Shipping Your Belongings to Mexico: Costs, Customs, and What to Leave Behind

When I moved to Cabo, I made some mistakes with shipping that cost me both time and money. I shipped a couch that did not fit through the door of my new place. I shipped kitchen appliances that did not work on the local gas hookup. And I paid duty on a few items that should have been covered by the menaje de casa exemption because my paperwork was not right. So trust me when I say: this guide exists because I learned these lessons the hard way, and I do not want you repeating them.

1. The Menaje de Casa Exemption: Your Best Friend

The menaje de casa (literally "household furnishings") is a one-time customs exemption that allows Mexican residents to import used personal and household items without paying import duties. This is the single most important thing to get right when shipping your belongings to Mexico.

Here is what qualifies:

• Used furniture (beds, couches, tables, chairs, dressers)
• Used appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator — with caveats on voltage)
• Kitchen items (cookware, dishes, utensils, small appliances)
• Linens, bedding, towels
• Personal clothing and shoes
• Books, photos, personal documents
• Art and decorative items
• Tools (for personal use, not commercial)
• Electronics (TVs, computers, gaming systems — used, for personal use)
• Sporting equipment

Requirements to qualify:

• You must hold a valid temporary resident (residente temporal) or permanent resident (residente permanente) visa — tourist visas do not qualify
• The items must be used and for personal use, not resale
• You can only use the exemption once per visa type
• You must provide a detailed inventory list (in Spanish) with descriptions and approximate values
• The import must occur within 6 months of receiving your resident visa

The exemption is processed through Mexico's tax and customs authority (SAT/Aduana) and requires a licensed customs broker. Do not try to handle this yourself — the forms, timing, and declarations need to be exact.

For the full visa process, see our guide on Mexico's temporary resident visa.

2. What Shipping Actually Costs

Shipping costs vary enormously depending on volume, method, origin city, and how much help you need on each end. Here is a realistic breakdown:

Small Shipment (10-30 boxes, no furniture)

If you are shipping personal effects, kitchen items, and clothing — but buying furniture in Mexico — expect to pay $2,000 to $3,500 USD total. This can go via consolidated freight (your boxes share a truck with other shipments) or as air freight for faster delivery ($3-$5 per pound).

Medium Shipment (Half a household, some furniture)

A partial household — bedroom furniture, some living room pieces, kitchen gear, personal items — typically fills a 10-foot or partial 20-foot container. Cost: $3,500 to $5,000 for shipping, plus $500-$1,000 for customs brokerage. Timeline: 3-5 weeks by ground.

Full Household (20-foot or 40-foot container)

A full household move — all furniture, appliances, everything — runs $4,000 to $8,000 for the shipping plus $1,000-$1,500 for customs brokerage, insurance, and last-mile delivery. A 20-foot container costs $4,000-$6,000; a 40-foot container runs $5,000-$8,000. Timeline: 4-8 weeks.

Additional Costs to Budget

• Customs brokerage: $500-$1,500 (required by law)
• Insurance: 1-3% of declared value (recommended)
• Last-mile delivery: $200-$500 in Los Cabos for truck rental, labor, and delivery to your home
• Storage: $100-$300/month if your goods arrive before your home is ready
• Packing materials and labor (origin): $500-$1,500 if using a full-service mover

3. The Route: How Your Stuff Gets to Cabo

Most household shipments to Los Cabos travel by ground through Baja California. Here is the typical route:

1. Pickup: Moving company collects your items in the US
2. Transport to border: Items are trucked to the US-Mexico border (typically Tijuana/Otay Mesa or Nogales)
3. Customs clearance: Your customs broker processes the import at the Mexican border crossing. This is where the menaje de casa exemption is applied.
4. Baja transport: Items are loaded onto a Mexican carrier for the drive down the Baja peninsula. The drive from Tijuana to Los Cabos is about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) and takes 18-24 hours of drive time.
5. Local delivery: Items are delivered to your home in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, or wherever you are settling

The alternative is ocean freight: your container ships from a US port (Long Beach, Houston) to the port of La Paz or, less commonly, directly to a port facility near Cabo. Sea freight is sometimes cheaper for very large shipments but takes longer (4-8 weeks) and adds port fees and inland transport costs from the port to your home.

4. What to Ship vs. Buy in Mexico

This is where I can save you real money and headaches. Here is my honest assessment after going through this myself and watching dozens of clients do the same.

Ship These

• Sentimental items: Photos, art, heirlooms, family furniture with emotional value. You cannot replace these.
• High-quality mattress: Good mattresses are expensive in Mexico. If yours is relatively new and high quality, ship it.
• Specialty electronics: Gaming PCs, audiophile equipment, specialized monitors. These cost significantly more in Mexico.
• Professional tools: If you have a workshop, ship your tools. Quality tools in Mexico are pricey.
• Books: English-language books are hard to find and expensive in Cabo.
• Quality linens and kitchenware: Good sheets, towels, and kitchen tools are worth shipping if you are particular about quality.
• Clothing: Your wardrobe. Obvious, but some people leave too much behind.

Buy These in Mexico

• Large appliances: Mexican homes use 220V for major appliances and natural gas or LP gas for stoves and dryers. Your US appliances may not work without adapters or rewiring. New appliances are reasonably priced in Mexico — Costco, Home Depot, and Liverpool all have locations in Cabo.
• Basic furniture: Sofas, dining tables, patio furniture — all available locally at competitive prices. Custom wood furniture from local carpenters is beautiful and affordable ($500-$2,000 for a custom dining table).
• Patio and outdoor furniture: The Cabo climate demands outdoor-grade materials that may differ from what you used in the US. Buy locally and get the right stuff.
• Heavy, low-value items: If it weighs a lot and costs little to replace, buy new in Mexico. The shipping cost per pound makes heavy items expensive to transport.

5. Working with a Customs Broker

Mexican law requires a licensed customs broker (agente aduanal) for importing household goods. This is not optional and not something your shipping company can skip. The broker:

• Prepares the pedimento (customs declaration)
• Processes the menaje de casa exemption paperwork
• Coordinates with customs officials at the border or port
• Handles any inspections or audits
• Ensures your inventory matches your declaration

Cost: $500 to $1,500 depending on shipment size and complexity. Your shipping company can recommend a broker, or you can hire one independently. Get the broker involved early — ideally before you start packing — so they can advise on documentation and inventory format.

6. Vehicle Considerations

Shipping or driving a vehicle to Mexico is a separate process from household goods and has its own set of rules:

• Temporary residents: You can temporarily import a US-plated vehicle for the duration of your visa. You will get a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) at the border. The vehicle must leave Mexico when your visa expires or is not renewed.
• Permanent residents: You cannot drive a foreign-plated vehicle in Mexico with permanent residency. You must either nationalize the vehicle (pay import duties of 10-30% plus fees) or buy a Mexican-plated car.
• Baja California exception: Baja California and Baja California Sur have historically been treated as a "free zone" where foreign-plated vehicles are more commonly seen. However, the rules have tightened, and enforcement varies. Do not assume your US plates will be tolerated indefinitely.

For the complete vehicle import process, see our guide on importing a car to Mexico.

7. Bringing Your Pets

Good news: bringing dogs and cats to Mexico is straightforward. There is no quarantine period, and the requirements are minimal:

• Health certificate from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, issued within 72 hours of travel
• Current rabies vaccination (at least 15 days old but not expired)
• Deworming certificate (some vets include this on the health certificate)

Most airlines accept pets in cabin (under a certain weight) or as checked baggage/cargo. If you are driving through Baja, your pets travel with you — present the health certificate at the border crossing.

Cabo is extremely pet-friendly. Many restaurants have outdoor seating that welcomes dogs. Veterinary care is high quality and affordable ($30-$60 for a vet visit). For the full process, see our guide on bringing pets to Cabo.

8. Packing and Inventory Tips

Your customs broker will need a detailed inventory list. Here is how to make it painless:

• Create a spreadsheet: Item description, quantity, approximate value (in USD), and condition. Your broker will translate this into the required Spanish format.
• Photograph everything: Take photos of items before packing. This helps with insurance claims and customs verification.
• Use numbered boxes: Number each box and note the contents on your inventory spreadsheet. This makes customs inspection faster.
• Separate new from used: New items are NOT covered by the menaje de casa exemption. If you are shipping new items (still in original packaging), they will be subject to import duties. Remove packaging and tags from recently purchased items — the customs broker will advise.
• Pack a "first week" box: Ship this separately or bring it on the plane. Include sheets, towels, basic kitchen items, toiletries, medications, and a change of clothes. Your main shipment will arrive weeks after you do.

9. Where to Buy What You Need in Cabo

Los Cabos has grown into a city with modern retail infrastructure. You can find nearly everything locally:

• Costco: Full-size Costco in San Jose del Cabo. Appliances, electronics, food, household goods.
• Home Depot: For hardware, tools, paint, and building supplies.
• Liverpool and Sears: Department stores with furniture, appliances, and home goods.
• Coppel: Affordable furniture and appliances with delivery.
• Local carpenters: Custom wood furniture at a fraction of US prices. Ask any real estate agent for referrals.
• Mercado municipal: The local market in San Jose del Cabo for everyday household items, pottery, and kitchen essentials.

For a complete relocation overview, read our guide on how to move to Cabo San Lucas.

10. Recommended Timeline

Here is the timeline I recommend based on what works — and what does not:

1. 3-4 months before move: Get your resident visa process started. Contact shipping companies for quotes. Start sorting what to ship, sell, donate, and toss.
2. 2-3 months before: Hire a customs broker. Create your inventory list. Get packing supplies or hire packers. Confirm your Cabo housing is ready to receive deliveries.
3. 1-2 months before: Pack and schedule pickup. Finalize inventory with your customs broker. Ship your "first week" essentials separately.
4. Moving day: Shipping company picks up. You fly to Cabo with your essentials, pets, and important documents.
5. 2-8 weeks after arrival: Your shipment clears customs and is delivered to your home. Customs broker manages the border crossing.