Mexican Caribbean Customs | Cancun International Airport (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to get through customs in Mexico airport? ›

The duration of the customs process can vary depending on factors such as the number of passengers and the complexity of the declaration. On average, it typically takes around 30 minutes to an hour.

Eligible travelers can save time at the border by navigating to designated Ready Lanes, keeping their eligible travel cards in hand, and displaying cards to the in-lane RFID card readers before proceeding to a CBP officer for inspection.

As a rule of thumb you are allowed to bring into Mexico whatever you need for the time period you will be staying in Mexico. You are not allowed to bring food, fruits and/or products that are not "company" packed and sealed.

Foreign nationals who wish to enter Mexico by land must fill up a FMME form which can be obtained online: https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html Complete this form with your individual information.

What You Can Bring into Mexico: When you enter Mexico, Customs officials will be tolerant if you are not carrying illegal drugs or firearms. Tourists are allowed to bring in their personal effects duty-free. The underlying guideline is: Don't bring anything that looks as if it's meant to be resold in Mexico.

Gather all your luggage and proceed to customs. If you get stopped for inspection you will be asked to open your luggage and the inspector will search through it. Remember they are only looking for illegal items. This is a routine inspection and it should take no more than 10 minutes.

Collect Your Luggage and Head to Customs

You are required to submit a completed customs entry form at the checkpoint. Customers officers will collect your form, and ask you to press the checkpoint button. A green light means you pass through, a red light means a quick search by customs officers of your luggage.

It flashes, at random, either a green (Go) or a red (Stop) light. Green means your luggage will not be inspected, red means it will be quickly checked. The whole process, from getting off the plane to getting out of customs takes about 15 minutes, rarely longer than 30 minutes, speedy by U.S. standards.

i'm travelling from uk to cancun and wondered if i'm ok to take over the counter meds such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, gavisgon , hayfever stuff etc? Should i declare them at customs? You can take them, no problem.

What needs to be declared at Mexico customs? ›

If you enter or leave Mexico, you must declare any sum of money equaling US$10,000 or more that you bring in cash, checks, money orders, other cashable documents or a combination of them. Failing to declare carries a fine ranging from 20% to 40% of the exceeding amount.

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel abroad, you must comply with the document requirements for that country. For a list of Foreign Consular Offices in the U.S. visit the U.S. Department of State website. Each individual arriving into the United States must complete the CBP Declaration Form 6059B.

Here's the link to the Customs website where you can complete the Customs form.... It can be completed online within THREE (3) days of your arrival date in Mexico. Print it and bring it with you. One form per family travelling together.

If you don't have to complete the paper FMM form at your port of entry, the official will place a stamp in your passport, instead, and mark 'Canje' to indicate that you need to exchange your visa for a residency card.

Cancun Airport Departures

If your flight is national, we recommend arriving 2 hours before departure, if it's international, we suggest 3 hours. You must have your documents in order and in your hand: Boarding pass, official ID, passport and/or visa.

Mexico recommends arriving 2 hours before domestic flights. Something to keep in mind is that airlines recommend arriving 45 minutes before domestic flights. While for international flights, the rule is to arrive at least 3 hours before.

Customs will take a lot longer if a bunch of flights all land at the same time, but, on average, it takes about 20 minutes or less to get through customs.