Mexico

Specific Information

Critical: Do not ship household goods to Mexico until all documentation is complete and the destination agent has given the green light. The airport holds shipments for only 30 days and ports for only 60 calendar days. If documentation is not presented within those windows, the Mexican Government confiscates the shipment. Any item not included in the consularized inventory can be expropriated by the Mexican Government.

Mexico distinguishes between three categories of importer: temporary residents (foreign nationals on a temporary work visa), returning Mexican citizens and permanent residents, and diplomats. The documentation and procedures differ for each.

Menaje de Casa (consularized inventory): Returning Mexican citizens and permanent residents must have their inventory legalized (stamped) by the Mexican Consulate in the country of origin. This is non-negotiable. The consularized inventory must be in Spanish, and all articles in the shipment must be listed on it. Visaed inventories are valid for only 6 months from the date of issue.

Residency requirement: Returning Mexican citizens and permanent residents must show proof of having lived abroad for a minimum of 6 months. Mexican Customs require the shipment to be imported within the first 6 months after the visa was issued. After this period, the shipment will not be accepted.

Full address requirement: The destination address is mandatory and must match the address used to obtain the stamped inventories or resident credentials.

Tax ID on bills of lading (sea shipments): Under rule 2.4.5, all sea shipments to or from Mexico must show the Tax ID (RFC) number for all parties on the carrier bill of lading (shipper, consignee, and notify party). Mexican nationals must provide their RFC. Foreigners should use the generic RFC: EXTR920301TS4. Diplomatic goods use: EMB930401KH4. International organizations use: OIN930413N0. Tax ID information must be submitted at least 24 hours before vessel departure; failure to provide it may result in refusal to load.

Steamship line deposit: Mexican steamship lines require a deposit of approximately USD 1,000 when a shipment arrives in a container.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Used household goods and personal effects (items used for at least 6 months) may be imported duty-free, provided all documentation is in order and the goods are not intended for resale.

New items: Items less than 6 months old are considered new by Customs and are subject to duties of 20% plus 16% IVA (VAT). New items must be declared separately with proof of purchase. Importantly, duties on new items can only be paid for shipments arriving via NVO (Nuevo Laredo/Laredo); duties on new items cannot be processed at Veracruz port or Mexico City Airport. Do not pack used items in original packaging, as Customs will treat them as new, causing problems and delays.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Copy of original temporary resident visa/card
• Purchase invoice or title of property
• Vehicle title
• Express bill of lading
• Copy of driver's license
• Owner's personal identification
• Letter of authorization for the agent to arrange transportation from port to final destination
• International credit card (for temporary import permit fee)

Specific Information

Mexican citizens and permanent residents cannot import vehicles into Mexico. This is a strict prohibition. Only temporary residents and diplomats may import motor vehicles.

Temporary residents: The owner must be present at the port of entry to clear Customs and obtain a temporary import permit. The temporary permit fee is approximately USD 500, payable by international credit card. Customs grants a permit for the period of validity of the temporary resident visa, which must be renewed before expiration. The vehicle should be shipped separately from the household goods.

Diplomats: May import a vehicle with a franchise arranged by the embassy. The agent can handle vehicle transportation with the corresponding diplomatic franchise.

Bicycles: Only bicycles that are part of the household goods and declared on the legalized inventory are allowed. Must be used, one per person.

Other vehicles: Boats, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles are prohibited for non-diplomatic imports.

Pets

• Copy of airway bill
• Sanitary original bill of lading
• General certificate of health from a veterinarian
• Vaccination certificate (rabies and other standard vaccinations)
• Copy of the owner's passport
• Copy of the veterinarian's professional registration card

Timing: Send all documents and the airway bill to the destination agent in advance to avoid delays. Arrange for the pet to arrive at the beginning of the week; pets arriving late in the week risk being held in Customs control over the weekend with no one to feed them.

High-value animals: If the value of the animal exceeds USD 5,000, authorization from the Secretary of Commerce and Industrial Promotion is required.

Duties: Pet imports are subject to payment of duties.

SENASICA: Mexico's National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) regulates the import of live animals. An import health certificate from SENASICA or its recognition of the origin country's certificate may be required. Confirm current requirements with the destination agent.

Common mistakes: Sending pets over the weekend (no one available to care for them at Customs). Not sending documents to the destination agent before the pet arrives. Failing to include the veterinarian's professional registration information.