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No more limits: Cancun travelers no longer charged for arriving with too many electronics

Cancun, Q.R. — Travelers into Cancun International are no longer limited to the number of electronic devices they can bring on vacation. On Friday, Governor Mara Lezama said that after a recent meeting with airport officials, the old law of one computer per person has been lifted.

As of October 11, passengers arriving at the Cancun International Airport will not be charged for having too many electronics. Prior to October 11, passengers arriving with more than one computer (laptop) were charged a tax by Mexico’s SAT (Servicio de Administración Tributaria).

Confusion arose since the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not limit the number of laptops passengers can pack, even for international travel. Following that rule, travelers arriving at the Cancun airport were being taxed as much as $190 USD per over-the-limit item.

That tax was charged to all international passengers arriving at airports across Mexico. The newly changed Customs law that comes into effect October 11, 2024 applies only to the Cancun International Airport. The Friday announcement in the electronics limit change is not country-wide.

The electronics limit lift announced for the Cancun airport does not include other international airports around the state of Quintana Roo. Cozumel, Tulum, Chetumal are not included in the updated Customs tax exemption. There is no word on if they will be in the future.

On Friday, state officials announced the change only at the Cancun airport. Both Governor Mara Lezama and the State Secretary of Tourism, Bernardo Cueto, announced the change specifying the Cancun International Airport.

Lezama and Cueto attended the Customs airport meeting Friday.

According to Governor Lezama, the electronics limit law was lifted after an airport meeting with Customs.

“After attending a work meeting at the Cancun International Airport, Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa announces that with the support and consideration of the General Director of the National Customs Agency, Andre Georges Foullon Van Lissum, it has been decided to eliminate the criterion that imposed a charge on passengers who entered with computers or electronic tablets, as their personal equipment,” Lezama said in a statement.

“For Quintana Roo, tourism is a priority activity and the streamlining of tourist service processes must be permanent,” she said Friday regarding the change.

Bernardo Cueto, the Secretario de Turismo del Estado de Quintana Roo also announced the electronics law update.

“Great news for travelers! Governor Mara Lezama announces that starting Oct 11, customs fees for electronic devices will be eliminated at Cancun International Airport. This change will simplify entry/exit for devices, boosting tourism and business in Quintana Roo.”

Lezama said she became aware of the problem through meetings, social media and news articles that reported the imposition of a charge for the entry of these devices, after which time she managed various approaches and working groups with the National Customs Agency.

“After a visit to the airport and a review of various procedures and criteria, an agreement was reached to eliminate the criteria that imposed this charge,” she said.

In making this announcement, the Governor of Quintana Roo welcomed travelers. “Welcome to the New Era of the Mexican Caribbean. We await you with open arms.”

After the Friday announcement, the hotel sector reacted to the news by applauding and recognizing the work of the State Governor and the State Tourism Secretariat in the effort to make the change.

Jesús Almaguer, President of the Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association and leader of the Mexican Caribbean Hotel Council, said the change is a great initiative by the Governor and demonstrates her support for the sector and the awareness of what each tourist who comes to Cancun means.

Bernardo Cueto (left) is seen here with Mara Lezama (right) after the Cancun airport meeting Friday.

Almaguer said “what was happening at the Cancun airport did not happen anywhere else in the world. It was very cumbersome because there is no law that says it costs 250 pesos to bring in an extra laptop or a tablet. Today, people travel with three or four electronic devices and the charge inhibits tourists, the convention market, millennials, youtubers and any normal tourist who travels today.”

David Ortiz Mena, President of the Tulum Hotel Association, said the new step taken at the Cancun International Airport will help to repair the state’s tourist image among international visitors.

On Friday Governor Mara Lezama posted, “we have eliminated the fee for passengers who bring more than one computer or tablet in their personal luggage at the Cancun International Airport!

As of October 11, 2024 Mexican Caribbean travelers can arrive with multiple electronics for personal use without an additional cost.

“As part of the working group with the General Director of the National Customs Agency, Andre Georges Foullon Van Lissum, we have eliminated this outdated tax as part of the work to streamline the processes of serving visitors.

“With these actions we reaffirm our commitment to the importance of guaranteeing an excellent experience during your visit to the Mexican Caribbean. United to Transform,” Lezama posted online.