Customs in Mexico - declaring wedding stuff

leigh, did you decide how you were packing everything?

Great thread. Will definitely be helpful for the DR as well as Mexico. I haven't had to go through customs in YEARS ... but Tom is an old pro at it -- and he speaks Spansih -- so hopefully we'll do alright.

NO!!! I haven't decided how i'm packing everything yet. I'm actually working on this idea between now and tonight. I do have everything on my list checked off now, and i just have to figure out the packing in them here before i leave wednesday, or just give something for all of the people flying with us wednesday....

Hmmmmm. decisions decisions!!!!

I just got back from Cabo last night, and we took down three duffle bags full of OOT stuff: collapsible coolers, koozies, mini Pepto/Advil/Chaser, plus first aid kits, etc.

 

When we landed, we found a baggage guy to help us with a cart, I paid him $20USD, he handled all of our bags for us, accompanied us through customs (where you have to screen the bags again). The customs official started asking us questions b/c the lady screening could see all of the little things, and they were talking back & forth, he was asking me what was in the bags, etc and I was nervous! "Wedding stuff" wasn't an good enough answer apparently.

 

The guy helping us with the bags, instead just picked up our bags for us and pushed us through...so he totally saved all of our stuff! So, I would highly suggest finding a cart guy to help with the bags, and hope he's as much on a schedule as possible!

so, do you always have to go through the xray machine or is that just if you hit the red light? I'm so confused!

What about the airline regulations? Our airline says we're only allowed 2 pieces of luggage and their total weight is 44lbs....

In Cabo, you clear Immigration, and then get your bags. Then you stand in line again and send every bag, including carry-ons through a scanner where they xray it all, then you take your bags through customs and push the stop light where they can search there too.

Yikes! Now I'm getting NERVOUS!!

Don't be nervous! Just find a guy w/ a cart and give him some $$ and it'll push through no problem!

so did you just walk up to the guy and give him some money? Did you have to ask him to get your bags through or was that kind of understood by him without saying it?

Sorry for all the questions! I do have some receipts, so hopefully that will help too!