Bringing Camera Gear

[cozcharlie]

I have never been asked.

If you go through customs with a large bag almost entirely full of camera equipment there is a reasonable chance you will be.

While some weird stuff happened early in the pandemic, in general I have found the Cozumel customs personnel tend to ask common sense questions. If you come through with a massive amount of luggage or a several identical items (like 5 BCDs for one person ) , they may ask you to explain . They are just doing their job so I don’t mind. (Unlike the BS that happens in Cabo where they just make up rules as they go along in order to solicit a bribe). Hopefully I am not jinxing myself !

 

[tursiops]

I have never been asked.

Huh. When I've entered Mexico, I have ALWAYS been asked how many cameras I have.

 

[rmssetc]

Huh. When I've entered Mexico, I have ALWAYS been asked how many cameras I have.

That's because you look so suspicious.

On my last trip (or last - 1?) I got the full bag inspection in CZM and the question about how many cameras I had. No surprise, given the space occupied by just a compact camera + housing + strobes + tray + floats + batteries & chargers, etc.

No hassle or challenge when I said there was just one camera.

 

[ReefHound]

Huh. When I've entered Mexico, I have ALWAYS been asked how many cameras I have.

I've never been asked about cameras, either.

 

[JFS]

I know a guy who brought in 2 cameras this past december. Customs Cozumel charged $225 tax on 1 camera.

 

[JFS]

If you go through customs with a large bag almost entirely full of camera equipment there is a reasonable chance you will be.

While some weird stuff happened early in the pandemic, in general I have found the Cozumel customs personnel tend to ask common sense questions. If you come through with a massive amount of luggage or a several identical items (like 5 BCDs for one person ) , they may ask you to explain . They are just doing their job so I don’t mind. (Unlike the BS that happens in Cabo where they just make up rules as they go along in order to solicit a bribe). Hopefully I am not jinxing myself !

I brought in 2 computers , 1 17 inch macbook pro and a 27 inch imac. I was questioned about the 2 computers.... I told them it was only 1 laptop and a monitor because my eyes are bad. they also were wondering about 2 dpvs.....5 sets of regulators.......I had to explain to customs about cave diving and redundancy and that I take my safety as priority. They let me pack up my 5 cases and leave tax free.

 

[ggunn]

I brought in 2 computers , 1 17 inch macbook pro and a 27 inch imac. I was questioned about the 2 computers.... I told them it was only 1 laptop and a monitor because my eyes are bad.

Smartphones and tablets could also be considered to be computers as well as cameras.

 

[ggunn]

I brought in 2 computers , 1 17 inch macbook pro and a 27 inch imac. I was questioned about the 2 computers.... I told them it was only 1 laptop and a monitor because my eyes are bad. they also were wondering about 2 dpvs.....5 sets of regulators.......I had to explain to customs about cave diving and redundancy and that I take my safety as priority. They let me pack up my 5 cases and leave tax free.

Perhaps the fact that you live on the island led them to look more closely at what you were bringing in. No tourist is going to take a big iMac to Cozumel.

 

[JFS]

Perhaps the fact that you live on the island led them to look more closely at what you were bringing in. No tourist is going to take a big iMac to Cozumel.

They looked closely because I was single person with 5 big luggage pieces plus carryon. They asked me what I was doing with all this equipment. They took everything out. I brought a vehicle down later full to the max and was about to be inspected by border customs. I was talking with the supervisor while they were starting to go through my vehicle and i told him him I live and work in Cozumel. Produced my Mexican ID and he told the inspectors to stop. Sent me on my way......