Planning to visit Mexico soon? Be careful about how many electronic devices you pack.

With the rise of remote work and leisure trips, many travelers don’t think twice about tossing an iPad, a laptop, and other essential devices in their bag. But in Mexico, that could lead to hefty, unexpected taxes due on demand when you go through customs at the airport. Mexico allows tourists to bring only “one laptop, notebook, omnibook, or other portable computing device” on a tax-free basis, according to the Mexican Consulate General in Montreal.

In other words, customs officials may consider your laptop and iPad to be two separate portable computing devices and charge you tax on the value of one of them.

Real-life fines for laptops and iPads at Cancun airport

This is more than theoretical—it’s happening to tourists everyday, especially at Cancun International Airport (CUN), Mexico’s largest airport.

A friend of mine whose bag was searched upon arrival at the Cancun airport earlier this week experienced this firsthand. After finding an iPad and MacBook Pro in her luggage, the agent demanded that she pay 3,690 Mexican pesos (or about $190 USD) in duty for the laptop—or kiss it goodbye. She signed an official form in Spanish acknowledging the duty and promptly paid it by credit card, but was shaken up by the experience. She had never experienced this on previous trips to Mexico and was worried she got scammed.

My friend is far from the only one who was hit with a duty on a laptop in Cancun. Other visitors to Mexico have reported being charged for two laptops, or a laptop and an iPad, on online travel forums, including Reddit and Flyertalk. Still, many travelers aren’t aware of the restrictions on electronics when entering Mexico.

Gadget limits for visitors to Mexico

Mexican customs is serious about keeping your gadget game in check: just one tax-exempt portable computing device per person (yes, that means your precious iPad too). You’re also restricted to two cameras or camcorders, three cell phones, one GPS, two musical instruments, one pair of binoculars, and one set of portable speakers, among other limitations.

If you bring more restricted items than you’re allowed on a tax-exempt basis, you may be required to pay a 19% duty on the estimated value of the extra devices. That could mean nearly $200 on a brand new iPad Pro or $300 to $400 on a new MacBook Pro laptop, depending on how much the customs officer estimates they’re worth.

Getting taxed on a laptop in Mexico isn’t a scam

While it’s certainly unpleasant to face a big tax on an everyday item on the first day of your vacation, it’s not a scam, nor is it unique to Mexico. Most, if not all, countries regulate the quantity and types of items foreign visitors can bring with them on a trip without paying taxes, which can trip up even experienced travelers. In early 2024, Arnold Schwarzenegger got into hot water in Germany when customs officers at Munich Airport searched his bag and found a luxury watch he failed to declare, according to The New York Times.

Whether you’ll need to pay duty on specific goods depends on which country you’re going to. Duty often applies to luxury goods, tobacco products, and alcohol, but in the case of Mexico, it also applies when you bring more than one personal computing device (such as a laptop and an iPad) on a trip—even if they’re for personal use only and you don’t intend to sell them or leave them in the country.

Should you bring two laptops to Mexico?

You’ll see countless travelers online saying they’ve never heard of these restrictions and that they’ve brought multiple laptops into Mexico without needing to pay tax. The customs officers don’t search every traveler’s bag, so there’s a chance your extra iPad might get through customs without a hitch.

But unless your idea of a dream vacation to Mexico involves customs drama and surprise tax bills before you even reach your hotel, your best bet is to know the restrictions and pack light on gadgets. Leave that second laptop at home, or better yet, enjoy a break from screens altogether.

After all, the only thing you should be doubling up on in Cancun is tacos. Check the Mexican Consulate General’s information page on what objects you can bring in your luggage to Mexico and pack accordingly.

Article courtesy of Joni Sweet / Forbes