Customs and immigration on a private flight to Mexico
Every international arrival clears customs, immigration and agriculture at the first Mexican airport, with passengers, crew and luggage off the aircraft. Visitors carry the FMM form, and customs allowances are the same as on an airline.
- Visitor form
- FMM, up to 180 days
- Air allowance
- USD 500
- Cash declaration
- Over USD 10,000
- From the south
- First stop Cozumel or Tapachula
How arrival works
The operator needs an AFAC authorisation for the flight: a blanket permit for a charter operator, or a single-entry authorisation for a private flight. Each foreign passenger needs a passport, a visa where their nationality requires one, and the FMM visitor form, which allows a stay of up to 180 days. Customs, immigration and agriculture are cleared at the first airport of arrival.
Private flights clear the same customs and immigration rules as airline passengers, usually at a general aviation terminal with the ground handler. What differs is the aircraft side: AFAC authorisations and stamped flight plans.
The operator and the ground handler arrange the authorisation and pre-fill the customs forms. Tell us every passenger's nationality when you ask for a quote so we can confirm visa needs before the flight is booked.
Sources:Universal Weather and Aviation, 2 October 2025: Mexico permits 2025, business aviation guideUniversal Weather and Aviation, 10 February 2025: Mexico business aviation destination guideEmbassy of Mexico in Canada: Electronic Multiple Migratory Form for air travel (FMME)Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM): passenger allowances, RGCE rules 3.2.1 and 3.2.3 (copy hosted by the Consulate of Mexico in France)
AFAC authorisations and first landing
We could not read Mexico's AIP GEN 1.2 section online, so the aircraft rules here come from two trade guides by Universal Weather, dated February and October 2025. The operator confirms the authorisation on every flight.
| Topic | What the guides say |
|---|---|
| Private (non-revenue) flights | Annual and multiple-entry permits ended on 1 January 2024. AFAC issues authorisations nominally valid for six months, but airports apply this differently, so a new single-entry authorisation for each trip is advised. |
| Charter flights | Single-entry charter permits are no longer available. The operator needs an indefinite blanket permit, with the aircraft listed on it. |
| First landing | Customs, immigration and agriculture are always cleared at the first airport, even on a short technical stop. Passengers, crew and all luggage come off the aircraft for inspection. |
| Arriving from the south | Aircraft from Central America, South America or the Caribbean must first land at Cozumel (MMCZ) or Tapachula (MMTP) for security and customs checks. |
| Departure | International flight plans need AFAC and customs and immigration stamps before air traffic control accepts them, and can be filed only 30 minutes before departure. |
Crew usually clear after passengers, in about 30 to 45 minutes; the guide cites about 25 minutes at [[Toluca|/airports/toluca-mmto/]]. In peak season (November to March), delays of up to 40 minutes are reported at [[Los Cabos|/airports/los-cabos-mmsd/]], Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Mérida and [[Cancún|/airports/cancun-mmun/]].
Sources:Universal Weather and Aviation, 2 October 2025: Mexico permits 2025, business aviation guideUniversal Weather and Aviation, 10 February 2025: Mexico business aviation destination guide
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Passports, visas and the FMM
- All passengers need a passport, including US citizens.
- Foreign visitors fill in the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM). The electronic version for air travel is completed on the INM website before travel, printed, and stamped by immigration on arrival.
- The printed FMM is valid for 30 days from issue and allows a stay of up to 180 days, without paid work. The INM does not accept it on a phone or tablet.
- Keep the stamped FMM: it is your proof of legal entry and is checked again when you leave Mexico.
- Some nationalities need a visa before arrival. The Universal guide says Mexico accepts a valid visa or permanent residence from the USA, Canada, Japan, the UK, Ireland and Schengen countries.
- Active crew on the general declaration usually need no visa and may stay up to seven consecutive days, according to the same guide.
Sources:Instituto Nacional de Migración (gob.mx): how to fill in the electronic Forma Migratoria MúltipleEmbassy of Mexico in Canada: Electronic Multiple Migratory Form for air travel (FMME)Universal Weather and Aviation, 10 February 2025: Mexico business aviation destination guide
Customs allowances and declarations
Meat and meat products are restricted, and rubbish on board must be sorted into organic and inorganic before arrival, or the sorting delays clearance. Animals, plants and food are declared on the customs form.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Goods arriving by air | Duty-free up to USD 500 per passenger, all year (RGCE rule 3.2.1) |
| Personal effects | Clothing, footwear and toiletries in line with the length of the trip |
| Alcohol (over 18) | Up to 3 litres of alcoholic drinks, or 6 litres of wine |
| Tobacco (over 18) | 10 packs of cigarettes, or 25 cigars, or 200 g of tobacco |
| Above the allowance | A flat 19% on goods worth up to USD 3,000 (USD 4,000 for computer equipment) |
| Cash and cheques | Declare amounts over USD 10,000 or the equivalent, on entry or exit (Ley Aduanera, Article 9) |
Customs is run by the Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM). The ground handler usually pre-fills the customs forms for passengers on a private flight.
Sources:Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM): passenger allowances, RGCE rules 3.2.1 and 3.2.3 (copy hosted by the Consulate of Mexico in France)Ley Aduanera, Article 9 (declaring cash and cheques over USD 10,000), consolidated text by mley.mxUniversal Weather and Aviation, 10 February 2025: Mexico business aviation destination guide
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistDo I need an FMM on a private flight to Mexico?+
Foreign visitors need the FMM. The electronic form for air travel is filled in on the INM website, printed and stamped on arrival, and allows a stay of up to 180 days.
How much cash can I bring into Mexico?+
You must declare cash, cheques and similar documents worth more than USD 10,000, on entry or exit, under Article 9 of the Ley Aduanera.
What is the duty-free allowance by air?+
USD 500 per passenger, all year, plus personal effects. Above that, a flat 19% applies to goods worth up to USD 3,000.
Can I fly straight from the Caribbean to Cancún?+
Not directly. Aircraft arriving from Central America, South America or the Caribbean must first land at Cozumel or Tapachula for security and customs checks.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Universal Weather and Aviation, 2 October 2025: Mexico permits 2025, business aviation guide
- 2.Universal Weather and Aviation, 10 February 2025: Mexico business aviation destination guide
- 3.Embassy of Mexico in Canada: Electronic Multiple Migratory Form for air travel (FMME)
- 4.Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM): passenger allowances, RGCE rules 3.2.1 and 3.2.3 (copy hosted by the Consulate of Mexico in France)
- 5.Instituto Nacional de Migración (gob.mx): how to fill in the electronic Forma Migratoria Múltiple
- 6.Ley Aduanera, Article 9 (declaring cash and cheques over USD 10,000), consolidated text by mley.mx
Permits and paperwork handled.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.