Visiting Puerto Vallarta - Part 5

Arriving in Puerto Vallarta continued:-

After you have cleared immigration you then head straight into the baggage claim area. If you are in need of the restrooms after your wait in the queue they can be found on the left hand side of the area just before the lobby. They are where the currency exchange counters are and just before the bend into the baggage area.

After you get your suitcases at the luggage carousel you will then join one of several lines that are setup to go through the customs inspection point. When you travel to any Mexican destination the maximum amount of currency you are allowed to bring into the country is $10, 000 USD. All suitcases and other items are put on a short conveyor belt and go through an x-ray machine. At the exit point of the conveyor belt you pick up your luggage and are asked if you have something to declare. You must let them know if you are bringing any NEW items into the country, and you should be accurate about their value. There are no custom taxes due on new goods valued at $300 USD or less.

This allocation is above the amount you are allowed for your personal items such as clothing, toiletries, suitcases, one laptop computer, and other essential items. However, if the amount of new items you are bringing in exceeds the allowable tax-free limit, then you will be required to pay duties on the value exceeding that top limit. If you misstate the prices you can lose the items.

This does not affect those just going on a holiday but if you are bringing in gifts for a friend then take extra care. The customs officials are primarily concerned with items being brought into Mexico to sell, and most especially computers and electronics which are very expensive compared to the U. S. and Canada.

You will then be asked to press a button that will illuminate either a green or red light, and whether the light turns red or green is completely random. If you push the button and the light turns green, then you will be able to proceed on toward the exit lobby. However, if the light turns red then you will be required to proceed to an area where the customs officials will open up all your luggage and search through them to make sure you are not bringing in illegal items, any new items which amount to more than the tax free limit or have understated the price or number of items that you have.

Arriving in Puerto Vallarta continued in part 6.