🇲🇽 Mexico— Cash & Currency
Servicio de Administración Tributaria — SAT (Tax Administration Service, Customs Division)
2026-04-25
Declaration Threshold
US$10,000
MXN
You must declare to customs if you are carrying cash, traveler's cheques, money orders, or negotiable bearer instruments totaling above this amount when entering or leaving Mexico.
What Must Be Declared
| Instrument | Declaration Required |
|---|---|
| Physical currency (any currency) | Yes, if above threshold |
| Traveler's cheques | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bank drafts / money orders | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bearer bonds / negotiable instruments | Yes, if above threshold |
| Credit cards / debit cards | Generally no |
| Electronic payment apps | Generally no |
Failure to declare
Carrying undeclared cash above the threshold can result in seizure of funds, fines, and in some jurisdictions criminal prosecution. When in doubt, declare.
Additional Country Notes
- 01Mexico-US-Canada Agreement (USMCA/T-MEC) provides zero tariffs on qualifying goods between the three countries.
- 02IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) is 16% standard. Border zone rate is also 16% (formerly 11% was abolished).
- 03Mexico is part of numerous FTAs including with the EU (TLCUEM), Japan, Chile, and many others.
- 04The Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior Mexicana (VUCEM) is the single window for trade declarations.
- 05Maquiladora (IMMEX) program allows duty-free import of materials for manufacturing/export.
- 06COFEPRIS (Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks) oversees food, drug, and cosmetic imports.
- 07Used clothing and shoes have specific import restrictions.