Officials in Cancun, Mexico have done away with a controversial rule that has been plaguing unsuspecting tourists arriving to the popular resort city.
In a video posted to Facebook on Friday, Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama announced that tourists passing through Cancun International Airport will no longer be charged a fee for bringing more than one larger electronic device, including laptops and tablets.
The change is effective immediately.
"We managed to eliminate the charge for bringing more than one computer or electronic tablet into your personal luggage, within the #Cancun International Airport, with the support of Mexican Customs," Lezama said on her Facebook page.
"I am here to inform you that as a result of various uncomfortable and inconvenient situations detected at customs in the Cancun International Airport which have affected our destination's image such as not allowing international and domestic tourists, as well as residents, to bring more than one device be it computer, laptop or tablet, we visited the area and reviewed the criteria used to allow tourists through customs and thanks to the support and consideration of the Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (National Customs Agency of Mexico), we reviewed the procedure to reactivate the tourists flow through customs and eliminate this criteria."
"We had a roundtable with the Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México and as a result of this meeting and thanks to their support, the decision was reached to eliminate the criteria in place. This was an old franchise regulation that no longer aligns with these times of technology, home office, in addition to the key tourism sector who travel to our destination to attend conferences, conventions and professional meetings," added Lezama.
"We are thankful to the authorities for their sensibility and for listening with the goal to adapt to this new era, and beginning today, this charge has been eliminated for both National and International travelers."
Airplane landing at Cancun International Airport. (Photo Credit: Skórzewiak / Adobe Stock)
Recent reports have been circulating of tourists being charged an average of $190 for traveling with multiple larger electronic devices.
Those unable or unwilling to pay the fee have had items confiscated by customs agents.
Tammy Levent, President of Elite Travel Group, has been vocal about her disconcerting experience with the rule earlier this year and went so far as to set up a time to meet with officials and share her concerns.
She believes her input was instrumental in bringing about these welcome changes for visitors to Cancun.
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