Entering Mexico

Officially, Mexico allows tourists are supposed to bring only those items into Mexico that will be of enter the country with personal items that they will use during their trip. This means you can bring in practically anything as long as it doesn’t appear in large enough quantities to qualify for resale. Firearms and ammunition, as well as boats, require special permits (see Sports and Recreation).

Technically speaking, you’re allowed to import one still camera and one video camera, up to 12 rolls of unused film or blank videocassettes for each, and used or developed film. Anything more is supposed to require permission from a Mexican consulate. In everyday practice, however, Mexican customs officials rarely blink at more film or an extra camera or two. Professional photographers and others who would like to bring more cameras and film into Mexico can apply for dispensation through a Mexican consulate abroad. Regarding audio equipment, you’re limited to one CD player and one audiocassette player (or combo), five laser discs, five DVDs, and up to 20 CDs or recording cassettes. Other per-person limitations include one typewriter, a cellular phone and a pager, a new or used laptop computer, a musical instrument, two used personal sports gear items, one tent and accompanying camping gear, one set of fishing gear, a pair of skis, a pair of binoculars, two tennis rackets, five “toys,” and one sailboard.

Other limits include three liters of liquor, beer, or wine and two cartons (20 packs) of cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco.

Other than the above, you’re permitted to bring in no moreadditional merchandise worth less than US$75 per person if arriving by land or US$300 worth of other articles if arriving by air, US$50 if you arriving by land. You will be subject to duty on personal possessions worth more than US$300 (or US$50), to a maximum of US$1,000 (except for new computer equipment, which is exempt up to US$4,000). There are official limits for the number of electronic devices (2 cameras, 2 mobile phones, 1 laptop), musical instruments (2), liters of liquor (3), cartons of cigarettes (20), fishing rods (4), and other recreational sports equipment you may bring. For the most part, as long as it doesn’t look like you are sneaking in items that you intend to sell or bringing bags of professional equipment for business instead of tourism, you’ll be able to enter without declaring anything. In addition, you may carry up to US$10,000 in cash without paying a duty. Do not under any circumstances attempt to bring firearms without a permit (issued for hunting only) or illegal substances. For the latest information in Spanish, visit www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx.

Returning to the United States

The process of returning to the United States almost always takes longer than leaving. U.S. customs officials may ask to search your luggage, and they’ll ask a few routine questions. Sometimes they also use dogs to inspect luggage and/or vehicles for illegal substances and undocumented immigrants.

Many items made in Mexico may be imported duty-free. Adults may bring only one liter (33.8 fluid ounces) of alcohol and 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigars) per person. Remember that it is illegal to import Cuban cigars into the United States. You can bring US$400 worth of purchases within any 31-day period without declaring the goods.

Here is a list of prohibited items. Regulations change occasionally, so check with a U.S. consulate before crossing or visit www.cbp.gov for the latest information:

• oranges
• grapefruits
• mangoes
• avocados
• potatoes
• straw
• hay
• unprocessed cotton
• sugarcane
• any plants in soil (including houseplants)
• wild and domesticated birds (including poultry, unless cooked)
• pork or pork products
• raw eggs (cooked eggs are okay)

Returning to Canada

Duty-freesfree items for travelers returning to Canada include 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco) and one bottle (1.1 liters) of boozeliquor or wine, 24 cans or bottles (355 ml) of beer or ale, and gifts up to the value of C$60 per gift (other than alcohol or tobacco). Exemptions run from C$50 to C$–750, depending on how long you’ve been outside Canada.the country. To reach obtain the maximum exemption of C$750, you must be gone travel outside Canada for at least one week. Because Canada is also signatory to NAFTA, customs legalities will change over the next decade.