What to move to Mexico?
When you are planning to move to Mexico, you may want to bring personal goods to furnish your home and/or items that hold sentimental value to you. Mexican laws allow for a one-time import of personal goods duty and tax-free. The process is subject to certain rules and must be completed within six months of your first entry to Mexico as a legal resident (visa resident card).
In order to do so, you need to apply for a process named menaje de casa (an import permit for household goods) at the Mexican Consulate abroad, which is an inventory list of household goods.
Types of household
There are different categories:
Temporary household: It applies to foreign residents who have a temporary resident permit and intend to stay in Mexico for 1-4 years. If you don’t become a permanent resident, Mexican law states that the goods you import under this visa must be exported from Mexico at the end of your stay.
Permanent household: It applies to foreign residents who had a permanent legal residency in Mexico. Items imported under this regime are considered as one-time, definitive import.
Mexican Nationals household: It applies to Mexican nationals living abroad bringing back their goods to Mexico. Items imported under this regime are considered definitive import.
Which are the requirements to move household items to Mexico?
There are different requirements and documentation when moving household items to Mexico, including the immigration status and several customs declarations.
The general requirements to move household items to Mexico are the following:
- Valid resident card
- Passport: To prove citizenship.
- Packing List: Detailed description of goods to be moved.
- Proof of address: recent utility bill (not older than 3 months) of the previous entry.
- Bill of Lading / Airway Bill: Required to transport goods by sea or air.
- Customs Declaration Letter: Includes address in Mexico, a description of goods, and acknowledgment of the requirements to move the goods in and out of Mexico.
- Declaration Letter for Transportation of Household Goods (Declaración de Menaje de Casa): It applies to Mexican citizens or permanent residents living abroad. It is a document to declare that the goods belong to Mexican residents.