Customs in Mexico - declaring wedding stuff

[elissae]

Originally Posted by murmel 

 

 

You just have to claim the number of suitcases as your luggage(whether it be 2 or 7). But if you have someone else taking a bag for you-they claim that bag on their custom form.

 

Don't claim shipping/handling or taxes -just the actual cost of the items.

 

As for the sand ceremony...I think I can shed some light on why customs stopped shan. Sand from a beach, is technically illegal to bring into the US or Canada(from anywhere in the world). It falls under the same category as fresh fruits/veggies...odd I know, but they are worried about local bacteria/diseases being transferred. So should you do the sand ceremony, they want to know it's sand that has been purchased, and hence cleaned commercially. As well, to keep the sand from shifting, consider taking a sponge along. You stuff it into the top of the vase to keep the sand tight.

Thank you so much murmel.  You are putting me at ease.  One more question as far as the receipts.  I am putting together a summary sheet (excel) listing the contents of each suitcase along with the correlating receipts.  How specific do I need to be?  I was going to list each line item as follows & then put a total $ at the bottom of the listed items:  Is this good enough?  Thanks!

 

The item                          Unit cost                      # of items packed                  total unit cost

 

Mugs                                $2.99                             67                                             $200.33    

[murmel]

Originally Posted by elissae 

 

Thank you so much murmel.  You are putting me at ease.  One more question as far as the receipts.  I am putting together a summary sheet (excel) listing the contents of each suitcase along with the correlating receipts.  How specific do I need to be?  I was going to list each line item as follows & then put a total $ at the bottom of the listed items:  Is this good enough?  Thanks!

 

The item                          Unit cost                      # of items packed                  total unit cost

 

Mugs                                $2.99                             67                                             $200.33    

Elissae- You are going above and beyond! LOL I think I just had a general list, and the totals I think if you have something like the example above, it is super easy to understand and clear. I think that will be wonderful. Especially if you have other guests carrying a suitcase, then they will know exactly what to tell customs in the event they get the 'red light'.

 

At the end of the day, your chances of getting stopped by customs are quite slim. But it's great to be prepared! You must be close to heading south- so excited for you!

[elissae]

Originally Posted by murmel 

 

Elissae- You are going above and beyond! LOL I think I just had a general list, and the totals I think if you have something like the example above, it is super easy to understand and clear. I think that will be wonderful. Especially if you have other guests carrying a suitcase, then they will know exactly what to tell customs in the event they get the 'red light'.

 

At the end of the day, your chances of getting stopped by customs are quite slim. But it's great to be prepared! You must be close to heading south- so excited for you!

LOL!  I KNOW!  I am a nut!  I guess I am just anxious and nervous that something would go wrong.   I'd cry if I had issues!   I will have 4 suitcases of wedding stuff (which will not come home with me) & 2 of my own suitcases plus my gown.....We leave 3 weeks from today!  We are there for 11 days.  The wedding is not until that following Tuesday 4/2 after we arrive.  I think I will be calm once I get all this stuff into my room and can put these OOT Bags together!  LMAO! 

 

You have been so sweet & helpful!  Thanks so much!  xoxo

[Melissa14]

Oh Oh something else to think about.

[murmel]

Hello ladies. Thought this might be useful. It is a copy of the actual customs form declaration with the rules as of May 2013. (I would guess it could change at some point, but it is current right now)

 

[Katie Bruner]

I am trying to understand all of this as my wedding is in Cancun in February.  Each bag needs to be under $300??  That will almost be impossible for me due to the fact that I will have my wedding party gifts and all my favors and OOT bags and everything that goes in them.  I was planning on throwing it all into one bag, but I am glad I ran across this forum.  Anyone have any suggestions?  You think if I just tell them its for my wedding (I will obviously be carrying my wedding dress) and pay off a cart guy we will be fine?

[murmel]

Originally Posted by Katie Bruner 

 

I am trying to understand all of this as my wedding is in Cancun in February.  Each bag needs to be under $300??  That will almost be impossible for me due to the fact that I will have my wedding party gifts and all my favors and OOT bags and everything that goes in them.  I was planning on throwing it all into one bag, but I am glad I ran across this forum.  Anyone have any suggestions?  You think if I just tell them its for my wedding (I will obviously be carrying my wedding dress) and pay off a cart guy we will be fine?

You can only bring in $300 worth of gifts per person (ie. you=$300, your to-be-husband =$300). This includes your items for OOT bags and wedding party gifts. Key word = gifts! Anything that you will not be taking home with you has to be included in that $300 value.( It does not include your wedding decor, dress, rings, etc. since you will in theory take that home with you.) Are there any friends/family who could take some items in their bags to spread the value out? Or could you give your wedding party gifts to those people at home?

 

As for paying off the cart guy...no such luck. You will be claiming your baggage and going through customs before you even see those cart guys-sorry. You may be lucky and get the "green" button and not even be stopped by customs, but if you have a lot of luggage they often stop you to inspect it anyway.

 

If you are not familiar with the Cancun airport, check out this link under the "things I wish I had known" (post#18) section to help you better understand the process. http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/84306/official-azul-sensatori-thread/10#post_1858612

 

That being said, if you are above the $300 limit, it just means that you may have to pay an extra customs duty fee. (but I don't know how much or how that works) Good luck!

[BridetobeABCD]

HELP

Leaving in less than 2 weeks. Starting to pack for Cancun Mexico.

Can someone help me with what the requirements are?

 

Items that I will be bringing other then clothing and my essential regular vacation stuff include:

artificial flowers! four bouquests, 5 centrepiece arrangements and boutineers. - should I have my florist make up a receipt for less than three hundred dollars?

 

Other items include: small starfish, photo frames, small things for OOT bags (dollar store stuff), Koozies, OOT bags, hmmm cant think of anything else. I don't have receipt for dollar store stuff. Can I make up receipts? OR just have a document outliming whats in the bag and how much it costs? or are real receipts needed?

 

HELP !!! PANICING

SORRY TONS OF MISTAKES ha

 

HELP

Leaving in less than 2 weeks. Starting to pack for Cancun Mexico.

Can someone help me with what the requirements are?

 

Items that I will be bringing other then clothing and my essential regular vacation stuff include:

artificial flowers! four bouquets, 5 centrepiece arrangements and boutonnieres. - should I have my florist make up a receipt for less than three hundred dollars?

 

Other items include: small starfish, photo frames, small things for OOT bags (dollar store stuff), Koozies, OOT bags, hmmm cant think of anything else. I don't have receipt for dollar store stuff. Can I make up receipts? OR just have a document outlining what's in the bag and how much it costs? or are real receipts needed?

 

HELP !!! PANICING

What about bringing starfish into mexico? small starfish - some are painted....

[KSanford70]

Elissae...can we get an update? How did things go at cutoms? Any issues? I leave Tuesday for Cozumel Palace and our Jan. 18th wedding. I have done a list similar to yours and want to know if it sufficed.

Elissae...How did it turn out with customs? I'm making lists like yours and want to know if you ran into any issues. My wedding is next Saturday 1/18 but we leave Tuesday...

[kdnolan]

Never even thought of this....