Moving to Mexico from the US

Ocean freight takes 5–8 weeks door-to-door (2–4 weeks port-to-port transit from US East Coast to Veracruz or Altamira, plus pickup, customs clearance and inland delivery). Air freight takes 7–14 days door-to-door. We recommend starting 6–8 weeks before your move because the Menaje de Casa consular appointment has to happen before the shipment departs.

If you qualify for Menaje de Casa — meaning you hold a Temporary Resident, Permanent Resident or Mexican citizen status — your personal effects and household goods can be imported duty-free. City Post Express prepares the Spanish-language inventory in the format Mexican customs expects, coordinates your consular certification appointment, and submits everything on your behalf. Without the Menaje de Casa certification, shipments are taxed at commercial rates, which can be substantial.

Costs depend on volume, weight and whether you choose air or ocean freight. Shared-container ocean freight is the most cost-effective option for personal effects; full-container moves cost more. Our pricing is flat-rate and all-inclusive — pickup, ocean or air transit, Mexican customs clearance, and door delivery. Contact us with details of what you are shipping and we will send a clear quote with no hidden fees.

Car imports are a separate process and cannot be included in a Menaje de Casa shipment — vehicles found inside a household container are routinely confiscated by Mexican customs. Vehicle importation requires its own permit, a Mexican customs broker, and in many cases a registered Pedimento. Many clients sell their US vehicle and buy locally, but if you do want to import a car, contact us for vehicle-specific guidance.

Yes. We deliver nationwide — from Mexico City and Guadalajara to Lake Chapala, San Miguel de Allende, Mérida, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, La Paz and rural pueblos in every state. Our local partners know the routes and can handle addresses without a formal street number, which is common in smaller Mexican towns.

The Menaje de Casa duty-free allowance is a one-time use, so we strongly recommend a single consolidated shipment. Clients often pair one larger ocean freight consignment with a small air freight shipment of essentials to arrive around the same time — both can be covered under one Menaje de Casa certification if planned together. Sending a 'second shipment' months later typically means paying full Mexican import duties.

You need to have entered Mexico on your resident visa so your formal entry date is on record — customs checks this when clearing the shipment. You do not, however, need to be physically at the delivery address on delivery day. You can authorise someone to receive on your behalf, and we coordinate a delivery slot that suits you.

Shared container (LCL) ocean freight into Veracruz or Altamira is the most affordable option for full household moves, because you only pay for the space you use. For smaller loads of boxes, a flat-rate consolidated ocean service is typically far cheaper than shipping boxes individually through USPS, FedEx or UPS — those carriers charge per parcel and add customs brokerage fees separately. Air freight is faster but costs more per kilogram.

Parcel carriers charge per box, then bolt on customs brokerage, duty, VAT (IVA) and handling fees that are invoiced separately after delivery. They do not apply Menaje de Casa relief because they are not set up for residential household-goods moves. City Post Express bundles pickup, ocean or air transit, Mexican customs clearance under Menaje de Casa and door delivery into one flat price — typically 40–60% cheaper than shipping individual parcels.

For a whole household, a dedicated international mover is the only sensible option — couriers cannot handle Menaje de Casa. City Post Express uses shared-container ocean freight for the bulk of your goods and optional air freight for essentials. We handle Mexican customs and the consular certification end-to-end. Clients relocating a 1–3 bedroom home typically use our mini move or full container packages; students and singles use our smaller 20-box equivalent.

It depends. If you are furnishing a new house and own pieces with real sentimental or monetary value, ship them. If you own standard American-sized furniture and are moving to a colonial-era home with narrow doors and small rooms, measure first — Mexican homes, especially in historic centres, are often tighter than US builds. Mexico also has excellent local furniture craftsmanship at very reasonable prices, so topping up after arrival is easy.

As early as possible — ideally 6–8 weeks before your planned shipping date. Appointments at consulates in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago and New York can book out 4–6 weeks in advance. You must attend the appointment in person with your passport, Mexican residency card, and a Spanish-language inventory. City Post Express prepares the inventory, guides you through the form and coordinates the timing so the certified document is in hand before your container sails.