Mexican "Exit Tax" now MEX 300 ($25)

Another scam at the border story. Crossed through today on a 2nd class bus from Chetumal to Belize City. Driver tried to charge $15 USD for the ride; the Belizean citizens on the bus told me only to pay $6. The driver then book me to the border, where the immigration official took allowed the Belizean citizen in front of me (who advised about the cost of bus) to enter with no issues, took my passport and card, looked the cover (American) and demanded through the window that a MEX $292 exit tax. I protested loudly that I had entered by air and the FMM fee been paid by the airline The driver stood at the window, also demanding that I pay the fee. I help up the line for 10 minutes, protesting about the fee,refusing to leave the window, to no avail. He refused to admit me and the bus driver insisted on leaving me. Eventually, it had to be paid. And, of course, no receipt would be provided for this "tax."

At this point, my advice, TAKE THE WATER TAXI BETWEEN CHETUMAL AND BELIZE CITY! Given the increase in this "fee" or "exit tax," the cost of a bus ride/exit fee is now equal to the cost of the water taxi--and far, far more stressful.

That's been going on, in essence, since the beginning of recorded history at that particular border crossing.

I took the water taxi from Chetumal to San Pedro 1 month ago and was charged $25 US from the mexican border guy who stamped my passport as an exit fee. So I think wherever you go they will get you!

misterbee, youre a big expert in this area. what's your advice on beating this? have a printout of the law and/or documentation of FMM payment?

Did you receive a Mexican tourist card form on the plane or from the airline (FMM)? Did you have a copy of your airline ticket?

The Mexican authorities (and some Belize bus drivers) are not innocents, but they are within the law if they require payment for the Mexico entrance fee if you do not have documentation that it has been paid -- either a bank receipt if you originally entered by land or sea or documentation from the airline.

For example, one time I came in by sea to Cozumel, did not get a tourist card and legitimately had to pay the fee at the Chetumal border crossing.

Last year crossing from Belize to Chetumal and back, staying in Chetumal only a couple of days, I wasn't required to pay the fee and wasn't hassled for it.

--Lan Sluder

It seems as if exit fees and entrance fees are very "hit and miss" in the area. I was told on my bus ride down to Chetumal to not pay any "exit fee" by a fellow passenger and sure enough I had to pay an exit fee.

On my way to leaving Belize into Guatemala I was told that I would have to pay a Belize exit fee which I did but I was also told that I would have to pay a Guatemala entrance fee which I was told would be around 30Q but I never had to pay that.

Edited by: murreybn

This scam has been going on for years, so a few years ago I sought answers from the Mexican Embassy in Belize and from a Mexican Honorary Consul in Belize (there weren't any answers on the Mexican Department of Immigration website).

Both stated that there is no exit fee when departing Mexico, but there is a fee for the FMM (increased to 294 pesos on 1/1/2012) known as DNI (Derecho de No Inmigrante) which must be paid in certain circumstances.

DNI is an entry fee that must be paid to the Mexican Government by all foreign nationals, including Belizeans who enter Mexico by air, road or sea, in the following cases:

1. Tourists staying in Mexico more than 7 (seven) consecutive days.

2. Transit travelers with destination to a third country regardless the time need for their transit. This includes those who enter Subteniente Lopez, Chetumal, by road and whose purpose is to board a flight in Cancun to travel to another country, as well as those arriving to Cancun towards Belize.

3. Holders of the border card FMVL (Forma Migratoria de Visitante Local) that remain more that 3 (three) consecutive days in Mexico. This fee is payable in addition of a sanction for violating the permitted period allowed under the FMVL status. FMVL holders are reminded that they can only stay in Quintana Roo for no more than 3 (three) consecutive days.

Visitors who are exempt from paying the fee include:
1. Visitors who enter Mexico, stay for seven days or less, and return to the country of origin.
2. FMVL border card holders who stay less than 3 days.
3. FM3 and FM2 holders.

The DNI must be paid in pesos at any bank in Mexico. It can also be paid at the Cancun airport. At the Subteniente López border (Mexico-Belize), the fee can be paid during working hours at the bank Banjercito located at the Mexican Customs compound.

One media report (quoting a press release from the Mexican Embassy in Belize) also states that since 1/1/2012, travel agencies and airlines no longer collect the fee, therefore the fee will have to be paid by all airline passengers before they depart Mexico. Previously, the fee was included in the airline ticket price, so airline passengers did not have to be concerned about paying the fee. I don't have any confirmation about this. I have heard reports of visitors still receiving the FMM while on board the plane and NOT paying any fee when departing Mexico.

The question I could not get an answer for was, "Where is the proof of payment when the FMM is received on a plane?". If arriving on a plane, the FMM is stamped with the arrival date and a small image of an airplane and I guess that it had always been assumed that the fee was collected by the airlines/travel agents. In those days, I refused to pay at the border and just got a dirty look from the scammer. Now, I would suggest travellers to get a breakdown of all fees & taxes when buying an airline ticket.

In another media report, an official from the Embassy said no money should be paid to immigration officials at the border, and to report any instances where an official asks for money.

When it comes to Mexican bureaucracy, there are the rules and then there's what really happens -- two different things. I've heard all kinds of stories -- do a search on this forum. Eighteen months ago, a friend coming to Belize from Cancun didn't know anything about the border, and simply walked past that small immigration booth without getting stamped or handing in his FMM. When he left Belize a few months later, he simply walked past immigration, went through Customs and proceeded to Cancun airport and flew out -- no problems, never questioned, no fees. Another traveller stayed and argued with the Mexican immigration scammer and the bus drove off without him.

I recall another story where a traveller had refused to pay and the immigration scammer kept the traveller's passport. He said he would report this to the immigration officials in the bigger immigration building across the road and started walking over. He was quickly called back, given his passport and allowed to proceed -- no fee.

For more information, contact the Mexican Embassy’s Consular Section at 501-223-0193 or 501-223-0194, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm or write to consular@embamex.bz.

You can also visit the Mexican Immigration website: http://www.inm.gob.mx/index.php/page/pagina_principal/en.html

Mexican Embassy’s website: www.sre.gob.mx/belice or Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmbassyofMexicoinBelize

The Mexican Tourist Card is valid for six months so you can exit Mexico (no charge) go wherever and come back into Mexico within the six month period. IE, to enter Guatemala you get stamped out of Mexico (no charge) but your Tourist Card is still good. You can spend a month or so in Guat and then return to Mexico with the same Tourist Card.
This is a scam. But sometimes you just get caught up in one and right or wrong, it is easier to pey.

Misterbee does it again! Hope you dont get expunged by the moderadores for this. What we need now is for travellers to obtain and present unequivocal documentation of payment at the border, and report on what and where to get it, as well as how it goes down at the border.

I think I'm safe eddy. I carefully worded my reply to avoid adding links to travel information containing bus schedules.

As for chefhagan's comments, I also asked about this because with the former FMT, it was exactly as you have written -- get a doble entrada stamp and re-enter Mexico -- no fees.

However, with the introduction of the FMM, I was told by the Embassy and the Honorary Consul that the visitor's part of the FMM must always be handed in when leaving Mexico. If the visitor returns to Mexico, a new FMM must be obtained and the fee for that one must be paid.

Another however...
I still hear of travellers who have paid money (usually 200 pesos or US$20) to the the immigration scammer, received a doble entrada stamp on their FMM and re-entered Mexico with no problems and no further payment of fees.

I like the idea of just walking past immigration.

We are going to Mexico in about two weeks, staying about 10 days and flying in and out of Cancun. On the airline flight information receipt, it clearly shows that the Mexican tourist tax and the Mexican exit tax were paid as part of the "taxes and fees" with the ticket. Will it help to take copies of this and also copies of the IATA document referenced above to show anyone who tries to get more exit fees out of us? And also hang on to the tourist card/FMM.

Yes, I would keep the airline flight information receipt with your passport & FMM and produce it if asked for money at a border. Of course, they might say it's a fake copy. At the Chetumal border, if you have any trouble, just walk across the road to the real immigration office.

You said there is a "Mexican tourist tax" and "the Mexican exit tax".
What are the amounts?
The tourist tax/fee will be for the FMM and should be 294 pesos or approx. US$20.
There is no departure tax/fee for Mexico.

If you leave Mexico and go to Belize, the official procedure (at least according to the Embassy & Honorary Consul) is to hand in the FMM and get a new one when you re-enter Mexico. You can try asking for a re-entry stamp (doble entrada) and keeping the FMM, but you may have to pay 200 pesos or US$20 to do this (I've heard reports that this has been done).

If you get a new FMM when you re-enter Mexico, you should have to pay the 294 peso fee. It can be paid at a bank or at Cancun airport. I was once asked to pay the FMM fee when I checked in at the airport, but I had already paid the fee at a bank, so just showed the receipt -- no problem. I've also heard that other travellers who did not pay the fee at a bank, also were not asked to pay when they checked in at the airport. Mexico -- anything can happen.

I hope you report back and let us know what happens.

Mister Bee and all: Delta Airlines is charging me $USD 21.80 on code UK for "Mexican tourism tax" and $USD 27.88 on code XD for "exit tax." Clearly not doing me any favors with the exchange rate. Not large amounts, so I am not going to fuss about it, but I am going to protest any effort to get more from me.

At today's rate, US$21.80 is MX$287 and US$27.88 is MX$367.

The first fee looks like the fee for the FMM tourist card (actual fee is MX$294).

The second fee, I don't know.
If you want an answer, you'll have to ask the agent or airline.
Perhaps there is an airport fee? Cancun airport or the US airport??
Is there a departure tax from the USA (I'm not an American)?

I can only repeat what the Embassy & Consul have told me, "There is no departure tax from Mexico".

I saw the Honorary Consul again today, and was told the same things that I have already stated in previous posts.

I did get an answer to one question that I had concerning the collection of the fee by airlines and travel agents. According to the new rules since 1/1/2012, airlines and travel agents are "no longer authorized" to collect the fee. That had already been announced in a press release issued by the Embassy of Mexico in Belize.

Me: What about travellers who have bought tickets since 1/1/2012 and have paid the fee to an airline or travel agent?

Answer: In that case, the traveller should carry the proof of payment and show it if asked to pay money at a border.

Me: But the immigration officials at the border should not be collecting any money anyway.

Answer: That's correct, but it's Mexico. Any money collected by the border officials collect will go straight into their pockets. The tourist should know what he has to pay. There is a bank at the Customs building.

So, what it boils down to is every person crossing the border should have evidence that the fee has been paid. If you think the fee has been collected by the airline, you should get it in writing and carry it with you to avoid any hassles at the border.

If the border official asks for money, walk across the road to the large immigration building.

Yikes, is this confusing or what? OK then, just to confirm please. As of today (25/Apr/2012), can someone categorically confirm the following please.

a) departure tax (if any) when flying from Mexico City to Havana
b) departure tax (if any) when flying from Cancun to Havana
c) departure tax (if any) when leaving Mexico by land into Guatemala
d) when leaving Mexico by land or plane (and being in Mexico for less than 6 months), isn't it necessary to return the tourist card? That being so, isn't it then required to buy another Mexican tourist card if returning to Mexico by land? Would that still apply if one was in Mexico for less than 6 months on the original tourist card?

Or, if you've been in Mexico for less than 6 months and tell the exit immigration officer that you're coming back to Mexico shortly, would you be allowed to keep the tourist card and then simply use it again when returning to Mexico?

p.s. does anyone know why the Mexican Government doesn't do something to stop these scams? Surely they must know????

#17, when did they change the "double entry" rule? It used to be valid for 6 months come and go as you please.

On 1 May 2010, Mexico’s National Immigration Institute implemented some changes to its immigration procedures. The FMT entry form for tourists was replaced by a new form called Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM). According to statements issued by the Mexican Embassy and an Honorary Consul, the double entry is no longer permitted with an FMM. However, that doesn't mean that double entry stamps are no longer given!

Summary: if you have documentation of payment of FMM with flight purchase, that will get you through exiting mexico. If you dont, go to a bank and buy a FMM. If the border guys hit you up for more bread at the border, tell them to go take a flying F over the moon. Is that it?

I flew into Mexico City from Canada and I assume that the entry fee was included in the ticket, as I wasn't asked to pay anything extra upon arrival.

Do you have proof that the fee was paid?
I don't think anyone is asked to pay upon arrival. If the fee hasn't been collected by the airline, then it is paid at a bank and a receipt issued as proof of payment.

I assume from the above that I have nothing extra to pay when I leave Mexico (although the lady at the Cubana office today told me differently).

That depends on if the fee has already been paid. If you don't have proof...?

MisterBee: you write that there is no departure tax.

I'm only repeating what I've been told by the Embassy and the Honorary Consul.
I don't make this stuff up.

So, what fee is the man in the uniform collecting from those who pay him?

Maybe for his mortgage or for his next holiday or maybe a car. Whatever money that guy gets goes into his pocket, and that's according to a statement from the Honorary Consul!

If a visitor reaches the border and has proof of payment, no problem.
If a visitor reaches the border and knows the fee has not been paid, then it might be easier to pay the man than find a bank. The visitor thinks the fee is being paid, but it isn't.
If a visitor reaches the border and doesn't know, I'd try arguing for a while, but you might end up paying someone, somewhere.

Do you mean that some people are paying that DNI when leaving Mexico?

Maybe they think they are paying the DNI, but I'd say most people don't know for certain what they're paying. An official looking man in a uniform has asked for money, so the tourists just hand it over. The border officials are not authorized to collect any money.

I thought it had to be paid when one entered Mexico.

No. It has to paid before leaving Mexico, and the border officials (at entry or exit points) are not authorized to collect any money.

Up until 1/1/2012, airlines and travel agents were collecting the fee. Some still are collecting the fee, but according to the Embassy & Consul, they are no longer authorized to collect the fee.

On the FMM/DNI/tourist card I was given whilst on the plane, and had an entry stamp stamped onto it when I arrived at Mexico City airport, there is no record of my payment. I'm under the impression that that payment was included in the ticket price. Is possession of an FMM/DNI7tourist card sufficient proof that payment was made?

Before 1/1/2012, if the FMM was issued on a plane, then it was safe to assume the fee had been paid. After 1/1/2012, you better have proof from the airline or travel agent because the border officials are probably going to assume that the fee has not been collected by the airline.

When visitors enter Mexico, the FMM is stamped with the date and a small image of a plane. It is not stamped with anything specifically proving that the fee has been paid.

Edit to add...

Something else to consider...

Whenever I've left Mexico by bus at the Chetumal border, I've always been asked for money (except once when there were only a few other Belizeans on the bus and no other tourists). I've always refused and have only received a sour look from the official.

Whenever I've reached the border by taxi from Chetumal, I've never been asked to pay any money.

Edited by: misterbee

1stly, thanks misterbee for your time and information.

Yesterday, I made a nuisance of myself and went to a Mexican Government building. A lady there was very gracious to me, and after several phone calls, she explained the following.

There is no departure tax if leaving by land.

There is no departure tax if leaving by boat, but there may be a port tax and perhaps some local taxes.

There may or may not be a departure tax payable at the airport if departing by air. It depends on which airline. Many airlines have an agreement with the Mexican Government in which the departure tax is included in the ticket price. However, some airlines, including Cubana, do not have such an agreement and therefore, the departure tax should be payable at the airport upon departure. She said that there is a code on airline tickets labelled "uz" (I can't read her writing properly, so maybe I've got that wrong). That code tells the airlines check-in personnel if the departure tax has been included in the ticket price.

She is reasonably certian that she told me the correct information. However, you know how that goes!!!!!

I still don't think there is such a thing as a Mexico "departure" tax (impuesto de salida). There is a tourist tax paid on arrival (by land) unless you're just staying in a border area for a short time, or in some cases included in the airline ticket if arriving by air. If not paid on arrival, it may be due on departure, but it is not a departure tax.

There is a Tourist Card which costs I guess 300 pesos now. It is good for six months. One note is that if you are not in Mexico longer than 7 days you don't have to pay anything. I just went last week and asked the immigrations guy. I stayed 3 days and paid nothing when I left.

That was covered in post #6, chefh...

"there is a fee for the FMM (increased to 294 pesos on 1/1/2012) known as DNI (Derecho de No Inmigrante) which must be paid in certain circumstances."

DNI is an entry fee that must be paid to the Mexican Government by all foreign nationals, including Belizeans who enter Mexico by air, road or sea, in the following cases:

1. Tourists staying in Mexico more than 7 (seven) consecutive days.
2. Transit travelers with destination to a third country regardless the time need for their transit. This includes those who enter Subteniente Lopez, Chetumal, by road and whose purpose is to board a flight in Cancun to travel to another country, as well as those arriving to Cancun towards Belize.
3. Holders of the border card FMVL (Forma Migratoria de Visitante Local) that remain more that 3 (three) consecutive days in Mexico. This fee is payable in addition of a sanction for violating the permitted period allowed under the FMVL status. FMVL holders are reminded that they can only stay in Quintana Roo for no more than 3 (three) consecutive days.

Visitors who are exempt from paying the fee include:
1. Visitors who enter Mexico, stay for seven days or less, and return to the country of origin.
2. FMVL border card holders who stay less than 3 days.
3. FM3 and FM2 holders."

Misterbee, your patience is amazing.

I guess what I was saying is that they gave us the cards and it says to pay at the bank before leaving and if one didn't know better, they could be paying when they didn't have too. They didn't use to bother giving us the card.

I just did this crossing (April 30 2012) on an overnight bus from Playa del Carmen to Belize
City. Best advice: if you need the exit stamp for whatever reason and don't want to pay the bribe, do not do the crossing by night. There's no one to go to and the official knows it. We had about 15 of us foreigners who opposed, but even showing three flight receipts did nothing. He refused to do anything without US$25 each. We held our ground and he finally shut off the lights and walked out. We went back to the bus, sans exit stamps, and entered Belize just fine. The immigration official there never looked or asked about exit stamps.

He refused to give identification or a badge number. Anything that can be done to report this? I'm going to give the Mexican immigration office a call but I doubt much will transpire. Just be aware that this situation is unavoidable very late/early in the morning.

I wonder if I should contact the Mexican embassy to make sure my papers are in order. I don't plan on returning to Mexico soon, but might one day.

Went through the Chetchumal border today. It was a nightmare. They sit there and wait for the night bus from Cancun to Belize, rubbing their hands with glee, and pocketing everything they can get. Many of the tourists knew about the "scam". I was transiting straight thru from Cancun AIrport to Belize. In the past, if you left within 48 hours, you didnt have to pay the "departure tax." This guys stood his ground, he was rude, basically if you didnt pay him, he wasnt going to stamp your passport. He handed out "rough" fako, 294 white sheets for us to fill in, anyone who asked for a receipt (he had 6 of them) for a bus full of passengers, was told to go to the bank (which would not have been open for another 5 hours). Knowing we had a bus to catch. (Its a great little game of his) He handed out information in spanish, which told us nothing. There are no list of rules and regulations at the border anywhere. I was under the impression we needed that exit stamp? who knows. It just reeked of people lining their pockets. I asked for his badge information, and he shoved it in my face. He had it out for me from that point on. Such a shame for Mexico. The bus driver says this happens every night, it holds the bus up, its very confusing. Half the bus had no money to pay. Left a bad taste in all our mouths.

Great information in this thread on a not-so-great situation. Seems to put a damper on a great service to connect Belize and Mexico, and could affect ADO's service as these online forums spread the word.

gillian - Thanks for the recent update on your experience. I will more seriously consider options for crossing vs the overnight bus. I realise bribery is rampant but will try to go the extra mile to avoid it if it's doable.