Should You Move All Household Items?
There is a significant cost when using a moving company. You require a Menaje de Casa from the Mexican consulate along with a broker at the border for importation. And, a transport moving company is expensive.
In Mexico, a country of 133 million people, anything may be found to purchase. From the most basic items to luxury goods. I can assure you we Mexicans do not do without when it comes to furnishings, clothing, appliances, cars, linens and kitchenware. We have WalMart, Costco, Home Depot and Sam’s. Amazon US and Mexico are another option along with Mercadolibre which is similar to Ebay only larger. Liverpool and Palacio de Hierro are excellent department stores. Office Depot, Zara Home, H&M Home are available. And in most cases prices are competitive. In addition, please support the economy. Rarely do foreigners pay income tax so buying what you need in Mexico supports the economy and creates jobs.
Bring items important to you including memorabilia but everything else is available in Mexico.
Goods Allowed
These include household goods and personal effects. Article 90 of the Mexican Customs Law states that the items you take across must be used (purchased at least 6 months prior) personal items and furniture of a house, e.g. clothes, books, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Tools and implements are also allowed if they are required for your profession or if they are used for a hobby. Medical equipment, such as a wheelchair, blood pressure or sugar monitors and oxygen generators are allowed duty-free. New (unused) items and those in unopened packaging may be allowed into Mexico but will likely be subject to duty and other requirements.
Goods Not Allowed
These include guns or ammunition of any calibre, as well as most other weapons. Also not allowed are fresh or frozen food including fruits and vegetables, plants, spices or seeds. It is illegal to bring into Mexico some over-the-counter medicines commonly used in the United States, including inhalers and some allergy and sinus medications. Specifically, products that contain stimulants (medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, such as Actifed, Sudafed, and Vicks inhalers) or codeine are prohibited. Individuals are advised to carry a copy of the prescription or doctor’s letter but it is still possible that you may be subject to arrest for arriving to Mexico with substances in these lists. it is not recommended to ship these items with your household goods. Vehicles, including cars, boats, recreational vehicles, and trailers are not considered household goods and must be declared and approved separately.
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Using a Moving Company Requires a Menaje de Casa
Moving household items (typically when using a moving company) to Mexico in large quantities involves special requirements and documentation, including your immigration status and various customs declarations. The goods themselves are restricted to used (not new) items that are normally part of a household, such as furniture, clothing, linens, and appliances. Permissible items generally are allowed without trade duties (duty tax), but requirements vary. Minimize problems and fees by learning about all applicable requirements and preparing your documents and shipments accordingly. Please note, sending clothing, electronics, personal items, books, etc by courier may result in large fees and frequently, outright denial by Aduana (Customs).
To. avoid tax, when bringing household items in to Mexico with a moving company, your items must enter Mexico no later than 6 months from when your visa is finalized. The document that is required when moving household items in to Mexico using a moving company is a Menaje de Casa. The fee is approximately $179. They are only issued by the consulate staff. Here are the typical requirements for a Menaje de Casa. To clear Aduana (Customs) at the Mexican border your moving company will also require a broker and that your visa be fully issued. Those with only a pre-approved visa may be required to have their household items put into storage prior to entering Mexico and wait for your visa to be finalized with Immigration staff in Mexico. Some moving companies have a way to avoid many steps. A Menaje de Casa is not required when bringing personal items with you in a vehicle.
Here are some of the documents you are to provide to bring household goods into Mexico:
Resident card — official document of Temporary or Permanent Resident status
Bill of lading (BL or BOL)—required for transporting goods by sea; if shipping by air, this document is known as the airway bill (AWB)
Packing list—a detailed catalog of your goods, including a description and shipping box number for each item
Proof of last entry date—may be an airline ticket or reservation
Proof of address—may be a utility bill dated within three months of your last entry
Passport—from your county of citizenship
Letter of declaration to customs—including your Mexico address, a description of your goods and acknowledgement of the requirement to bring your goods with you when you move out of Mexico.
Letter of empowerment—authorizes a customs broker you are working with to handle and transport your goods
Declaration of Household Goods (Declarción de Menaje de Casa)— with a Menaje de Casa is for use by a Customs broker to import your items. A Menaje de Casa is not required when an individual brings items. If you do have one, based on experience by clients, you encourage a thorough inspection of your vehicle.
