The Mexican Ministry of Tourism formalized the cooperation agreement with the shipping industry, confirming the introduction of the Non-Resident Right for cruise passengers arriving in Quintana Roo and other Mexican ports this summer. The gradual charge began at $5 per passenger starting July 1, 2025, as Governor Mara Lezama had announced last May.
Federal Tourism Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora reported that after various inter-institutional discussions with the SHCP (Ministry of Tourism), the INM (National Institute of Statistics), and representatives of the shipping industry, the Non-Resident Right for cruise passengers arriving in Quintana Roo was formalized as part of Plan Mexico.
This official announcement confirms what Governor Mara Lezama had announced on May 8, when she explained that the charge is justified because cruise passengers…
“do not generate significant economic benefits, as they are visitors who only stay a few hours at destinations in the state.”
Gradual Collection Schedule through 2028
The Non-Resident Duty for cruise passengers arriving in Quintana Roo will be phased in according to the following schedule:
$5 per passenger: from July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026
$10 per passenger: from August 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027
$15 per passenger: from July 1, 2027, to July 31, 2028
$21 per passenger: starting August 1, 2028
This gradual implementation of the Non-Resident Duty for cruise passengers arriving in Quintana Roo allows cruise lines and passengers to progressively adapt to the new charging scheme.
Cruise Line Commitments to Mexican Tourism
As part of the agreement for the Non-Resident Right for cruise passengers arriving in Quintana Roo, the cruise industry, represented by Michele M. Paige, CEO of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, commits to:
Collaborate in the retention and payment of the duty to the Government of Mexico
Increase the supply of Mexican products on board ships
Expand the promotion of Mexico as a destination in its communication channels
Promote Mexican folk art during voyages and in port spaces
Participate in recruitment fairs to hire more Mexican seafarers
Provide statistical information on cruise tourism
Benefits for Host Communities
The Non-Resident Right for cruise passengers arriving in Quintana Roo seeks to bring “Shared Prosperity” to host communities by creating jobs for Mexicans, supporting local suppliers, and promoting national folk art.
The funds obtained are channeled through the Trust for the Well-being of Cruise Tourism, with historic investments in Cozumel and Mahahual, in addition to allocating part of the funds to the Natural Disaster Fund.
Background to the Shipping Agreement
Governor Mara Lezama explained in May that the negotiations with the shipping companies “were not easy” due to initial rejection, but an agreement was reached with the support of President Claudia Sheinbaum, Secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, and Treasury officials.
The Non-Resident Status for cruise passengers arriving in Quintana Roo represents a milestone for the state, which receives the largest number of cruise ship arrivals in the country, with Cozumel and Mahahual standing out as the most important piers.
Strengthening Domestic Tourism
Rodríguez Zamora affirmed that the tourism sector’s participation in Plan Mexico is essential, and that the Non-Resident Tax Right for cruise passengers arriving in Quintana Roo, along with coordinated work with cruise companies, will allow for increased investment goals.
The decree published on December 31, 2024, established the basis for this tax incentive, while the phased implementation published on June 30, 2025, allows cruise passengers to “assimilate and internalize the payment of this tax.”
Source: newsdayscaribe
