What happens if I do not declare Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives in Mexico?

Under Ley Aduanera, artículo 88, primer párrafo, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. Under Ley Aduanera, artículo 178, fracción I, segundo párrafo, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Ley Aduanera, artículo 151, fracción III: the goods are confiscated.

Where does this rule come from?

Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) states it in Importación de armas a México. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How much Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives can I bring into Mexico?

Allowed

You can bring Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives into Mexico without a special limit.

Carried Allowed

Declaration Not required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Importación de armas a México Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), México

Questions about Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives in Mexico

Do I have to declare Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives at Mexico customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives in Mexico?: Under Ley Aduanera, artículo 88, primer párrafo, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess. Under Ley Aduanera, artículo 178, fracción I, segundo párrafo, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Ley Aduanera, artículo 151, fracción III: the goods are confiscated.
Can I post or ship Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives to Mexico instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead.
Can I take Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives out of Mexico?: Mexico publishes no separate rule for taking Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Mexico limit for Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) states it in Importación de armas a México. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Mexico compare with other countries on Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 12 prohibit Switchblade, gravity, ballistic and Balisong (butterfly) knives, 7 limit it and 1 let it through. Mexico is among the strictest.

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