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Traveling to Mexico, Cancun
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Feb 17, 2017 19:49:03   #
orrie smith Loc: Kansas
 
My wife and I are traveling from the United States to Cancun Mexico. We have never traveled outside the United States before, so we have questions as to what we may take to Mexico without tax or penalties. I have read that I am only allowed one professional camera and the limit is $500.00 in value for all photo equipment. I find this hard to believe, but my wife is freaking out. We plan to take a d7100, d500, and d750 with about 8 lenses between the two of us. Valued at much more that $500.00.
Has anyone traveled to Mexico and could you advise me on what the custom regulations are. I have googled it and get many different and conflicting answers.
Thank you in advance for any information that will help us in our decisions.

Reply
Feb 17, 2017 20:03:16   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
I've never had a problem. Mexico can be funny though. Call the airline you are traveling on and ask or call the nearest Mexican Embassy – be sure to get names.

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Feb 17, 2017 21:29:57   #
Anandnra Loc: Tennessee
 
orrie smith wrote:
My wife and I are traveling from the United States to Cancun Mexico. We have never traveled outside the United States before, so we have questions as to what we may take to Mexico without tax or penalties. I have read that I am only allowed one professional camera and the limit is $500.00 in value for all photo equipment. I find this hard to believe, but my wife is freaking out. We plan to take a d7100, d500, and d750 with about 8 lenses between the two of us. Valued at much more that $500.00.
Has anyone traveled to Mexico and could you advise me on what the custom regulations are. I have googled it and get many different and conflicting answers.
Thank you in advance for any information that will help us in our decisions.
My wife and I are traveling from the United States... (show quote)


I have traveled to Mexico many times with no issues as to what I carry. No one ever asked what I as carrying - my personal experience. Any limitation generally would be a factor if you are leaving things behind - not if you are exiting with the items you went in with (for duty). Should a problem arise you can always ask for the items to be listed in your passport to be verified upon exiting the country.

I travel a decent amount internationally (2 to 3 times a year normally) with a good load of my camera equipment and have never run into any issue anywhere.

There are not a whole lot of photo ops in Cancun itself for that much equipment unless you're planning to visit Chichenitza, Uxmal, Merida, Tulum, Campeche etc. near that area in the Yucatan Peninsula.

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Feb 17, 2017 22:11:00   #
davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel
 
orrie smith wrote:
My wife and I are traveling from the United States to Cancun Mexico. We have never traveled outside the United States before, so we have questions as to what we may take to Mexico without tax or penalties. I have read that I am only allowed one professional camera and the limit is $500.00 in value for all photo equipment. I find this hard to believe, but my wife is freaking out. We plan to take a d7100, d500, and d750 with about 8 lenses between the two of us. Valued at much more that $500.00.
Has anyone traveled to Mexico and could you advise me on what the custom regulations are. I have googled it and get many different and conflicting answers.
Thank you in advance for any information that will help us in our decisions.
My wife and I are traveling from the United States... (show quote)


It is just as important to have your gear registered with U.S. Customs so they can't tax the gear on re-entry. Your Nikon gear was taxed once when it originally entered the U.S. but Customs will not be able to ascertain that unless you can prove you took it out of the U.S. AFTER the taxes were paid. We faced this problem during the Viet Nam conflict. A lot of us wore Seiko wrist watches and carried Minolta cameras. We knew to register each item , Customs gave us official forms that verified we had paid the taxes required ONCE. Every time we re-entered the U.S. we had to show those forms. Exercise extreme caution with Customs and Agricultural agents when you re-enter, they have licences to kill. They can and do use discretion as to what is and what isn't cleared. They are also their own appeals court. And you have little recourse unless you have documentation. Be aware.

Reply
Feb 18, 2017 07:46:18   #
berchman Loc: South Central PA
 
davidrb wrote:
It is just as important to have your gear registered with U.S. Customs so they can't tax the gear on re-entry. Your Nikon gear was taxed once when it originally entered the U.S. but Customs will not be able to ascertain that unless you can prove you took it out of the U.S. AFTER the taxes were paid. We faced this problem during the Viet Nam conflict. A lot of us wore Seiko wrist watches and carried Minolta cameras. We knew to register each item , Customs gave us official forms that verified we had paid the taxes required ONCE. Every time we re-entered the U.S. we had to show those forms. Exercise extreme caution with Customs and Agricultural agents when you re-enter, they have licences to kill. They can and do use discretion as to what is and what isn't cleared. They are also their own appeals court. And you have little recourse unless you have documentation. Be aware.
It is just as important to have your gear register... (show quote)


I have traveled abroad a number of times with a Nikon D700, a Nikon D800, and three Nikon lenses in a backpack and have never been asked to show proof that I bought them in the U.S. Customs never even looked at them.

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Feb 18, 2017 08:07:15   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
orrie smith wrote:
My wife and I are traveling from the United States to Cancun Mexico. We have never traveled outside the United States before, so we have questions as to what we may take to Mexico without tax or penalties. I have read that I am only allowed one professional camera and the limit is $500.00 in value for all photo equipment. I find this hard to believe, but my wife is freaking out. We plan to take a d7100, d500, and d750 with about 8 lenses between the two of us. Valued at much more that $500.00.
Has anyone traveled to Mexico and could you advise me on what the custom regulations are. I have googled it and get many different and conflicting answers.
Thank you in advance for any information that will help us in our decisions.
My wife and I are traveling from the United States... (show quote)


I never travel to Mexico with anything more than my point and shoot. Any show of valuables away from a tourist area is dangerous.

Reply
Feb 18, 2017 08:12:13   #
phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York
 
I just returned from Cancun and took a G85, 100-400 Panny lens, 9-18 Panny, Leica Type 109, Panny FZ2500, Gitzo tripod and monopod and never had a problem. I have seen people with high end Nikons and Canons as well. I think it is nonsense and I've been going to Cancun for 11 years.

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Feb 18, 2017 09:26:56   #
ML13400
 
I have repeatedly traveled to Cancun with over $500 of camera gear, and I have never run into a problem. Contact the embassy to see if regulations have changed. I also recommend the Mayan ruins in Tulum for photography.

Reply
Feb 18, 2017 11:43:07   #
Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA
 
Yes - call the US embassy in Cancun they are very helpful - I traveled to Cancun often and never had a problem or heard of one regarding photo gear - I lived in Puerto Morelos - 25 mi south of Cancun '00 to '05 . I do hope you have time to thoroughly visit/explore the Yucatan/Mayan area.


DavidPine wrote:
I've never had a problem. Mexico can be funny though. Call the airline you are traveling on and ask or call the nearest Mexican Embassy – be sure to get names.

Reply
Feb 18, 2017 12:01:31   #
Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA
 
Tulum is a good location with much interesting historical aspects - BUT - 35 klm away is Coba with it's several different pyramid styles and with far more photo ops- please don't pass on this site research it and you will see what I mean. A great 3 day trip is down the coast to Tulum - inland to Coba - further inland to Chichen Itza and back to Cancun - feel free to PM me.
Harvey
ML13400 wrote:
I have repeatedly traveled to Cancun with over $500 of camera gear, and I have never run into a problem. Contact the embassy to see if regulations have changed. I also recommend the Mayan ruins in Tulum for photography.



Reply
Feb 18, 2017 12:14:29   #
Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA
 
In my 22 yrs of travel and living in the Cancun are of MX I never heard of a person getting their Camera gear stolen or being robbed - stick with the main tourist areas as they are well guarded.

billnikon wrote:
I never travel to Mexico with anything more than my point and shoot. Any show of valuables away from a tourist area is dangerous.

Reply
 
 
Feb 18, 2017 17:03:40   #
MtnMan Loc: ID
 
orrie smith wrote:
My wife and I are traveling from the United States to Cancun Mexico. We have never traveled outside the United States before, so we have questions as to what we may take to Mexico without tax or penalties. I have read that I am only allowed one professional camera and the limit is $500.00 in value for all photo equipment. I find this hard to believe, but my wife is freaking out. We plan to take a d7100, d500, and d750 with about 8 lenses between the two of us. Valued at much more that $500.00.
Has anyone traveled to Mexico and could you advise me on what the custom regulations are. I have googled it and get many different and conflicting answers.
Thank you in advance for any information that will help us in our decisions.
My wife and I are traveling from the United States... (show quote)


Yes, travelled to Mexico numerous times. No issues with your stuff.

Reply
Feb 18, 2017 17:04:50   #
MtnMan Loc: ID
 
davidrb wrote:
It is just as important to have your gear registered with U.S. Customs so they can't tax the gear on re-entry. Your Nikon gear was taxed once when it originally entered the U.S. but Customs will not be able to ascertain that unless you can prove you took it out of the U.S. AFTER the taxes were paid. We faced this problem during the Viet Nam conflict. A lot of us wore Seiko wrist watches and carried Minolta cameras. We knew to register each item , Customs gave us official forms that verified we had paid the taxes required ONCE. Every time we re-entered the U.S. we had to show those forms. Exercise extreme caution with Customs and Agricultural agents when you re-enter, they have licences to kill. They can and do use discretion as to what is and what isn't cleared. They are also their own appeals court. And you have little recourse unless you have documentation. Be aware.
It is just as important to have your gear register... (show quote)


Never an issue. Post is nonsense.

Reply
Feb 18, 2017 18:15:00   #
Robeng Loc: California
 
orrie smith wrote:
My wife and I are traveling from the United States to Cancun Mexico. We have never traveled outside the United States before, so we have questions as to what we may take to Mexico without tax or penalties. I have read that I am only allowed one professional camera and the limit is $500.00 in value for all photo equipment. I find this hard to believe, but my wife is freaking out. We plan to take a d7100, d500, and d750 with about 8 lenses between the two of us. Valued at much more that $500.00.
Has anyone traveled to Mexico and could you advise me on what the custom regulations are. I have googled it and get many different and conflicting answers.
Thank you in advance for any information that will help us in our decisions.
My wife and I are traveling from the United States... (show quote)


Orrie,

I have travel to Mexico numerous times, Cancun and the Yucatán included. You can carry as much equipment as you want, but why would you. As a photographer who has travel and part of Nikon Professional Service I highly suggest you reconsider what you take with you. There's tons of great places to take photographs like Chichen Itza, Tulum, etc you can do that with one body and a all in one lens like a 28mm-300mm for the D750. You don't want to be carrying a lot of equipment when you climbing a Mayan pyramid in hot humid weather.

When I travel to another country for photography I usually carry 2 full frame bodies, 50mm, 16mm-35mm & 28mm-300mm.

Rob

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Feb 18, 2017 18:47:13   #
orrie smith Loc: Kansas
 
Robeng wrote:
Orrie,

I have travel to Mexico numerous times, Cancun and the Yucatán included. You can carry as much equipment as you want, but why would you. As a photographer who has travel and part of Nikon Professional Service I highly suggest you reconsider what you take with you. There's tons of great places to take photographs like Chichen Itza, Tulum, etc you can do that with one body and a all in one lens like a 28mm-300mm for the D750. You don't want to be carrying a lot of equipment when you climbing a Mayan pyramid in hot humid weather.

When I travel to another country for photography I usually carry 2 full frame bodies, 50mm, 16mm-35mm & 28mm-300mm.

Rob
Orrie, br br I have travel to Mexico numerous tim... (show quote)


I am also doing a family members wedding, the reason for multiple lenses. I plan to use the d750 with a 35mm, 105mm, and a 24-120mm lens for the wedding, and the d500 with the 24-120mm and a 300mm lens for site seeing. If not for the wedding I would only take the d500 and the two lenses.

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