Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Customs charged me 1000 pesos for bringing in my harmonicas

I love to come to Zihau - for the fun, the sun, the beach, the people, and also the music. I’m a musician and love to sit in with the local musicians.

I’ve come here around 8 times, and this is the first time that Customs charged me 1000 pesos for bringing in my 8 diatonic harmonicas (to play in different keys) and a few chromatic harmonicas.

Of course I did protest, so they showed me the custom entry form that declared the list of exempted personal items, such as cameras etc., and no where to be found was harmonicas.

Well, I did feel pissed off, but hey, I’m here to enjoy, so I’m letting it roll, not much I can do about it.

Except maybe post my experience here so I can bitch about it!

Since, I’ve heard that others have been charged for the same, and also for bringing in new technology such as mini drones, electric cigarettes (puffers), ie anything that doesn’t fit in the generic personal exemption list on the Customs Declaration Form.

Time for the beach!

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Pure graft.

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I love to come to Zihau - for the fun, the sun, the beach, the people, and also the music. I’m a musician and love to sit in with the local musicians.

I’ve come here around 8 times, and this is the first time that Customs charged me 1000 pesos for bringing in my 8 diatonic harmonicas (to play in different keys) and a few chromatic harmonicas.

Of course I did protest, so they showed me the custom entry form that declared the list of exempted personal items, such as cameras etc., and no where to be found was harmonicas.

Well, I did feel pissed off, but hey, I’m here to enjoy, so I’m letting it roll, not much I can do about it.

Except maybe post my experience here so I can bitch about it!

Since, I’ve heard that others have been charged for the same, and also for bringing in new technology such as mini drones, electric cigarettes (puffers), ie anything that doesn’t fit in the generic personal exemption list on the Customs Declaration Form.

Time for the beach!

Sorry you got fined by the Mexican Aduana. A thousand pesos ain't much, but it still sucks.

It states clearly in the list of objects you can bring that TWO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS are allowed. If you were here to work legally then they could be exempted as the tools of your trade.
https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/montreal/index.php/en/foreigners/services-foreigners/407-what-objects-can-i-bring-in-my-luggage-to-mexico

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It states clearly in the list of objects you can bring that TWO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS are allowed.

There should be an exemption for harmonicas because each is tuned to a separate key. So in a real sense, they are all one musical instrument.

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It states clearly in the list of objects you can bring that TWO MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS are allowed.

There should be an exemption for harmonicas because each is tuned to a separate key. So in a real sense, they are all one musical instrument.

You simply have to be ready with a good argument. I always traveled with my favorite B-flat or G harmonica in a leather stash bag tied to a belt loop. No muss, no fuss.

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Still playing games and promoting tourism at the Zihuatanejo Airport. Besides what is in Rob’s post you are allowed to import $300 usd per person. They seem to forget that. I brought a pair of new Nikes and they got real excited. Once I told them they were my shoes they did back down. Be polite, listen to their BS and disagree if you need to. Nothing wrong with standing your ground, smiling and joking with them will get you further than being angry. Either way I’m pretty sure they’re scaring off tourists from returning.

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Still playing games and promoting tourism at the Zihuatanejo Airport. Besides what is in Rob’s post you are allowed to import $300 usd per person. They seem to forget that. I brought a pair of new Nikes and they got real excited. Once I told them they were my shoes they did back down. Be polite, listen to their BS and disagree if you need to. Nothing wrong with standing your ground, smiling and joking with them will get you further than being angry. Either way I’m pretty sure they’re scaring off tourists from returning.

I believe the additional limit is US$500 if arriving by air.

Now you can bring with you merchandise up to a value of 500 dollars without paying taxes, in addition to your personal luggage, if your entry is by air or sea,

http://omawww.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/pasajeros/Paginas/Mercancia_ingresar_Mexico.aspx

I’m not familiar with the price if harmonicas, but I would think one could buy a few harmonicas for US$500. Probably not eight, but several.

Of course, a problem that I and others have encountered with aduana at ZIH is that without receipts, aduana decides the value of goods. And who has receipts for a used item they have owned for years?

Who wants to spend the first several hours of a vacation in disputes with government official? and in a foreign language!

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Thank you for the correction and link. I took a photo of the $500 of above personal luggage. In my case it’s usually something I just bought so I do have receipts. Just waiting for them to grab the bag of silver jewelry the wife brings. It was all bought and made in Mexico how can you charge importation tax on that? Some of it is still in the Ruby’s box. Guess I’ll find out in April.

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I feel ya on that one. I brought my wife’s 35th anniversary gift wrapped (a necklace) and not only did it cost me, it spoiled the surprise. I had it in my carry attaché. What’s next, the sex toys? Lol