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A New report from Riviera Maya News suggests that a growing number of arriving travelers at Cancun International Airport are being charged hefty customs fees for carrying too many electronic devices.
The news comes amid soaring complaints from Cancun hotel associations, who claim the excessively strict import restrictions on personal electronic devices are damaging the city’s reputation as a welcoming hotspot for tourism and digital nomads.
However, with travelers increasingly flocking to Cancun for their holidays and to take advantage of remote work possibilities, some unlucky visitors are reporting fines of up to $200.
As more travelers head to Cancun this fall and winter for their annual holidays, here’s the latest on the customs regulations for arriving visitors.
Cancun Travelers Caught Off Guard By Airport Customs Fines For Electronics
New reports suggest that more travelers are being fined by customs at Cancun International Airport for carrying multiple undeclared electronic devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
In 2024, it is not uncommon for travelers to carry a variety of smart devices, even during a casual Mexican Caribbean getaway.
With work and leisure increasingly going hand in hand, many travelers are also packing their laptops and other work-related devices in their suitcases.
And while it’s a welcome sign that businesses are starting to implement more flexible work policies, Cancun customs officers are implementing a more restrictive approach to the phenomenon.
Travelers may be fined 3,600 pesos ($184) or more for carrying undeclared electronic devices exceeding the customs limit of one laptop per person in accordance with local regulations.
In addition to import restrictions on laptop devices, travelers are allowed to carry up to three smartphones as well as a camera and tablet.
Hotel associations in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean have denounced the strict import policy, noting their concern over its effects on tourism in the region.
According to David Ortiz Mena, the head of the Tulum Hotel Association, the police is counterproductive considering the fact that the Mexican Caribbean aims to become a leading destination for remote workers and digital nomads.
With traveler complaints over the issue skyrocketing, officials say they are open to reviewing existing policies on customs fines for electronic devices.
However, it is likely that such changes could take months – if not longer – to change due to slow administrative processes.
Ever since the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexican officials have sought to make the country an attractive destination for remote workers, with more and more resorts offering discounts on longer stays.
While Mexican officials carefully monitor the quantity of personal electronic devices for arriving passengers, the TSA leaves it up to individual travelers to follow the rules and limits of other countries, even for international travel.
Be Aware Of These Restrictions When Flying To Cancun
Although Cancun is generally a laid-back destination, travelers should familiarise themselves with restrictions on certain goods when entering the country.
According to the Mexican tax administration agency, travelers are allowed to import the following electronic devices into the country in specific quantities: Cameras, laptops, phones, GPS, sports gear, and hand tools.
The full list of item-specific restrictions can be found on the agency’s website.
If you are traveling to Cancun for work purposes, remember to declare the exact number of computers and smartphones that you are carrying to avoid run-ins with customs.
Travelers can also cut down on unnecessarily long lines at customs & immigration by paying close attention to existing import regulations. During peak travel times, it is not unusual to experience queues of up to two hours for arriving passengers at Cancun International Airport.
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Saturday 14th of September 2024
If a person is fined by customs at the Cancun airport, are they given a receipt.