Shipping To & From Mexico — Complete Guide

Shipping to Mexico — What You Need to Know

Whether you're ordering a package from the US, shipping personal belongings for a move, or sending something back home, shipping to and from Mexico has its own set of rules and quirks. The good news: international carriers work well here. The less-good news: customs can be unpredictable, and import duties apply to many items.

This guide covers everything from ordering on Amazon Mexico to shipping a container of belongings, plus real experiences from our expat community.

Major Shipping Carriers

DHL

Generally considered the most reliable for international shipping to Mexico.

• Speed: Express (1-3 business days from US), Standard (5-7 days)
• Tracking: Excellent — real-time updates
• Customs handling: DHL handles customs clearance for you (included in shipping fee for most packages)
• Cost: Premium pricing — small package from US ~$40-80 USD
• Best for: Important documents, high-value items, time-sensitive shipments

FedEx

Reliable with good Mexico coverage. Slightly cheaper than DHL for some routes.

• Speed: Express (2-3 business days), Economy (4-7 days)
• Tracking: Good
• Customs: FedEx handles clearance, may contact you for additional documentation
• Cost: Mid-range to premium — similar to DHL
• Best for: Larger packages, regular shipping needs

UPS

Good option with a physical store in Playa del Carmen. Community members note: "There is a UPS Store on Juárez and Ave 45. The few times I've been there delivering and receiving packages, I've encountered agents who spoke English."

• Speed: Express (2-3 days), Standard (5-8 days)
• Tracking: Good
• Local presence: Physical UPS Store in Playa for drop-offs and pickups
• Best for: Returns to US retailers, sending packages from Mexico

Estafeta

Mexico's domestic shipping leader. Fast and reliable for shipments within Mexico.

• Speed: 1-3 days within Mexico
• Cost: Very affordable for domestic shipments
• Best for: MercadoLibre purchases, domestic transfers

Correos de México (Mexican Postal Service)

The national mail service. Cheap but very slow and unreliable for anything important.

• Speed: 2-6 weeks (domestic), 4-12 weeks (international)
• Reliability: Low — packages sometimes get lost
• Cost: Very cheap
• Best for: Non-urgent, low-value items only. Not recommended for anything important.

Amazon Mexico

Amazon.com.mx is the most convenient way to order products with delivery to Playa del Carmen.

How It Works

"Does Amazon deliver to Mexico? Anyone had experience with Amazon delivery here — is it reliable?" — Yes, Amazon Mexico delivers to Playa del Carmen and it's generally reliable. Here's what to know:

• Amazon Prime Mexico: Available for ~$99 pesos/month. Free shipping on eligible items, faster delivery.
• Delivery times: Prime items typically arrive in 1-4 days. Non-Prime can take 5-10 days.
• Address setup: As one community member shared: "I changed my address and I'm now on Prime with amazon.mx. I also don't worry about import fees." Items sold and shipped from within Mexico don't have import fees.
• Import fees: Items shipped from outside Mexico (marked "importación" in the listing) may incur customs duties. Amazon calculates and collects these at checkout.

Common Amazon Mexico Issues

• "I ordered some a month ago from Amazon.mx and it ended up in customs at Mexico City airport. I didn't want to deal with it so let it get sent back." — Occasionally happens with imported items. If it gets stuck in customs, Amazon customer service can usually help resolve it.
• "Amazon MX Prime says free shipping but almost everything listed as Prime has shipping fees!" — Some sellers on the marketplace charge shipping separately even on Prime. Look for items labeled "Enviado por Amazon" (Fulfilled by Amazon) for true free Prime shipping.
• Delivery addresses: If your address is hard for delivery drivers to find, consider using a nearby OXXO or pickup point. One community member asked: "Is there a delivery point where I can send a package and pick it up?" — Amazon Lockers and pickup points are available at some locations.

MercadoLibre

Mexico's homegrown e-commerce giant — think of it as Amazon + eBay combined. Community members love it: "MercadoLibre — best options and price, super fast delivery."

• Selection: Massive — everything from electronics to furniture to car parts
• Delivery: Mercado Envíos (their shipping service) is fast and reliable — typically 1-3 days
• Payment: MercadoPago (their payment system), credit/debit cards, OXXO cash payments
• Buyer protection: Good return and refund policies
• Best for: Finding items not available in local stores, comparing prices, specialty products

Customs and Import Duties

Understanding Mexican customs is critical for avoiding surprises:

What Triggers Customs Duties

• Items valued over $50 USD shipped via regular mail or courier may be subject to duties
• Commercial quantities of any product
• Electronics, clothing, and luxury goods are common targets
• Shipments from US Amazon via international carriers

Typical Duty Rates

• General rate: 16% IVA (sales tax) + potential tariff depending on product category
• Electronics: 16% IVA (no additional tariff for most consumer electronics)
• Clothing: 16% IVA + 20-35% tariff (clothing gets hit hard)
• Food/supplements: 16% IVA, may require health permits for commercial quantities

How to Avoid Customs Problems

• Buy from Amazon.com.mx instead of Amazon.com — items shipped domestically don't go through international customs
• Use MercadoLibre for domestic purchases whenever possible
• Declare honestly. Under-declaring values can result in fines and seizure
• Keep receipts for everything you ship — customs may ask for proof of value
• Mark personal items as "used personal effects" when shipping belongings during a move (different rules than commercial imports)

When Items Get Stuck

Community members ask: "What is an indicator that something is stuck in customs?" Signs include:

• Tracking shows "held at customs" or "en aduana" for more than 3-5 days
• You receive an email or text from the carrier requesting additional documentation
• No tracking updates for an extended period

If stuck, contact the carrier's customer service. DHL and FedEx usually handle customs clearance for you and will let you know if additional documentation or payment is required.

Shipping Personal Belongings to Mexico

Moving your stuff from the US or Canada to Mexico:

Small Shipments (Boxes)

• Use DHL, FedEx, or UPS for boxes of personal items
• Label as "personal effects" or "efectos personales usados"
• Include a detailed inventory list
• Cost: $50-200 USD per box depending on weight and carrier

Large Shipments (Furniture, Household)

• Use an international moving company — community members recommend International Relocation Partner
• Options: Full container (FCL) or shared container (LCL)
• Cost: $2,000-8,000+ USD depending on volume
• Timeline: 4-8 weeks including customs clearance
• You'll need a customs broker (agente aduanal) to handle the import paperwork

Sending Packages FROM Mexico

Need to ship something back to the US or elsewhere? As one community member shared: "Send it via UPS from here. There is one on Juárez and 45th."

• UPS Store: Walk-in service, English-speaking staff, handles packaging and shipping
• DHL/FedEx: Drop-off locations or schedule pickup
• Estafeta: Cheapest option for domestic, also offers some international routes

Package Forwarding Services

If you need a US address for online shopping (some US retailers don't ship to Mexico), package forwarding services can help:

• They give you a US mailing address
• Packages arrive there, then get forwarded to your Mexican address
• Services include consolidation (combine multiple packages into one shipment)
• Cost: Service fee + international shipping

Popular services include MyUS, Shipito, and Planet Express.

Quick Reference — Shipping Costs

For more about setting up your life in Mexico including what to ship vs. buy locally, check our Moving to Playa del Carmen Checklist and Furniture & Appliance Guide.