How to Ship Household Goods to Mexico: Menaje de Casa Rules & Process

To ship household goods to Mexico, you need a Menaje de Casa document ($179 USD) from a Mexican consulate, issued within 6 months of your visa. Only bring items owned 6+ months - new items incur duties. Honest advice: do not bring everything. Mexico has Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Amazon Mexico. Focus on items with personal significance or hard to replace.

Should You Bring Everything?

Here's my honest advice: don't bring everything you own. Mexico has a population of 133 million people, and trust me, you can find just about anything you need here. We have Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Amazon Mexico, and Mercadolibre (think of it as Mexican eBay). Focus on bringing items that have personal significance or would be difficult to replace.

What You Can Legally Bring

According to Mexican Customs Law Article 90, here's what you're allowed to import:

• Used personal effects and furniture purchased at least 6 months before your move
• Clothing, books, appliances, and electronics
• Professional tools and hobby equipment
• Medical equipment like wheelchairs, monitors, and oxygen generators (these are duty-free)
• New items may be allowed but expect to pay duties on them

What You Cannot Bring

Some items are strictly prohibited from being imported:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Fresh or frozen foods, plants, seeds, and spices
• Certain over-the-counter medications containing stimulants or codeine
• Vehicles (these require a completely separate declaration process)

Understanding Menaje de Casa

If you're using a moving company to transport your belongings, you'll need a document called "Menaje de Casa" (which translates to "household goods"). Here's what you need to know:

• Cost: Approximately $179 USD
• Timeline: Your goods must enter Mexico within 6 months of finalizing your visa
• Where to get it: Only issued by Mexican consulate staff
• Additional requirement: You'll need a customs broker at the border to process everything

Required Documentation

Make sure you have all these documents ready before your move:

• Your resident card (temporary or permanent)
• Bill of lading or airway bill from your shipping company
• Detailed packing list of everything you're bringing
• Valid passport
• Proof of your last entry into Mexico and your address
• Declaration letter addressed to customs
• Letter of empowerment for your customs broker

My Personal Tips

After going through this process, here are a few things I wish I had known:

1. Start early: The paperwork takes longer than you expect
2. Be detailed: Your packing list should be thorough - customs agents can be very particular
3. Consider the climate: Heavy winter clothes? You probably won't need them on the Riviera Maya
4. Electronics work fine: Mexico uses the same electrical system as the US (120V), so your appliances will work
5. Sentimental items first: Prioritize things that can't be replaced over things that can be rebought

Final Thoughts

Moving to Mexico is an exciting adventure, and while the logistics of bringing your belongings can seem overwhelming, it's totally manageable with proper planning. Take your time, get your documents in order, and don't stress about bringing everything - you might be surprised how liberating it feels to start fresh with just the essentials.

Have questions about moving to Mexico? Feel free to reach out through the comments or connect with other expats in the Puerto Morelos community!

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