ATTENTION: UW PHOTOGRAPHERS going to Baja Mexico:

In my recent trip to Baja (October 3-15, 2020) on a photo workshop liveaboard trip, almost everyone was charged.

San Jose Del Cabo .

  I just landed at SJD (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico) I thought it would be beneficial to the group to share my experiences. First off I am very a very experienced traveler and have cleared Mexican Customs at least 30 times.  This time was just a bit different and not just because of Covid-19.  At my check-in in the US I was directed to fill out an online  questionnaire about my Covid-19 possible exposure. 

 It also asked for what seat you were in and contact info (email and phone). I assume that this was for Contact tracing. I filled it out and took a screen cap of the QR code generated at the end of the questionnaire (thinking I might need it later).Waiting for the flight was uneventful.  There was a whole lot of plexiglass up everywhere and not may stores or restaurants open in the terminal.  There was a disturbing amount of single use plastics being utilized in the airline club (I asked the bartender to fill up my water bottle with her beverage gun and instead sh gave me 5 small plastic cups of water to pour into my bottle.  Mask use was a high priority on the American Airlines flight that I was on.  The person behind me was reminded twice to where his mask.  Once off the plane we we all put onto a shuttle bus for the short trip to the terminal.  The Bus was not as packed as some others I have been on, but there certainly wasn't any real attempt at social distancing.  Prior to getting into the Immigration hall we had to fill out a form asking us if we had knowingly been exposed to Covid-19.  This form asked me the same questions that I had answered on the online questionnaire.  I filled it out and handed it to the agent.  He looked it over, signed it, and handed it back to me.  No  one else ever asked for it.  It wasn't scanned in or anything....so I'm, not really sure what the point was, but as a frequent traveler to Mexico, I am not surprised by this.  After collecting my bags I headed to the Customs hall.  When I handed in my customs form the agent asked me about my bags (3 checked bags and 2 carry on).  She asked me what was inside the bags and I answered, truthfully, saying "1 is scuba gear, another is clothes and the last is for my camera."  She asked how many cameras I had and I told her, truthfully, that I was traveling with 2.  She then specifically asked me if I had a housing.  I said "yes" (no point in lying about it).  I was directed to a separate table in the hall where my carry-on bag and my UW camera bag were inspected.  The Agents seemed only to be interested in my housing (a 4-5 year old Subal).  They asked me very specific questions.  They asked me how old it was and how much I could sell it for (not how much was it worth or how much I paid for it).   When I was asked about how much I could sell if for I laughed and said that IF I could find someone to buy it I wouldn't expect to get more than $450USD for it.  I asked them about what was going on and they informed me that since the value of what I was bringing in exceeded $500USD I was subject to a 19% duty.  I told them that it wasn't for resale and I was going to be leaving with it.  They said that it didn't matter.  In my mind I see the dollars adding up (we all know how much a full UW photo kit costs).  The agents stated that "it's not that much, don't worry".  He went on to say that they just assume that the rest of the gear is valued at $500 and so I would only be responsible for the 19% on the housing (valued by me at $450). When i pushed back on this He changed the value to $350USD and informed me that I would have to pay around $57USD for the duty.  Doing a quick time vs. money evaluation I agreed.  I was then led into an office where a woman charged my credit card the $57USD.  She also recorded the serial number off of my housing.  I was given a receipt and a form (on which was a description of my housing and the serial number) that had both been stamped with some sort of official looking seal.  The woman expressly told me to retain the receipt and the form as this was a one time fee and that as long as I had the same housing and the form, I would not be charged again.  I repeated it back to her just to make sure that nothing was lost in translation.  I then collected my bags and went outside the arrivals hall to brave the gauntlet of taxi drivers.

  Throughout the the entire experience the Mexican Customs agents were professional and polite.  I have travelled in Mexico for years and am have had experiences with the "mordida" (bribe) and this had none of the feel of that.  While I didn't like having to pay more money, it is their country and their rules.  I felt the agent worked with me a bit and wasn't trying to take advantage of the situation; I travel with 4 strobes that are at least $800 a piece, never-mind the multiple dome ports and all the rest of the stuff that goes along with this crazy hobby.

My advice to anyone dealing with a similar situation is to remain calm, remain respectful,  and work with the agents to get to a reasonable number.  Do not attempt to lie or conceal what you are traveling with...it won't end well for you.

   I hope this helps other travelers.

Oh, I also asked my driver and the management at the hotel I am staying at prior to departure about what they plan to do about the upcoming Covid testing requirements for people returning to the US via air and they said that all of the hotels and resorts are working to have onsite rapid Covid testing for guests that conforms with the requirements of US health officials.  I have faith that the Mexican toursim industry will be on top of this latest change.

Stay safe.

The United States for International Business handles the ATACarnet (https://www.uscib.org/ata-carnet-export-service-ud-718/).  The Mexican ATACarnet web page, in Spanish, (https://www.atacarnet.com/mexico) specifically includes professional and cinematographic (photo) equipment in the ATACarnet permit. The sneaky part is "articulos personales" a vague term which can apply to clothing, but does it apply to photo equipment?  I would claim it as being included in the Carnet as "professional and cinematographic" equipment. 
Another thing one can do, if a Mexican consulate is nearby, is to visit it, or write a letter, and ask for a written statement that excludes the UW equipment from import duties.

I would nonetheless pack the separate housing halves with my clothes in a check in suitcase, as I always do, and not mention them when entering.  Carry the camera and lenses in a shoulder or carry-on bag.  

Here is the relevant Spanish text, I have highlighted the items of interest:
"¿Qué tipos de mercancías están permitidas? Casi todos los tipos de productos comerciales, incluyendo muestras comerciales, equipos profesionales, y artículos para exhibiciones y ferias de muestras. Artículos cotidianos como instrumentos médicos, máquinas industriales, obras de arte, computadoras, vehículos, herramientas para reparaciones, equipo cinematográfico, vestuario, muebles, y stands de feria.
¿Qué tipos de mercancías NO están permitidas? El Carnet ATA no cubre artículos promocionales, consumibles, desechables, artículos personales o tráfico por correo. "

Just got back from Baja, got dinged cost $95 dollars for a housing for an OMD EM1 MkII. I made the mistake of not arguing it enough and not lowballing them enough, I was too worried about them looking up the actual price of the housing so I said $600. Tried to play dumb with Spanish and use "small camera", "GoPro", and had everything in my backpack, but they are getting very very specific and targeted with questions and honestly have enough staff that are excellent in English it didn't really work.

Of note to anyone else traveling in this area, you also get fined for a second laptop ($100 for me). If you have two pass one off if you're traveling in a group or separate them into multiple bags at least, that's what got me the most. On the bright side, I never have to pay it again for this underwater system, will just get hit again if I come back after the upgrade. 

On 3/2/2021 at 1:13 PM, ScottyR said:

Of note to anyone else traveling in this area, you also get fined for a second laptop ($100 for me). If you have two pass one off if you're traveling in a group or separate them into multiple bags at least, that's what got me the most. On the bright side, I never have to pay it again for this underwater system, will just get hit again if I come back after the upgrade. 

Interesting. Did they explicitly say you would not be charged again if you went back with the same system and kept the receipt?

Does anyone know if this applies to Mexicans flying in as well? My wife is a Mexican citizen, wondering if we can get around the fee that way if she holds the housing? 

On 6/14/2021 at 10:58 AM, wolftalker said:

Does anyone know if this applies to Mexicans flying in as well? My wife is a Mexican citizen, wondering if we can get around the fee that way if she holds the housing? 

they might hit her instead with an import tax.

Sorry to hear this shake down continues.   I'm not returning to Cabo/La Paz/Socorro as long as it persists.   

Hi guys,

very interesting topic here. 

I will fly on thursday to Tijuana via Mexico City for sure with a lot of camera gear ;-)
I'm very exited what i will get in Mexico City. And if they also searching for underwaterhousings etc. in Tijuana. 

So the flight from MEX to TIJ is an domestic flight so fingers crossed that the customs in MEX are not in hunting mood ;-)
There is no "lottery" any more i heard, just x-ray scans of the bags?

I've never flown domestically within Mexico, but I would imagine that like most nations, there would be no customs component.   This problem has been most prevalent to Cabo, don't think I've heard any reports of it happened at the Cancun/Cozumel airports.   I think the odds are good for you.  (oh, I see from comments in 2020 that this is not a certainty)

May you have good shark odds at Guadalupe!

Thanks for your reply.

We will see on friday, if i have internet in the hotel i will let you guys know whats happened.
But i think the chance to get hit by the customs are less than in Cabo or La paz. 

I don't know how "good" they are with the x-ray to find underwater housings and cameras ;-) 
So fingers crossed.

i think i will have a good time with good shark action in guadalupe this year...

Marcus,

When I went to Guadalupe I also made it through Mexico City and Tijuana, and I should tell you they did try to shake me down in the former, but not on the latter. Bear in mind this was before it was actively enforced (Sept 2019) and that I speak native Spanish, so I managed to get away with not paying anything. 

Best of luck with it and with the great whites

Thanks mate, i will see.

I can't change it i have to bring the equipment so i will see what i get ;-)

I went to Cabo at the end of May for a dive trip to Socorro.  Several people from our boat got hit by the tax, some up to $400 for high end Nauticam housings and Ports. I managed to get through with out getting caught.

I tried to be a bit sneaky and it worked. I was carrying two rebreathers and my DSLR gear. I put the rebreathers in pelican cases, and packed my camera gear in a standard suitcase. I went through the customs gate first with the two pelican cases with just dive gear. Of course the agents zeroed in on the Pelicans and had my open them. Meanwhile my wife slipped through unbothered with the suitcases full of camera gear.

I have been traveling to Mexico for years.  I actually looked at buying a property there once, many years back.  Mostly I try to shrug off the seemingly never-ending corruption and scams,  but sometimes I find myself feeling really tired of it and like I just won't go back.  Recently I was booking a trip to Mexico and I just couldn't do it and booked a trip elsewhere.   It actually felt kind of satisfying to give the finger to Mexico, figuratively speaking.   Not saying I won't go back, but there is this bit of irritation every time I start looking at it.

I mean, come on, you don't pay duty anywhere in the world on personally owned items you take on a vacation and bring back home with you.  What's next?  "Duty" on my watch or shoes or cell phone whatever? 

I actually have Mexico-specific packing practices, and that just feels wrong. 

Okay, rant over.  I feel better now.

In all fairness they are upfront with this rules, and it's the same in lot of country in Asia, or like in the stupid French/Swiss border, that I cross at least twice a week every week day for 7 years.

And no one time have a swiis boarder boy that try to make me pay import tax on my photo & diving gear (brand new on the back sit, stupid of me). Cost me hours to retrieve the proof of tax payment in France and to show that I was a transboarder worker.

Know a lot that had to pay something, and claim back at the exit (good luck to get your refund in less than 2 months)...

just my 2 cts.

Have a great day.

I am so glad I stumbled upon this, such a great info with huge consequences. I was thinking of travelling to Mexico for diving but I won't be doing that any longer. It is such a shame since I was so set on Socorro. 

On 10/12/2021 at 5:02 PM, Ced Ferre said:

In all fairness they are upfront with this rules, and it's the same in lot of country in Asia, or like in the stupid French/Swiss border, that I cross at least twice a week every week day for 7 years.

 

no, they are not upfront, and are flat out violating their own rules.   You're permitted two cameras and their accessories.   A housing is an accessory.   The Nautilus Fleet gives you a playbook for responding to the shakedown.   Unfortunately, it doesn't work and the boat operators are a pretty tiny part of the tourism industry in Cabo.   

I would like to go to Cabo Pulmo and a cruise up or down the Sea of Cortez, but not while this continues.   I've scratched my Socorro and Guadalupe itches.  

Went to Socorro in FEB 2019 before these issues arose.  Read through threads several times and don't think I've come across a specific answer to question I have about a return trip in 2022.

If I were to fly USA to lets say Guadalajara or Monterey, spend a couple days then fly Domestically  to SJD and arrive at Terminal #1 (Domestic) would I still have to go through customs and the 'housings' shakedown??

I just landed I'm SJD (Cabo) a few days ago and got shook down.  I used the mentioned "playbook" and it didn't work.  They tried to charge me duty on my housing, ports, video lights, and strobes.  As a last resort I showed them my passport with all of my trips to Mexico over the last few years, and said I will never come back, still didn't work.  I asked to speak with the supervisor and he removed the duty from the video lights and strobes.  I mentioned the housing is extremely used and barely functioning and he dropped the duty down to $50 usd.  I should mention that when he wrote up the receipt the supervisor didn't pay attention to the brand or model of the housing.  I would recommend if you use Nauticam to just say it's a Nauticam housing and say you can't remember the model number.  That way you can use that proof of duty payment for all future Nauticam housings you bring into Mexico.  Absolutely ridiculous, but I intend on upgrading my housing soon and won't have to worry about paying duties anymore.

7 hours ago, Freelio said:

I just landed I'm SJD (Cabo) a few days ago and got shook down.  I used the mentioned "playbook" and it didn't work.  They tried to charge me duty on my housing, ports, video lights, and strobes.  As a last resort I showed them my passport with all of my trips to Mexico over the last few years, and said I will never come back, still didn't work.  I asked to speak with the supervisor and he removed the duty from the video lights and strobes.  I mentioned the housing is extremely used and barely functioning and he dropped the duty down to $50 usd.  I should mention that when he wrote up the receipt the supervisor didn't pay attention to the brand or model of the housing.  I would recommend if you use Nauticam to just say it's a Nauticam housing and say you can't remember the model number.  That way you can use that proof of duty payment for all future Nauticam housings you bring into Mexico.  Absolutely ridiculous, but I intend on upgrading my housing soon and won't have to worry about paying duties anymore.

That's insane that they tried to charge you on lights and strobes.  I can understand their confusion on whether a housing is a camera vs an accessory (IMO clearly an accessory), but there is no uncertainty on lighting.  A pure shakedown.

Question for you - did you declare everything on a customs form or did they search your bag?