend one in Laredo, TX? Thank you.
Hi Karen,
In the past, you needed a broker for anything over $3,000 total while driving in. Aduana changed the rules, and you can now bring in a load of household goods. This explains why some sites say “yes” and others say “no”. Some people make an effort to keep their information both current and accurate. Others, not so much. (especially many typical lawyers, many “facilitators”, and many Notarios)
steve
Thanks, Steve, for your response. Do you by chance have a reference to the applicable law that I could print out to hand to any Aduana official at the border who may not be current (or accurate) either? With my luck I’ll get the one guy/gal who hasn’t kept up to date and still thinks I need a customs broker. Thanks.
I would print out the Aduana webpage on Menaje de Casa listed above.
Youn can find the Ley Aduanera at http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/12.pdf , but the menaje de casa info is scattered through the law.
steve
What constitutes a ‘load’ of household goods? Also, if I decide to live permanently in Mexico but need to order through the mail certain vitamins or other health supplements, what are the regulations regarding mail orders (or is this beyond your ken, too)?
Thanks, Roxana
Hi Roxana,
You asked: “What constitutes a ‘load’ of household goods?”
Did you read the English language section in the article above http://yucalandia.com/answers-to-common-questions/what-can-i-bring-into-mexico-mexican-customs-rules-the-article/#Are%20you%20planning%20on%20driving%20into%20Mexico%20with%20you%20household%20goods on Are you planning on driving into Mexico with you household goods? ~ Menaje de Casa Rules (English) ~ ?
This section says you can bring in one load of:
“The following used household items can be imported duty-free:
~ The furniture and utensils of a house, used exclusively for the use and proper and regular treatment of a family, clothes, books, booksellers.
~ Works of art or science, they do not constitute complete collections for installing exhibitions and art galleries.
~ Scientific instruments for professionals as well as workers and craftsmen tools, provided they are essential to the development of the profession, trade or occupation.
~ Scientific instruments and tools that enjoy the exemption may not be a complete set of equipment for the installation of laboratories, clinics or workshops.
Foreigners interested in importing household goods duty free, must certify that the household goods were acquired at least six months before the date you enter Mexico.”
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You are allowed to mail in vitamins – just not commercial quantities of them.
Natural barbituates and natural hallucinogens are not allowed.
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Re beyond my ken: If you read my second response to Chad, I did some research, and found that there was a written exemption buried in Aduana law allowing Chad to import his Xanax for personal use. I guess I could go back and delete my first answer, but it seems more honest to leave both answers, as it took extra work to find the ultimate answer?
Happy Trails,
steve