Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Senate of the Republic has approved the Federal Rights Law, which includes a new fee to cruise ship passengers. The $42 USD fee or DNR (Derecho de No Residente) Non-Resident Fee, will be applied to all cruise passengers entering Mexican territory.
The measure, which is to improve immigration control and increase the collection of fees, was approved earlier this week with with 80 votes in favor of and 37 against. 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.
In addition to the cruise ship tax, the new approved law also provides for increases in fees related to mining, the extraction of precious metals and the use of protected natural areas.
Tourism entrepreneurs have expressed concern, pointing out that higher costs could discourage visitors from choosing Mexico as a destination, affecting local economies. Discussion on the implications of these measures continues to generate debate.
The new $42 USD DNR tax will be applied in the New Year.
Governor Mara Lezama says they are “sensitizing” the authorities involved regarding the effects that it could have on the issue of competitiveness. Lezama says she has maintained constant communication with the cruise ship companies who have also expressed their concern about this new federal tax.
“We are working in a coordinated manner with the federation, the treasury, immigration and the tourism secretariat, explaining the situation,” she said.
Senator Eugenio Segura, who chairs the Tourism Commission, had a meeting with officials Tuesday. “We are raising awareness about the issue of competitiveness, which is one of the fundamental concerns,” she said.
The $42 USD DNR tax is in addition to the $5 USD Environmental Sanitation Fee (DSA) approved earlier this year. That tax will be implemented starting January 1, 2025.
Cozumel Mayor José Luis Chacón made it clear that the Derecho de Saneamiento Ambiental (DSA) “is already a state issue” and the state must begin to collect those five dollars starting January 1.
He clarified that the state DSA is separate (from the DNR) and that with the additional $5 USD collection, Cozumel will receive 98 million pesos instead of the 64 million collected last year.
He explained that 30 percent of the DSA money collected goes into a natural disaster fund and 70 percent to infrastructure.
If a cruise ship arrives at Mahahual and Cozumel, both ports divide the five dollars in half, but if the cruise ship docks only at one of these two ports, that destination keeps the $5 USD.
As for the new $42 USD federal fee, he said that it is an issue “that is directly handled by the federation” and that they are waiting for the operating rules.
Governor Mara Lezama says she is preparing information that will be submitted to President Claudia Sheinbaum.
“I am preparing a technical sheet to submit to the Presidency to explain the situation of vulnerability surrounding competitiveness. We will always be respectful of our allies with the federal government,” she said.
Lezama says the DNR is a fee that was already established in the law, but cruise passengers were exempt from paying it. Since its approval, meetings have already been held with the cruise ship companies, ruling out that the measure implies a loss of tourists through the cruise industry.
“We have had great feedback in the meetings with the federal government, which have been very open. The goal is to reach agreements. We know the importance of tax collection and competitiveness.
“It is essential that the cruise industry remains in our state and we have made significant progress,” she said adding that updates regarding the implementation of the new tax will be provided.
