Mexico City — Mexico’s Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) has issued a reminder that mandatory tips are illegal, and businesses that force customers to pay them could face fines of up to 4.1 million pesos (about $220,000).
The agency stated that no establishment providing a service can demand a tip or set the amount a customer must pay. Tips must remain a voluntary gratuity for good service, not a condition for receiving or completing a service.
The warning is based on Article 10 of the Federal Consumer Protection Law, which prohibits coercive or abusive commercial practices. Under Article 128, fines range from 1,053 to 4,118,491 pesos, depending on the severity of the violation, repeat offenses, and harm caused to consumers. Article 128 Bis allows for temporary closure of the business and fines from 219,912 to 6,157,537 pesos.
Profeco urged consumers to check their bills carefully before paying. If an unrecognized charge appears, customers should report it to the establishment. If the business insists on a mandatory tip, consumers can file a complaint via the Consumer Telephone (55 5568 8722 or 800 468 8722), email, or at any of the 38 Consumer Defense Offices nationwide.
The issue has gained attention as many restaurants, bars, and cafes in Mexico include a 10% tip automatically on the bill or pressure customers to add it. The practice is particularly common in tourist areas, where many visitors come from the United States, where tipping is deeply ingrained. Between January and October 2025, Mexico received 38.4 million international tourists, 67.3% from the U.S., according to the Tourism Secretariat.
Even in the U.S., the tipping culture is being questioned. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski recently criticized the system for shifting labor costs onto customers.
Discover more from Riviera Maya News & Events
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.