SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblymember David Alvarez (D–San Diego) today announced that Assembly Bill 2751 passed the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee last week. AB 2751 aligns California’s import limits from Mexico with those of other states like Texas, allowing residents to bring back up to 6 liters of alcohol for personal consumption.
“If you fly into San Diego or arrive by cruise ship, you can bring home a reasonable amount of wine or spirits from Baja California, but if you cross at San Ysidro or Otay Mesa, the same rules don't apply,” said Assemblymember David Alvarez. “AB 2751 fixes that. This is a commonsense update that treats all travelers fairly and reflects the deep economic and cultural ties that make the CaliBaja Mega Region so unique. I'm proud to carry this bill and look forward to its continued progress."
Under current law, travelers entering California from Mexico by air or sea, may bring in a reasonable quantity of alcoholic beverages for personal use, while those crossing by land at San Ysidro or Otay Mesa are limited to just one liter. AB 2751 would raise the land-crossing limit to six liters.
“The CaliBaja Mega Region thrives because of our deep cross-border ties, from family, food, tourism and especially local business who do commerce,” said Mario C. Lopez, CEO of the Border Group. “Having elected officials like Assemblymember David Alvarez who truly understand the daily realities and interdependence of our binational community, is essential to advancing thoughtful policy. Measures like AB 2751 support a more practical framework that benefits both sides of the border and strengthens both of our economies”
The CaliBaja Mega Region — encompassing San Diego County and Baja California — is one of the most economically integrated cross-border regions in the world. Millions of crossings occur annually at land ports of entry, and many travelers regularly visit Baja California’s world-class destinations, including the internationally renowned wine country of Valle de Guadalupe. AB 2751 recognizes the everyday binational realities of residents and visitors in this region and removes an inequity that has long treated land border crossers differently from those arriving by air or sea.
“The AB 2751 proposal represents a necessary strategic move to strengthen the economic and tourism dynamics of our binational region, said Dr. Diana Celaya Tentori, Director at the Center for Viticultural Studies (CEVIT) at CETYS University. “By increasing the personal consumption limit to six liters, it not only promotes the growth of local wine industries but also reaffirms trust in consumers who seek quality and variety. At CEVIT, we support this legislative innovation that allows wine to serve as a bridge of resilience and connection between California and Baja California.”
The bill now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration. If passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor, the measure would take effect January 1, 2027.
