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Are you planning a trip to Cancun? Then take a break before packing your suitcase!
You can bring as many swimsuits, flashy Hawaiian shirts, and pairs of flip-flops as you want.
But don’t bring more than one laptop!
Travelers to Cancun are now be warned about arriving at the destination with too many electronics.
Here’s why and what you need to know.
How many electronics can I travel with?
There are no restrictions on the amount of laptops (or other electronics) you can take with you when you leave the US
According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. travelers can pack an unlimited number of electronics in their carry-on or checked luggage.
This also applies to Canadian travelers, who also have no restrictions on the amount of electronics they can travel with.
But departure rules are one thing, and arrival rules are a completely different story!
Mexico has very strict electronic limits that you should be aware of when visiting the country, especially if you land in Cancun.
For example, you can arrive in Mexico with just one laptop without paying taxes Mexico’s SAT (Servicio de Administracion Tributaria).
And there are other limits to keep in mind!
As for electronics, you will be charged if you arrive in Mexico with more than:
- 2 cameras and camcorders
- 3 mobile phones or other wireless devices
- 1 GPS
- 1 laptop, notebook or other portable computer
- 5 laser discs, 10 DVDs, 30 CDs, 3 software packages and 5 storage units for each electronic device.
- 1 portable audio recorder, audio player, or audio recorder and player, or 1 portable DVD player.
What happens if you have more than these amounts?
Modern travel is an electronic experience.
When I travel, I inevitably carry my iPhone, camera, laptop, and my Kindle. My husband wears the same.
Even our children bring their own kindles and gaming devices!
So what happens if you want to take your everyday electronics with you when you arrive in Cancun?
The short answer is that you need to open your wallet!
Some tourists report having to pay nearly $200 to “import” their own electronic devices into Mexico, even for a short vacation.
The tax you pay is based on the value of the additional item(s) above the tax-free amount you can contribute. Therefore, no exact amount is available for this.
You’ll pay a 19% tax on the assessed value of the tax-free amount: if you’re carrying a brand new MacBook Pro, it could cost you as much as $400!
Can you just say no? If you refuse to pay the tax, electronic devices deemed to exceed the import limit may be seized.
The problem is that this policy is not enforced everywhere: some people report being hit with significant fines for bringing their own devices, while others enter Cancun with more than one laptop without any problem.
And also the interpretation of each customs officer may be different: some may see a laptop and an iPad as 2 laptops or portable computers and will charge you accordingly, for example.
What is the solution?
When I flew to Cancun in May, I decided not to take any risks: I just left my laptop at home!
I often carry my youngest son’s bags (containing his electronics) as well as mine at the airport, and if I had to explain the plethora of electronic devices it would usually mean carrying it with me, it just seemed like way too much a lot of hassle.
If you don’t really need your laptop while relaxing on the beach, this might be the safest position.
But for digital nomads, work travelers, content creators, and anyone who travels with electronics and depends on them for their livelihood, be careful!
Some digital nomads consider this a stealth tax for digital nomads in Mexico, and you will need to consider whether you can live without your additional devices (or whether you can afford the cost to import them) before traveling.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
