Mexico MX
Mexico regulates drones under NOM-107-SCT3-2019 via the Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil (AFAC). Drones of 250 g or more must be registered with AFAC (Appendix K form, ~10 business days) before flying, and RPAS over 2 kg (up to 25 kg) need a pilot authorisation/licence. Registration is paperwork-based and takes time, so bringing a normal camera drone (almost always over 250 g) as a tourist needs advance planning.
Your plan
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You're good to go, just follow the local rules
- No registration needed
A 249 g drone with camera doesn't need to be registered in Mexico.
- Bringing your drone in
Air/sea travellers get a duty-free personal customs allowance of about USD 500 (goods carried as accompanied baggage); land-border allowances are lower. Above that, or when shipping a drone separately from your baggage, Mexican customs (SAT) can apply a simplified traveller 'tasa global' of about 19% instead of formal duty, or a formal duty + 16% IVA (VAT) via a customs broker for commercial imports, depending on the tariff classification. Radio-transmitting drones must be homologated (certified) by the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT). Drones sold/marketed in Mexico over 250 g must also meet NOM-107 geofencing (distance/altitude limiting) software requirements. Batteries: Carry-on only for spare lithium batteries. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares); over 160 Wh not permitted on passenger aircraft.
- Before each flight
Fly at or below 122 m (400 ft) AGL · Stay within about 457 m (1,500 ft) horizontal distance of the pilot · Daytime flight only — night flights need special AFAC authorisation
Flying
- Fly at or below 122 m (400 ft) AGL
- Stay within about 457 m (1,500 ft) horizontal distance of the pilot
- Daytime flight only — night flights need special AFAC authorisation
- RPAS Micro over 250 g and RPAS Pequeño must have built-in software limiting maximum distance and altitude
- Drones under 250 g may be flown over people; heavier drones may not
- No-fly zones apply near airports, and archaeological sites (e.g. Chichén Itzá, Teotihuacán) and many national parks restrict or ban drones locally — always check with site management (INAH) before flying at ruins
Commercial use: The same weight-based framework covers recreational, private non-commercial and commercial use. Commercial operators of RPAS Pequeño (over 2 kg) need the pilot licence like anyone else, plus AFAC may require additional operational documentation for paid work.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g) Registration is done by emailing the 'Appendix K' (Apéndice K) form and proof of ownership/possession to rpas@afac.gob.mx; AFAC states processing takes about 10 business days. The assigned folio number must be marked on the aircraft. No registration fee was found in official sources; several third-party guides report the process as free. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Sometimes (mixed, from 2 kg) Licencia de Piloto de RPAS (up to 25 kg). Required only for RPAS Pequeño (over 2 kg up to 25 kg), for recreational, private non-commercial or commercial use alike. Delivered through AFAC-authorised training centres — typically a hybrid course (online theory + in-person flight practice) over about 5 weeks; third-party training providers quote roughly MXN 2,000-5,000, but AFAC does not publish a fixed official fee. RPAS Micro (up to 2 kg) needs no pilot licence, only registration if over 250 g. |
| Remote ID | No No broadcast Remote ID rule. Traceability instead comes from the physical AFAC registration folio number marked on the drone and, for heavier RPAS, built-in geofencing software limiting range and altitude. |
| Insurance | Unknown Some registration/authorisation guidance mentions insurance certificates being requested for commercial-use registrations, but a clear, verified statutory insurance mandate (and any minimum cover amount) for recreational or private non-commercial flying was not confirmed in official sources reviewed. |
| Foreign registration accepted | Unknown AFAC's published registration process (Appendix K by email, proof of ownership, ~10 business days) does not explicitly exclude foreign visitors, but several third-party guides claim the paperwork is oriented toward residents and that most non-residents end up limited in practice to flying drones under 250 g, which need no registration — this specific point is unconfirmed against an official source and should be treated with caution. Given the ~10 business-day processing time, register well before your trip if your drone is 250 g or heavier; do not expect to complete this on arrival. Drones under 250 g can be flown by anyone, including tourists, without registration, subject to the general operating rules. |
Weight classes
| Class | Weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Under 250 g | < 250 g | No AFAC registration and no pilot licence required. May be flown over people. General safety and no-fly-zone rules still apply. |
| RPAS Micro | 250 g – 2 kg | Must be registered with AFAC (Appendix K). No pilot licence needed. Must include software limiting maximum horizontal distance and altitude. May not be flown over people if over 250 g. |
| RPAS Pequeño | > 2 kg – 25 kg | AFAC registration plus a Licencia de Piloto de RPAS required, for recreational, private or commercial use. |
| RPAS Grande | > 25 kg | Treated like a conventional aircraft: airworthiness certificate, type certificate and full aviation-style approvals required. |
Import & export
- Air/sea travellers get a duty-free personal customs allowance of about USD 500 (goods carried as accompanied baggage); land-border allowances are lower. Above that, or when shipping a drone separately from your baggage, Mexican customs (SAT) can apply a simplified traveller 'tasa global' of about 19% instead of formal duty, or a formal duty + 16% IVA (VAT) via a customs broker for commercial imports, depending on the tariff classification.
- Radio-transmitting drones must be homologated (certified) by the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT). Drones sold/marketed in Mexico over 250 g must also meet NOM-107 geofencing (distance/altitude limiting) software requirements.
- Batteries: Carry-on only for spare lithium batteries. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares); over 160 Wh not permitted on passenger aircraft.
- Exact customs duty (arancel) percentage for commercial drone imports was not confirmed against Mexico's current tariff schedule (LIGIE) — verify with a customs broker (agente aduanal) before importing commercially.
- Personal baggage brought by international travellers is generally exempt from the NOM-107 marketing/certification paperwork requirement, but the AFAC flight-registration and pilot-licence rules still apply once you fly the drone in Mexico.
Export
- General Mexican foreign-trade rules (Ley de Comercio Exterior) and dual-use/strategic goods controls can apply to specialised or military-grade UAV technology; ordinary consumer/prosumer camera drones are not normally affected.
Costs
| Operator registration | Unknown Validity: Not specified as time-limited in available sources — treat as tied to the specific aircraft |
|---|---|
| Licencia de Piloto de RPAS (up to 25 kg) | Unknown |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + 16 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Flying in Mexico as a tourist Visitors
- Check your drone's weight
Under 250 g: no registration or licence needed. 250 g or more: you must register with AFAC before flying.
- Register with AFAC well in advance
Email the Appendix K form and proof of ownership to rpas@afac.gob.mx at least a few weeks before travelling — processing takes about 10 business days. Open
- Mark your drone
Write the AFAC-issued folio/registration number on the aircraft once approved.
- Get a pilot licence if your drone is over 2 kg
RPAS between 2 kg and 25 kg need a Licencia de Piloto de RPAS from an AFAC-authorised training centre — arrange this ahead of time as well.
- Check site-specific bans
Archaeological sites (run by INAH), many national parks and airports restrict or ban drones locally — confirm with site management before you fly.
Sources
- AFAC — RPAS Drones (gob.mx) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- Consulado de México en Tucson — Información sobre importación de drones (RPAS) a México · accessed 23 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (mixed)−8
- Mandatory insurance−2
- Night flight permit−6
- Visitors need a flight permit−20
- Visitors must register locally−10
- Long lead time (10 days)−8
- Duty + VAT ≈ 21 %−13
- Radio / type certification−12
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works