Customs in Cabo San Lucas
Customs and security are important at SJD Airport. The Mexican Customs Authorities at SJD Airport provide information (in Spanish) regarding imports to and exports from Mexico.
Customs Rules
Import Regulations:
Free import
1. (only for persons over 18 years of age:) 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 200 grams of pipe tobacco;
2. (only for persons over 18 years of age:) 3 liters of wine or liquor (alcoholic beverages);
3. a reasonable quantity of perfume, eau-de-cologne and lotions for personal use;
4. food items for personal consumption;
5. a photo or movie or video camera. One additional camera for passengers residing outside Mexico;
6. 12 rolls of film or video cassettes;
7. goods up to USD $500.
Arms and Ammunition Regulations:
Firearms and ammunition require import permit and declaration form, to be obtained from Secretaria de la Defensa Nacional (“Secretary of the National Defense”), Estado Mayor 6a. Seccion, Lomas de Sotelo, Mexico D.F.. Airlines must inform (in writing) the customs authorities, at least 24 hours in advance. Further information can be found at: http://www.sedena.gob.mx/.
Wild Fauna and Flora:
The import of certain endangered species of plant, live animals and their products is prohibited or restricted under CITES. For further details please refer to CITES: www.cites.org.
Additional Information on regulations:
Prohibited:
– any un-canned foodstuff (e.g. pork) and derivatives.
Import of canned food is permitted, except for pork and derivatives. Detailed information can be found here or contact the nearest representation of Mexico.
– earth, plants, parts of them, flowers, fruits, seeds or materials of vegetable origin used as containers, packing or in the manufacture of handicrafts. It is allowed to import seeds and plants of varieties and species that are beneficial to the nation, having first secured authorization from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Goods imported in addition to the categories above are dutiable, but exempt from import license, if the total value of these additional goods is max USD $500 and the value of goods of the same character (e.g. leather goods) included therein is max USD $100. Excluded from these additional goods are articles considered unnecessary luxury goods, e.g. ivory, cut-glass, porcelain, electrical appliances etc.
Export Regulations:
Free export of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. Prohibited: the export of archaeological relics.
Crew members customs regulations:
– goods for personal use only;
– digital or written manuals and/or documents related to their job, including software;
– 1 laptop or notebook (or similar) and its accessories;
– 1 video camera and its accessories;
– 10 DVDs, 30 CDs and a storage device for any electronic equipment;
– books, magazines and other publications;
– 1 photo camera, 1 mobile phone (or similar), 1 electronic agenda and its accessories;
– 1 piece of luggage or any other items necessary for the transfer of baggage.
Merchandise not exceeding USD $150 in value can be imported against payment of a global tax of 16%.
Baggage Clearance regulations::
All baggage in transit and connecting with a domestic flight must be cleared at the first port of entry. Passengers will have to claim their baggage and proceed through customs for inspection.
Airport Embarkation Tax
International Airport Departure Tax/Tourism Tax is levied on passengers departing from Mexico on international flights, which differs per airport and ranges USD $18-$29 each.
Place of payment: airport of departure in Mexico (if not already included in ticket).
Exempt:
1. Children under 2 years of age;
2. Holders of a diplomatic passport (not applicable to nationals of Ecuador).
3. Transit passengers complying with the TWOV conditions;
4. Airline crew traveling on duty;
5. From Tourism Tax: nationals and residents of Mexico.
Currency Rules
Currency Import Regulations:
Local currency (Mexican Peso-MXN) and foreign currencies: up to USD $10,000 or equivalent in freely convertible currencies. Higher amounts must be declared on arrival. Exchange into local currency is only allowed at authorized banks.
Currency Export regulations:
Local currency (Mexican Peso-MXN) and foreign currencies: up to USD $10,000 or equivalent in freely convertible currencies. Higher amounts must have been declared on arrival.
Restricted Hazardous Items
To ensure the safety of our customers and employees, SJD will no longer accept smart bags with non-removable lithium-ion batteries and they will not be permitted as carry-on or checked baggage flight.
Hoverboards or any lithium battery powered self-balancing personal transportation devices are also not permitted as both carry-on and checked baggage by all airlines.
Spare batteries for other devices, including approved fuel cells are permitted in carry-on baggage only. If your carry-on bag contains these items and is gate-checked, it must be removed and carried in the cabin.
Prescription Drugs in Mexico
Please note that it’s illegal to bring into Mexico many over-the-counter medicines commonly used in the United States. This can include inhalers, some allergy and sinus medications. Mexico strongly regulates products that contain stimulants (medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, such as Actifed, Sudafed, and Vicks inhalers) or codeine is prohibited.
Individuals are advised to carry a copy of the prescription or doctor’s letter but it is still possible that you may be subject to arrest for arriving in Mexico with substances in these lists. A list of narcotics that are prohibited in Mexico can be found at http://www.aduanas-mexico.com.mx.
Prohibited & Permissible Items in Mexico
- All articles acquired in Mexico must be declared
- $800 exemption for gifts and personal articles, including one liter of alcoholic beverages per person over 21 every 30 days
- Cuban cigars are strictly prohibited
- Cannabis products including CBD-Only products are not permitted in Mexico
- CBP has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs. Any type, in any amount, may result in serious fines, seizure of a vehicle, federal record and/or imprisonment.
- Switchblade knives, sea turtle boots or any other articles of endangered species (i.e. spotted cats, coral, crocodile, elephant, etc) are prohibited.
- Carrying cash or bearer negotiable instruments is legal. However, failing to declare it is a violation of Mexican Laws and punishable by law when the total amount exceeds $10,000 USD, and by imprisonment when it exceeds $30,000 USD
Duty-Free Allowance
The duty-free allowance is a tax exemption granted by the Mexican Government to a national or foreign passenger for certain merchandise they bring into Mexico.
- During holiday periods –Easter, Summer, Christmas and New Year’s, passengers may import up to $500.00 USD
- Passengers entering Mexico by air or a maritime port may import up to $500.00 USD
- Read more on our page about Duty-Free in Mexico
Firearms in Mexico
Firearms in Mexico are strictly prohibited. Importing weapons, ammunition, cartridges, explosive, and related chemical substances to Mexico requires the appropriate permits. Your failure to obtain a valid firearm permit may be deemed as an offense and may even be punishable by imprisonment.
Are Fireworks Allowed in Mexico?
No. The transportation of explosives, including materials and ingredients to make explosives, is not permitted at the Los Cabos Airport. Fireworks and sparklers are flammable and are manufactured from explosive materials. They are considered hazardous and forbidden on any aircraft in checked baggage or carry-on bags.
This applies to all varieties including, but not limited to aerial repeater fireworks, aerial shell fireworks, bottle rockets, chasers, firecrackers, flying spinners, fountains, ground spinners, missiles, parachute fireworks, poppers, Roman candles, skyrockets, smoke fireworks, snakes, snaps, sparklers, strobes, and colored wheels.
Security at SJD Los Cabos Airport
Los Cabos Airport has full-time security staff on the property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 365 days a year. If you have an emergency please call 911. If you need general security assistance or questions please visit our page on Cabo Airport Security or call +52 624 146 5111.