Shipping Personal Effects to Mexico — Menaje de Casa Process

Mexico allows new residents (Residente Temporal or Permanente) and returning Mexican nationals to import a single shipment of used household goods at concessional duty rates under the Menaje de Casa procedure. The application is initiated at the Mexican consulate in your origin country before the shipment leaves, and the certified inventory is then presented to Aduana (Mexican Customs) for clearance. This guide walks through the standard process.

Who can use the Menaje de Casa procedure

Menaje de Casa is intended for people genuinely transferring their residence to Mexico. Two main groups qualify:

Foreign nationals holding (or about to be issued) Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente status.
Mexican nationals returning to live in Mexico after a period abroad.
Tourists and short-term visitors do not qualify.
The procedure is typically used once per move — not for ongoing personal-effects shipments.

How the consulate Menaje process works

Before your shipment leaves the origin country, you (or your origin mover) prepare a detailed itemised inventory in Spanish and present it to the Mexican consulate with jurisdiction over your origin address. The consulate verifies your residency status, certifies the inventory and issues the Menaje de Casa documentation. That certified inventory is the central document Aduana uses at clearance.

Detailed valued inventory in Spanish — list every item with quantities and approximate value.
Original passport with visa/residency stamp (or returning-national documentation).
Proof of Mexican address (CURP, lease, deed if available).
Power of attorney for the Mexican customs broker (agente aduanal).
Original bill of lading / air waybill once the shipment is booked.

Restricted, controlled and prohibited items

Even under Menaje de Casa, several categories are restricted, dutiable separately or prohibited:

New goods, items in commercial quantities, or items intended for resale.
Vehicles — separate import scheme; not covered by Menaje de Casa.
Firearms and ammunition — strictly controlled by SEDENA; separate authorisation required.
Alcohol — limited personal allowance; commercial quantities prohibited.
Food, plants, animals — SENASICA biosecurity rules.
Communication equipment, drones, certain electronics — may require additional permits.

How the process works in practice

Household shipments to Mexico typically arrive by ocean container into Veracruz (Atlantic) or Manzanillo / Lázaro Cárdenas (Pacific), or cross overland from the USA at Laredo / Nuevo Laredo for shorter North American moves. Sea-freight transit from common origins runs roughly 3–6 weeks port-to-door depending on origin and sailing schedule. Land moves from the USA can be faster.

A door-to-door scope typically includes export packing at origin, ocean/land/air transport, Mexican customs clearance via a licensed agente aduanal using your Menaje de Casa, destination charges (THC, port handling, customs examination if selected) and delivery with basic re-assembly. Costs vary widely with volume, origin, service scope, insurance and destination — ask for a written quote that breaks out destination charges separately.

How to plan customs paperwork in advance

For Mexico, the practical sequence below works well: personal-effects clearance hinges on paperwork prepared weeks before the container lands. Missing or late documents are the most common reason shipments sit in bond accruing storage. Build the document timeline backwards from the expected port arrival date, and confirm any consular steps (e.g. Menaje de Casa, Bagagem, ToR1) before departure.

Build a packing list with valuations early — customs will reference it.
Confirm consular or pre-arrival registrations before you leave the origin country.
Engage a licensed customs broker on the destination side; do not rely on the carrier alone.

Plan a household move to Mexico

Tell us your origin, Mexican destination and residency status — a coordinator will explain the Menaje de Casa process and quote your shipment.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I prepare the Menaje de Casa myself or does my mover do it?

You initiate the application at the Mexican consulate, but a good origin mover will provide the inventory template and walk you through the process. The certified document must be in your name as the goods owner.

Can I include new items in my Menaje de Casa?

Menaje de Casa is intended for used personal/household goods. New items, commercial quantities or items obviously intended for resale may attract duty or be excluded. Be honest in the inventory — Aduana can inspect.

Can I import my car under Menaje de Casa?

No — vehicles are handled under a separate import scheme with its own rules and significant duty. Most expats moving to Mexico buy or lease locally rather than import a vehicle.

How long does sea freight to Mexico take?

Realistically 3–6 weeks port-to-door from North America and 6–10 weeks from Europe or Asia, depending on origin and sailing schedule. Land moves from the USA can be faster.

Do I need a Mexican customs broker?

Yes — Mexican law requires household shipments to be cleared by a licensed agente aduanal who files the entry under your Menaje de Casa. Your moving coordinator typically arranges this within the door-to-door scope.

Related guides

Menaje de Casa rules, eligibility and restricted-item lists are set by SAT/Aduana and the Mexican consulate network and change from time to time. Confirm current requirements with the Mexican consulate in your origin country and your licensed agente aduanal before shipping.