This will be our first trip out of the country and was wondering what to expect with customs? Not that we will be taking anything that will get us the rubber glove treatment. Just curious as to if there is any difference than a regular flight? Also are you allowed to bring smaller gifts back without any problems? Thanks.
We've been out of the country a dozen times or more (more). We've never been (nor anyone in our party) checked. It's completely random. Just hope for the green light at the airport.
green light/ red light. 50/50 you get checked. We got checked last time and they checked only one suitcase.
So basically just the old, "pull your shoes off and place everything in a container and watch it go through the xray or scanner" type treatment? Any idea if you are able to bring souvenirs back with no issues? Thanks
I always bring some sort of souvenirs back with me, if its a liquids from the duty free, they put it on the plane for you.. but ive brought back a wide variety of things and have never had a problem at either customs stops
When you get off the plane there will be two main checkpoints I believe before you are off to the time share hoard. First you just follow the crowd and line up to have your passport stamped. They will collect the forms you filled out on the plane and give you the bottom half (keep that as there is a big fee if you don't have it when you go to leave at the end of the week). Then you pick up your luggage from the carousel and get in the next line. They will X-ray your luggage again. The last step is to go up to the tables and hit the button. It is random (or so they say). Red means that they will open your bags with you present and go through them. Green means you can head outside and find your transport. (Do not stop for a single person who tries to talk to you inside because those are all the time share people. Your transport people will be holding signs outside) When it comes time to leave the rules are similar... just make sure you put all big liquids in your checked luggage or wait to buy them until after you are through the security checkpoint. (Then transfer them to your checked bags after you re-enter your home country if you are planning on flying domestic or else you will lose them!!) You don't even have to take off your shoes. Hope this helps!
Customs is a breeze both ways, no worries. I have been to Cancun 16 times and never once had the red light come up. Although they do have ''random'' bag searches at the boarding gate leaving Mexico of your carry-ons. The only thing I hate about customs is the line.
Customs and security – Things to be aware of. Customs really isn’t an issue, just make sure you declare everything. Coming back into the states, you had to put all you duty free stuff in your checked baggage; this was the only issue I saw. Coming back we didn’t even take our shoes of to go through Security in Mexico so I can see that there are different standards. Getting in to Mexico – just make sure you have all your customs forms filled out. After you get your bag you will go through a line and they will ask you to press a button. It will either be green or red so really is a crap shoot and I only saw one get looked at. Traveling – note that if you plan on taking just a carry on instead of a suitcase just be aware of liquid container sizes and how big they are because if it is over a certain amount you will have to toss it.
Going back to the states we had a small issues with some gel candles we bought at the gift shop and didn't want broken so we put in our carry on....Nope they made us throw them away as we had already checked our luggage and wouldn't let us take them on the plane in our carry on.
