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Cost of Shipping a Container to Mexico

Published on 2021-08-25

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To Mexico?

Cost of shipping a container to Mexico
Mexico Container Shipping 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 for you to make head or tails of this whole situation. We will explain in detail everything that is involved in this type of project. 

Factors That Affect the Cost 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 the items you intend to ship, the higher the cost. The same goes for weight.
  • The type of transportation used: Transportation of cargo by air is faster, but the cost will be higher in comparison to shipping by sea.
  • Distance: The distance between the two countries will affect the cost of shipping. Shipping from the United States, for example, will be cheaper than shipping from Italy.
  • The destination port: The destination port affects the cost of shipping cargo because port fees can vary. The largest port of 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 of shipping.

Which Size of Shipping Container Works Best for Me?

There are around 16 different types of containers that you can use, based on factors such as the type of cargo and the amount of it. However, most people opt for a 20ft or a 40ft container. These two sizes fit the needs of the majority of individuals.

A 20ft container has a usable space equivalent to an average garage or about 100 washing machines. A 40ft container has double that space, while not being double the cost. If you need to ship a vehicle in addition to your belongings, choose the 40ft option.

Ocean shipping from USA to Mexico
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To Mexico

Average Container Shipping Rates Estimates

Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates

FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container shipping to Mexico of up to 45,000lbs.

Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates

20 ft Container $1070
40 ft Container $1550

Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates

LCL shipping is 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 Costs

International house moving to Mexico services – 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

Container Car Shipping

International auto transport services to Mexico via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv’s, boats, RV’s, heavy equipment and more.

Container Car Shipping

Sedan (Container) $1950
SUV (Container) $2020
Sedan via RORO $750
SUV via RORO $815

Understanding the Different Types of Freight Transportation

The primary methods of freight transportation are air, land, and sea freight. While in some cases land isn’t an option, if you are shipping to Mexico from the United States you can make use of truck freight transportation

Transporting by truck is the cheapest of all options, and it has a reasonable speed. The only concerns here are that trucks are not very flexible when it comes to schedule, and they are subject to traffic issues.

Using a cargo plane is a fast and reliable option, but it will be significantly expensive if you are looking to ship high volumes of goods. This is because 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 that it takes. It is also about five times cheaper than using a cargo plane.

Additional Shipping Costs

There are usually additional shipping costs when shipping a container anywhere. The additional shipping costs to expect are:

  • Insurance: Insuring items adds to the overall cost of shipping. They are 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 inspection of the shipped items. This 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 costs might also increase.

What’s Next?

Now you are all set to start your shipping venture. The next step is contacting Three Movers for a free quote. You can fill the online form or call us at (888) 202-0036.

International shipments and shipping freight to Mexico city
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Documents Are Necessary When Shipping to Mexico?

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.

What Types of Goods Am I NOT Allowed to Ship to Mexico?

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.

What Kind of Taxes, Duties, and/or Fees Do I Have to Pay When Shipping to Mexico?

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.

What’s The Difference Between a Freight Forwarder, a Broker, And An NVOCC?

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.

What Is a Bill of Lading?

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.

What Happens If I Lose the Bill of Lading?

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.

Do I Need to Be Present When My Container Is Delivered?

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.

Are Shipping Containers Waterproof and Properly Ventilated?

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.

How Long Does It Take to Clear Customs in Mexico?

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.

Being prepared and organized is key to maintaining efficiency and receiving approval for shipments across the border.


Shipping Containers Worldwide – Popular Routes

Three Movers can help you ship a container from anywhere in the world to Mexico:

Afghanistan to Mexico
Albania to Mexico
Algeria to Mexico
Andorra to Mexico
Angola to Mexico
Antigua to Mexico
Argentina to Mexico
Armenia to Mexico
Australia to Mexico
Austria to Mexico
Azerbaijan to Mexico
Bahamas to Mexico
Bahrain to Mexico
Bangladesh to Mexico
Barbados to Mexico
Belarus to Mexico
Belgium to Mexico
Belize to Mexico
Benin to Mexico
Bhutan to Mexico
Bolivia to Mexico
Bosnia Herzegovina to Mexico
Botswana to Mexico
Brazil to Mexico
Brunei to Mexico
Bulgaria to Mexico
Burkina to Mexico
Burundi to Mexico
Cambodia to Mexico
Cameroon to Mexico
Canada to Mexico
Cape Verde to Mexico
Central African Rep to Mexico
Chad to Mexico
Chile to Mexico
China to Mexico
Colombia to Mexico
Comoros to Mexico
Congo to Mexico
Congo {Democratic Rep} to Mexico
Costa Rica to Mexico
Croatia to Mexico
Cuba to Mexico
Cyprus to Mexico
Czech Republic to Mexico
Denmark to Mexico
Djibouti to Mexico
Dominica to Mexico
Dominican Republic to Mexico
East Timor to Mexico
Ecuador to Mexico
Egypt to Mexico
El Salvador to Mexico
Equatorial Guinea to Mexico
Eritrea to Mexico
Estonia to Mexico
Ethiopia to Mexico
Fiji to Mexico
Finland to Mexico
France to Mexico
Gabon to Mexico
Gambia to Mexico
Georgia to Mexico
Germany to Mexico
Ghana to Mexico
Greece to Mexico

Grenada to Mexico
Guatemala to Mexico
Guinea to Mexico
Guinea-Bissau to Mexico
Guyana to Mexico
Haiti to Mexico
Honduras to Mexico
Hungary to Mexico
Iceland to Mexico
India to Mexico
Indonesia to Mexico
Iran to Mexico
Iraq to Mexico
Ireland to Mexico
Israel to Mexico
Italy to Mexico
Ivory Coast to Mexico
Jamaica to Mexico
Japan to Mexico
Jordan to Mexico
Kazakhstan to Mexico
Kenya to Mexico
Kiribati to Mexico
Korea North to Mexico
Korea South to Mexico
Kosovo to Mexico
Kuwait to Mexico
Kyrgyzstan to Mexico
Laos to Mexico
Latvia to Mexico
Lebanon to Mexico
Lesotho to Mexico
Liberia to Mexico
Libya to Mexico
Liechtenstein to Mexico
Lithuania to Mexico
Luxembourg to Mexico
Macedonia to Mexico
Madagascar to Mexico
Malawi to Mexico
Malaysia to Mexico
Maldives to Mexico
Mali to Mexico
Malta to Mexico
Marshall Islands to Mexico
Mauritania to Mexico
Mauritius to Mexico
Micronesia to Mexico
Moldova to Mexico
Monaco to Mexico
Mongolia to Mexico
Montenegro to Mexico
Morocco to Mexico
Mozambique to Mexico
Myanmar, {Burma} to Mexico
Namibia to Mexico
Nauru to Mexico
Nepal to Mexico
Netherlands to Mexico
New Zealand to Mexico
Nicaragua to Mexico
Niger to Mexico
Nigeria to Mexico
Norway to Mexico
Oman to Mexico
Pakistan to Mexico

Palau to Mexico
Palestine to Mexico
Panama to Mexico
Papua New Guinea to Mexico
Paraguay to Mexico
Peru to Mexico
Philippines to Mexico
Poland to Mexico
Portugal to Mexico
Qatar to Mexico
Romania to Mexico
Russian Federation to Mexico
Rwanda to Mexico
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines to Mexico
Samoa to Mexico
San Marino to Mexico
Sao Tome & Principe to Mexico
Saudi Arabia to Mexico
Senegal to Mexico
Serbia to Mexico
Seychelles to Mexico
Sierra Leone to Mexico
Singapore to Mexico
Slovakia to Mexico
Slovenia to Mexico
Solomon Islands to Mexico
Somalia to Mexico
South Africa to Mexico
South Sudan to Mexico
Spain to Mexico
Sri Lanka to Mexico
St Kitts & Nevis to Mexico
St Lucia to Mexico
Sudan to Mexico
Suriname to Mexico
Swaziland to Mexico
Sweden to Mexico
Switzerland, {Eswatini} to Mexico
Syria to Mexico
Taiwan to Mexico
Tajikistan to Mexico
Tanzania to Mexico
Thailand to Mexico
Timor-Leste to Mexico
Togo to Mexico
Tonga to Mexico
Trinidad & Tobago to Mexico
Tunisia to Mexico
Turkey to Mexico
Turkmenistan to Mexico
Tuvalu to Mexico
Uganda to Mexico
Ukraine to Mexico
United Arab Emirates to Mexico
United Kingdom to Mexico
United States to Mexico
Uruguay to Mexico
Uzbekistan to Mexico
Vanuatu to Mexico
Vatican City to Mexico
Venezuela to Mexico
Vietnam to Mexico
Yemen to Mexico
Zambia to Mexico
Zimbabwe to Mexico

Written by Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend

Chris Townsend is a moving professional and relocation expert that has more than 10 years of experience in the moving industry. With a background that includes working in virtually every aspect of the company, he has distinguished himself as an integral part of our operations with expertise in all things related to moving.

If you have any questions about moving, our services, or anything else you think he may be able to help with, you can contact Chris by emailing him at [email protected]

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