Bringing your drone to Mexico - Things you should know

[@paulsastroutomo4273]

Thank you for sharing your experience bringin drone to other country. You got very beautiful footages.

[@CreateandKaptivate]

My pleasure! Thanks for the comment👍

[@DroningaboutIreland]

I didn't bring my Mavic 3 to Mexico as like you i read that only Mexican citizen's can register a drone so i left it at home, I've since purchased a Mini 4 Pro and it will come with me to the Amalfi Coast, Italy in July, thanks for the information.

[@CreateandKaptivate]

That'll be a great opportunity. Have fun, and hopefully you get some awesome footage!

[@The__one1987]

awesome info... but am suprised that they don't have the same system as in Peru, where you get your custom back when leaving the country (if you have your drone with you). Never the less THANK YOU for the infos =)

[@CreateandKaptivate]

The system you mentioned, actually makes sense, too bad it wasn't that way in my case. Thanks for the comment!

[@ChrisWebre]

You got shaken down 😂

[@arjunshiralkar7489]

Is there always a bag check in cancun, also any issues bringing it back to the US, like in security

[@CreateandKaptivate]

I don't think there is always a bag check, the airport wasn't busy when we arrived so I think that's why everyone got their bags checked. I know someone and have heard of other people that have brought mini 3 or mini 4 pros with no issues. Coming back to the US I'm not sure of because I flew back to Canada. I had no issues with security in Canada.

[@millerm77]

I just spoke with a CitiBank representative this morning about this extortion. She agreed with me and asked me to send her my original receipt. She made no promises, but said she would actually put forward a fight. We’ll see what happens.

[@CreateandKaptivate]

That'd be nice if they could do something for you.

[@rudygutierrez2596]

Sounds like he got very politely extorted.

[@CreateandKaptivate]

Haha yeah, that's a good way to put it.

[@chhil]

Was it an import duty that you paid, assuming they felt you may not take it back? Usually declaring the item ahead in forms they make you fill out may have saved you the cost

[@CreateandKaptivate]

I didn't have the option to declare anything going into the country. I think there may be a legitimate tax if you were doing commercial work, but they weren't looking for an explanation from me.

[@pusdab3045]

Can I Bring My Drone DJI mini3 To Mexico and do I need to register?

[@CreateandKaptivate]

When I was looking into it, from what I understood drones under 250g did not need to be registered.

[@timokaiser]

Thanks for sharing your experience. However, the officers seem to have treated your "goods" as being *imported*. But they were not, rather carried in and out. There *must* have been a way to either get your money back upon leaving the country, or not to pay in first place...

[@IamHerk]

I agree, it looks like a "pre-sales" tax collected in case you sold it to a Mexican resident.

[@CreateandKaptivate]

The whole thing seemed a bit sketchy, I was asked a few questions, and given little explanation, but they had my drone ,and if I didn't pay I wasn't getting my drone back.

[@IamHerk]

Totally understandable and you got some great footage.

[@camilo8cheryl]

Strange, went to cancun twice 2022 and never was my air 2s got questioned at the airport..even my camera and expensive lenses and other gears. Just Walked straight out..

[@CreateandKaptivate]

I think I was just unlucky. When we arrived the airport wasn't busy so everyone was getting their bags searched. And when they came across my drone, they immediately took it. They were speaking very little English to me, so I wasn't really sure what was going on, but I'm pretty sure they weren't giving my drone back unless I paid their tax.

[@MaryMe-ts4zv]

Nah! You got played bro. Lol

[@pusdab3045]

Hi Can I bring a drone{Mini 4} into Mexico?

[@CreateandKaptivate]

Yes you can bring a drone like the mini 4 pro into Mexico, that's what I brought. However, there is a possibility you will be charged a fee or tax to bring it into the country.

[@diegol1208]

I recently took my drone to Mexico and had 0 issues going there and back. I think cops in Cancun know tourists are carrying money and can pay for things like these so they care more than they do when you go to a small city in Mexico. According to a few people on Reddit there’s actually a form you can fill out stating that you’re bringing in a drone that’s worth more than $500 and are bringing it back with you. The tax is because they assume you’re taking it to sell it or they know they can easily pull the money from your. I would ask for a supervisor and state that you’re not leaving the drone and fill out the document.

[@CreateandKaptivate]

The whole thing kind of caught me by surprise. I also know people that have been there with no issues, I guess I was just unlucky this time around.

[@arjunshiralkar7489]

Where is the form

[@The_Draque]

what airport did you fly into?

[@CreateandKaptivate]

I flew into the Cancun airport.

[@WeretheRoberts]

awesome info, brother... I may travel to Georgia with my drone soon... hahaha Were you a bit curious if the guy was being honest about the tax/ lol I would've been but I do understand you had no real choice but to pay it... They may have confiscated the drone otherwise, eh? It's cool that you covered this topic, man. I'm sure it'll come in really handy for a lot of people in the future...

[@CreateandKaptivate]

be careful crossing those state lines... haha I can't say for sure whether that tax was legit or not, I was given very little information, and it seemed pretty sketchy. But they had my drone, and I'm pretty sure the consequences of not paying, would have been worse than paying. lol

[@cibonthesaint8903]

You know that’s a fake document and you got scammed, right?

[@CreateandKaptivate]

I honestly can't say for sure, but there's a good chance I got scammed. But at that point they had my drone, and the consequences of not paying probably outweighed the consequences of paying.

[@rideronboard]

No that's incorrect...this can happen when taking expensive camera equipment into Mexico. If you can, have the original bill of sale with you. Might help. Also, state that you are an amateur photographer etc...and do not intend to use it for revenue.

[@kaakeman]

My understanding is this law actually applies to those doing commercial work. Yeah you could have said something different as another commenter said. Welcome to countries that basically live off payouts and bribes. It’s happened to me in other countries, you payed $150 to not have your drone taken away and get some cool shots. Lesson learned

[@CreateandKaptivate]

Yeah, you're exactly right, that's the chance you take. I still think it's worth it and would bring it again.

[@millerm77]

The same thing happened to me in Cancun Mexico. I’m going to challenge the charge and tell my credit card company that it was under duress. The ‘military’ customs agent threatened me to confiscate my drone if I didn’t pay. A guy next to me was being taxed for his iPad. What’s next, your clothes in your suitcase! Incredibly corrupt and dishonest policies!

[@CreateandKaptivate]

Oh wow, that sounds very similar to what happened to me. 🤔

[@mitchellortega4942]

Yes Sr, NO no no, it call mordida,Iam Puertorican as a musician,I travel around, mexico is tricky, if they ask for $$, you have to REFUSE, an ask supervisor in Ingles. They bs you... sorry sr.. I have learned my hyperlapse from you ch, thanks

[@CreateandKaptivate]

Thanks that's good to know. I appreciate the comment!

[@luisgarcia6577]

Hold on to that paper.. you basically paid importation fees and if you ever bring that drone back to Mexico you wont need to pay anything because you already paid for importation fees.

[@CreateandKaptivate]

I still have that piece of paper, and that is a good idea, I would bring it with me if I ever return to Mexico with my drone. Thanks for the comment!

[@the1andonly]

Great video talking about your experience. I heard of this tax from other KZbinrs, but still don't think it's legit. You are not bringing your drone into Mexico to leave it here. It's no different than your phone or your camera. I have never been asked to pay this and I've brought my Mini 2 into Mexico 3 times already. You also have awesome footage. I also recently found out that you can now register your drone up to 2 kilos in Mexico, even as a foreigner. Here is the video (on my secondary channel): kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYjGcmesqrOqpqM Happy flying and all the best 👍

[@CreateandKaptivate]

I really questioned the legitimacy of the whole thing, but not speaking the language, I wasn't about to argue over it. Anyway I'll have to check out that video you mentioned, but thanks for the other videos, they helped me prepare for my trip.👍

[@sokal6525]

Very fishy situation. Unless there's a special law about drones (which I doubt) following this logic Mexicans have to tax any camera that people bring on Cancun vacation. Anyway, my "honest" reply to their question would be - "My Chinese drone was $219 when I purchased it 2 years ago"

[@CreateandKaptivate]

I agree, it didn't make a whole lot of sense. And I like your reply, that may have worked better.