1. It usually takes less than 20 minutes to get through customs.
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Allow enough time: Customs can be time-consuming, especially during peak travel periods. Make sure you allow enough time to clear customs and get to your connecting flight. As a general rule, it's best to allow at least two hours for international layovers.
Since Cancun has smashed its arrivals records in 2021, customs and immigration are experiencing some serious backups. Depending on how many flights are landing at once, you might be through immigration in as little as 10 minutes, but we've seen lineups of over 3 hours. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.
Foreign citizens traveling to Mexico must have a valid passport and complete an Official Entry Immigration Form or Tourist Card, prior to entry. The Tourist Card is generally made available to you during your flight into Cancun by the flight staff.
The recommended layover time for international flights is generally longer, as you will have to go through customs and immigration before boarding your next flight. In most cases, a 30-minute layover for domestic flights and an hour for international flights is considered a minimum, or short, layover.
Trusted Traveler Program EnrollmentGlobal Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports.
It's really hard to put an exact number on how long you need for your layover. At a minimum, I'd say you should plan for one hour for domestic layovers and two hours for international layovers. But this is not a hard, fast rule! If you have to go through security again on a domestic layover, you might need more time.
Baggage claim is usually after customs when a person arrives from an international flight at an airport. This is because customs is responsible for inspecting the items that you are bringing into the country, and they need to do this before you can collect your luggage.
Gather all your luggage and proceed to customs. If you get stopped for inspection you will be asked to open your luggage and the inspector will search through it. Remember they are only looking for illegal items. This is a routine inspection and it should take no more than 10 minutes.
If you enter or leave Mexico, you must declare any sum of money equaling US$10,000 or more that you bring in cash, checks, money orders, other cashable documents or a combination of them. Failing to declare carries a fine ranging from 20% to 40% of the exceeding amount.
Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the process quick and easy. First, make sure to fill out all necessary paperwork before you arrive, including your customs and immigration form. Additionally, be prepared with all necessary documentation, including your passport and any travel documents.
Viajero Confiable is a trusted traveler program that allows fast and safe entry into Mexico by allowing members to process themselves at automated kiosks located at designated airports. The program is open to Mexican citizens 18 years of age and up and U.S. citizens who are members of CBP's Global Entry program.