Here's what you need to know about crossing the border into Mexico.

Entering Mexico

U.S. and Canadian citizens bringing gifts to friends and relatives in Mexico should be prepared to demonstrate to Mexican customs officials the origin and the value of the gifts. U.S. and Canadian citizens entering Mexico by the land border can bring in gifts with a value of up to $50.00 duty-free, except for alcohol and tobacco products. Those entering Mexico by air or sea can bring in gifts with a value of up to $300.00 duty-free.

Tourists are allowed to bring in their personal effects duty-free. According to customs regulations, in addition to clothing, personal effects may include one camera, one video cassette player, one personal computer, one CD player, 5 DVDs, 20 music CDs or audiocassettes, 12 rolls of unused film, and one cellular phone. Any tourist carrying such items, even if duty-free, should enter the "Merchandise to Declare" lane at the first customs checkpoint. The tourist should be prepared to pay any assessed duty. Failure to declare personal effects routinely results in the seizure of the goods as contraband, plus the seizure of the vehicle in which the goods are traveling for attempted smuggling. The recovery of the seized vehicle involves the payment of substantial fines and attorney’s fees.

Mexican customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Mexico of items such as trucks, and autos, trailers, antiquities, medications, medical equipment, business equipment, etc. It is advisable to contact the Mexican Embassy or one of the Mexican consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

U.S. and Canadian citizens traveling to Mexico with goods intended for donation within Mexico, or traveling through Mexico with goods intended for donation in another country, should be aware of Mexican Customs regulations prohibiting importation of used clothing, textiles, and other used goods into Mexico. These regulations apply even to charitable donations. Individuals or groups wishing to make such donations should check with Mexican Customs for the list of prohibited items, and should hire an experienced customs broker in the U.S. to ensure compliance with Mexican law. The charitable individual or group, not the customs broker, will be held responsible for large fines or confiscation of goods if the documentation is incorrect. The website for Mexican Customs, or “ Aduanas,” is in Spanish only. Mexican authorities require that all international transit through Mexico of persons and merchandise destined for Central or South America be handled only at the Los Indios Bridge located south of Harlingen, Texas on Route 509. The American Consulate in Matamoros is the closest consulate to Los Indios Bridge and may be contacted for up-to-date information by calling 011-52-868-812-4402, ext. 273 or 280, or by checking their website, which lists in English the most common items prohibited from entry into Mexico. Additional customs information can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Returning to the United States

If you are American, keep in mind that in addition to these rules, you must also consider the rules for importing goods to the United States. You are generally allowed to carry one liter of alcohol back into the United States for personal use. You can take in more than that, but you run the risk of having to pay a small duty on anything more than one liter. Also, you must be 21 to carry any alcohol across the border, even if it is intended as a gift. If you are a college student traveling to Mexico for spring break, bear this in mind, as customs officials may be more likely to search bags of groups of students returning to the United States from Mexico in the springtime.

Mexican food is great, too, but the United States maintains a large set of restrictions for importing food. Meat, livestock and poultry may not be imported, and pork from Mexico is expressly prohibited. Most fruits and vegetables require an import permit, and dairy products are usually not allowed. Baked goods, chocolate and candy are usually permitted.

Remember that with so many people crossing the Mexican border every year and entering and re-entering the United States, it may be difficult for customs officers to enforce every restriction and check every bag. If you were traveling for leisure, you will not be searched typically at all when you enter the country and turn in your customs declaration form. Whether or not you follow the rules, you should be aware of them ( http://customs.gov/). If you find yourself in trouble with the Customs and Border Protection office, you will find that declaring honestly and comprehensively on your customs form and abiding by importation guidelines is the best policy.