Cost of Shipping a Container to Mexico
Published by Chris Townsend
How Much Does Hauling a Container to Mexico Cost?
When shipping a container internationally you should know what to expect. For instance, there are many factors that affect the cost of shipping. The size of your cargo and the distance between the originating country and the destination country are just some of the factors that affect this cost.
Three Movers is here to help you make sense of this situation. We will explain everything involved in this type of project in detail.
Factors that Affect the Expenses of Shipping to Mexico
These are the main factors to consider when shipping a container:
- The volume and weight of the items to be shipped: The more you intend to ship, the higher the cost. The same goes for weight.
- The type of transportation used: Cargo transportation by air is faster, but the price will be higher than shipping by sea.
- Distance: The distance between the two countries will affect the shipping cost. For example, shipping from the United States will be cheaper than shipping from Italy.
- The destination port: The port affects the shipping charges because port fees can vary. The largest port in Mexico is the port of Manzanillo.
- The peak period for shipping items to Mexico is between August and October. This can extend to December due to Thanksgiving in the United States. Shipping during this period affects the cost.
Which Size Works Best for Me?
Depending on the nature and quantity of your cargo, you can choose from roughly 16 distinct container types. However, most people opt for 20- or 40ft containers. The needs of the vast majority of people can be met by these two sizes.
A 20-foot container offers useful space similar to an average garage or roughly 100 washing machines. A 40-foot container offers double that space while not being double the cost. The 40-foot container is the best choice to ship a car and household goods.
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To Mexico
Average Container Moving Rates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything that requires a full container shipping to Mexico of up to 45,000 lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $1070 |
| 40 ft Container | $1550 |
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Mexico.
Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $40/CBM |
| Household Goods | $330 |
| Personal Effects | $380 |
International house moving to Mexico services are quick, easy, and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $350 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $2250 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2450 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $2900 |
International auto transport services to Mexico via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, RVs, heavy equipment, and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1950 |
| SUV (Container) | $2020 |
| Sedan via RORO | $750 |
| SUV via RORO | $815 |
Different Types of Freight Transportation
The primary freight transportation methods are air, land, and sea freight. While land isn’t an option in some cases, if you are shipping to Mexico from the United States, you can use truck freight transportation.
Relocating by truck is the cheapest option and has a reasonable speed. The only concerns are that trucks are not very flexible when it comes to schedule and are subject to traffic issues.
Using a cargo plane is a fast and reliable option, but it will be significantly expensive if you want to ship high volumes of goods. The weight of your cargo can quickly add up to the cost when shipping by air.
Lastly, you can also use Mexico ocean freight shipping. This option is great if you don’t mind the time it takes. It is also about five times cheaper than using a cargo plane.
Additional Charges
There are usually additional shipping costs when shipping a container anywhere. The extra shipping charges to expect are:
- Insurance: Although insuring items adds to the overall cost of shipping, it is vital in providing much-needed cover for your cargo.
- Custom fees: Mexico has a flat import tariff of 16%. Essentials like food, however, are exempt from this tariff.
- Inspection: You might be charged for inspecting the shipped items, which will add to the overall cost.
- General Rate Increase (GRI): This is an adjustment of freight rates across specific trade routes. If the demand for shipping on a route increases, shipping expenses might also increase.
What’s Next?
Now, you are all set to start your shipping venture. The next step is to contact Three Movers for a free quote. You can fill out the online form or call us at (888) 202-0036.
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re shipping a container to Mexico, you must complete the documentation listed below:
● Straight Bill of Lading and Commercial Invoice
● Packing List
● Shipper’s Export Declaration
● Import Pentimento
● NAFTA Certificate of Origin (if applicable)
In the case of medical devices and health care products, there are additional requirements:
● First, the products must comply with applicable standards.
● Second, foreign-manufactured products need to have a legally appointed representative/distributor in Mexico.
● Third, the products must be registered with the Secretariat of Health (Secretaría de Salud or SSA) before being sold in Mexico. Except for blood, blood derivative products, and organs, almost all medical products can be imported into Mexico, provided they comply with existing regulations.
For more information about the listed documents, click here.
The following items are prohibited or restricted to enter Mexico:
• Narcotics
• Live fish
• Predators of any size
• Images representing children in a degrading or ridiculous way
• Used clothes that are not part of your luggage
• Firearms and ammunition
• Electronic cigarettes (as of February 2020)
A complete list of these items and their HS codes can be found on the Prohibited Items List at the Mexican Customs Rules Website.
For tax purposes, all Mexican importers must register and be listed with the Official Register of Importers (Padrón de Importadores), maintained by the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP). The basic Mexican import document is the Import Request (Pedimento de Importación).
● Product values up to USD 50 are exempt from duty and VAT.
● Higher customs duties are applied to sugars and confectionery, beverages and tobacco, dairy products, and clothing.
● There are no tariffs for products made in the United States and Canada that meet rules of origin requirements under the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).
● Products temporarily imported for processing and re-export may be subject to the customs processing fee (CPF) since the imports are not considered “definitive.”
● A special tax on production and services (IEPS) is assessed on the importation of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and cigars.
For more details about the Import Customs Procedure in Mexico, please click here.
When shipping your goods to the Maldives, nothing is more important than ensuring the company you work with can deliver your service needs. That's why we have to tap into the differences between two types of partner companies, such as Freight Forwarders and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs).
More Than Shipping said that The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) classifies Freight Forwarders and NVOCCs as Ocean Transportation Intermediaries. They are considered the same during most transportation procedures due to their identical FMC classification, but there are several differences between the two. In the areas of multimodal transport and international maritime, these differences are especially apparent.
A freight broker is a person that serves as the intermediary between a freight transportation provider and the shipping client.
A Bill of Lading is a compilation of trade goods received on board. It creates a written contract between a transport company and its client.
The customer wouldn’t obtain a new copy unless the original document was found. You will be required to submit several requirements to receive another copy, such as:
• A letter from the shipper
• Count order
• Letter of indemnity
• Bank guarantee
• A commercial invoice
• Packing list.
Yes, your presence is required when the container is delivered because your signature must legalize specific documents. You also have to supervise the moving team when the container arrives to check if the goods are damaged.
All containers are waterproofed and will come with an item warranty. They are priced based on their capabilities but are not guaranteed to be light and watertight.
Vents located on the top part of the side walls are made for containers. These might make containers situated inside a damp or icy surrounding susceptible to moisture and may collect rust, so it would be better to have your oxygenation checked once in a while.
Even the smallest recording error can result in a costly delay of goods, which can lead to altered timelines and other challenges as the project continues. When preparing a list of goods to be transported to Mexico, it takes time to ensure their accuracy and prevent delays if selected for a secondary inspection or other problems with a production or project schedule.
