NEW LAW IN MEXICO AS OF OCTOBER 2023

[Vue D’Oiseau]

I will be traveling to mexico next week, arriving at Cancun airport. Now that Mexico allows tourist or foreigners to bring drones under 250gms I'm thinking about it. The only requirement is to register your drone. I've looked into their AFAC ( civil aviation federal agency) website to get more info but it's all in spanish. I've called the consulate in my city to find any info, no luck there. It would be nice to have the form to register my drone prior to arriving at the airport, but so far I' cant find anything. I assume I would have to register it at the AFAC counter if there is one at the airport. I've heard there might be a tax on bringing drone inside , I also need the invoice of purchase.
Any suggestion on how to register or to proceed.

 

[Cafguy]

I know it sounds obvious but you should find someone who knows Spanish.
I say this because many government forms from Mexico are Only worded in Spanish.

 

[MS Coast]

Translate.google.com

 

[Daytona500]

Looks to be a real PITA

 

[Yorkshire_Pud]

Translate.google.com

seconded

 

[rexster1505]

When was the date of this information? Last I read was you have to be a Mexican citizen to register any drone regardless of weight.
That being said, I've brought several different drones from a Phantom 4 Pro+ to my Mini 3 Pro just this last September. And not had one problem at the Cozumel airport. And they were not registered for Mexico.

 

[shb]

Don't seem to be any good options. I would try google translate first. If the process is too hard, I would fly without registering. Just find a place where no cops will see you take off or land. Their cops tend to be lazy and probably don't even know the drone laws. If you get caught maybe you can bribe them. I heard in Mexican jails they mainly serve Mexican food. So that's good!

 

[dart106]

Looks to be a real PITA

Not to mention costly, depended on who is collecting “fees”.

 

[Cafguy]

Not to mention costly, depended on who is collecting “fees”.

CHURCH!!
Just a small reminder, If you break the laws in a foreign country and are jailed Your countries consulate can do very little to help get you out of jail. and Its Mexico - food for thought
The fine for flying a non registered drone in Mexico is probably -How much you have plus How much your family can send you plus taxes.

 

[n3ntj]

There are laws in Mexico?

 

[Blairsville]

There are laws in Mexico?

Only if you are law abiding. The Cartels have Carte Blanche.

 

[spsphotos]

Only if you are law abiding. The Cartels have Carte Blanche.

My thought exactly. You'd have to be extremely careful where you fly. You don't want the cartels thinking you are spying on them....would be a death sentence.

 

[n3ntj]

Only if you are law abiding. The Cartels have Carte Blanche.

My point exactly. The cartels run Mexico, not the gov't.

 

[drone_dh]

I never thought twice about the friggin cartels... yeah, I think I'll leave the drone home. Sigh....

 

[n3ntj]

Seems like it would be easier to leave the drone at home.

 

[FlySkyJumper]

I will be traveling to mexico next week, arriving at Cancun airport. Now that Mexico allows tourist or foreigners to bring drones under 250gms I'm thinking about it. The only requirement is to register your drone. I've looked into their AFAC ( civil aviation federal agency) website to get more info but it's all in spanish. I've called the consulate in my city to find any info, no luck there. It would be nice to have the form to register my drone prior to arriving at the airport, but so far I' cant find anything. I assume I would have to register it at the AFAC counter if there is one at the airport. I've heard there might be a tax on bringing drone inside , I also need the invoice of purchase.
Any suggestion on how to register or to proceed.

You're just fine to operate your drone no problem in Mexico. I didn't have to register my Mini 3 pro. This was After I checked with the AFAC. Always check with local authorities just in case, but typically they will try to extort you out of money sadly. It is just what it is.

 

[SteveHudsonPhotography]

I've had the follow response back from the AFAC which flat out says non residents cannot fly any type of drone in Mexico unless I'm mistaken?

"In response to your email received at [email protected] on May 7, 2024, I inform you that based on numeral 4.10.16. of the Official Mexican Standard NOM-107-SCT3-2019, which establishes the requirements to operate a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) in Mexican airspace, RPAS (commonly known as Drones) operations by foreigners in Mexico are not allowed, regardless brand, weight of the drone or purpose of the operation.



Below is the numeral, for quick reference:



4.10.16. May not operate in Mexico an RPAS with foreign registration or operated by foreign RPAS operators, other than those mentioned in numeral 4.10.15 of this Official Mexican Standard, unless there is a bilateral agreement between the Aeronautical Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the state of registration.



You can find the full Official Mexican Standard NOM-107-SCT3-2019 at the following link, please take note this Standard is available only in Spanish.

https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/597816/nom-107-sct3-2019-201119.pdf

Without further to add for the moment, I take this opportunity to send you a cordial greeting."

 

[MS Coast]

I've had the follow response back from the AFAC which flat out says non residents cannot fly any type of drone in Mexico unless I'm mistaken?

"In response to your email received at [email protected] on May 7, 2024, I inform you that based on numeral 4.10.16. of the Official Mexican Standard NOM-107-SCT3-2019, which establishes the requirements to operate a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) in Mexican airspace, RPAS (commonly known as Drones) operations by foreigners in Mexico are not allowed, regardless brand, weight of the drone or purpose of the operation.



Below is the numeral, for quick reference:



4.10.16. May not operate in Mexico an RPAS with foreign registration or operated by foreign RPAS operators, other than those mentioned in numeral 4.10.15 of this Official Mexican Standard, unless there is a bilateral agreement between the Aeronautical Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the state of registration.



You can find the full Official Mexican Standard NOM-107-SCT3-2019 at the following link, please take note this Standard is available only in Spanish.

https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/597816/nom-107-sct3-2019-201119.pdf

Without further to add for the moment, I take this opportunity to send you a cordial greeting."

" unless there is a bilateral agreement between the Aeronautical Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority of the state of registration."

I'm wondering if there is a relevant agreement between CAAs in Mexico and the US that create a reasonable exception?

I tried to decipher the regulations a few months for a trip to Mexico and finally just left the drone at home. Given that I didn't have to haul it around and that other things kept me more than occupied during the three weeks, I really don't regret not taking one.

 

[MS Coast]

My point exactly. The cartels run Mexico, not the gov't.

Based on what? Personal experience? In-country observation?

I saw nothing to support that claim during three weeks from the mountains to the Yucatan in February.

 

[rexster1505]

Based on what? Personal experience? In-country observation?

I saw nothing to support that claim during three weeks from the mountains to the Yucatan in February.

Please refer to the incident in Cancun a couple of years ago when the cartels got into a running gun battle on the beaches. There's too much money coming into them for them NOT to have a hand in the Mexican government.