Cozumel, Q.R. — Residents of Cozumel held a peaceful march Sunday morning to protest the $42 USD federal tax set to start with the New Year. Hundreds marched from the Municipal Palace of City Hall around 9:00 a.m. in a march organized by local businessmen.
Protestors against the cruise passenger tax of $42 USD chanted that their purpose was to “raise their voices against a decision that will affect the arrival of cruise ships to our port.”
Island businessman Elio Reyes said they are hoping authorities will sit down with the cruise ship companies to talk. He said this past week, there was a breakdown in communications regarding negotiations between the federal government, who approved the new tax, and the cruise ship companies who have to deal with it.
The concern among businesses around the state is the effect the new federal tax will have on tourism, making Mexico less competitive cost-wise. Federal officials have approved the collection of the tax starting January 1, 2025, however, state officials and local businesses have asked it be deferred until 2026 so the cruise companies could absorb the fee and not pass it on to passengers.
With the new tax set to start in coming weeks, local businesses are concerned cruise companies will simply change their itinerary and sail on a different route to avoid Mexico.
Starting January 1, 2025, a new fee of $42 USD for DNR (Derecho de No Residente) or a Non-Resident Fee, will be applied to cruise passengers entering Mexican territory. The $42 USD DNR tax is in addition to the $5 USD Environmental Sanitation Fee (DSA) approved earlier this year.
Only cruise ship passengers who stop in Mexico are charged the $42 USD. The new fee will affect the cruise ports of Puerto Vallarta, La Paz and Los Cabos on the Pacific coast, Progreso in Yucatán and Cozumel and Mahahual in Quintana Roo.
Earlier this month, the Senate of the Republic approved the Federal Rights Law which allows the implementation of federal fees to various industries. One of those industries in cruise ships.
