Airport - customs intimidation techniques

I have used ZIH airport one to three times a year since 1982, back in the days when we lined up outdoors, enjoying being rained on by the tropical showers, with our carryon in hand.

Recently I had the experience of bringing a “well-used” (as in 10 years of use) Breville blender with me. I didn’t have a receipt because the blender was so old. I had kept the original box all those years. The aduana person said that because I brought it in the box, they considered it to be a new item for resale. I showed them the wear on the blender and offered to show the manufacture date on the blender to no avail.

I was charged more for duty than the blender was probably worth at that stage.

Recently, a friend arrived with a few electronic items for me, with all of the receipts in Canadian dollars, with currency conversion to USD, showing he was within the limits. I had forgotten to give him the receipt for an Apple TV. Aduana charged him M$1,500 duty for the Apple TV. The agent told my friend they were giving him a good rate because he had been so patient and courteous during the process.

I have started coming using AeroMexico through MEX airport instead of the WestJet flights. My travel time is now is closer to 24 hours than the 10 hours using WestJet, but I avoid an unpleasant arrival.