Los Cabos Shoot - Restriction on cameras?

[AndrewCCM]

I have a shoot in Los Cabos, Mexico at the end of August...I have been told by numerous people that I am only allowed to take one camera body into Mexico to get through customs. Is this accurate? And if so, any thoughts from those that have shot there before? I really do not want to check my camera bag or ship it separately.

Thanks for any insights you may have. First time for me in Mexico.

[PIC]

I had two Cameras when I went there several years ago.
If I remember you could only take 2 Bottles of Booze Back to US.
I think we drank the 3rd and 4th botles on the way back.


Cabo is Hot and Humid this time of year.
I got caught in a category 1 Hurricane there and almost lost my finger.
You dont want to drink water there, eat vegies, or most important ... have the need for medical.
Outside the main toursit streets - its dirt poor ... like all of Mexico !


EL

[Breezy]

We went last June. I took 3 lenses and 2 bodies, no questions asked.
Good luck

[loana0320]

I am from mexico and I stay away from the water... buy bottle waters or take your own!

[guitarbug]

How about taking me as a 2nd shooter and then you don't have to worry about having just one camera with you, lol!

[jeffkohn]

We went a year and half ago. I brought two bodies and a bunch of lenses. Most of it was in a Dry Zone 200 backpack, with the backup D70 and a lens or two in a smaller camera bag, all carry-on. I didn't have any problems although, when arriving at the Los Cabos airport for the return flight they did open up my backpack and ask me if I was a professional photographer. Customs didn't ask to see inside the backpack when we arrived in Houston.

It can't hurt to have receipts for your gear, since the only real risk you run carrying that much gear is if they claim that you're importing it and have to pay customs tax (or whatever they call it).

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

I have a shoot in Los Cabos, Mexico at the end of August...I have been told by numerous people that I am only allowed to take one camera body into Mexico to get through customs. Is this accurate? And if so, any thoughts from those that have shot there before? I really do not want to check my camera bag or ship it separately.

Thanks for any insights you may have. First time for me in Mexico.

No offense to those who told you (truly) but I laughed out loud when I read this. I've been going to Cabo multiple times a year for the last 10 years and I have never, ever had an issue. If anything I get more hassle from the US scanners than the ones in Mexico (and most of those times it's guys wanting to check out the gear).

You'll have no problem taking as much equipment into Cabo as you want. I would recommend highly that any equipment that you do bring you keep with you at all times (ie. never check it). When you see the luggage conveyors at the airport in San Jose Del Cabo you'll understand what I mean.

You're going to love it down there!

_/oe

[RandySmith]

Andrew -

I just spent a couple of weeks there on vacation .... I only took a 1dmkII, a 50mm and 100mm and didn't have any problems with customs on either side. However, I wasn't going for a pre-arranged shoot either. If you have the patience and fortitude, you can receive up to $300.00 U.S. cash for each time-share presentation you attend .....

Here's a cross link of some photos I took while I was there. If you rent a car, check it over and document any damage, and check the shocks ! The car I rented the shocks were terrible or non-existent.
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=49856

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by RandySmith

Here's a cross link of some photos I took while I was there. If you rent a car, check it over and document any damage, and check the shocks ! The car I rented the shocks were terrible or non-existent.
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=49856

I never saw those, thanks for posting the link. They are some of the finest images of Cabo I've ever seen! I would imagine the tourista bureau would love to get their hands on a few of your images.

Beautiful job. You make Cabo look like paradise!

_/oe

[WarrenG]

Andrew,

I know it is not Cabo....but we were in Cancun for a shoot in March, We brought in 2 large ATA cases with bodies, lenses, and gear. We were asked to fill out some form or other which certified we were not selling anything in country? We had to have everything itemized on the form and stamped on our entry, and then checked and restamped when we were departing, and there was also some tariff or tax or something which was not too much, maybe $65.00 or so.

I can also echo what Joe stated...because we had to go thru Miami on the way back, and they require you to claim baggage, go through customs, and then reboard your next flight....you would have thought we were on the watch list or something. Our pass through took twice as long as normal as they wanted to hand inspect (rather than the standard xray).


Hope it helps,

W

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by WarrenG

...because we had to go thru Miami on the way back, and they require you to claim baggage, go through customs, and then reboard your next flight....you would have thought we were on the watch list or something...

That is standard on every point of entry into the US, by air, from every foreign country. You always pick up your luggage and go through customs on your first landing.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by guitarbug

How about taking me as a 2nd shooter and then you don't have to worry about having just one camera with you, lol!

I am the second shooter!

[AndrewCCM]

Thank you everyone. I was told by the photog that I am assisting that he ran into problems a couple of times (as a professional) and to only bring 1 body. I guess since I am the 2nd it doesn't really matter if I only bring 1. I know I'll feel naked though...

I want to take everyone's advice here...but at the same time it would be a nightmare if he was right. Probably not worth taking the chance I guess. I am wondering if the "problems" were just the tax...

I do appreciate everyone's help.

Thank you.