A proposed state law could soon allow American tourists to bring significantly more wine back from Baja California’s renowned Valle de Guadalupe, a move that local officials say would benefit both travelers and the region’s growing wine industry.
The “Beverage Import Parity Act of 2026” (AB 2751), introduced by San Diego Assemblymember David Álvarez, seeks to raise the current limit on wine bottles that individuals may bring into the United States when crossing the border from Baja California.
More Benefits for American Tourists in Baja California
In a video shared on his official YouTube channel, Álvarez highlighted the Valle de Guadalupe’s growing appeal as a top destination for Southern California residents and this law allows people to bring more bottles of wine into the United States.
“Many people assumed this was a federal regulation, but it’s actually a state law, which means we have the authority to change it,” Álvarez said.
The bill has already cleared the California Assembly and is now under review in the state Senate. Its passage would provide a significant boost to local wineries, many of which rely on cross-border visitors.
“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, those same rules do not apply. AB 2751 fixes that,” said Assemblymember Alvarez.
If passed, the legislation would raise the allowance to six bottles per person per month for personal consumption.
Álvarez also pointed to the broader economic ripple effects, noting that American travelers to Baja California frequently spend money in San Diego as well, supporting local businesses and strengthening binational ties.
The initiative has garnered official backing from Miguel Ángel Badiola Montaño, Baja California’s Secretary of Tourism, as well as support from the state government, as it would reinforce Valle de Guadalupe’s status as a premier international wine destination.
