🇲🇽 Mexico vs 🇺🇸 United States
Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | 🇺🇸 United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs authority | Servicio de Administración Tributaria — SAT (Tax Administration Service, Customs Division) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| VAT / GST | 16% | n/a |
| De minimis (USD) | USD 50 | USD 800 |
| Cash declaration (USD) | USD 10000 | USD 10000 |
| Duty-free alcohol (L) | 3 | 1 |
| Duty-free cigarettes | 200 | 200 |
| Duty-free personal goods (USD) | USD 500 | USD 800 |
| Prohibited categories | Narcotics and controlled substances; Counterfeit goods; Pornographic material involving minors; Firearms and military equipment without SEDENA permits; Products from endangered species without permits | Narcotics and controlled substances; Counterfeit goods; Obscene material; Products made with forced or child labor; Endangered species products (CITES) |
| Restricted categories | Firearms and ammunition (strictly controlled by SEDENA — Ministry of National Defense; very difficult to import); Medicines and pharmaceuticals (COFEPRIS registration required); Food products (SENASICA/COFEPRIS registration); Telecommunications equipment (IFT homologation required); Used vehicles (complex regulations; PROSEC programs for manufacturers) | Firearms and ammunition (requires permits/licenses); Certain agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, meats — inspection required); Trademarked goods (limited personal-use quantities); Prescription medications (personal-use quantities only); Alcohol (state regulations apply; requires importer license for commercial quantities) |
| Known scams | Unofficial FMM sites charging a fee for a free form. The form is free for stays under 7 days or issued in person on arrival. • MEX-area unofficial taxi solicitors at arrivals; use only authorised airport taxi booth or ride-share at designated pickup. | Fake ESTA submission websites that charge inflated fees ($50-$100 instead of the official US$21). Always use the official esta.cbp.dhs.gov domain. • Phishing 'CBP refund' emails or texts claiming a customs payment is owed. CBP does not collect duty by email link. Verify any notice through the official portal. |
Detailed pages: Mexico • United States
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