Does anyone have any experience with taking two laptops (or other restricted items) OUT of Mexico with them on vacation, wanting to return with the same items and not face paying duty on them? Is there a way to sort of register them before leaving so I don't have problems when I return? In my case, I have a laptop that doesn't work that I want to bring back to the U.S. to have it repaired, as well as another working laptop, so I will be leaving and returning with two laptops. I'm worried that when I return I will have to pay duty on one of the laptops. Is there any way to avoid this? Both of them were bought in the U.S. (but brought into Mexico at different times), so I can't show receipts that they were originally bought in Mexico, or any proof that they were both brought in under the duty free allowance at different times in the past.
I have no idea how to help you...but I *think* that the law says that as a foreigner you can only HAVE one laptop in Mexico at a time, so that's why you can only BRING one in at a time. I think that if you go to Aduana and say that you want to register that you have two laptops (so that you don't get in trouble bringing two back) that you will find that you are already violating the rules. Of course, since your laptop blew up the rules really ought not apply to you. Can you get a friend to bring the 2nd one in for you?
Hmmmm..... you may be right. And my plan is a bit convoluted. The plan was to fix then sell the blown-up laptop to help offset the cost of the new laptop, but I can fix it cheaper in the U.S., and sell it higher in Mexico. So, in the end, I'll only have one laptop here. (Are we even allowed to sell items brought in under duty free allowance??) I might have to wait and bring the repaired laptop back into Mexico another time - or scrap the whole plan and just get my data off of the blown up laptop without fixing it. (I wonder if I tell aduana that the whole blown up laptop fiasco is the fault of CFE they'll let me in with both of them out of sympathy? hehe)
Gringa, This is quite simple actually. The Mexican Customs form states what you can bring in Duty Free, on the back of the form. What you need to do is dummy up an invoice, for the cheaper of the 2 that you are bringing in, and if you get caught, declare that one. BUT, you can bring in up to $300 US so make sure that the less expensive one is shown as less than $300 and looks it. You can always "buy" this from a friend. I learned this the hard way when I brought 3 cameras in once in December, 2 of which were Christmas gifts. A problem with having more than one girlfriend. I thought the limit was $400 so declared, when caught, a total of $330 for the 2 new ones. Cost me about $5 US but an hour of time. You would also be well advised to put them in different bags before you get to Aduana. The duty is 15% of the excess over $300, payable in pesos. Mine was like $4.50 or $48 pesos. I gave them $50 and they had no change. So they ripped me for $2 Mxn.
Thanks for the advice TJ. I don't know why, but I seem to think that laptops are one of the exceptions to the $300 rule - that is, one laptop, period - a second laptop doesn't fall under the $300 rule. Same with cigarettes and booze. Correct? But a receipt from a "friend" or used computer store is worth a try. The blown up computer is only about a year and a half old but is well used, and looks it.
Gringa, have I ever lied to you? The only exceptions to the $300 rule are: "Alcoholic beverages, beer, manufactured tobaccos, cigarettes or automotive fuel." There are specified limits as to how much you can bring in of these items and you cannot get the $300 exemption. How do I know these things you ask. I just looked at an extra form I keep in my falling apart travel folder. With regard to computers, it cannot be a desktop. It can be " one used or new laptop, notebook omnibook or similar portable computer." Good night.
