Personal Effects Customs Clearance Mexico
Holiday baggage and other time sensitive packages should not be sent on this route.
The volume of shipments sent to this destination across the last 12 weeks has not been sufficient to meet our minimum number of on time shipments required for holiday baggage approval.
In order for shipments to be permitted for entry by Mexican customs, the named receiver on the order must provide a copy of their passport, flight ticket confirming travel to Mexico from the country they are shipping from (must be dated within 3 months of the shipment’s arrival), entry stamp confirming their arrival in Mexico, and if a non-Mexican citizen, their FMM Visa (Tourist Card), Residence or Work Visa, or CURP (Mexican ID) number if held.
Documents must match the name of the receiver on the booking as customs will not accept documents in the name of the shipper. As the entry stamp and visa are required, this also means that the receiver must be in Mexico at the time of clearance. Should the required documentation not be provided, or receiver not be in Mexico at the time of clearance, then the shipment may not be permitted for entry by customs and may be returned to the origin country.
Upon the shipment's arrival in Mexico, customs will contact the receiver directly to complete a 'Carta Encomienda' letter of authorisation, before the clearance process will begin. You must therefore ensure the telephone number provided for delivery is valid and that someone is available to receive the call. In the event this takes longer than 2 days to provide, there may be additional storage charges.
As standard our courier partner will charge around 1740MXP to assist with clearance, however, additional duty and taxes may also be applied by customs in addition to this fee.
Customs may at their discretion request further information and therefore delays are possible. Send My Bag provides a service into Mexico primarily for those relocating to Mexico and who are not inconvenienced by the customs process, this route should not be used for time sensitive personal effects shipments such as luggage for a holiday.
General Personal Effects Customs Information
Personal effects are typically defined as used items which have been in the sender's possession for 6 months or more. If your shipment is checked by customs and is found to contain brand new or commercial items, you shipment may not be assessed as personal effects. Keep this in mind if you are sending Christmas gifts or other new items. Please check with customs so you are aware of potential customs duties, follow any advice given and attach all necessary documentation.
In order to demonstrate that your shipment consists of personal effects, you will be required to complete a brief non-generic packing list online, entries to be made in the format: "5 x Cotton Dresses, 2 x Jeans, 3 x Pair of Gloves", and so on, rather than as "10 x Used Clothing".
As customs processes and allowances vary by country, we advise all customers take 5 minutes to check how their personal circumstances and what they are sending will be assessed under the prevailing customs regulations of the destination.
More information is available on our customs information page.
Customs Clearance Time
When a bag is stopped by customs for any reason (missing documentation, impromptu inspection, prohibited contents, commercial contents or further information required) Send My Bag records how long customs hold it for. Our historical statistics for this route indicate that if the customs authority stops your bag they will on average take 10 working days to process it and release it back to us for delivery.
Shipping Gifts to Mexico
Used clothes and shoes declared as gifts or commercial items are prohibited from being sent to Mexico. Any used clothing items sent to Mexico declared other than as used personal effects will result in the shipment being rejected by Mexican customs and returned to the origin country. All shipping charges will still apply.
Shipping Commercial Items to Mexico
Used clothes and shoes declared as gifts or commercial items are prohibited from being sent to Mexico. Any used clothing items sent to Mexico declared other than as used personal effects will result in the shipment being rejected by Mexican customs and returned to the origin country. All shipping charges will still apply.
Personal Effects Customs Clearance Mexico
Holiday baggage and other time sensitive packages should not be sent on this route.
The volume of shipments sent to this destination across the last 12 weeks has not been sufficient to meet our minimum number of on time shipments required for holiday baggage approval.
In order for shipments to be permitted for entry by Mexican customs, the named receiver on the order must provide a copy of their passport, flight ticket confirming travel to Mexico from the country they are shipping from (must be dated within 3 months of the shipment’s arrival), entry stamp confirming their arrival in Mexico, and if a non-Mexican citizen, their FMM Visa (Tourist Card), Residence or Work Visa, or CURP (Mexican ID) number if held.
Documents must match the name of the receiver on the booking as customs will not accept documents in the name of the shipper. As the entry stamp and visa are required, this also means that the receiver must be in Mexico at the time of clearance. Should the required documentation not be provided, or receiver not be in Mexico at the time of clearance, then the shipment may not be permitted for entry by customs and may be returned to the origin country.
Upon the shipment's arrival in Mexico, customs will contact the receiver directly to complete a 'Carta Encomienda' letter of authorisation, before the clearance process will begin. You must therefore ensure the telephone number provided for delivery is valid and that someone is available to receive the call. In the event this takes longer than 2 days to provide, there may be additional storage charges.
As standard our courier partner will charge around 1740MXP to assist with clearance, however, additional duty and taxes may also be applied by customs in addition to this fee.
Customs may at their discretion request further information and therefore delays are possible. Send My Bag provides a service into Mexico primarily for those relocating to Mexico and who are not inconvenienced by the customs process, this route should not be used for time sensitive personal effects shipments such as luggage for a holiday.
General Personal Effects Customs Information
Personal effects are typically defined as used items which have been in the sender's possession for 6 months or more. If your shipment is checked by customs and is found to contain brand new or commercial items, you shipment may not be assessed as personal effects. Keep this in mind if you are sending Christmas gifts or other new items. Please check with customs so you are aware of potential customs duties, follow any advice given and attach all necessary documentation.
In order to demonstrate that your shipment consists of personal effects, you will be required to complete a brief non-generic packing list online, entries to be made in the format: "5 x Cotton Dresses, 2 x Jeans, 3 x Pair of Gloves", and so on, rather than as "10 x Used Clothing".
As customs processes and allowances vary by country, we advise all customers take 5 minutes to check how their personal circumstances and what they are sending will be assessed under the prevailing customs regulations of the destination.
More information is available on our customs information page.
Customs Clearance Time
When a bag is stopped by customs for any reason (missing documentation, impromptu inspection, prohibited contents, commercial contents or further information required) Send My Bag records how long customs hold it for. Our historical statistics for this route indicate that if the customs authority stops your bag they will on average take 10 working days to process it and release it back to us for delivery.
Shipping Gifts to Mexico
Used clothes and shoes declared as gifts or commercial items are prohibited from being sent to Mexico. Any used clothing items sent to Mexico declared other than as used personal effects will result in the shipment being rejected by Mexican customs and returned to the origin country. All shipping charges will still apply.
Shipping Commercial Items to Mexico
Used clothes and shoes declared as gifts or commercial items are prohibited from being sent to Mexico. Any used clothing items sent to Mexico declared other than as used personal effects will result in the shipment being rejected by Mexican customs and returned to the origin country. All shipping charges will still apply.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy.
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type (including nail varnish and perfume);
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Mexico
- Antiques.
- Gambling Devices.
- Military Equipment.
- Perishables.
- Playing Cards.
- Precious Metals & Stones.
Items excluded from cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy.
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type (including nail varnish and perfume);
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Mexico
- Antiques.
- Gambling Devices.
- Military Equipment.
- Perishables.
- Playing Cards.
- Precious Metals & Stones.
Items excluded from cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
On EU standard services (not express) and all UK and US domestic services you may send:
- Shower gel.
- Toothpaste.
- Other non flammable and non alcohol based liquids, pastes & gels for use on holiday.
Nail varnish, perfume and aerosols are not permitted. If these items are included in your luggage it may be returned to you.
Whilst non alcohol based liquids are permitted, damage caused by leakage is not covered by complimentary cover and therefore only small amounts should be sent. If an x-ray shows liquids of any type security may stop your bag for inspection.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy. The following items are prohibited at all times:
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Alcohol based or Flammable Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type including, but not limited to, nail varnish and perfume;
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Mexico
- Antiques.
- Gambling Devices.
- Military Equipment.
- Perishables.
- Playing Cards.
- Precious Metals & Stones.
Items Excluded From Cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
On EU standard services (not express) and all UK and US domestic services you may send:
- Shower gel.
- Toothpaste.
- Other non flammable and non alcohol based liquids, pastes & gels for use on holiday.
Nail varnish, perfume and aerosols are not permitted. If these items are included in your luggage it may be returned to you.
Whilst non alcohol based liquids are permitted, damage caused by leakage is not covered by complimentary cover and therefore only small amounts should be sent. If an x-ray shows liquids of any type security may stop your bag for inspection.
A maximum of 1 lithium battery is permitted per shipment (excludes to / from Australia) when it is contained within a working personal electronic device such as a mobile phone. Review our battery policy. The following items are prohibited at all times:
- Aerosols or any other pressurised containers;
- Alcohol based or Flammable Liquids, Pastes and Gels of any type including, but not limited to, nail varnish and perfume;
- Toner Cartridges;
- Loose Batteries & Power Banks;
- No more than ONE device containing a lithium battery in line with our battery policy OR when shipping to / from Australia or China, NO device containing any kind of battery;
- Tracking devices such as AirTags;
- Animals and Animal products;
- Firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, weapons (including imitations of same);
- Explosives, incendiary materials and devices including but not limited to fireworks, matches, flares, solid fuels;
- Flowers and plant products;
- Human remains or ashes;
- Medical samples;
- Items that require a temperature controlled environment;
- Pornography;
- Prescription drugs and pharmaceutical products;
- Tobacco and vaping products regardless of nicotine content;
- Religious Artefacts
- Foodstuffs, perishable, animal origin and controlled food articles and beverages including, but not limited to: Fruit & vegetables, dairy products (including dried products containing dairy such as milk chocolate and protein powder), meat, fish, nuts, seeds, wine, beer, spirits and champagne; or
- Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odour of any kind;
- Valuables and high value items including but not limited to antiques, paintings, jewellery, precious stones and electrical equipment (low value electrical equipment is permitted but sent at the owner's risk);
- Cash or other forms of tradeable currency;
- Credit cards;
- Passports or other confidential personal documentation;
- Irreplaceable items;
- Other Dangerous / hazardous goods;
- Counterfeit goods;
- Items from sanctioned countries;
- Other illegal or restricted goods.
More information is available under section 11 of our terms of service.
Additional prohibited items for Mexico
- Antiques.
- Gambling Devices.
- Military Equipment.
- Perishables.
- Playing Cards.
- Precious Metals & Stones.
Items Excluded From Cover
The following items will be accepted but are sent at your risk and are not included under complimentary cover:
- Electrical Items, including but not limited to; Tablets, Mobile Phones, Computers, Hi-Fis, TVs.
- Glass & Porcelain.
- Any other non standard excess baggage items.
If you choose to send any of the above please ensure you package the item appropriately, for example a TV inside a suitcase is not appropriate.
Why Ship to Mexico?
Visitors can enjoy numerous outdoor activities in Mexico, from golfing to tennis, to deep-sea fishing. You may want to enjoy all the activities Mexico has to offer but are worried about how to bring your own sporting equipment with you on the plane. Airlines often have restrictions on the amount of outsized luggage you can bring, as well as fees for exceptional baggage. You don’t have to think about this if you send your items to Mexico with Send My Bag. Your journey is made so much easier if you don’t have to think about your luggage but instead have it waiting for you when you arrive at your accommodation.
Our carrier service also allows those who are relocating to Mexico or students moving there to study to bring with them everything they need to set up home in Mexico. They can pack all the items they need ‒ books, clothes, DVDs, etc. ‒ into a box or suitcase and have it arrive at their new accommodation.
Send Luggage to Mexico
If you are going to enjoy an activity holiday to Mexico, or if you are moving there to study or work, you can send your possessions to Mexico in a suitcase with Send My Bag. This makes your journey much more pleasant since you won’t have to worry about your luggage. Instead you can have it waiting for you at your accommodation. You can also bring many more items than you could if just checking a couple of bags into an airplane’s hold. To find out more about sending luggage to Mexico, visit our ‘How it works’ page, or our ‘FAQs’.
Removals to Mexico
If you are moving to Mexico to enjoy the warm weather, to work or to retire, you will need to look into international removals to Mexico in order to transport all of your possessions. Ensure that all your items are carefully packaged before you hand anything over to the movers, so that nothing gets damaged in transit. Use appropriate packaging for your items and secure everything well.
Student Shipping to Mexico
Top universities in Mexico include the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, the Instituto Politécnico Nacional and the Tecnológico de Monterrey. If you have decided to study in Mexico, you can make the move quickly and easily by sending all your items with Send My Bag. We can send all sorts – books, writing materials, clothes, etc. to your student accommodation. Find out more about student shipping with Send My Bag and how to claim your student discount.
Sending a Parcel to Mexico
You could send a parcel to Mexico with Send My Bag. Friends and family could use this option to send you a gift or to forward something that you have left behind. You should choose a good sturdy box when sending a parcel to Mexico and seal it up well so nothing gets damaged in transit. Also, make sure you know about the rules regarding brand new items. Read more on our parcel shipping information page to find out what you are permitted to send with Send My Bag, and how to package your items.
Ways of Shipping to Mexico
There are various options available for shipping to Mexico. Some options will be more suited to your needs than others. You can choose between several different options for international shipping to Mexico.
Send Golf Clubs to Mexico
Mexico has great golfing weather most of the year, and the country has around 200 golf courses, making it a golfer’s paradise. Some of the top rated courses are Diamante, Cabo del Sol and Quivira. If you want to go on a golfing holiday or just take in a few rounds during your trip to Mexico, you can do so with your own clubs, by shipping them to Mexico with Send My Bag. You won’t have to carry your clubs through the airport or onto public transport and you will also avoid any embarrassing oversized baggage fees from your airline. So why not look into sending your golf clubs with Send My Bag. Make sure you find out how best to prepare your golf clubs for transit by visiting Send My Bag's information page on how to send golf clubs.
Send your Bike to Mexico
Mexico is a great cycling destination, with lots of excellent cycle routes to choose from, allowing you to truly take in the scenery and to go beyond where the road could take you. You can do this from the comfort of your own bike by shipping your bicycle to Mexico with Send My Bag. You can spend your whole trip cycling- just send your bike to your first hotel, cycle as far as you like and have it picked up again at your final accommodation. Learn more about bike shipping with Send My Bag.
About Mexico
Mexico is a North American country bordered by the USA, Belize and Guatemala. The country is the 11th most populated country in the world and the 14th largest in terms of land area. Mexico is a popular tourist destination. Visitors are attracted by its beach resorts along the coast, its numerous areas of outstanding natural beauty and the many ancient ruins ‒ relics of Mexico’s great civilisations, such as the Mayas and the Aztecs.
Mexico has a fascinating history, having been ruled by several great civilisations – the Mayas, the Olmecs, the Toltecs and the Aztecs ‒ before being ruled over by the Spanish for at least 300 years. Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. The Spanish influence is still very much in evidence, however, especially in the country’s use of the Spanish language.
Mexico’s climate varies depending on the region, but generally experiences hot and humid weather along the coast and dryer weather inland, especially in areas that sit high above sea level. You may even find freezing temperatures in winter, with snow on the mountain tops. Average temperatures in the capital city, Mexico City, are 18°C (64°F) in summer and 13°C (55°F) in winter.
Mexico is home to over 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it a great destination for travel. These include the pre-Hispanic towns of Chichen Itza and Uxmal and the historic centres of Mexico City and Xochimilco (a borough of Mexico City).
You can enjoy many areas of natural beauty in Mexico, including Chiapas, which is a subtropical region with thick rainforest and Mayan ruins. You should also visit the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua, which has enormous cliffs and numerous caves.
If you fancy a beach holiday, Mexico has a large number of beach holiday resorts to choose from. Some of the most popular areas are Cancun, Acapulco, Playa del Carmen and Los Cabos. Most resorts offer facilities to allow you to enjoy many water sports, such as diving, surfing, snorkelling, sailing and deep-sea fishing.
Please explore this page further to find out about Send My Bag’s shipping service to Mexico.
Air Freight to Mexico
Air freight is one suggestion for sending large items, such as a desk or a chest of drawers, to Mexico. Sending items by air freight usually takes one to two days, which is normally faster than sea freight shipping, but generally more expensive. What you have to pay will depend on the weight and size of your shipment. You will probably also have to get a customs agent to handle customs clearance for you. And, you need to work out how to get your items to and from the airport, which means that costs could quickly increase. If you send internationally by air freight to Mexico your items will likely arrive at one of the major airports, such as Mexico City, Cancún or Guadalajara International Airports.
Sea Freight and Container Shipping to Mexico
Instead of air freight, you could try sea freight or container shipping to move your possessions to Mexico. Again, this option is usually used when transporting large items, like a coffee table or armchair. Sea freight usually means shipping items in large containers loaded onto cargo ships. It can be cheaper than air freight, but you will still need to use the services of a customs agent and will need to sort out how to get your items to and from the ports, which means it could cost more than expected. When using container shipping to Mexico your items will most likely arrive by ship at one of the major sea ports, such as Veracruz, Manzanillo or Ensenada.
Shipping Goods to Mexico
You need to find out about the current customs rules when shipping goods to Mexico. You should be fully aware of any duty that needs to be paid and what items are permitted to be shipped to Mexico, which items are restricted, and which are entirely forbidden. Take a look at the prohibited items and customs sections on this page for more information.