That's not customs. That's security.

Because like the TSA, Mexican Customs will confiscate prohibited items.

The TSA will confiscate any tools over 7” in length and you won’t get them back.

Try reading about it, you might actually learn something

Yea, having things like that was against the rules when they confiscated those tools. You may have actually learned something that day yourself. Should have tried reading about it before hand, you might have actually learn something, and still had your tools...

Well, once again it escalates on the TFF. 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️🤪

Love it when folks go off the topic

You're still getting Customs and Security mixed up. Customs goes thru your checked and carry on bags as you arrive. Security checks your bags when you depart.

Pack all your tackle and tools in your checked bag. But bring your reels/other valuable equipment carry on

I've flown to Mazatlan to go to Picachos and El Salto approximately 20 times since 2009. In the first 19 times, they were pretty lax. We ALWAYS carry our spooled reels in our carry on luggage and one time they made us strip the line there in the airport before heading home. On our most recent trip, the American Airlines baggage people made it very clear that if we had reels in our carry-ons, they would be confiscated by security at the x-ray machine, no questions asked, no excuses given. We quickly put them in our checked luggage.

Not sure if that is a one-off experience or a permanent change, but from now on we will save room for reels in our checked luggage on the WAY HOME. We will continue to carry them down until we get some indication that is problematic, too.

On the trip before this last one, Mexican security would not let me take a 3 piece rod on the plane, either. I had to go back to the desk and check it. Again, that was something I took on the plane down, and I've flown with that little tube as a carry-on in Alaska, Brazil and Africa, as well as the US.

Pete, are you saying you had reels with no line on them and they made you put them in checked luggage?

That's disappointing! 5 reels, approx. $1k and no control over them.

On this last trip, that is what was implied and I didn't want to take the chance -- and it was 7 reels apiece.
All returned in perfect working condition, but I was nervous.

got to believe if they made you put your reels in your checked bag and they were stolen,American would be responsible but you would probably have to get a lawyer and take them to court....

I know guys are going down and coming back every day. Has this happened to anyone else? Have they told you they would confiscate your reels?

I know this is a bass forum but I'd be pretty pissed if I took a few of my Avet saltwater reels to Cabo and to have to strip off $1000 worth of braid.

Have traveled through MZT a few times myself and have always checked reels with new line on em.. Maybe I have just been lucky but I have never had a problem or given it a second thought..

I do know someone who lost a couple of reels from checked baggage, and AA paid for them after just a bit of effort..

Now ask me about cigars.. What they define as personal use and my definition are two different things.. This is when you pick up your baggage at MZT..

If you get checked with a box full you are going to pay about the same as the cigars cost as a tax.. Or give them up..

only if you put them in your carry on.