I did search this forum and I got a bunch of non-answers.
I’m aware of the consulate site and it has that restriction. But the Customs agents all don’t know the rules, and it really depends on who you talk to that day at that time, even if they search you.
So instead of trying to get around it or hope they don’t check, I wanted to just see what I can do to get ahead of it. My thoughts are as follows:
- Get a temporary resident visa, and while at the appointment ask if I can get an exception?
- Get the prices for both my laptops (work and play) and be prepared to pay the vat tax on the more expensive one (15%?). I would walk through the declare customs line and just pony up.
- Purchase a laptop / PC in Mexico that I can game on.
- Bring a mini-itx PC (they don’t consider that a portable device?) and buy a monitor down in Mexico?
When I go down I’m usually carrying a lot of gear on me. I’m usually staying for 2-3 months so I try to bring enough stuff to live / work off of while I’m down there. I got taxed on my MacBook Pro that I owned the first time that I didn’t even use. I have read I could use the receipt from that to prove that I’ve already paid the tax, but that would also mean I would have to bring my macbook pro laptop down with me again.
I was doing pretty well working off one device but recently with work I have to use said work laptop as opposed to a virtual machine that I was using before. Until I find a permanent solution, I just have to face the music as I head back down to Mexico for the winter.
I have Mex residency, but that can still be an issue for international incoming flights, especially in scammy pants Cancun.
My friend does a workaround for this, maybe not practical for everyone; He gets a ride from San Diego to Tijuana and flys out of there. They almost never search vehicles and domestic flights are cheap out of TJ.
Otherwise Merdia would probably be a friendlier airport
good to know, thanks.
When I landed at Cancun airport from Canada at the start of this month, I was able to use the automatic passport scanner to go through immigration. It gave me 180 days and I didn’t have to talk to anyone. I don’t remember what terminal I landed at though, not sure if that makes a difference.