Mexico to cruisers: Shop here, and we'll refund your taxes

[mercedes]

Good news, cruisers: It'll soon cost you less to go on a shopping spree in Mexican ports.

Industry watcher Travel Weekly reports that Mexico soon will begin reimbursing the 15% value-added tax (VAT) that cruisers and other tourists pay when buying goods in the country.

The travel publication says that as early as June tourists will be able to use kiosks at five major airports (Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta) to get back the tax, though the kiosks won't appear at cruise ports (and other airports) until 2009.

Cruisers only will be able get refunds for purchases totaling at least $115 (1,200 Mexican pesos), and the purchases have to be made at approved stores with cash or credit/debt cards issued outside of Mexico, Travel Weekly says. Other restrictions apply.