Bringing Camera Gear

[DandyDon]

TSA on exiting CZM.

No TSA in Cozumel. Mexican security agents with their own rules.

 

[Titatom]

No TSA in Cozumel. Mexican security agents with their own rules.

Thanks. Corrected the error in my post. 'Own rules' doesn't sound encouraging

 

[ggunn]

Not bringing camera this time, but thinking about bringing a GoPro with accessories like the screws, video light and handle. Had a small allen wrench taken before by the Mexican agent on exiting CZM. I never went back after that incident. Unfortunately, I have to go back this year. Trying to make the most of it. Wondering if bringing a GoPro and video light is worth the exit hassle.

My wife brings her UW camera and video lights to Cozumel every time we go and she has never had any problems coming or going. As you have seen, tools of any kind in carry on will be confiscated on the way out.

 

[ggunn]

'Own rules' doesn't sound encouraging

It's not a big deal. They follow TSA rules pretty much (liquids, weapons, etc.), though they are zero tolerance on tools. Spare batteries in carry on used to sometimes be a sticking point, but since the airlines changed their rules to allow them only in carry on, it isn't a problem any more.

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks. Corrected the error in my post. 'Own rules' doesn't sound encouraging

The Mexican security guards have their rules to meet TSA standards, but I lost three rolls of tape to them once. Your camera should be fine. Just give packing thought.

 

[ggunn]

The Mexican security guards have their rules to meet TSA standards, but I lost three rolls of tape to them once. Your camera should be fine. Just give packing thought.

Yep. My stash of duct tape (I don't leave home without it) was fine in my carry on through TSA on the way down, but CZM security confiscated it on the way back.

 

[Titatom]

@ggunn - Can you stash the duct tapes in checked bags? I travel with them too. Guess I have to be mindful of where the tools go, small as they are. I usually keep the tools with their corresponding camera or video kit so as not to confuse or lose them. I have to rethink how to pack them now.

As for the lithium batteries, I have always placed them in my carry on and held my breathe when I went thru TSA or other country security authorities. So far so good. The last few days, I'd been on the TSA website reading the info on carrying power banks on airplanes. By any chance, are you aware of any issue that may arise with the Mexican authority, on entry and exit, with power banks? Are the rules more restrictive over there?

Thanks!

Cheers!

 

[DandyDon]

Can you stash the duct tapes in checked bags?

Yep, and I have no explanation as to why I had them in my carryon.

 

[ggunn]

@ggunn - Can you stash the duct tapes in checked bags? I travel with them too. Guess I have to be mindful of where the tools go, small as they are. I usually keep the tools with their corresponding camera or video kit so as not to confuse or lose them. I have to rethink how to pack them now.

As for the lithium batteries, I have always placed them in my carry on and held my breathe when I went thru TSA or other country security authorities. So far so good. The last few days, I'd been on the TSA website reading the info on carrying power banks on airplanes. By any chance, are you aware of any issue that may arise with the Mexican authority, on entry and exit, with power banks? Are the rules more restrictive over there?

Thanks!

Cheers!

Duct tape in checked bags is not a problem. Sorry; I do not know what a power bank is.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

The last few days, I'd been on the TSA website reading the info on carrying power banks on airplanes. By any chance, are you aware of any issue that may arise with the Mexican authority, on entry and exit, with power banks? Are the rules more restrictive over there?

I carried my power bank in my carry-on through Cozumel and then departed through Tulum airports during my last visit to Mexico in December 2024. The size of my power bank is 3 x 6 inches. Security folks at the airports gave me no fuss.