Cozumel Businesses Seek Clear Customs Rules, Question 35.8% Non-Resident Fee Hike

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Cozumel business leaders are pressing customs authorities for clear, predictable rules on what tourists can bring onto the island, following complaints from visitors and service providers about unexpected charges and procedures.

After meeting with customs officials, representatives of the island’s business sector said the authorities showed willingness to address their concerns. Both sides agreed to produce plain-language guidance covering which items visitors may bring in as personal luggage, which are exempt from duties, and when limits or payments apply.

Sports Season Sharpens Concerns Over Equipment

The issue has taken on new urgency as the sports tourism season begins, bringing international events such as Ironman 70.3, the Cozumel Triathlon and GFNY Cozumel. Business leaders noted that competitors often travel with bicycles and high-value sports equipment, and asked officials to prevent confusion or charges that fall outside the regulations.

The business sector pledged to help spread the rules among hotels, tour operators, event organizers and visitors. It also offered customer-service training to customs staff who deal directly with travelers, focusing on clear communication and courteous treatment without interfering with the agency’s authority.

Airport Traffic Slips as Fee Hike Questioned

Business leaders also voiced concern about the direction of tourism on the island, noting that international passenger traffic at Cozumel International Airport fell roughly 3 percent in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

Against that backdrop, they challenged a proposal to raise the Non-Resident Fee (DNR) in 2027 to 1,334.80 pesos per visitor from 983 pesos — a 35.8 percent jump in a single year. According to the sector, the cumulative increase since 2025 would reach about 55 percent.

The Cozumel Business Coordinating Council argued that the impact of any new charge on the destination’s competitiveness, connectivity and tourism demand must be analyzed before it is applied, particularly when several indicators point to a slowdown.

Business leaders also called for stronger tourism promotion for Mexico and Cozumel. While acknowledging efforts to tackle regional problems such as sargassum, they said the island faces other challenges tied to connectivity, access costs, international competition and shoring up demand.

The sector wants a permanent, transparent and sufficient share of the revenue collected through the DNR channeled back into effective tourism promotion, taking into account the specific needs of each destination. Collecting money from tourism is not enough, they said — it must also be invested in attracting visitors back.