Anyone who owns a drone would love nothing more than to take the most amazing videos of the world at heights that have never been seen before.
Drones Are Legal In Mexico and there are no restrictions on their use. The only thing drone users should be wary of is the location they fly their drones. For example, flying a drone over a police station or prison would be considered a crime.
Drones have changed photography and videography forever and a lot of people are now buying drones for their private uses. But are drones legal in Mexico? If you’re planning on buying a drone, then you’d want to know if it is legal in your location.
Drones are the future — there is no doubting that. With drone technology on the rise, their legality will only become more important. This article is for anyone looking to own a drone in Mexico, or fly a drone in Mexico legally.
Drones (or unmanned aerial vehicles) are a very popular topic at the moment. Everyone wants one for the holidays, not just for recreational purposes, but also for commercial ones. Drones can now be used for filming, photography, construction and other worthwhile businesses.
Laws Controlling Drone Use In Mexico
Before you enter Mexico with your drone, it’s important to understand their rules and regulations.
Because there are very few laws controlling drone use in Mexico, you should pay attention to the rules of Mexico’s Customs Department.
Importing drones into Mexico requires a permit from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation, even if you are only traveling with a drone as opposed to importing one for sale or commercial use. You will also be required to pay an import fee for your drone based on its value.
What Are The Rules?
Drones Are Legal In Mexico. There is no registration, no restrictions and no license needed. It’s a drone pilot’s paradise.
There are very few restrictions on drone use in Mexico. You can fly pretty much anywhere outside of the restricted zones: airports, military areas or archeological sites (national parks).
There is also a lot to see; beautiful scenery and wonderful architecture, from colonial buildings to the pyramids of Teotihuacan.
Mexico’s Drone Laws Are Loose
If you’re traveling to Mexico and want to bring a drone with you, then you won’t have any problems with customs. Mexico’s drone laws are fairly straightforward and easy to follow. There are no restrictions on recreational flying of drones in the country, and there are few rules for commercial use either.
The only restrictions that apply to drone pilots in Mexico are the same ones that apply to all foreign visitors—a respect of local laws is all that’s required. The good news is that importing a drone into Mexico isn’t an issue either.
As long as your drone weighs less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms), it can be brought into the country without any problems or need for special financing or insurance.
Mexican Customs Rules
You’re planning to travel to Mexico and want to know if you can take your drone. Before you head south of the border, it’s important to know that some items are restricted or banned entirely.
Also, if you plan on bringing your drone with you into Mexico, be sure not to bring anything new. Mexican customs requires that any electronics brought into the country must be at least six months old before they will grant entry.
It’s also important to review flying regulations in Mexico. Here are some top rules for flyers in Mexico:
- Drones cannot be flown within 50 kilometers (30 miles) of international airports or within nine kilometers (five miles) of civilian airports
- Drones cannot be flown over crowds or gatherings
- Drone operators need special permission from the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) in order to carry out commercial operations
Virtually No Restrictions
Mexico is an ideal place to fly drones because there are virtually no restrictions on their use. At the federal level, there are no rules governing where and when you can fly your drone. However, in recent years, states and cities have started to impose restrictions that control when drones can fly.
The drone laws in Mexico are some of the most relaxed in the world, even more than those in other Latin American countries such as Colombia and Argentina.
Where You Get Registered To Fly Your Drone Legally
Ready to fly your drone in Mexico?
Here are some organization where you will need to register before you fly:
- Mexican Federal Registration
- Aircraft License
- Insurance Policy (only required if your drone weighs more than 4 kilograms)
- Proof of citizenship and identity (such as a passport)
These are all necessary documents to fly your drone legally in Mexico.
How To Register A Drone In Mexico
If you want to fly a drone in Mexico, you’ll need to register it with the Mexican government.
The good news is that registering is easy and doesn’t take much time at all. To register your drone, all you have to do is fill out a form and submit it online. The process typically takes about 15 minutes.
You’ll receive your registration number within 24 hours of submitting the form, although sometimes it may take longer if the Mexican equivalent of the DMV isn’t having a great day.
What Do I Need To Fly My Drone In Mexico?
As the popularity of drones soars around the world, many travelers are wondering what they need to fly a drone in Mexico. For those of you planning a trip to Mexico and hoping to do some aerial photography with your drone, there are several things you’re going to need first.
You’ll need a drone: Of course you’ll need an unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV), also known as a “drone”. You will be operating your UAV in public airspace.
This can be dangerous for others if it is not done correctly. So make sure that you choose one that has been tested and proven safe for use by other operators before spending your hard earned money on one.
You’ll need it registered: It is illegal in Mexico to operate an unmanned aerial vehicle unless it has been registered with the FAA first. Before flying, go register your UAV with them here as well as get more information about flying in Mexico on their website here!
You’ll need good judgement: When operating any kind of machinery there will always be risks involved but if those risks are considered beforehand then they can often times be mitigated or even eliminated altogether!
Be smart and stay safe when flying drones by knowing where other people might be nearby and keeping an eye out for potential hazards such as trees branches that could get sucked into propellers etcetera. To avoid endangering yourself or others always keep aware of your surroundings before taking off from any location.”
What Are The Rules Surrounding Flying Drones In Mexico?
You must also be aware of the following:
- You are not permitted to fly your drone over any populated areas. This includes roads and railways, including (but not limited to) highways, roads or railways that are not subject to normal traffic.
- You must maintain a distance of at least 30 meters from other people and structures that are not subject to normal traffic.
- If your drone weighs less than 2kg, you are permitted to fly up to 100 meters high or within 50 meters of a structure. If it weighs 2kg-25kg, then you cannot fly higher than 150m and cannot get closer than 5km from an airfield or airport. Lastly, if it weighs more than 25kg, then you can only fly within 1km of an airfield or airport and no higher than 300m.
Is It Legal To Fly A Drone In Cancún, Mexico?
When flying your drone in Cancún, you must follow the rules set by the Mexican Civil Aviation Authority. If these rules are not followed, you may be subject to fines or removal from the country.
In particular, it is illegal to fly your drone over a crowd of people or buildings. You also cannot fly your drone near airports, military bases or naval bases.
Drones Are Legal In Mexico
If you’re not flying your drone for commercial purposes, and you are able to follow the rules above, drones are legal to use in Mexico.
You can fly it in a park or on your own property without any additional licensing.
However, if you’re flying for commercial purposes, it can be more challenging. You’ll need to contact the Civil Aviation Authority of Mexico (SACM) as well as apply for a permit from the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT).
Conclusion
Drones Are Legal In Mexico, but you’ll need to make sure you’re up to date on the laws. The regulations around drone use in Mexico vary by state, so you’ll want to check with your local government before using a drone there.
The legality of drones in Mexico is complicated – but for the most part, flying in Mexico is legal! There are some recreational restrictions, and some drone use requires permits from the government, but for the most part if you’re planning on flying a drone for fun (as opposed to commercially), then you’ll be okay.
But don’t take our word for it – check out this page to read all about the current drone laws in Mexico. You can also learn when it’s best to fly legally and when it’s best to choose another activity!
Frequently Asked Questions (are Drones Legal In Mexico)
What Are The Rules Surrounding Flying A Drone In Mexico?
There is no specific national law regulating the use of drones in Mexico, but as you would expect, there are rules that govern the use of drones in many countries throughout the world. In general, it’s always important to follow the laws of countries where you plan to fly a drone.
You do not need a license to fly your drone in Mexico if:
- You’re using it recreationally (e.g., for fun)
- You’re using it commercially (e.g., filming an ad or taking photos)
If you are flying for commercial purposes and operating out of Mexico City, then there may be additional requirements depending on your type of business and location within Mexico City itself.
What Do I Need To Do Before I Travel With My Drone To Mexico?
Before you travel with your drone to Mexico, you should register it with the Mexican Civil Aviation authority. This can be done online, and the process only takes a few minutes.
You will need to provide some basic information about your drone including its make and model, plus some details about where it was purchased and if there are any modifications that have been made since then. A copy of your drone’s registration certificate will also be required.
To reiterate: You must register your drone before traveling with it to Mexico! If you don’t do this step, it could lead to serious consequences such as fines or even jail time!
It’s also worth noting that while transporting drones across borders is legal in some cases (see below), most airlines have strict regulations against flying drones onboard their flights due to potential risks involved in doing so (i.e., getting sucked into jet engines).
So if you’re planning on taking an airplane flight when traveling abroad with a drone or other similar device like an FPV racing quadcopter or an aerial photography quadcopter—make sure that this isn’t something prohibited by the airline beforehand!
Do I Need A License To Fly A Drone In Mexico?
The short answer is no. In Mexico, you can fly your drone without a license.
However, there are some important things to keep in mind:
- Register your drone with the Mexican government. If you want to fly a drone in Mexico and don’t have an identification number for it, then you will need to get one from the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT).
- Get permission for sensitive areas such as military bases and airports before flying over them with a drone (or any other type of aircraft). The Mexican government requires pilots flying within 30 kilometers of military installations or airports must request permission from these facilities beforehand; if they refuse access then there may be repercussions including possible fines up-to-10 thousand pesos ($500 USD), confiscation of equipment used while violating regulations regarding airspace access permissions so consider yourself warned!
