Before You Land   While in flight, your attendant will give you two forms to fill out. The first form is your Mexican Tourist Card or FMT which is pictured on top right. You will need to complete the top part of the tourist card AND the bottom part which are the two white lines where you fill in you name and birth date. You will be given the bottom part of this form which you need to exit the country. DO NOT lose it! You will be charged a fine and may possibly miss your flight with the delay. The most common mistake on this form is not signing the back at the top and the bottom. If your Mexican tourist card (FMT)  is not filled in correctly you will be sent to the back of line where you will need to fill out the Mexican tourist card (FMT) correctly before you are allowed to proceed. Every person in your group, including children, are required to fill in this form.

Mexican Tourist Card (FMT)

The other form to fill in is the Customs Declaration Form - One form per FAMILY. For this form you will need to fill in your Name, Nationality, Birth Date, Number of Days you will be staying, Number of Family Members traveling with you, Number of Pieces of luggage and your Flight Number. You will also be required to declare whether you are carrying MORE than US$10,000 weapons, live animals, professional equipment, etc. Sign the form and present it to the officer AFTER you have have retrieved your luggage and pushed the Stop Light button. LUGGAGE AND EXEMPTIONS Visitors or residents may introduce duty and tax free, the following: A. Luggage: Used or new goods for personal use such as clothing, footwear, and personal hygiene items that reasonably respond to the duration of the trip and that due to its quantities may not be used for commercial purposes; one photographic camera and one video camera, and its power supply; up to 12 rolls of film or videotapes; filmed or developed photographic material; one mobile phone and one pager; one typewriter; one used or new laptop, notebook, omnibook or similar portable computer; one used or new portable copying machine or printer; two portable used personal sports gear; one portable radio/CD player; 5 laser disks, 5 DVD, 20 compact disks (CD) or tapes; books and magazines that due to its quantities may not be used for commercial purposes; 5 toys, which can be normally transported by a person; medicines for personal use, provided that prescription must be submitted for psychotropic drugs; one set of binoculars; one portable musical instrument; one tent and one camping equipment; one surfing board or one windsurf board; and 4 fishing rods and its accessories. Travelers over 18 years of age may introduce a maximum amount of 20 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco; and up to three liters of wine, beer or liquor. Handicapped travelers may introduce items for personal use, useful to have a better performance of their activities. B. Exemptions: One or more duty free goods which value may be proved with the invoice or note of sale and do not exceed $300 U.S. dollars or its domestic or foreign equivalent when the entry is by air or maritime transport or $50 U.S. dollars when the entry is by land. Alcoholic beverages, beer, manufactured tobaccos, cigarettes or automotive fuel may not be introduced within these exemptions.

Customs Declaration Form

After You Land

After you plane lands in Mexico, you are directed through the airport to line up to clear customs.  Have your passport and Identification (ID) as well as your tourist form (FMT) and Customs declaration form ready for the agents.  When you reach the head of the line you are confronted with what appears to be a large traffic light; Red and Green but no Amber. 

Each person is required to press a large button to randomly pick which lamp lights.  If it turns Green you are allowed to pass without inspection, and you have made it into the country hassle free.  If it goes Red, you are directed to a side counter where you are questioned and your bags are checked.  You will normally still clear in a few minutes unless drugs, concealed weapons, or any items thought to be for resale are found.  Be careful what personal items you pack, as you may have to show them to custom agents. 

If you have an unusual amount of luggage or oversized bags, you may be automatically flagged for inspection.  Make sure prescription drugs are in their original containers, as Mexico has a zero tolerance for drug smuggling.

Airport Exit

After You've cleared Customs and Immigration the next step is to exit the Airport. Unless you want to spend the better part of a whole day in a high pressure Time Share presentation and sales pitch - IGNORE all of the people asking you where you are going. The transportation companies are waiting right outside the doors.

Sun Cabo Vacations is able to arrange Private Transfers, Rental Cars, Limo's or Shuttles depending on your needs. You can also find several Taxi's right outside waiting to take you to your destination. If you do take a Taxi; BE SURE TO AGREE ON A FAIR PRICE BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CAB. Most of the Taxi drivers are very fair, but like any big city there are people that will take advantage should a situation present itself. 
 

Bringing Pets into Mexico
 

Requirements:

In order to bring a pet (dogs and cats) into Mexico, the following documents must be presented at the Office of Animal Health Inspection (OISA) at international airports and ports of entry into Mexico :

If the pet is less than tree months, a "Certificate of Good Health" issued by an official authority or by a licensed veterinarian provided that his or her signature is approved in the United Kingdom and issued not more than 72 hours before the animal enters Mexico.

If the pet is older than three moths, the "Certificate of Good Health" must also states immunizations against rabies, distemper, hepatitis and leptospirosis. Any immunization must been administered at least 15 days before pet's arrival to Mexico, but not more than one year.

At the OISA Inspection your pet will be physically checked and that office will determine if the animal is allowed immediate entry or must remain in custody for an additional inspection. In the first case, it will be issued a zoo-sanitary importation certificate which is valid for eight natural days, which must be carried with you when leaving Mexico. In the second case, If the above said authorities retain the animal, they should also give you a voucher.

Customs FAQ's

What do I have to do upon arriving to the Airport?

After being cleared by an Immigration Inspector you may collect your luggage and proceed to Customs. Please have a completed Customs Declaration form available. The form was provided to you by the airline during flight. If you were not provided with it you may request one at the Customs information counter. Read it carefully before filling it out and, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask our personnel for assistance before you insert your Declaration form through the Automated Selection System (stop light). This service is free and confidential.
 
The Automated Selection System will determine whether your luggage will be submitted to inspection or released.

- The red light indicates that your luggage will be inspected.

- The green light indicates that your luggage will not be inspected; therefore you will be allowed to leave.

Even if the Automated Selection System shows a green light, the Customs Authority may issue a verification order to corroborate the declared goods.

Customs Inspection

In some cases the customs Automated Selection System (stoplight) may determine, without human intervention, that your belongings will be subject to customs inspection.

This is a simple procedure. Mexican Immigration appreciates your cooperation in order to make it an agile one too. Please follow our customs personnel instructions. They must treat you with courtesy and respect while they ask you to open your luggage and proceed with its inspection.

Also, they must handle your belongings with care. Remember that all persons entering Mexico are obliged to comply with Mexico’s customs provisions.

What Can I bring into Mexico 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

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

In which Case Do I have to pay Mexican 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

What 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  

What 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: www.economia.gob.mx and www.sedena.gob.mx

What 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 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 www.sagarpa.gob.mx

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).