One Carton cigarettes max per person or pay out the ass

If traveling from US to Cancun, Mexican customs now only allows one carton cigarettes max per person. We were the dumb honest people who told them we had 3 cartons. "no problem senor, you must pay us $218 tax. That's US dollars, not pesos, for being one carton over. The tax is over 500% times the purchase price. "Can we just throw them away?" "Nope, if you do you will pay a fine."
Being over on their booze limit incurs the same outrageous tax. (Over 500% times purchase price) Also, you get a bonus after paying the tax...a guaranteed "red light" so they can search all your luggage. Been there, down that. Buyer beware. Welcome to Mexico.

 

We met a couple from Ohio that had the same issue! although customs started it at $1,300 US 40 minutes later it was down to $840.... hour later they finally paid $250 they would only let them pay with a credit card... SKETCHY!!!

 

The hazards of smoking

 

We always grabbed a two carton bundle from Duty Free on the way out and it's never been an issue before. Sorry you guys got tagged with it, but good to know they're enforcing it now (we fly in on Weds). The changes to the import and tax laws went live on 1/1/2014 from what I can find online.

Good info on the 2014 changes here. It doesn't list per-person allowances, but it does list the taxes, which can be up to 493% for "cigars" or 319% for "cigars and tobaccos".

http://www.bajainsider.com/article/mexicos-import-duties-and-exceptions

Here's a more in-depth writeup on the 2014 changes: https://yucalandia.com/answers-to-c...nto-mexico-mexican-customs-rules-the-article/

"Passengers over 18 years of age, may bring in a maximum of up to 10 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco and up to three liters of alcoholic beverages, and six liters of wine. Items in excess of the above cannot be imported without complying with applicable regulations and restrictions."

 

Yea I always bring less then 10 packs with me, which all are just loose packs and thrown in my checked bag. Never had an issue and never have gotten the red light.

The thing I am questioning this trip is bringing booze. I always throw like 2 bottles of jager in my checked bag, and Elyse always throw 2 fireballs in hers. I knew the limit was 3 liters, so we were under that.

My question is this though, there is a duty free in the airport in Philly. How does it work to NOT put booze in my checked back, buy it in a airport before we depart, then carry it on to the plane in the yellow booze carry packages? Do you then just walk in with no problem and not have to pay?

I think this is how it works, but it seems too easy. Why wouldn't everyone just do this, instead of putting booze in the checked bag? (assuming your departing airport has a duty free)

 

Anything you buy in a duty free store is still subject to the overall limits you have on your declaration. So no you couldn't buy 10 cartons of cigarettes and 8L of fireball in the duty free store and get through customs without paying the fine etc. going either way.

Not sure about the US but in Canadian airports the booze you buy at a duty free is delivered to the plane and you get it as you are boarding.

 

It doesn't matter if you packed it in your luggage at home or purchased it in the duty free at your departing airport - you are still limited to a maximum of 3 liters per person total

Here is a link to the current Mexico Customs Form(in English) that everyone has to fill out when entering Mexico - if you download it and view/print it it does spell out what is allowed and how much of any item
http://www.sat.gob.mx/informacion_fiscal/normatividad/formas_fiscales/Documents/A30_ingles.pdf

 

Thanks guys for the info. No I wasn't talking about buying 10 cartons. I was just going to bring like 7 packs of smokes with me as normal.

What I was thinking was to not pack any booze at all, then just buy my 3L limit at the duty free in the US and carry it on. That's what I was making sure is allowed, and it seems like it is.

Just seems too easy cause I was thinking why would everyone buy booze at home, wrap it up safely for travel in your checked back, and transport it that way? (like so many of us do). Seems way better to not worry about it adding to the weight limit of my bag, and not have to wrap it up so it doesn't break. Then I can just buy it at the airport, and carry it to Mexico with me

 

Kinda reminds me everytime I was deployed, I always brought the max amount of cartons even though I don't smoke to "exchange them" for favors or materials on site.

CP

 

That makes sense, although I think for some that they may be worried about getting a specific brand or get a better price at a store near home than at the airport depending on where you live. But pretty much as long as you come in at or under the max allowed (either way) they really don't care about whether it's from a Walmart or duty free.