Traveling with a Laptop and an iPad to Mexico? Prepare to Pay Hundreds | Hacker News Reader

Traveling with a Laptop and an iPad to Mexico? Prepare to Pay Hundreds

forbes.com

41 pointsjosephcsible9 comments

   Getting taxed on a laptop in Mexico isn’t a scam

Actually it is a scam, but just it is run by the government.

I've been twice to Mexico, snd no mstter where I travel I have several personal devices, and I have plenty of places to pick for my travels, Mexico just got hard deleted from my list of upcoming future travels, I don't have any appetite to play these games where we pretend it is OK to charge import tax to tourists on their 2nd hand personal affects. Sounds to me like the person who came up with this regulation has a brain problem.

Wouldn't they take an ATA Carnet? Yeah, sure, I'm spending another ~$255 for a passport for my laptop and iPad and stuff, but...

https://www.trade.gov/ata-carnet

That actually looks like it's relevant, and might be a good thing for people to check into.

Mexico is specifically listed as one of the countries where Carnets are a thing:

• https://www.atacarnet.com/carnet-countries

• https://www.atacarnet.com/advisory/Mexico-Special-Considerat...

The fee looks pretty high though, about as much as paying the "fine" the Mexican government is apparently scamming people for:

• https://uscib.org/register-and-apply/

Do they tax the multiple displays in the Apple vision?

Mexico just wants you to unplug while you vacation.

>> With the rise of remote work and bleisure trips, many travelers don’t think twice about tossing an iPad, a laptop, and any other essential devices in their bag.

You should really not toss electronic devices, not in your bag and not anywhere at all. People who do that deserve much worse than a fine.

You must be really fun at parties.

You mean because I occasionally crack a joke?

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