On a recent trip back to Rocky Point from the US, I stopped at the Mexican customs checkpoint in order to clarify some doubts that had come to our attention at RockyPoint360. Plus, I wanted to make sure the bottles of wine I brought along would make it with me to the beach for the holidays.
Let me begin by saying after speaking with a Hacienda (tax) agent at the customs office, as well as the Banjercito teller, they seemed to be just as exasperated with some of these details as I was. Note – Banjercito no longer accepts dollars, though you can exchange dollars to pesos at one of the importation offices by the border or, when coming through after 6 p.m., make tax payments in either pesos or dollars at the small Hacienda office at the time of voluntary declaration. We will continue updating this information if/when we find out about any new guidelines.
Some questions have arisen as to possible changes regarding the “franquicia”, or rather duty-free allotted amount that either visitors and/or residents along the border region can bring into Mexico. This question is also complex with the enactment of the Paisano Program, which allows for a higher duty-free amount during periods around the Christmas holidays and again for Semana Santa (Easter Holiday) but ONLY for Mexican citizens living abroad who are going further into Mexico (NOT applicable to the border region such as Rocky Point).
As may be found under the post “Declarations when entering Mexico” the Secretary of the Interior (SEGOB) provides a detailed list of allotted items that individuals may bring into Mexico as one’s “franquicia”. You may also find this detailed here:
http://www.aduanas.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_10210.html and answers to additional FAQs
http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/pasajeros/139_10179.html
What is my franquicia when traveling by car?
• For tourists to Mexico, individuals are allowed $75 US in new items per person.
• For foreign individuals with FM2, FM3, or immigrant status visas who reside within the border zone, the franquicia amount is $150 US per person (max $400 US per car).
• For Mexican border residents in general (legal age) the daily duty-free franquicia amount is $150 US when entering the country by car (max $400 US per car).
These amounts are valid throughout the year.
Wine not?
El que vino y no tomó vino, ¿por qué vino? ~ He who came and did not drink wine, why did he come?
In planning for holiday events, one of the questions that arises is precisely about how much alcohol can be included within the franquicia. The list, as provided by SEGOB, indicates 3 liters of alcoholic beverages (not wine) AND 6 liters of wine. In speaking with the tax agent at the Lukeville-Sonoyta border (11/30/11) he noted an additional 6 liters of wine could be brought in (subject to a 90% tax!!) but no more. We are still confirming some conflicting messages regarding as to whether the value of such purchases are or are not included within the allotted “franquicia” amounts stated above – stay tuned!
Yet, based on this information regarding franquicia, I am happy to report I successfully brought down 6 bottles of delicious wine gifts (750 ml each or 4.5L) on Nov. 30, 2011. Now, to figure out how much tequila I can take back! SALUD!
Sami, thanks a bunch. Looking forward to cont. updates you are able to get and will advise what happens when we cross next as we go up and back very soon. WE will be stopping to declare and give the 6L vino for each of us a go too.
Hi Ron,
Thanks for the note! Let us know how it goes and/or what other info you may come across.
Salud!…. Sami
Sami, 16, 750 ml bottles of wine for the 2 of us no problem as we stopped to declare our other items which also were OK’ed with no tax since we were under the $300. We wanted to be sure so we stopped, don’t want any problems.
Ron
Nice job Sami, been referring many people to this article good write up!