SAT Down and Listen: What You Can Bring to Mexico (Without Paying a Peso More)
Planning a trip to Mexico? Whether you’re coming for vacation, to visit family, or for business, it’s important to know what you’re legally allowed to bring into the country without paying customs duties. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what’s permitted as part of your personal luggage and how to avoid surprises at the border.
✅ Tax-Free Items: Your Personal Luggage
As a traveler, you are allowed to bring in personal items without paying import taxes, as long as they are consistent with the nature and duration of your trip. These items include:
CLOTHING AND PERSONAL CARE
- Clothes and footwear suitable for your trip
- Toiletries and personal hygiene items
- Beauty products
- A bridal outfit
- Baby items such as a stroller, playpen, portable crib, and walker (including accessories)
ELECTRONICS AND WORK EQUIPMENT
- 2 cameras or camcorders, plus accessories
- Up to 3 portable phones or wireless communication devices
- 1 GPS device
- 1 electronic organizer or PDA
- 1 laptop, tablet, or similar portable computer
- 1 portable printer/copier/projector with accessories
SPORTS AND HOBBY EQUIPMENT
- 2 personal sports items
- 4 fishing rods
- 3 surfboards or similar (with or without sails)
- Camping gear including a tent
- 2 musical instruments with accessories
- 1 set of hand tools in a case (can include drill, pliers, screwdrivers, extension cords, etc.)
ENTRETAINMENT AND MEDIA
- 1 portable music or video device OR 2 digital image/video recorders
- 1 portable DVD player
- 1 set of portable speakers and accessories
- Up to 10 DVDs, 30 CDs, 3 software packages, 5 USB drives
- Books, magazines, and printed documents
- 5 toys (including collectibles), 1 video game console, and 5 games
HEALTH AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES
1 blood pressure monitor and 1 glucose monitor (with test strips)
Personal prescription medications (prescription required for controlled substances)
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
- Suitcases, trunks, bags, or any luggage needed for transporting your belongings.
- 1 pair of binoculars and 1 telescope
🚬 Alcohol, Tobacco & Age-Restricted Goods
Travelers over 18 years of age may also bring:
Up to 10 packs of cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 200g of tobacco
Up to 3 liters of spirits and 6 liters of wine
🧓 Travelers with Disabilities or Seniors
You may bring mobility aids and equipment that support or compensate for physical limitations, including walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, and canes.
🐾 Traveling With Pets or Companion Animals
You may bring up to 3 pets or companion animals tax-free, including:
Dogs, cats, hamsters, canaries, parakeets, turtles, and other small non-raptor birds
Ferrets, guinea pigs, cockatiels, and similar species
Their required food (daily portion or a single 50 lb/22.68 kg bag per family) and hygiene accessorieS.
❗ Note: Carriers must be clean and free of bedding or toys—these will be confiscated. Carriers are treated with a preventative spray at customs.
If bringing wild species:
You must also present a Verification Certificate issued by PROFEPA proving compliance with non-tariff regulations.
🧳 Diplomatic Travelers
Personal belongings of the following individuals are not subject to customs inspection (including those of their spouse, parents, or children living at the same address):
- Ambassadors, ministers, consuls, secretaries, and staff of foreign diplomatic missions
- Accredited officials of international organizations.
💸 Duty-Free Allowance (Franquicia)
In addition to your personal luggage, you are allowed to bring merchandise valued up to the following limits, tax-free:
ENTRY METHOD
By Air or Sea
By land
By land during vacation periods (Paisano Program)
ALLOWANCE
$ 500.00
$ 300.00
$ 500.00
NOTES
Year-round
Year-round (Except Holidays)
Only for Mexican Nationalist (not border residents)
✅ Family members’ allowances can be combined if traveling together
📄 Show receipts or invoices to prove value—otherwise, customs will estimate
🚫 Prohibited from allowance:
Alcoholic beverages
Tobacco
Extra fuel (beyond what’s in your vehicle’s gas tank
📅 Paisano Program Holiday Periods (For Land Travelers)
This program allows Mexican nationals to bring more value during certain travel seasons:
Holy Week (Semana Santa): March 27 – April 27
Summer: June 12 – August 17
Winter: November 1 – January 8
📝 Final Tips for a Smooth Entry
- Always declare what you’re bringing
- Have documents ready for your pets or high-value items
- If you’re unsure about an item, check with SAT (Customs) or SAGARPA before traveling
- Keep carriers and crates clean and simple—avoid bedding and extra items
- If traveling with exotic animals or shipping pets separately, consider using a customs broker
Whether you’re flying into Cancun or crossing the border by car, knowing what you can bring into Mexico without extra taxes can save you time, money, and hassle. From laptops and strollers to guitars and furry friends, Mexico’s customs regulations are more generous than you’d think—as long as you’re informed and prepared.
By following the rules set by SAT and SAGARPA, you can avoid delays, fines, or the disappointment of having items confiscated. So pack with confidence, carry your documents, and breeze through customs like a seasoned traveler.
🎒 Bottom line? If it’s reasonable, personal, and within limits—you’re good to go.
Safe travels y ¡bienvenido a México! 🇲🇽✈️🐾
