ATTENTION: UW PHOTOGRAPHERS going to Baja Mexico:

33 minutes ago, traveldave said:

Does anyone have a link to the actual Mexican customs rules/laws on this topic?  Would love to find them in English, but can probably work with Spanish if needed.  Thanks!

 

EDIT - Found it!
http://omawww.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/pasajeros/Paginas/Mercancia_ingresar_Mexico.aspx

So actually what this says is that there is no tax on up to two cameras and photographic equipment!

1 hour ago, waterpixel said:

So actually what this says is that there is no tax on up to two cameras and photographic equipment!

 

Correct.  The issue in the past has been that they treat a housing as a camera and not as an accessory.  So if I go to Socorro with my camera, a backup camera or GoPro, and the housing, they would want to tax one of the items because they view that as three cameras. 

On 3/31/2023 at 1:13 AM, Draq said:

I have not heard of nor experienced other places charging tourists an import tax/duty for cameras, housings etc.  I have been to many of the Caribbean countries, most of Europe and to places in the Pacific region, but have lots of places still to see.  Since I always have to travel to dive, I think it would be interesting and valuable to know where this duty situation occurs.  I have spent a lot of time in Mexico over many years and at this point just won't go to Cabo and play that game.  I would love to hear from you or others about your experiences or knowledge about this at other locations.  Your post inspired me to do an internet search and I could not find any helpful information.

Edit to add: perhaps this should be its own thread?

 

 

 

I believe it could happen just about anywhere,  when you enter a country you have a duty free allowance, most countries only apply it to new equipment, but if you get inspected you could be asked about the value of the equipment you are carrying, some countries specifically say you can bring in one camera.  People do try to import equipment in countries where taxes and duties on imported goods are higher to get equipment at a cheaper price.  That is why there is a carnet system to guarantee re-export of equipment - unfortunately it is an expensive option and for most people rolling the dice on getting a green light seems to be a better bet.

10 hours ago, traveldave said:

Correct.  The issue in the past has been that they treat a housing as a camera and not as an accessory.  So if I go to Socorro with my camera, a backup camera or GoPro, and the housing, they would want to tax one of the items because they view that as three cameras. 

Yes but material fotográfico  doesn't mean camera, it's photography gear, which housing technically is. In any case, the whole thing is a local scam and there seems to be no way of avoiding it apart than an import export carnet...

On Draq’s point on 30 March about setting up a thread on importations, we can certainly do this of course. For the moment though the only place reported is Baja?

Like many members, I’ve traveled all over the globe with u/w camera gear and other than occasional curiosity, have never been stopped. I just hope I’ve not now jinxed myself!

Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Fiji, Caribbean….. Europe, US  mo problems  

So, if I have one camera and one housing, I should be fine;-) Or gave my wife the housing and I had camera and gopro...

7 hours ago, Btscott said:

So, if I have one camera and one housing, I should be fine;-) Or gave my wife the housing and I had camera and gopro...

You should be fine with that.  Even if they interpret the housing as being a camera, you'd still have two (which is allowed).  

On 7/4/2023 at 8:38 AM, waterpixel said:

Yes but material fotográfico  doesn't mean camera, it's photography gear, which housing technically is. In any case, the whole thing is a local scam and there seems to be no way of avoiding it apart than an import export carnet...

So does this mean a strobe counts as a "material"? 

I think for most people this really doesn't sound like an issue if its just camera and housing. But if its strobes as well, and lenses, and (dome) ports then it is muchos problemas

10 minutes ago, sinetwo said:

So does this mean a strobe counts as a "material"? 

I think for most people this really doesn't sound like an issue if its just camera and housing. But if its strobes as well, and lenses, and (dome) ports then it is muchos problemas

no clue, just translated what was mentioned - I've never been there and don't plan to as long as this racket is ongoing. from what other users commented, they are just focused on the housing

15 hours ago, waterpixel said:

no clue, just translated what was mentioned - I've never been there and don't plan to as long as this racket is ongoing. from what other users commented, they are just focused on the housing

That's my understanding as well.  They are treating the housing as a camera.  I haven't heard of them trying to add in lenses, strobes, etc.  My read of the rule is that 2 cameras + "photographic materials" are allowed.  The translation I got on the "what you can bring" document is:

"Two photographic or video cameras; photographic material; three portable computers for cellular telephony or other wireless networks; a global positioning equipment (GPS); an electronic agenda; a portable computer of the so-called laptop, notebook, omnibook or similar; a portable copier or printer; a burner and a portable projector, with their accessories. " 

(Original Spanish - Dos cámaras fotográficas o de videograbación; material fotográfico; tres equipos portátiles de telefonía celular o de las otras redes inalámbricas; un equipo de posicionamiento global (GPS); una agenda electrónica; un equipo de cómputo portátil de los denominados laptop, notebook, omnibook o similares; una copiadora o impresora portátiles; un quemador y un proyector portátil, con sus accesorios. "

The "two" only applies to photo or video cameras.  

5 hours ago, traveldave said:

The "two" only applies to photo or video cameras.  

Honestly this really doesn't sound too bad then. It could even cheaper for you to send your gopro to yourself and back again or rent one if needed (as I'm sure they'd love to tax the most expensive item rather than the cheapest!)

On 7/5/2023 at 1:32 PM, traveldave said:

You should be fine with that.  Even if they interpret the housing as being a camera, you'd still have two (which is allowed).  

I don't think it works this way.   The shakedown does not comport with their actual law, and so hoping that they won't violate it if you only have your one ILC and housing is not likely to work out if you draw the short straw.  

I wonder if this will have any effect: https://apnews.com/article/mexico-city-airport-navy-5b1795b7d50a1b4853cc3373d79a454a

There is a statement saying "the government plans to give the military control of nearly a dozen more across the country."

One can hope.

Tom

23 hours ago, calbeardiver said:

I don't think it works this way.   The shakedown does not comport with their actual law, and so hoping that they won't violate it if you only have your one ILC and housing is not likely to work out if you draw the short straw.  

That was my feeling as well. I was also going to mention the Military taking control of the airports and how that might help with the corruption. Agree with Tom, let's hope it makes some change happen. Until then, will probably find somewhere other than Socorro and Cabo Pulmo to dive.