🇺🇸 United States → 🇲🇽 Mexico
USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)
Compliance path
USMCA preferential duty requires a Certificate of Origin at the commercial entry. Mexico's SAT applies VAT (IVA, 16%) to all commercial imports regardless of FTA status. Personal de minimis is USD 50 at the northern land border.
Commonly shipped items on this lane
1. Can I bring goods from United States to Mexico?
Travellers entering Mexico from United States are subject to Mexico's personal allowances and declaration rules. The Servicio de Administración Tributaria — SAT (Tax Administration Service, Customs Division) sets allowances for alcohol, tobacco, and personal goods. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel.
- Alcohol allowance: 3 L
- Cigarette allowance: 200
- Personal-goods allowance: ~USD 500
- Cash declaration threshold: USD 10000
2. Can I post goods from United States to Mexico?
Parcels move through Mexico's postal-customs flow. Typical transit time on this lane is 5 days. Every international parcel needs a CN22 (under ~USD 300) or CN23 (above) customs declaration. Use accurate descriptions and HS codes — vague labels are the single biggest cause of postal customs holds.
Correos de México and customs process international parcels. IVA and customs duty apply to goods above the USD $50 de minimis. Items from the US and Canada up to USD $117 may be tax-free under USMCA rules. Prohibited items are seized.
3. Can I import commercially from United States to Mexico?
Yes. Commercial importers into Mexico need an importer of record, a customs declaration filed with Servicio de Administración Tributaria — SAT (Tax Administration Service, Customs Division), a commercial invoice, a packing list, and goods classified to the appropriate HS code. Some categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, chemicals, weapons, art) require additional permits or certificates.
4. Duties, VAT/GST and de minimis
Originating goods qualify for USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preferential duty — often 0% — provided rules-of-origin criteria are met. Mexico levies 16% VAT/GST on commercial imports. Postal / courier de minimis: USD $50 equivalent.
Mexico lowered its de minimis threshold to USD $50 as of June 2020 (from USD $200) for courier and postal imports, to protect domestic businesses from low-cost imports. The USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC raised the de minimis for goods from the US and Canada to USD $117 for taxes and USD $117 for duties. VAT (IVA, 16%) applies to imports above the de minimis.
5. FTA + rules of origin
USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) is in force on this lane. To claim preferential duty, the goods must meet the agreement's rules of origin (typically a regional value content threshold or a tariff-shift test) and the importer must hold a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration.
See: All FTAs
6. Documents you may need
- Commercial invoice (every commercial shipment).
- Packing list.
- Transport document — air waybill (AWB) or bill of lading (B/L).
- Customs declaration (filed by importer of record or broker).
- Certificate of Origin or origin declaration to claim USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preference.
- Sector permits where applicable: phytosanitary, veterinary, medicines, telecom, weapons, art.
- Importer EORI / tax-ID where required by Mexico.
7. Common problems on this route
- Undervaluation flagged at clearance, leading to revaluation and back-duty.
- Incorrect HS classification — duty rate moves up an entire tariff line.
- Missing origin documentation: FTA preference lost, MFN duty assessed.
- Vague descriptions on CN22 / CN23: parcel held pending clarification.
- Sanctions / dual-use screening for sensitive commodities.
- Biosecurity holds on food, plant, animal and wood-packaging items.
- Lithium-battery air-cargo refusal for non-compliant packaging.
8. High-risk item categories
No prohibited or restricted items flagged in the top-items list for this lane. Still verify any sensitive cargo against the official customs authority.
Generally restricted categories into Mexico:
- Firearms and ammunition (strictly controlled by SEDENA — Ministry of National Defense; very difficult to import)
- Medicines and pharmaceuticals (COFEPRIS registration required)
- Food products (SENASICA/COFEPRIS registration)
- Telecommunications equipment (IFT homologation required)
- Used vehicles (complex regulations; PROSEC programs for manufacturers)
- Endangered species (SEMARNAT/CITES permit required)
9. Official sources
- Servicio de Administración Tributaria — SAT (Tax Administration Service, Customs Division) — destination customs authority.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — origin customs authority.
- Mexico country profile — full source panel and rule index.
- FTA registry — search for USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
10. Related tools
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring goods from United States to Mexico as a traveller?
Yes. Travellers from United States entering Mexico are subject to Mexico's personal allowances and declaration rules. Alcohol allowance: 3 L. Cigarette allowance: 200. Personal goods allowance: ~USD 500. Declare anything above these limits at the red channel.
Can I send a parcel from United States to Mexico?
Yes — parcels move through Mexico's postal-customs flow. Typical transit: 5 days. De minimis: USD $50 equivalent. Always attach a CN22 or CN23 declaration with accurate description, value, and HS code.
Can I import commercially from United States to Mexico?
Yes. Commercial imports into Mexico require an importer of record, customs declaration via Servicio de Administración Tributaria — SAT (Tax Administration Service, Customs Division), commercial invoice, packing list, and HS-classified goods. USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preferential duty is available if origin requirements are met.
What duties and taxes apply on this lane?
Originating goods qualify for USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preferential rates (often 0%). Mexico levies 16% VAT/GST on commercial imports. De minimis below USD $50 equivalent.
Do I need a Certificate of Origin?
Yes — to claim USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) preferential duty, the consignment must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin or origin declaration meeting the agreement's rules-of-origin criteria. Without it, MFN duty applies.
What is Mexico's cash declaration threshold for travellers?
Travellers entering Mexico must declare cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 10000.
What documents should I prepare?
Minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, transport document (AWB or B/L), and customs declaration. Add a Certificate of Origin if claiming FTA preference. Sensitive categories (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need sector-specific permits or certificates.
What can go wrong on this lane?
Common problems: undervaluation flagged at clearance, incorrect HS code triggering a higher duty, missing origin documentation losing the FTA preference, parcel held for vague description on CN22/CN23, sanctions / dual-use screening on certain commodities, and biosecurity holds on food / plant / animal products.
Country profiles
Reference only — not legal or customs advice. Customs rules change frequently. Always verify against the destination's customs authority before acting on any rule on this page.