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Mrs L · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 72 Location: Rainy England

Has anyone ever had to pay an exit tax when flying out of Mexico? We're coming to Mexico soon on a package holiday (because it's cheaper and more direct than just a regular flight) and have been told by our travel company there's a $50US exit tax per person payable locally on departure. We're flying in and out of Puerto Vallarta.

It's something I've never come across before- I normally fly scheduled in and out of Mexico city, or occasionally Guadalajara. Is it just something that tourists on charter flights get charged? Has anyone else ever had to pay it?

MO39 · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

I've never heard of an exit tax, and I've been flying in and out of Mexico for years. If you leave after your FMT has expired, then you'd have to pay some sort of fine, I imagine, before being allowed to leave the country.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

There is a departure tax as well as the tourism tax, but they are normally collected on the ticket. The codes in the tax section of your ticket designate what they apply to. The amounts shown will be higher now.

COUNTRY: MEXICO
NAME: TOURISM TAX
TAX CODE: UK
APPLICABLE TO ARRIVING FOREIGN PASSENGERS WITH AN INTERNATIONAL
DEPARTURE FROM MEXICO.
USD 19.05 FOR TICKETS SOLD OUTSIDE MEXICO
MXN 210.06 FOR TICKETS SOLD IN MEXICO
EXEMPTIONS:
1. INFANTS UNDER 2 YEARS OF AGE.
2. DIPLOMATS.
3. AIRLINE CREW ON DUTY.
4. TRANSIT TRANSFER PASSENGERS WITHIN 24 HRS.
5. MEXICAN CITIZENS, IRRESPECTIVE OF PLACE OF RESIDENCE.
6. PERSONS LEGALLY LIVING IN MEXICO.

There is also the XD tax, which applies to everyone:

COUNTRY: MEXICO
NAME: INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TAX
TAX CODE: XD
APPLICABLE TO: PASSENGERS DEPARTING ON INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

guatetaliana · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:17 pm Post subject:

Mrs. L, I have heard this frequently about different European tour operators. For some reason, they don't include the tourism tax in the airfare, putting the burden on you to pay. Just be prepared, I understand it needs to be paid in cash (Pesos, US Dollars, and Euros are all accepted, but you actually pay the least if you pay it in Pesos). My outgoing airline always included the tax in the ticket price, so I don't know how it works specifically when you have to pay it.

MO39 · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 12:26 am Post subject:

This thread has jogged my aging mind. Now, I do recall paying something like an "airport tax" at Benito Ju�rez before leaving for the States. maybe in the 1980s.

Mrs L · Joined: 20 Mar 2008 Posts: 72 Location: Rainy England

Thanks guys, the fact that it's normally included in the ticket explains why I've never come across it before. It's the first time we've come to Mexico on a tourist flight but the reduced cost (even though it includes a hotel we won't be staying in) makes it worth while, even with the departure tax. We'll be dealing in pesos Guatetaliana, but thanks for the heads up about it being cheaper.

Sam, just noticed the details you wrote about the tourism tax, saying Mexican Citizens are exempt. Take it that means my husband shouldn't have to pay it, even though he has UK residency? We'll have the cash ready just in case but that'll be a bonus if he doesn't pay Very Happy