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The little-known travel rule that could get you fined if you visit Mexico

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Travelers are fined if they put an iPad and laptop in their bag that they take to customs

Travelers flying to and from Mexico could face a hefty fine from airport officials, depending on what’s in their bag.

Electronics such as laptops and iPads are common items that fliers take with them on a flight.

However, the number of electronics in a bag can determine whether a traveler walks away with a fine or not.

A little-known travel rule when flying to or from a Mexican airport is to only take a certain amount of electronics with you.

For example, a passenger who wants to take a laptop and iPad on a trip will have to choose between one or the other before entering customs.

Passengers who decide to pack both could face the consequences of paying a fine or losing a gadget forever.

Laptops and iPads aren’t the only electronics that could put you at risk for fines in Mexico.

The Mexican customs office limits the total number of electronic items that any passenger is allowed to bring into the country.

Travelers are fined if they put an iPad and laptop in their bag that they take to customs

Pilots who do not want to pay the fine must leave one gadget behind

Pilots who do not want to pay the fine must leave one gadget behind

Passengers can pack two cameras, three mobile devices and one “portable computing device” in their suitcases.

Laptops and iPads are considered computer equipment and therefore a traveler will be fined if they pack both items.

Officials would typically fine travelers 19 percent of what they believe to be the value of the prohibited item.

According to Joni Sweet from Forbes.

Officers who find another electronic device will decide in another room what it’s worth and “come back with a bill” once they’re done.

Officials would typically fine travelers 19 percent of what they believe to be the value of the prohibited item

Officials would typically fine travelers 19 percent of what they believe to be the value of the prohibited item

What may sound like a new policy to fliers is actually one that has been implemented at Mexico’s airports for quite some time.

“This has actually been true for a long time,” says travel agent Michael Boguslavskiy of Caballeros Vacations. USA today.

“It’s a hugely outdated list at this point, but it still exists.”

The rule has found its way back into the minds of travelers due to a recent uptick in customs, according to the Riviera Maya News.

“It was never vigorously enforced, but now they are enforcing it worse than ever before,” Boguslavskiy said.

The travel agent explained that he believes the reasons behind the rules are to increase tax revenue from visitor arrivals or increase the number of passengers with the intention of selling multiple devices.

“It’s clear that 99 percent of people are bringing a laptop and an iPad, but it’s up to customs to determine whether they want to look at them,” Boguslavskiy said.

The rule about the amount of electronic devices you take with you on a flight to and from Mexico has been in place for a 'very long time'

The rule about the amount of electronic devices you take with you on a flight to and from Mexico has been in place for a ‘very long time’

Traveler Karen Bishop shared her experience at Cancun International Airport (CUN) after being fined $100 for carrying two iPads.

“As you enter the customs area there is a sign with details about this law,” Bishop said The points man.

“It’s well hidden from most arriving customers, so at this point you’re stuck.”

Sweet discussed a story about her friend who had a customs incident at CUN in 2024.

Officials searched her friend’s bag and gave her two choices after discovering multiple computer devices.

“After finding an iPad and MacBook Pro in her luggage, the agent demanded she pay 3,690 Mexican pesos (or about $190 USD) in import duties for the laptop — or part with it,” Sweet wrote.

“She signed an official form in Spanish acknowledging the tax and immediately paid it by credit card, but was shocked by the experience.”

Flier Tammy Levent was fined $200 after taking her laptop and iPad through security while at CUN in June 2024.

‘This was wrong. Ultimately you want tourism, but you’re driving people away,” Levent told USA Today.

Multiple fliers were fined between $100 and $200 at Cancun International Airport for having two computer devices in 2024

Multiple fliers were fined between $100 and $200 at Cancun International Airport for having two computer devices in 2024

Several experts have emphasized that it’s not worth breaking little-known rules when flying to or from Mexico.

Boguslavskiy sends a customs list to his customers flying to Mexico and tells each traveler to “be aware of local customs regulations.”

Sweet fliers insisted on leaving an extra laptop at home or “enjoying their screens completely.”

“Customs doesn’t search every traveler’s bag, so there’s a chance your extra iPad will pass through customs without a hitch,” Sweet wrote.

“But unless your idea of ​​a dream vacation to Mexico involves customs drama and surprise tax bills before you even reach your hotel, it’s best to know the limitations and pay little attention to the gadgets.”

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