Moving to Mexico
Mexico has a separate procedure for relocation moves called menaje de casa, meaning household goods. Its most important part takes place not in Mexico but in Poland – at the consulate, before the container is even shipped. So we begin moving to Mexico with the inventory, which the consulate then certifies. In Wrocław we pack and load the container, and clearance at the Mexican port and delivery are handled by a partner from the FEDEMAC network.
Menaje de casa step by step
- Residence status. The relief is available to holders of a temporary or permanent resident visa, and to Mexicans returning after a long stay abroad.
- An inventory in Spanish. Every item described, with the brand, model and serial number for electronics.
- Certification at the consulate. The list goes to a Mexican diplomatic mission, which issues a certificate. Without it, duty-free clearance is not possible.
- Shipping on time. Your belongings must be imported within a set period of obtaining your status or arriving.
- Clearance at the port. The customs agent presents the certificate, your passport, residence document and the inventory.
The list submitted to the consulate must match the contents of the container. That is why we only draw it up after a pre-move survey, and record serial numbers during packing. Adding anything after certification can be troublesome, so it is best to settle the final scope of the move early on.
Veracruz or Manzanillo
| Port | Coast | For which cities | Voyage from Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veracruz | Gulf of Mexico | Mexico City, Puebla, Querétaro | approx. 3–4 weeks |
| Altamira | Gulf of Mexico | Monterrey, Saltillo, San Luis Potosí | approx. 3–4 weeks |
| Manzanillo | Pacific | Guadalajara, the west of the country | longer, via the Panama Canal |
From Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Antwerp, the shortest route is to the ports on the Gulf of Mexico. From Veracruz to the capital it is around 400 kilometres by road, climbing onto a plateau more than 2,000 metres above sea level.
In late summer and autumn, hurricanes sometimes hit the Gulf of Mexico and temporarily close the ports. During this period we give delivery dates with a bigger margin.
Delivery in the capital
Restrictions on lorries
Mexico City has rules limiting heavy vehicles to certain hours and zones. Our partner plans the delivery with a smaller vehicle or at permitted times.
Apartment blocks and gated communities
In districts such as Polanco, Condesa and Santa Fe, buildings require the move to be registered with the management and the lift to be booked.
What not to pack
Food, plants, seeds and soil are stopped by sanitary inspections. Firearms and ammunition need separate military permits and cannot travel as part of menaje de casa. New appliances still in their original packaging may be treated as commercial goods. Take medicines in your luggage with a prescription. If you won't need some of your furniture in the first year, leave it in our storage facility. We explain how we protect furniture on a long voyage on our sea freight for furniture page.
Mexico – questions about moving
Do I need a resident visa before shipping my belongings?
To clear your belongings with relief, yes. The visa is issued by the consulate in Poland and exchanged for a residence card after you arrive. We plan the shipment around this timetable.
What language should the inventory be in?
Spanish. We prepare it from the packing list, including the serial numbers of appliances.
How long does a move to Guadalajara take?
Usually seven to ten weeks. We compare shipping to Manzanillo with the route via Veracruz followed by overland transport.
What if I pack something extra after the consulate visit?
Items not on the certified list may be subject to duty or held. That is why we close the final inventory before the list is submitted to the consulate.
We will prepare your menaje de casa in Wrocław
An inventory in Spanish, packing and shipping to Mexico. The quote is free.
Free quote