Yeah, like @JohnD I had just planned to boycott Mexico until this camera scam was resolved, but this trip opened up at a price I couldn't refuse (that is, all I had to pay for is airfare), so we will see.

Something we’ve known about for a while, but it’s going to reach a wider audience now:

PetaPixel

If You're Traveling to Mexico, Beware of the Camera Tax a...

Public Service Announcement.

I was planning to go on a WS in April to Socorro but was put off by this scam tax, replacing it with Maldives ”Sharktastic” in March instrad.

FWIW, I just got back from a trip to Cozumel. We flew directly from Charlotte, NC into Cozumel and no one batted an eye at my camera gear or even mentioned it.

On 2/3/2026 at 3:22 PM, SwiftFF5 said:

FWIW, I just got back from a trip to Cozumel. We flew directly from Charlotte, NC into Cozumel and no one batted an eye at my camera gear or even mentioned it.

One data point doesn't make a trend but it is a start. Hopefully there will be more positive ones to follow and maybe this will spread too.

18 hours ago, Cromagnon said:

One data point doesn't make a trend but it is a start. Hopefully there will be more positive ones to follow and maybe this will spread too.

Been to Cozumel many times and never paid a tax including twice last year. However, there is a report now on Scubaboard of two persons paying upwards of $500. Per this (sketchy) report one had two systems and the other had a nauticam, a GoPro and a camera with a phone!.

Here is the thing, I have been asked how many cameras I have and my answer is an honest one camera. If I start going on about a GoPro, a phone and whatnot who knows what the result might be. Also, I have not gotten the "red button" in any more recent trips. Another unknown.

Edited February 11Feb 11 by Nemrod

A fellow Swede go tomorrow. Trick he say is, if you go from far away, fly to Mexico City and then domestic to CSL. I’m boycotting until this is dealt with in a trustworthy way. There are so many other places.

On a related note, this post showed up on my social media feed today:

"Has anyone else had problems bringing camera gear into Bali? I’ve done it dozens of times but last night they pulled me aside jn customs and told me I was only allowed one personal camera below $500! They eventually let me go, but I’m still unclear on the rules, on what was going on, or what to do next time."

Let's hope this is a one-off attempt by a greedy agent and doesn't become a pattern in Indonesia as well...

40 minutes ago, bghazzal said:

On a related note, this post showed up on my social media feed today:

"Has anyone else had problems bringing camera gear into Bali? I’ve done it dozens of times but last night they pulled me aside jn customs and told me I was only allowed one personal camera below $500! They eventually let me go, but I’m still unclear on the rules, on what was going on, or what to do next time."

Let's hope this is a one-off attempt by a greedy agent and doesn't become a pattern in Indonesia as well...

If Indonesia start this shit like Mexico some location will have less en less travellers. Lembeh is a good example of location where the count of resort will decrease very fast.

I'll take no risk an go north to Philippines if I hear some other case.

2 hours ago, bghazzal said:

On a related note, this post showed up on my social media feed today:

"Has anyone else had problems bringing camera gear into Bali? I’ve done it dozens of times but last night they pulled me aside jn customs and told me I was only allowed one personal camera below $500! They eventually let me go, but I’m still unclear on the rules, on what was going on, or what to do next time."

Let's hope this is a one-off attempt by a greedy agent and doesn't become a pattern in Indonesia as well...

Like you, Beni, I’ve flown into Indo many times including Bali. Never had the slightest issue. Let’s hope, as you say, it was a one-off.

3 hours ago, bghazzal said:

On a related note, this post showed up on my social media feed today:

"Has anyone else had problems bringing camera gear into Bali? I’ve done it dozens of times but last night they pulled me aside jn customs and told me I was only allowed one personal camera below $500! They eventually let me go, but I’m still unclear on the rules, on what was going on, or what to do next time."

Let's hope this is a one-off attempt by a greedy agent and doesn't become a pattern in Indonesia as well...

I went to Bali 3 weeks ago and had no issues with customs or anything, other than the x-ray machine operator wondering what my MF-2's were on the return trip........they do have a bit of a gun shape to them I suppose 🙄

I think there is some wording around the $500 limit in the entry paperwork, but I think there was a footnote or something that said it didn't apply for "temporary" imports, i.e it's going back with you and not staying in Indonesia

I'm lucky enough to go to Bali regularly, never had a single issue, but I know as Yorkie says above there are different rules around 'temporary imports'.

Back there in May, I'll ask around, but certainly talking to other divers around Tulamben its never been raised before

On 3/6/2026 at 5:25 AM, bghazzal said:

On a related note, this post showed up on my social media feed today:

"Has anyone else had problems bringing camera gear into Bali? I’ve done it dozens of times but last night they pulled me aside jn customs and told me I was only allowed one personal camera below $500! They eventually let me go, but I’m still unclear on the rules, on what was going on, or what to do next time."

Let's hope this is a one-off attempt by a greedy agent and doesn't become a pattern in Indonesia as well...

Have not had any issues entering Indonesia or heard of anything like it from other divers/photographers. Almost always questions about and brief examinations of gear, but not more than that.

1 hour ago, Christian K said:

Have not had any issues entering Indonesia or heard of anything like it from other divers/photographers. Almost always questions about and brief examinations of gear, but not more than that.

I've also never had issues in Indonesia, but this post was from an underwater photographer - as mentioned, it was most likely a one-off customs agent trying his luck.
That said, Indonesia did try to enforce strict customs rules on electronics when I was living there, and they started controlling incoming travellers (not just residents) for phones, laptops, and cameras, but backpedalled after a few days due to the chaos this caused. I think it was in 2022, IIRC.

I don't really understand how Mexican import regulations can be applied to personal goods which are going to leave the country with the tourist, which is virtually unheard of as it's not generally considered an import.

Edited March 7Mar 7 by bghazzal

58 minutes ago, bghazzal said:

I've also never had issues in Indonesia, but this post was from an underwater photographer - as mentioned, it was most likely a one-off customs agent trying his luck.
That said, Indonesia did try to enforce strict customs rules on electronics when I was living there, and they started controlling incoming travellers (not just residents) for phones, laptops, and cameras, but backpedalled after a few days due to the chaos this caused. I think it was in 2022, IIRC.

I don't really understand how Mexican import regulations can be applied to personal goods which are going to leave the country with the tourist, which is virtually unheard of as it's not generally considered an import.

Yeah, there are rogue ones in most places. And it might be individual confusion sometimes and explanations needed—tax on import of goods is after all normal for most countries. But trying to tax someones personal property which they bring in and then back out… that is a scam and afaik not the norm , even in Mexico. You need to pay ”camera tax” tho in some marine park areas on top of regular fees, in Indonesia too. Not a lot and I see it as a marine conservation contribution.

I wonder to what degree Trump’s tariffs are triggering the spread of camera taxes.

18 hours ago, Eric Hanauer said:

I wonder to what degree Trump’s tariffs are triggering the spread of camera taxes.

i don't think it's related at all, it's just that these are poorer countries and when they see someone with gears that cost $$$, they smell blood.

I doubt you'll see Saudi taxing any photographers for their gear when they will go diving in the red sea!

I just hope Cozumel remains clear.

Edited March 8Mar 8 by Nemrod

On 3/6/2026 at 12:25 PM, bghazzal said:

On a related note, this post showed up on my social media feed today:

"Has anyone else had problems bringing camera gear into Bali? I’ve done it dozens of times but last night they pulled me aside jn customs and told me I was only allowed one personal camera below $500! They eventually let me go, but I’m still unclear on the rules, on what was going on, or what to do next time."

Let's hope this is a one-off attempt by a greedy agent and doesn't become a pattern in Indonesia as well...

I've been coming to Bali (Amed) for years now, (now more or less living here), never had an issue. Similarly never heard about anybody else experiencing this, including folks coming over with fancy stuff like RED cameras.

Edited March 19Mar 19 by makar0n

Never had an issue as well, but have heard a couple of stories over the years, mostly related to work permits (suspected undeclared professional work projects in Indonesia) more than actual imaging gear.

Other than that blackwater photographer's post I reposted, looking into it I did find these AI-flavoured wise-words by Mr. Lucas White on... alibaba.com 😅 https://www.alibaba.com/product-insights/how-to-pack-a-dslr-without-looking-like-you-re-smuggling-gear-through-customs-in-bali.html

But yeah, doesn't really seem like the dreaded Mexican custom extortion is spreading, luckily.

Edited March 19Mar 19 by bghazzal

There was a thread on Blackwater Cozumel page on Facebook started week ago by Robert Stansfield (not sure if he is on this board). it is quite lengthy now, over 100 responses (some pure Facebook quality).

Reading the thread, looks like the "taxation" has spread even more, people posting about being hit "taxes" on dive computers ect.

There was also mention about director of customs being fired, but if i understood correctly, its Cozumel, not Mexico-wide director.

Maybe theres light at the end of the tunnel, for Cabo aswell. But not having my hopes up too high.

-edit

Looks like there has been alot of talk on Scubaboard and other Facebook grps about this in the past weeks.

Edited July 19Jul 19 by Sokrates

7 hours ago, Sokrates said:

There was a thread on Blackwater Cozumel page on Facebook started week ago by Robert Stansfield (not sure if he is on this board). it is quite lengthy now, over 100 responses (some pure Facebook quality).

Reading the thread, looks like the "taxation" has spread even more, people posting about being hit "taxes" on dive computers ect.

There was also mention about director of customs being fired, but if i understood correctly, its Cozumel, not Mexico-wide director.

Maybe theres light at the end of the tunnel, for Cabo aswell. But not having my hopes up too high.

-edit

Looks like there has been alot of talk on Scubaboard and other Facebook grps about this in the past weeks.

Thanks for the the update. Would you have a link to the post?
Unfortunately Robert isn't on here (big Bobetc fan here), but feel free to link this thread on the BW group as well - the more talk there is the better!
cheers

Damn FB!

The last post I see on that page is dated March 6...

Impossible finding something on FB.

Edit:

It's on the group not the page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18bTgGA3mp/

Edited July 19Jul 19 by Davide DB

9 hours ago, Davide DB said:

Damn FB!

The last post I see on that page is dated March 6...

Impossible finding something on FB.

Edit:

It's on the group not the page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18bTgGA3mp/

This post seems quite relevant:

Red/green it seems gave you a chance of avoiding scrutiny but now they seem to be going all out.

Best thing to do unfortunately at this time is to not go to Cozumel unless you are okay with 19% taxes on cameras, computers including dive computers and other expensive gear like rebreathers or anything with a new value over $500. And let them know why you are not going. And give no tips to anyone if you are there now and where taxed for bringing in personal items. Whatever is going on there, the stress takes the fun out of the adventure, there are other places to go.

Edited July 20Jul 20 by Nemrod