MEXICO’S TOURIST ENTRY FEE & AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX

Mexico Connect Forum Discussion Threads

Posted by Rene J. on Mayo 12, 2000

Just checking out "Airports" in general and came across this posting. Tourists are being delayed up to 2 hours due to the Mexican Government Imposed entry fee of 150 Pesos?? This was implemented Sept 19, 1999. This definitely contradicts what I've been informed of on a previous thread whereby I was told that only a "Departure Tax" was applicable. Can someone please elaborate on this measure or has this tax (because of complaints) been rescinded. Just curious – certainly 150 Peso's won't bankrupt anyone.

Posted by Barry Dodson on Mayo 14, 2000

At the risk of adding to the confusion, I see a series of emails in the web page talking about a 'departure' tax too. My wife and I are planning an exploratory vacation to Lake Chalapa the end of May (Yes, another Yank looking for paradise!), so after reading your email(s) I called Delta Airlines and inquired as to whether these taxes, arrival/departure, were included in our ticket purchases. After researching, the airline representative assured me they were included, however, I noted that the total tax was $45 per ticket. Now if the arrival tax is $15 and departure is $35-$39, then you do the math.

The airline representative consulted with Delta's 'overseas coordinator' and their computer information on Mexican tourist taxes stated that the formulas were very complicated but essentially the amount depends on where you arrive in Mexico, and, get this, where you departed from in the U.S. OK, I don't pretend to understand, I'm just passing on this information to help confuse the issue. We are going with the idea that we've already paid the arrival/departure taxes, HOWEVER, we are also prepared to pay it again if that's the only way we're going to get there and leave. By the way, does anyone know who collects the taxes at the Guadalajara airport, i.e., airline representatives or Mexican officials?

Posted by John in Ajijic on Mayo 15, 2000

At Guadalajara airport, the airline check-in staff will check your tickets to see if the departure tax has been paid. If you owe tax, then they will direct you to a counter where you can pay. Then you go pay the tax, return to the airline, check in with your receipt and complete the check-in formalities.

Posted by jennifer rose on Mayo 14, 2000

Airport taxes are not unique to Mexico; they exist everywhere. If you'll consult the back pages of the OAG, you'll see the detailed formulae for airports from hither to yon. All of this is premised upon gate fees, airport construction taxes and satori, and the airlines are the designed collection agent.

Posted by John in Ajijic on Mayo 13, 2000

Yes, all tourists (FMT people) entering Mexico must pay the tourist tax implemented in the summer of 1999. For air travelers this fee is supposed to be either charged at the time of ticket purchase or at the time of check-in. But I have never heard of it being charged at the Guadalajara airport upon entry, as it is supposed to be collected prior to the flight into Mexico. Note that this tax is only for FMT tourists, and not for holders of FM3 or FM2. But often in the USA the airline people are ignorant of this and still try to collect this tax from the latter. This is not an "airport fee," but a tourist tax charged for all tourists entering Mexico on an FMT, whether by air, land, or sea. This tax has not been rescinded. The Mexican airport departure tax is a totally separate issue.

Posted by Rene J. on Mayo 13, 2000

John from Ajijic:
Call it a "Tax", "Entry Fee" or whatever. Touch my wallet when I'm traveling after I've paid my airfare - it not only hurts but could be embarrassing if not made aware of the fact beforehand. That’s really what makes me angry and personally, is a "SHAM."

Posted by jennifer rose on Mayo 13, 2000

This is the fee for the tourist card, or FMT, which is collected from all who enter Mexico (except those who're Mexican citizens and others admitted under another immigration category). It applies whether a tourist enters Mexico by plane, car, burro or foot. Gratis until last summer, there is now a $150-peso charge, and that charge is collected from passengers traveling by commercial air carrier as a tax added to the ticket price. That's why you didn't see it before last summer.

Posted by David Eidell on Mayo 13, 2000

The starting date was 08-01-99, and the article contradicts other published reports about events at the airport shortly after the changes were enacted.

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