Mexico

NOTE: ANY CHARGES RESULTING FROM INCOMPLETE OR INACCURATE DOCUMENTS WILL BE FOR CUSTOMER'S ACCOUNT.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Copy of passport
Inventory (in Spanish, original and three copies) without values must be certified by Mexican Consulate at origin (not necessary for FM-3 visa holders)
Format of inventory MUST be in strict compliance with Mexican requirements to avoid costly and time-consuming delays
Inventory must show origin and destination address, and all pages must be signed by the Customer
Inventory must be detailed and number of boxes is required
Electronic items and electrical appliances must be at least six months old, and MUST BE LISTED in the beginning of the inventory by make, model and serial number
ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE INVENTORY ARE SUBJECT TO CONFISCATION
Declaratory Letter to Customs office in which Customer states that all items in the shipment are used, and if new items are present, invoices are attached and Customer will pay duties (no new items should be in shipment, if there are any they may be confiscated, fines will be heavy and detention will be very high)
Letter from Customer authorizing Destination Agent to clear shipment
Additional documents required depending on the visa that Customer is holding:
Returning Mexican Nationals: Customer must show proof of residence outside of Mexico for at least two years, to Mexican consulate in origin city, as requisite for issuing household goods and personal effects Visa.
Passport (copy)
Certificate of Residence (original and three copies certified by Mexican Consulate at origin), must have lived outside Mexico for a minimum of two years
R.F.C. number (Registro Federal de Causantes)
Visaed Spanish inventory by Mexican Consulate at city of origin
Letter declaring value of shipment, no prohibited items are brought in and all items are used. (Ask us for form letter)
Destination address in Mexico
Customer with FM2 Visa (Permanent Residents):
Copy of their FM2
Copy of passport
Visaed Spanish inventory by Mexican Consulate at city of origin
Letter declaring value of shipment, no prohibited items are brought in and all items are used. (Ask us for form letter)
Letter declaring that all imported items in shipment will be brought out of Mexico
Destination address in Mexico
Work Permit less than six months old
Customer with FM3 Visa (Visiting Technicians):
Copy of passport
Signed original and two copies of typewritten inventory in Spanish with brand, model and serial number on major electrical appliances
Letter declaring value of shipment and that no prohibited items are brought. (Ask us for form letter)
Destination address in Mexico
Letter of Guarantee from employer
Proof that Customer is living in Mexico (gas, electric or phone bill)
Persons holding this visa are importing their goods on a temporary basis and everything in the shipment will have to be re-exported when the Customer leaves Mexico
Foreign Diplomats:
Copy of Diplomatic Passport
Diplomatic free entry with an Import Permit
Only one shipment allowed
Declaration letter
Returning Mexican Diplomat
Import Permit issued by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Passport (copy)
R.F.C. number (Registro Federal de Causantes)
Inventory in Spanish
Copy of Diplomatic Passport
Destination address in Mexico
Mexican Nationals returning with Diplomatic Status: (Advise customer that shipment is subject to customs inspections and that no prohibited items should accompany shipment.)
Spanish inventory
Photocopy of Diplomatic Passport
Letter declaring value of shipment and that no prohibited items are brought
Destination address in Mexico
R.F.C. number (Registro Federal de Causantes)

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Customs regulations vary with Customer's immigration status and are subject to differing interpretations by Mexican authorities
DO NOT MOVE SHIPMENT UNTIL APPROVAL OF ALL DOCUMENTS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN MEXICO
All items imported must be in relation to the size of the family
Electronic items and electrical appliances must be loaded together in one or two liftvans for ease of access by Customs (Destination Agent should be advised the number of the liftvans in which these items are loaded)
Split shipments pose additional problems and must arrive to the pier/airport at the same time
Shipments are declared abandoned by Customs 30 days after arrival at airport and 60 days at surface port

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

New items less than six months old (items older should have obvious signs of use) are dutiable
Original invoices to show proof of age are necessary
Duplicate appliances should be avoided
Paintings (from famous painters)
Silver and gold
Antiques

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Weapons, ammunition and explosives
Drugs
Live plants
Pornographic material
Oriental Rugs
Wines and spirits
Food stuffs
New items

MOTOR VEHICLES

Motor vehicles may be imported by diplomats
Customers with a FM2 or FM3 Visa can import their auto on a temporary basis, but they will need the following documents:
Original Visa and passport (just passport for Mexican citizens)
Title
License
Drivers License
International Credit Card
Every foreigner moving out of Mexico WITH an in Mexico bought car NEEDS to get a special permit of Secofi (sort of tax institue of the governement).
To start this law the government demanded that all cars must be registered with a so called renave. You have 2-3 months to do this. Once a car is registered and has this tag of Renave, a permit of Secofi is needed.

PETS

Vaccination and Health Certificate required