Canadians heading to Mexico shouldn't pack these restricted items
If you’re planning a trip from Canada to Mexico, make sure you know which items are banned or restricted before you zip up your suitcase.
Travellers from Canada heading to Mexico should be aware that bringing prohibited items, even by accident, can lead to fines or more serious consequences. Of course, while some restricted or banned items are obvious, specific rules about other items can be a little confusing.
So here’s a list of what’s allowed, what’s restricted, and what should probably stay at home. Even items like cigarettes and alcohol are permitted, but only within specific quantity limits, so it’s important to know the details before you pack.
Electronic cigarettes
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According to the Government of Canada’s travel advisory for Mexico, it’s illegal to bring, sell, or distribute electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and vaping solutions. Not only could customs officials confiscate them when you arrive, but you could also face a fine or detention.
The ban has been in place for almost a year; however, the Mexican government has introduced stricter laws and harsher penalties. Air Canada warns tourists that bringing even a single device could lead to fines of over US$1,000, while multiple devices could result in higher fines or possible jail time.
Cigarettes and alcohol
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Although electronic cigarettes are banned, tourists can bring cigarettes to Mexico. According to the Canadian government, you can bring the following to Mexico if you’re 18 or older:
- A maximum of 20 packs of cigarettes
- Up to 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco
- A limit of three litres of alcoholic beverages
- A maximum of six litres of wine
However, you mustn’t exceed these amounts — even if you declare these items and voluntarily hand them over to the authorities, you could still face a hefty import tax.
Plant and animal products
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Whether you’re packing stuff for friends or simply for your trip, Mexico has strict rules when it comes to certain products.
Tourists are also warned that homemade or artisanal products are often restricted. The same applies to certain types of cheese and meat, eggs, dried grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, cut flowers and plants, and any planting material such as seeds, bulbs, cuttings, etc. Live and predatory fish of any size are also banned.
“This information may change depending on the country’s phytosanitary and zoosanitary status,” the government states,
Restricted items in your carry-on luggage
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Frequent travellers already know not to pack certain things in their carry-on luggage, but some more common items shouldn’t be in your carry-on.
According to the local government, restricted carry-on items include measuring and adhesive tapes, pointed umbrellas, liquids that exceed 100 ml, alcohol, some powders (such as detergent, salt, etc.), personal defence items, toy firearms, scissors longer than six centimetres, nail clippers with blades longer than six centimetres, baseball bats, as well as pool cues, hockey sticks, ski poles, or similar items.
Medication
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Laws surrounding the type of medication you can bring from Canada to Mexico can be a little confusing. However, the government assures tourists that, regardless of the active component, medicine for personal use is permitted as long as you have a prescription or a letter from your doctor. Prescriptions must include the name of the doctor authorizing the prescription, their signature, contact details, etc. Upon arrival, you must declare your medication to customs authorities and present your prescriptions.
“The medical prescription or licence must also state the amount of the substance required by the patient during her or his stay in Mexico, the amount brought into the country and the daily dose,” reads the site. “The medications must not exceed the amount required for your stay in the country. The prescription must be translated into Spanish.”
Cash
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Mexico has strict laws when it comes to how much cash you can bring into the country. Anytime you enter or leave the country, you must declare any sum that is equal to or more than US$10,000 (around C$13,651) in cash, cheques, money orders, or other cashable documents. And if you don’t declare this amount, you could receive a fine that ranges from 20 to 40 per cent of the exceeding amount.
Higher amounts come with even harsher penalties.
“Failing to declare sums of US$30,000 (C$40,956) or more is punishable by six months to six years of imprisonment and the amount being seized for the federal treasury if its lawful origin is not demonstrated,” states the government website. “Should you not prove its lawful origin, you will be sentenced to a period of five to fifteen years of imprisonment and to one thousand to five thousand day-fines.”
Visit the government website for more details on what you can pack in your luggage, as well as other prohibited items.