Will they let you in? Do you have all your paperwork? Where did you stash your passport? Are you “allowed” to bring {fill in the blank} into the country? Do they speak English?
Entering any foreign country can be nerve-racking, but knowing what to expect when you pass through customs in Mexico will help ease your worries. Travelers to Mexico can expect to go through two distinct processes/areas: Immigration and Customs.
PREPARATIONS
Travelers to Mexico need to start planning for their entry six to twelve weeks beforehand by obtaining a passport at the nearest postal office or passport agency (find yours by clicking here). As of January 23, 2007, passports are required for air travel to and from Mexico and Canada for US citizens.
Once your passport document arrives by mail, keep it in a safe place. Once in travel mode, keep it on your person until your arrival. A passport showing your US citizenship is one of the most important (and useful) documents you will ever own.
PRE-ARRIVAL
The entry process for Mexico often starts on the airplane for those traveling by air. Flight attendants will often distribute tourist card paperwork and customs declaration forms ahead of time…it may be useful to bring a pen on your flight. This “tourist card” takes the place of an actual visa, as a visa is not required for short tourist stays in Mexico (see the U.S. Department of State’s site).
Don’t panic if this paperwork is not provided on your flight, though, as this just means you will fill out the paperwork at the airport. (Actually, you may want to panic once you see the long lines that this will generate!)
All forms are bilingual and provide clear instructions/questions: Why are you in Mexico? (tourist), How long will you be here? (enter dates).
Customs forms are similar, but instead ask about the types of things you are bringing into the country. Personal items are duty-free; that is you will not have to pay a tax to bring them into Mexico. You may also bring up to $300 (three hundred dollars) worth of gifts for friends and relatives, but you MUST be prepared to show the true worth of these gifts to officials if requested. You will want to be particularly careful with electronics and other higher cost items, as these most commonly cause problems. Checking the U.S. Department of State’s website for specific directions and limitations shortly before your trip will serve you well.
Once you deplane and make your way to the airport (many flights deplane outside and a bus is used to transport passengers to the building), you will likely find yourself standing in a long, hot line with your flight mates. If you are lucky, you are indoors…if not….. then I hope you wore shorts!
IMMIGRATION
Passengers are queued first at immigration, with instructions and signage displayed bilingually. You will approach an immigration official generally stationed in some kind of booth who will need to view your passport and tourist card. At times, you may be asked questions such as who you are visiting and why, what city are you traveling to, or what do you plan to do in Mexico? You may also be asked about your citizenry and other related questions.
CUSTOMS
Upon passing through immigration, you are then queued to baggage, and finally to customs. Plan on handling your bags and luggage while waiting for customs officials to process other passengers. So, if you have small children to attend to you will want to pack light or be sure to use wheeled luggage and bring a stroller.
An interesting and somewhat fun aspect of Mexican customs is the red light/green light signal within the customs area. I have seen many children amused by this process! Each passenger must press a large button that will light up either a red light or green light. A red light means you will need top place your luggage on a table to be unzipped and searched. The screener is looking for contraband, but also for items that you failed to declare on your customs paper or items that you are planning to sell.
Therefore, if you are visiting Mexico with a partner or other family members, divide your baggage up evenly at the baggage center! That way, the ONE person who happens to get the RED signal won’t hold everyone in your party up while all 40 of your bags are searched!
Meanwhile, those lucky enough to get a green light are free and clear and can proceed through the lines as directed.
Once you are clear of the customs area, you are free to move about the country!
Enjoy!
Source: Ixtapa Information
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