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the aircraft only to have the Customs agent come behind them and tell you to unload everything and bring it into the airport building. As these agencies rarely identify themselves, it is hard to tell who is who.
Another area of concern has been that these government officials are using cellphones to take pictures of crew and passenger documents containing person- ally identifiable information (PII) such as Airmen Certificates, Medical Certificates and Passports. The ownership of these cell- phones, the location where the images are being stored and the steps being taken to protect that data have never been explained.
Unfortunately, we have seen the AFAC deny entry into Mexico for experimental category aircraft or pilots using BasicMed, even though their own published regulations specifically state that experimental aircraft and BasicMed are allowed with no specific individual approvals. Another issue that continues to pop up is AFAC inspectors wanting to see type ratings on pilot certificates for aircraft that do not require type ratings. Fortunately, we have been able to clear up type rating issues by working with the AFAC inspectors.
Other Issues Affecting Private Aircraft That Continue From the Past
There are other issues affecting private aircraft arrivals in Mexico which many veteran travelers may be familiar with that continue to exist and have nothing to do with the changes made by the actual government.
Mexican Customs
Under Mexican Customs law, only a pilot who can prove that they own the aircraft they are flying can bring anything into Mexico other than basic clothes and personal effects. Sporting equipment, electronic equipment other than a laptop or an iPad, and anything else you might want to
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have with you are not allowed entry and can be taxed or confiscated. Even though the law allows the owner-pilot to have passenger privileges in this regard, many customs agents are unaware of this allowance and frequently deny them this privilege. If the Mexican Customs agents do not have access to a working X-ray machine to scan bags when arriving or departing the country, customs agents may open all bags of crew and passengers for manual inspection. This means that any personal contents inside your bags may become public knowledge very quickly to all those present in the customs arrival area making the process either exciting or humiliating depending on whether you are the spectator or the person being inspected.
Immigration
Mexican immigration officers are usually very courteous and professional although sometimes they misapply article 14A of the Mexican tax code which assesses an approxi- mately $100 USD fee on GA aircraft if they arrive outside of “normal” operating hours or on weekends and/or holidays. The Mexican tax code specifically states that this fee is not to be applied to private flights, yet immigration officers at certain airports apply this fee to all aircraft arrivals regardless of the type of flight or the hours of operation.