Flying to Mexico with cigars

[Viva Vegas]

I will be flying to Mexico with Cuban cigars out of Havana, how strict is customs bringing more then the 25 cigar limit into the country over night . Thanks. 

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, Viva Vegas said:

I will be flying to Mexico with Cuban cigars out of Havana, how strict is customs bringing more then the 25 cigar limit into the country over night . Thanks. 

Bloody strict but you are allowed 25 cigars. 

If you are passing through immigration, then you will go through the "red light, green light" inspection lottery. 

Red light and your bags are opened and inspected. 

They are not the sharpest tools in the shed and there is some leniency. Give them nothing however and take them nowhere.  You will be fine. 

 

[1daniel]

Also, the president recently allowed a branch of the military (I believe navy) to run a few of the airports in Mexico and he is expanding the program to I believe all of Mexico to curb corruption. If you don't claim them and get searched, then they will take them all. 

[helix]

But then where to smoke them ?

 

[bassistheplace]

agree w Prez. close friend of mine almost had a humidor confiscated he was taking to his home in Cabo.

[JohnnyO]

Hope your Mexican Spanish is up to date. Before you push the button you must declare that you have cigars and the amount. Also, that you are in transit. There is an office where a form will be filled out by a customs official with your name, passport # and flight information. It is best to have a duffle bag, backpack, that will fit all of the cigars and it must be carry on size. Upon check-in with your airline you have to inform them that customs (Aduana) has your cigars and show them the paperwork. They will contact customs about the gate and time. A customs agent will come to the gate with your cigars ask for the form and you sign off. You must inform the airline representative at the gate of your problem or they might not show up. Everybody will try to play dumb so they can keep your cigars. John

[Cigar Surgeon]

Very strict. 

Story time: I was flying into Mexico for a buddies wedding, and of course you know how it goes I'm "the cigar guy" so I'm bringing cigars down for the wedding party to smoke. I figured 50 would be enough to cover their casual smoking and my daily smoking.

I land, greeted by the agent and he asks what's in my hard shell case, and I reply cigars.  He asks me how many I have and I say 50.

Now at this point this wasn't my first rodeo dealing with a border services agent and whether it's Mexico, or the US, or Canada, you learn to pay attention to body language and above all not just what is said but what is not said.  When I told him 50 cigars he didn't respond.

I took a bit of a flier and after what seemed like an eternal pause I added "25 are for me and 25 are for my spouse."

It's fortunate that I did that because they counted every single cigar, and I saw the duty rates after the fact.

 

[Wookie]

Good thing Mexico has its priorities in order! 

[Viva Vegas]

If you tell agent you have 25 in the carry on ,  but don't tell him you have 10 more in your cargo pockets of your pants would then ever know? Do they pat you down or scan you? 

[1daniel]

On 7/24/2023 at 12:37 PM, Viva Vegas said:

If you tell agent you have 25 in the carry on ,  but don't tell him you have 10 more in your cargo pockets of your pants would then ever know? Do they pat you down or scan you? 

in Mexico city, you don't get scanned or patted down when you land if your flight was domestic. Its been over a year since I Have flown internationally from the United States to Mexico, but I don't remember them scanning me or patting me down. I just remember arguing with customs in the international baggage area about me having a 12 pack of mountain dew cans ( A buddy wanted them and they aren't sold in Mexico). Their customs are A holes and I feel like they do whatever they want whenever they want and make up the rules as they go. I fly to Mexico city often, so I deal with them regularly. I even had my buddy email the customs headquarters two months ago asking for the exact tax rate for bringing an extra 75 cigars into Mexico (on top of the 25 allowed) and she responded by saying that "it is a lot". But I also know that Mexico is a fly through country, so If you have a layover there and fly out of the country, Then I don't think you will have to declare them or pay a tax on them. If the Cigars enter the country though outside the airport, then that's a different story.

[Lunettesman]

Just landed at Cancun from Madrid. Custom asked me if I had cigars. I said 25. The dude say ok go. But most of tourists I saw were having their suitcase search. I was with my wife and you daughter so maybe it helped. 

[Viva Vegas]

Thank you

[Arabian]

48 minutes ago, chasy said:

Headed to Mexico City right now with Cubans. Will report back later today….

This sounds like some smuggling operation going on 😆

[Miguel Gracias]

When I visited cancun from orlando, the flight from havana also arrived. Customs were asking tourists if they were from havana, then the agent asked them if they had any cigars with them...