Mexico may be best known for its ancient ruins, beautiful beaches and tropical waters, but with a population of 130 million - 10th in the world - and a growing economy, Mexico is an economic leader in Latin America.
Just consider some Mexican e-commerce statistics:
79 million Mexicans use the Internet - 67% of the population over the age of 6
By 2023, 52% of the population will be using e-commerce for their shopping
Sales revenues of $9.4 billion USD expected in 2019, and growing at 8% per year
Mexico's economic future is rosy because the country is improving its electronic infrastructure and Mexicans expand their digital literacy.
And don't forget the future benefits coming from NAFTA's replacement: USMCA.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Mexico through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Mexico. Whether you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Mexico
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 8, 2023
8:49 am
Manzanillo, BA, IN
Delivered
Feb 7, 2023
7:18 am
Saltillo, BA, IN
In transit
Feb 6, 2023
9:03 pm
Tijuana, BA, IN
International Clearance
Feb 6, 2023
8:14 am
Aguascalientes, KA, IN
In transit
Feb 6, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Feb 5, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Mexico before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Personal effects and household items may be shipped to Mexico from Canada duty and tax free.
Personal effects include items such as:
Footwear
Clothing
Toiletries and beauty products
Restrictions
Mexican Customs rules DO NOT allow personal effects to be shipped to the greater Columbia and Tijuana areas. They will be returned to the shipper.
Medicines are to be accompanied by a copy of the prescription.
Any goods that are intended for other uses, for e.g., retail or wholesale sales, business or distribution are not considered to be personal effects.
Duties and taxes will be charged.
Moving Temporarily
Foreign nationals, such as students and researchers, may ship their personal effects and household items to Mexico, providing they are returned to
Canada when they leave.
Requirements
You must present the following to a Mexican consular office:
A description of your goods and the number of each individual item; and
for electronic items, state the brand, model and serial number of each
Mexican Nationals
If you are a Mexican national, the fee for submitting a
Household Goods Inventory (lista de menaje de casa) is $95 USD (about $125 CDN) cash.
Also, you must bring to a Mexican consulate 3 documents as outlined below:
1. Proof that you are Mexican. You must provide an original plus a copy of any one of the following:
Certified copy of a birth certificate from any Mexican civil registry office or a Mexican consular office
Naturalization Letter or Certificate of Mexican Nationality
Passport or Citizen Identity Card
High Security Consular Registration Certificate or Declaration of Mexican Nationality by birth
2. Present an original plus a copy of any one of the photo documents below:
Mexican passport or Identity Card of the National Military Service
Voting card issued by the Federal Electoral Institute
Professional Title or Professional Certificate
Letter of Intern issued by the General Directorate of Professions of the Ministry of Public Education
Certificate of Mexican nationality or Naturalization letter
Citizen Identity Card or Declaration of Mexican nationality by birth
High Security Consular Registration Certificate
Valid credential issued by the National Institute of Older Adults
Foreign driver's licence valid in the consular district
Foreign official identification valid in the consular district
3. A document proving that you have lived outside of Mexico for at least 6 months. It could be any of the following:
Receipts of payment for salary or services rendered
Work letters
Lease or work contract
Bank statement such as for a credit card or chequing account
Driver's licence valid in the consular district
Notarised letter from a landlord
High Security Consular Registration Certificate
COST: $95 USD cash (about $125 CDN)
Foreign Nationals
If you are a foreign national moving to Mexico, you must complete a Household Goods Inventory and bring the following documents to a Mexican consulate:
Identification with a valid photograph
A valid Mexican visa that enables you to move to Mexico
Proof of your current address in Canada
An indicator of where you will live in Mexico, for e.g. a lease agreement
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Mario J. Molina Mexicana de Ciencias Los Cipreses San Andrés Totoltepec 14400 Ciudad de México Guadalajara Mexico
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples are shipped for demonstration purposes. The aim is to encourage people to place orders by viewing the samples; the
samples are not meant to be sold.
Commercial samples may be imported into Mexico duty-free for a period of 6 months.
To be considered a sample, a shipment must follow the criteria below:
The unit value of the shipment does not exceed $1 USD.
In the case of toys, they may have a unit value of $50 USD (about $65 CDN), and up to 2 pieces of the same model may be imported.
The samples are unusable or unsuitable for sale. They have been perforated, torn, or marked. The marking uses permanent and clearly visible ink or paint.
Samples that cannot be made unusable, for example liquids, should be shipped in smaller, non-commercial containers or be labelled: SAMPLE.
Goods cannot be difficult to identify. For example, liquids and powders in a pharmaceutical form that require special equipment to analyse
cannot be shipped as samples.
The samples are not to be resold.
Shipping commercial samples to Mexico using an ATA Carnet is the easiest way to do so. (See Temporary Imports for details.)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Mario J. Molina Mexicana de Ciencias Los Cipreses San Andrés Totoltepec 14400 Ciudad de México Juárez Mexico
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Canada and Mexico have a free-trade agreement (NAFTA, but being replaced by USMCA), so equipment sent to each country for repairs is a straightforward process.
Items Under Warranty
Repairs under warranty returning from Mexico to Canada are duty-free and will not be charged GST.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
An item returning to Canada from Mexico that is no longer under warranty will be duty-free, however it will incur GST on the value of the repair
and on any new parts required to complete the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Mexico
Equipment for repair may be imported into Mexico duty and tax free (including VAT (IVA)) under the country's IMMEX program.
This includes parts that will be used to repair a piece of equipment. However, that part must be returned to Canada as a component of the repaired equipment.
When sending equipment to Mexico for repair, include the following information on the parcel:
The words "REPAIR & RETURN" are stated on the commercial invoice under General Description or Remarks
Indicate the brand, model and serial or product number must be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section on the commercial invoice
Copy of Repair Contract included with all your export documentation
Returning Product After Repairs are Completed
If your product has been repaired in Canada and is being returned back to Mexico, ensure to do the following:
Write "REPAIR & RETURN" on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section
Indicate the value of the product INCLUDING the cost of the repair under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Mexico
Be sure to write the necessary information on the commercial invoice according to the document checklist below.
Repair Checklist
Commercial Invoice must clearly state under the General Description or Remarks section the following: 'REPAIR & RETURN' and include the estimated
time of return
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Mario J. Molina Mexicana de Ciencias Los Cipreses San Andrés Totoltepec 14400 Ciudad de México Tijuana Mexico
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Temporary importation of certain goods into Mexico, without incurring duties or taxes, is allowed for a period of up to 6 or 12 months, depending
on the circumstances (See details below.)
Make sure to clearly indicate the return date on the commercial invoice.
Goods that are often part of a temporary import include:
Items that will be used or displayed at an exhibition or fair.
Commercial samples.
Professional and scientific equipment.
Materials and goods to be used for entertainment or during a public exhibition such as a trade show booth.
Tools and specialised equipment required for exploring, producing, repairing, or manufacturing.
Equipment required to test and evaluate the operation of other equipment or goods
Time Restrictions
A) Temporary imports restricted to 6 months include:
Trade shows and exhibitions
Sales promotion
Demonstrations
B) Temporary imports restricted to 12 months include:
Temporary imports destined for international conventions and congresses;
Items for cultural and sporting events sponsored by a national, foreign or public organisation
Film equipment and necessary props
NOTE:
For the temporary import of commercial samples, or for the purposes of a trade show, exhibition or for sales promotions and demonstrations, you have the
option of using an ATA Carnet. See details below.
Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import
In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Mexico, you can pick from 1 of the 2 Temporary Import Methods listed below.
Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a Commercial Invoice (CI). See the table and notes below.
Option #
Temporary Import Method
Risk of paying Duties and taxes
1
Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided)
High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily
3
Commercial Invoice
+
ATA Carnet
Very Low
1. Complete a Commercial invoice only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
Note: Be aware that by completing a commercial invoice only doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty or tax free. Not all brokers will
clear goods as temporary imports (i.e. UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any taxes and duties.
2. CI + an ATA Carnet
This option is great for items that frequently travel in and out of Canada. It's also very useful because once you have an ATA Carnet, it is accepted by 176
countries worldwide making the application process a one-time occurrence.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of temporary nature.
ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of this article. However, you can contact your local chamber of commerce and they will be able to guide you along. You can
also find more information here:
In addition to the 2 options shown above, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and tax free exemption:
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
The items stay in Mexico no longer than 6 months
NOTES
If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
Your customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically cannot clear goods of a temporary nature).
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Mario J. Molina Mexicana de Ciencias Los Cipreses San Andrés Totoltepec 14400 Ciudad de México León de los Aldama Mexico
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
Occasional Shipper
If you ship occasionally to Mexico (i.e. items you sold on eBay), there isn't too much you need to do. You will need to:
Include 3 copies of the Commercial Invoice with your shipment
Provide a detailed description of the goods on the Commercial Invoice (in order to avoid customs delays).
If the customs value of the shipment is $50 USD (about $65 CDN) or less, no duties or taxes will be charged.
Regular Shipper
If you regularly sell and ship goods to Mexico, we recommend you consult with a licensed customs broker in Mexico. A full list of customs brokers can be found
here.
When Customs Brokers Are Needed
For shipments of $1,000 USD (about $1300 CDN) or greater
If goods must comply with non-tariff restrictions and regulations
The merchandise may be difficult to identify, for e.g., powders, pills and liquids or they need to be analysed physically or chemically to
determine their composition or identity
For Shipments Over $1,000 USD
All commercial shipments over 1,000 USD (about $1300 CDN) require:
a completed NAFTA Certificate of Origin to qualify for a lower duty rate
the services of a customs broker
For Shipments Under $1,000 USD
For commercial shipments of 1,000 USD (about $1300 CDN) or less, a NAFTA Certificate of Origin is NOT required. However, you must attach to the
commercial invoice a statement certifying that the goods qualify under the NAFTA rules or origin.
*Note: NAFTA's replacement, the USMCA, is signed but not yet ratified by Canada. We recommend you check with a licenced customs broker for
up-to-date information.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Mario J. Molina Mexicana de Ciencias Los Cipreses San Andrés Totoltepec 14400 Ciudad de México Zapopan Mexico
Phone: 613-555-1234
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Mexico. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Mexico, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
Duties and taxes on goods imported to Mexico from Canada are calculated based on the Free on Board method. This is known as FOB.
FOB Value = Cost of Shipping
Using the FOB Value, you can predict the amount of duty and taxes will be owing on a shipment.
Thresholds
Some countries provide a Duty & Tax Threshold (i.e. de minimis), which means that below a certain amount no duties or taxes are charged on the
import of that shipment.
*NOTE: We do our best to ensure accurate information, but as the USMCA is unratified in Canada, we recommend you check
with a licenced customs broker for up-to-date information.
Currency
Mexican Pesos (MEX)
TAX (VAT / IVA)
16%: Standard rate
Duty Exemption
(De minimis Value)
$117 USD*
Duty Calculation Method
FOB
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
$50 USD*
Tax Calculation Method
FOB
*$50 USD is about $65 CDN
Duties on Imports
Candy20% + 0.36*
Chocolate20%+0.36*
Spirits and Wines26.5% - 53%**
Tobacco and cigars160%
Cigarettes67%
Non-basic foods8%***
Energy drinks and their concentrates25%
Books0%
Documents0%
Video Games & Consoles0%
Computers & Laptops0%
Tablets0%
Mobiles0%
Cameras0%
Accessories for Electronics0%
Coats30%
Beauty Products & Cosmetics15%
Jewellery0%
Shirts & Pants30%
Home Appliances0%-15%
Toys15%
Sports Equipment0-15%
* Candies and Chocolate: Surcharge of $0.36 USD/kg on sugar content
** Spirits and Wines: depends on alcohol content
*** Non-basic foods: Items such as chocolate, confectionary, custards and puddings, dulces de leche, peanut and hazelnut spreads and prepared cereals
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Additional Resources
Questions about Shipping to Mexico
Can I ship to Mexico?
Shipping to Mexico from Canada can take between 2-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 2 months to complete the delivery.
