How to Bring Your Household Goods from the U.S. to Mexico

While you are excited to start your new life in Mexico, you might be thinking about the best way to bring your household goods from the US to Mexico.

There are many things to consider:

• What’s the best way to do it?
• Should it ship by water, land, or air?
• What about customs tax?
• What’s the Menaje de Casa?

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find all the answers that will help you navigate the process of bringing your household goods with you to Mexico.

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Process Overview

Here’s an overview of the whole process. 

• First: Decide what items are important to have in Mexico. This process can be challenging, especially when it involves sentimental or valuable items.
• Second: Decide if you’re going to self-ship (which we don’t recommend) or use a professional international moving company. This guide will discuss the pros and cons of each.
• Third: Determine if a Menaje de Casa from a Mexican Consulate is right for you. In most cases, the Menaje de Casa is beneficial and will help you avoid unnecessary customs duties and delays when transporting household goods into Mexico.
• Fourth: Decide how you’re going to ship your household goods. Options include container shipping over water, air freight, and land shipping.
• Fifth: Gather the right documentation before visiting a Mexican Consulate office in the US. Correct documentation is important and should be translated into both English and Spanish. If you’re not fluent in Spanish, this may require a professional translator.
• Sixth: Apply for a Menaje de Casa at the nearest Mexican Consulate office in your area or state.

The final step is moving your household goods into Mexico, where you will need to deal with Mexican customs officials and pay any additional duties on your household goods.

Shipping Options

There are three main options for bringing your household goods from the US to Mexico:

• Container shipping over water
• Air freight
• Land by truck

Let’s take a look at each option in detail. 

Container Shipping 

Container shipping over water is a cost-effective way to ship your household goods to Mexico. It is ideal when you have a large quantity of household goods.

There are two important points to consider:

• Container Size: You can ship all your items in one container or in a portion of a container. For example, a single person or couple may only need half or less of a container, roughly 20 feet. Families of four or more are likely to need a full 40-foot container.
• Mexican Seaports: There are eight Mexican seaports that accept shipping containers, which is ideal if you’re moving to a coastal area like Quintana Roo, along the Pacific Ocean, or the Gulf of Mexico.

Some drawbacks to container shipping include: 

• Time: It may take more than 20 days to ship your household items.
• Demurrage fees
• Safety Deposit: A safety deposit may be required for the shipping container while it’s in transit to and from your new residence.
• Transportation Arrangement: You may need to find a company to transport the container or its contents from the port of entry to your new residence.
• Bill of Lading (BL): You will need to provide a Bill of Lading (BL) to the shipping company transporting your household goods by sea.

Note that if you use a professional shipping company that regularly handles shipments to Mexico, the process is straightforward, and they can manage most of it for you.

Container Shipping Estimates
Destination	Shipping Time	Cost	Container Size
From the East Coast to Veracruz or Quintana Roo	Average of 20 days	$900-$2,850 for a 20-foot container; $1,500-$5,000 for a 40-foot container
From the West Coast to Lazaro Cardenas	Average of 15 days	$950-$3,100 for a 20-foot container; $2,250-$6,100 for a 40-foot container

Air Freight 

Air freight is the most expensive option for shipping your household goods from the US to Mexico. It is suitable when you’re shipping a large quantity of boxes but not household appliances. However, it is also the most costly method. 

There are several advantages of air shipping to consider:

• Faster delivery for those who need to transition quickly or start a new job in Mexico. Items can be shipped within a few days.
• Efficient for transporting necessary or personal items like clothing, small appliances, bedding, and work-related items.
• Shipping to international airports provides flexibility, as your goods can be easily transported to your final destination by land.

For example, if you are relocating to Mexico City or another large city in Mexico, air freight is convenient, and you can then use a local moving company to transport your possessions to your residence. You will need to provide an Airway Bill (AWB) describing the contents you are shipping to the air freight company.

Air Freight Estimates
Denver or Miami to Mexico City	18”x15”x13” (30-50 lbs.)	Per box $375-$468
Denver or Miami to Mexico City	30”x18”x18” (30-50 lbs.)	Per box $560-$610

Land Transportation 

Land transportation by truck is the easiest option. You can go directly from your residence in the US to your residence in Mexico. There are numerous ports of entry along the US/Mexico border that you or moving companies can utilize to determine the quickest route for your household goods.

Here’s a unique advantage of using land transportation:

• You don’t need to hire an additional company to move your household goods from the port of entry.
• Land transportation can accommodate large or small shipments based on the truck size needed. For instance, a couple would need a 20-foot truck, and a family of four would need a 40-foot truck or larger.

For example, you may plan to cross the US/Mexico border at Eagle Pass and continue on stable highways to Mexico City or your destination. There are plenty of quality toll roads throughout Mexico to help you optimize your driving time.

Land Transportation Estimates
Labor per person/per hour	$40-$80
Long Distance (1,300/2,000 miles)	$5,600-$17,000

Cost and Time Comparison Chart

Every move is different. No two moves are the same.

The cost, time of delivery, and type of shipping method will depend on where you’re moving from in the US and where you’re moving to in Mexico. You can expect to invest between $2,000 and $17,000 depending on the amount of household goods you’re looking to import to Mexico from the US.

Here are suggested price targets based on research for selected cities in Mexico using a combination of shipping methods:

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Size of Residence	Guadalajara	Querétaro	Merida	Veracruz
1 or 2-bedroom apartment	$1,800 to $2,500	$2,400 to $2,800	$2,550 to $3,000	$1,500 to $2,500
2 or 3-bedroom house with normal furnishings	$6,100 to $8,000	$6,500 to $8,500	$6,200 to $8,200	$5,800 to $7,800
4 or 5-bedroom house with normal furnishings	$8,200 to $14,100	$9,600 to $16,500	$9,000 to $15,500	$8,000 to $14,000

Which Shipping Option Should I Use?

This depends entirely on your budget and requirements.

Container Shipping

• It’s generally recommended if you plan to ship many household items to Mexico.

Land Shipping

• It’s very convenient and recommended if you live near Mexico’s borders and
• the city you are planning to move to isn’t far from the border; otherwise, the cost may be very high.

Air Shipping

• Unless you need your items urgently, it’s best to avoid this option due to the cost.

Customs Duties and Taxes

If you are a permanent resident, temporary resident, temporary student, or a diplomat of Mexico, you can import your household goods to Mexico duty-free one time when you ship them to Mexico within six months after your formal entry to Mexico. 

To qualify for this duty-free exemption, there are three main requirements:

• You must apply for and receive a Menaje de Casa from the Mexican government.
• All household goods entering Mexico with an approved Menaje de Casa must be at least six months old and not in their original box or container.
• They must be permitted items as outlined in the next section. 

New household goods are subject to a Value Added Tax or IVA of 16%.

Items Allowed

Here is a short list of items permitted to be imported into Mexico:

• Kitchen appliances, domestic furniture, patio furniture, decorative items, mirrors, domestic tools, computers, electronic equipment, and home-office equipment.
• Clothes, curtains, bedding, children’s toys, musical instruments, books, bicycles, art and art supplies.
• Medical equipment and appliances (e.g., wheelchair and oxygen generator).
• Scientific instruments for professionals, as well as tools for workers and craftsmen, provided they are essential for the development of the profession, art, or trade.

You can find the full list here. 

Items Not Allowed

Here is a short list of items not permitted to be imported into Mexico:

• Items not considered household goods, such as cars, motorcycles, trailers, boats, canoes, kayaks, or jet skis. You need to apply for a separate Temporary Import Permit for these items.
• Guns, ammunition, explosives, any type of lethal weapon (e.g., sword), chemicals, medications, perfumes, liquid propane gas tanks (e.g., BBQs), and any type of gasoline-fueled engine (e.g., generator or lawn mower).
• Expensive antiques, fine artwork, taxidermy items (e.g., hunting trophies), archaeological artifacts, and items intended for industrial or commercial purposes.

You can find more information about it here. 

If you have any questions about an item, check with your Mexican Consulate.

Self-Shipping vs. Moving Company

If you are considering self-shipping, this section will help you make a better decision. There are several pros and cons to self-shipping and hiring an international moving company. 

Self-Shipping

Pros:

• You control how your household goods are shipped.
• You know what is in each specific box.

Cons:

• You might decide to simply fill up your trailer with boxes and move, but you will need a Temporary Import Permit for your vehicle and trailer.
• You will still need to go through the process of applying for a Menaje de Casa.
• You will need to hire a Mexican customs broker.
• You cannot drive to the border and then hire an international moving company to transport your household goods to Mexico.
• Your household goods are more likely to be delayed by Mexican customs officials.

International Moving Company

Pros:

• Professional international moving companies know the most cost-effective and fastest way to ship your household goods, whether by air, land, or sea.
• They can expedite your household goods through Mexican customs more easily by using their own customs broker.
• They are licensed and insured for losses, whether from theft, fire, an accident, or breakage.

Cons:

• They are not cheap, so you will need to budget accordingly.
• Mexican customs laws require them to inspect each box before sealing. This is necessary to correspond with your Inventory of Household Goods list.
• You can place items in specific boxes, but you cannot seal the boxes yourself.

How to Find an International Moving Company

As seen above, the easiest way to bring your household goods from the US to Mexico is to hire a professional international moving company. These companies are bonded, knowledgeable about Mexican customs laws, and can prepare and translate all required paperwork at your port of entry in Mexico. It’s a convenient way to ship your household goods.

To find an international moving company, you can fill out this form to receive five free quotes from qualified international moving companies.

Now, on to You

Now you know exactly what you need to do to bring your household goods from the US to Mexico. You have decisions to make based on your budget, timeline, and the amount of household goods you wish to bring with you.

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Remember, Mexico is a developed country with many big-box stores in larger metropolitan areas. Alternatively, you can adjust your costs and add style to your new residence by buying furniture or appliances once you arrive.

However, not all items here may suit your style and needs in Mexico. Therefore, many people choose to ship from USA to Mexico instead.