Clearing Customs at Los Cabos Airport
Once you collect your bags at Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) and clear immigration, you’ll pass through customs (aduana). Most visitors are through in minutes — the key is knowing your duty-free allowance and what you’re not allowed to bring. Mexico’s rules are strict on a handful of items, and penalties for prohibited goods can be serious. Customs is administered by Mexico’s tax authority, the SAT.
The Red & Green Customs Light
Customs screening at Mexican airports is randomized. After handing in your customs declaration, you press a button that triggers a traffic light — the semáforo fiscal:
- Green light — go ahead, no inspection.
- Red light — your bags are screened. It’s random, so a red light doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong.
Every traveler must complete a customs declaration. You can file it online in advance or fill out the paper form on the plane or at the airport.
Duty-Free Allowance: What You Can Bring
Travelers arriving by air may bring their personal belongings plus up to USD $500 worth of goods per person, duty-free (the allowance is USD $300 at land borders, rising to $500 during major holiday periods). Families traveling together can pool their individual allowances.
In addition to the $500, adults 18 and over may also bring:
- Up to 10 packs of cigarettes (200 total), 25 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco
- Up to 3 liters of spirits and 6 liters of wine or beer
- Personal-use items appropriate for your trip — clothing, footwear, toiletries, plus a laptop, phone, camera and similar gear
Alcohol and tobacco are counted separately from the $500 goods allowance. Bringing several of the same new item (for example, four identical watches or a box of phones) can be treated as commercial and taxed or confiscated — so keep quantities reasonable and clearly for personal use.
What You Can’t Bring: Prohibited & Restricted Items
Mexico prohibits or tightly restricts the items below. Several carry heavy fines — or even arrest — so check your bags before you fly.
Vapes & E-Cigarettes
Mexico has banned vapes and e-cigarettes nationwide — importing, selling or advertising them is prohibited. Leave vaping devices, pods and e-liquids at home; they can be confiscated on arrival.
Cannabis, CBD & THC
Cannabis and all THC products are illegal to bring into Mexico — and that includes CBD and hemp oils, even if they’re legal where you live.
Firearms & Ammunition
Firearms, ammunition and related components are strictly prohibited without a permit from Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA). Even a single stray round of ammunition in your luggage can lead to arrest and imprisonment — inspect your bags carefully before traveling.
Fireworks & Explosives
Fireworks, sparklers and any explosive materials are forbidden on aircraft and cannot be brought into Mexico, in either carry-on or checked bags.
Food, Plants & Animal Products
Fresh and un-canned foods — especially pork and pork products — along with soil, plants, seeds, fruits and cut flowers are generally prohibited to protect Mexican agriculture. Products made from endangered species (certain corals, reptile skins, ivory and sea-turtle items) are banned under the CITES treaty.
Medications
Bring only the medication you need for your trip, in its original packaging, and carry a copy of the prescription or a doctor’s letter. Some over-the-counter US medicines are restricted or prohibited in Mexico, including products that contain pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Actifed and some Vicks inhalers) or codeine. Controlled substances brought in without documentation can lead to detention.
Cash & Currency
You can carry cash freely, but amounts over USD $10,000 (or the equivalent in any currency) in cash or negotiable instruments must be declared at customs. Failing to declare is an offense, and very large undeclared sums can bring fines or imprisonment. Need pesos? Currency exchange is available at authorized booths and banks in the terminal.
Airport & Tourist Taxes
The airport use fee (TUA) is already included in your airline ticket, so there’s nothing extra to pay at the gate. Baja California Sur also charges a separate visitor tax for tourists — see our Los Cabos tourism tax guide for the current amount and how to pay it online before you fly.
Security & Screening at SJD
Departing passengers pass through standard security screening. A few reminders for your bags:
- Lithium batteries and power banks must travel in carry-on baggage, never in checked bags.
- Smart bags with non-removable lithium batteries and hoverboards or self-balancing devices are not accepted by airlines.
- Standard carry-on liquid limits apply at the checkpoint.
Los Cabos Airport has security staff on site 24 hours a day, year-round. In an emergency, dial 911; for general questions, see our airport security page.