Finding the best way to ship to Mexico can be difficult in the complex world of eCommerce. From ensuring compliance with Mexican customs to navigating proper shipping processes, it can be a lot to handle without the help of a professional. In this blog, you’ll get an inside look on how to ship to Mexico from qualified experts with years of international knowledge. Join us as we dive into the various considerations, from customs requirements to the best way to package your items, down to a list of common FAQs businesses often ask.
What’s the best way to ship to Mexico? Your questions answered
When embarking on any international trading venture, each business will have their own definition of what they view is the best way to ship. For example, one company may value lower costs as the best while others may value quality shipping practices over cheaper expenses. But it’s important to remember, when it comes to shipping internationally, there truly is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each country comes with its own host of challenges, customs regulations, shipping restrictions and policies to consider. And if your business is looking to target Mexico as its destination of choice, there are many strategies to consider to ensure success.
- Understanding Mexico’s customs regulations
The best way to ship to Mexico is compliantly. When shipping to this vast area with a growing international economy, importers must ensure compliance by obtaining all necessary customs forms. This includes all documents filed electronically with the corresponding officials and may potentially require forms in Spanish and English. Further, your business must be up to date on all customs restrictions and prohibited items to avoid additional fees or risk items being returned to their point of origin. For example, certain specialty items may require health certificates to enter Mexico like plants or cosmetic products. Working with an experienced shipping partner can help navigate the complex process of gathering the proper documentation, preventing incorrect filing that could cause delays in customs clearance.
- Selecting the proper shipping method for your products
Often, businesses assume the best way to ship their products is the fastest, but there are other factors to consider. For example, certain items may not be permitted to travel by air, and must be transported via ground transportation, like nail polish or aerosol products. These items will take longer to get to their destination, but will not risk seizure with customs. However, Mexican customers have varying preferences when it comes to shipping. While some prioritize quick delivery, expecting their items within 2-3 business days, others prioritize cost-effectiveness, opting for economical choices to keep their total expenses down, even if it means longer transit times. As a result, providing a variety of shipping options allows you to meet the diverse preferences and needs of your customers.
Here’s a few examples:
- Standard/Priority Shipping:
- Standard or priority shipping options are generally the most economical, but come with longer transit times.
- Standard or priority mail typically takes around 6-10 business days when traveling to Mexico from the USA.
- Express/Expedited Shipping:
- Express shipping offers faster delivery but comes at a higher cost, often with premium features.
- Express or expedited shipping to Mexico usually takes 2-5 or 3-5 business days.
- Other similar options include first class and global express, though costs may vary significantly depending on the courier and international service.
It’s important to recognize that transit times can vary based on several factors, such as the shipping provider, carrier, nature of goods, and exact point of origin. Offering these options ensures your customers can choose the shipping method that best suits their timeline and budget.
- Utilize quality packaging
As with any customer ordering items from another country, Mexican consumers prioritize receiving their orders intact, fearing damaged or flawed products. Broken items not only affects customer satisfaction, but also incurs additional costs for your business over time due to more packaging for returns.
To mitigate these risks and save on expenses, consider implementing the following strategies:
- Invest in Quality Packing Materials: Opt for affordable yet durable packing materials like bubble wrap, corrugated cardboard, and packing peanuts. These materials provide effective protection during transit, reducing the likelihood of damage to your products.
- Right-Sized Packaging: Use packaging that fits your products properly to minimize movement during shipping. This prevents items from shifting and reduces the risk of breakage as freight forwarders maneuver your shipments on pallets. Additionally, smaller packaging can help save on shipping costs while still ensuring adequate protection for your goods. This is particularly true if your courier offers flat-rate shipping.
- Double-Check Shipping Labels: Accurate labeling is crucial to ensuring packages reach their intended destinations. Double-check shipping labels to avoid misrouted or lost packages, which can result in unnecessary expenses and customer dissatisfaction. (At ePost Global, we handle this part for you.)
By prioritizing the use of durable packing materials, right-sized packaging, and meticulous attention to shipping labels, you can enhance the safety of your shipments to Mexico while effectively managing costs.
- Optimize costs where necessary
As an eCommerce business, comprehending the various factors that can affect shipping costs is paramount. Preventing a surplus of additional surcharges is crucial in keeping costs down without sacrificing quality and deliverability. The best way to optimize shipping costs includes:
- Receiving multiple quotes from shipping providers: Comparing costs of various shipping services from different providers can help your business determine the best possible financial outcome that works for your budget.
- Take advantage of free trade agreements: The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), formerly NAFTA, eliminates all tariffs and quotas on U.S. exports to Mexico and Canada
- Opt for reliable services: The cheapest shipping option could end up costing your business more due to penalties or returned items. Consider all options before making a final decision. You may be surprised at what a provider can offer with a little negotiation.
By identifying and dissecting these factors, you can effectively mitigate extra costs, ensuring the smooth and cost-efficient delivery of your items.
- Work with a reliable and experienced partner
When searching for the best way to ship to Mexico, consider the partner you choose to work with. Do they have years of experience? How often do they participate in border crossing? Do they understand all Mexican shipping requirements? As the lifeline connecting companies to their customers, selecting the right shipping partner can significantly impact the efficiency, reliability, and overall success of your operations. Consider requesting multiple quotes to assess the financial value of each provider, but back your research with their overall track record, including years of experience, case studies, testimonials, and customer reviews. Then, ensure that all services align with exactly what your company needs. In many cases, an experienced international shipping partner will work with you to offer the services you need at a cost you can afford.
Shipping to Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Well, you’ve heard it from the experts, but you might still have questions. Here’s some more of your questions answered to help you find the best and most efficient way to ship your products to Mexico.
Q: What documentation is required to ship to Mexico?
A: Typically, the following documentation is required:
- Commercial Invoice: This document provides a detailed description of the shipped items, their value, quantity, and country of origin.
- Bill of Lading: Serving as a contract between the shipper and carrier, this document includes various shipping details such as quantity, place of origin, and must be signed by both parties.
- USMCA Certificate of Origin: If goods qualify, this certificate may be required, containing exclusive details like information about the certifier, exporter, producer, importer, and Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) classification.
- Packing List: Detailing the cargo’s contents regarding package weight and materials, this document is essential for proper handling during transport.
- AES Filing: For goods valued over $2,500, an Automated Export System (AES) filing may be necessary when shipping to Mexico.
Q: What items are restricted from travel when shipping to Mexico?
A: The following items are prohibited from traveling to Mexico:
- Ammunition
- Electronic cigarettes
- Tobacco products
- Meat and products derived from pork
- Perishable items
- Pharmaceutical products
- Powder of all kinds
- Radioactive materials
- Tickets, lists, and circulars for foreign lotteries
- Coins, banknotes, and other valuable articles
- Whey and serum proteins of animal origin
- Works infringing copyrights covering Mexico
Q: What is the value-added tax (VAT) when shipping to Mexico?
A: Currently, the VAT or Impuesto al Valor Agregado (IVA) in Mexico stands at 16% for all foreign products.
Q: Do my products require a Harmonized tariff system code (HS Code)?
A: If goods qualify, a Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) classification may be required.
Q: Can I use a shipping calculator to determine how much to ship to Mexico?
A: Yes, but it may not be accurate. International shipping calculators lack precise accuracy and may not ask essential questions businesses need to budget correctly.
Ship to Mexico with ePost Global
Take it from the experts, shipping to Mexico requires a great deal of work to ensure your items arrive on time and in pristine condition. But when you work with ePost Global, you get top-notch services with a team of experts adept at packaging, shipping, and transporting your items across borders.
Here’s how ePost Global can assist you:
Customs Management
We take the hassle out of customs clearance, so you can focus on other aspects of your business. Our expert team ensures compliance with meticulous customs form completion and notes all current restrictions, so no item travels without its qualifying certificate or permit. We handle everything from completing necessary documents to providing Harmonized Standard Codes, so you don’t have to spend time looking up numbers for each item. Once we have the required information, we take care of everything. Essentially, you can entrust us with the entire customs management process, requiring only a compliant label. Further, we seamlessly integrate with third-party shipping systems, simplifying the process for you while also staying relevant to the latest shipping technology.
Customized Services
As businesses search for the best way to ship their products to Mexico, they often fall victim to the saver option. Unfortunately, the cheapest way to ship to Mexico is not always the best. Low-quality shipping solutions can come with a host of problems for your business like poor shipping practices, broken items, or additional surcharges and added fees at customs checkpoints. At ePost GLobal, we offer tailored services catered to your business’s unique cross-border shipping needs. We provide various delivery options, including express, standard, and economy shipping, allowing you to choose the solution that aligns best with your business model. Rather than function as a traditional provider like UPS, FedEx, or DHL, our solutions are catered to your business specifically. When you work with us, you receive:
- Customized Quotes
- Affordable shipping rates
- Expert international advice
- Fast mail and parcel delivery
- Customs compliance
- Proper shipping labeling
- Advanced door-to-door package tracking
- Quality customer support
We offer support through every step of the process, so you can trust that your shipping endeavors are in the hands of experts. Whether you’re shipping to China, Germany, or Mexico, we’ve got you covered so you can have peace of mind throughout the entire process.
The Best Customer Experience
We understand that a positive customer experience is vital for any eCommerce business, especially with cross-border shipping to Mexico. A great deal of trust is established between a company and customer when ordering an item online, and when you work with ePost, we ensure all goods arrive on time and with the proper label to prevent lost packages. Once shipped, your customers can track their items at every step of the way, including delivery confirmation once it arrives on their doorstep.
To ensure customer satisfaction we offer the following:
Prompt Delivery Times: We prioritize prompt and reliable transit times to meet Mexican customers’ expectations, taking into account postal service closures and recognized Mexican holidays.
Various Shipping Options: Offering a range of shipping options, such as express shipping and package tracking, adds value and convenience for customers.
Customs Clearance: We communicate clearly about the customs process and potential delays, managing customer expectations effectively.
Delivery Options: Providing multiple delivery options, including home delivery and pickup, enhances flexibility and convenience for customers.
By focusing on enhancing the customer experience in cross-border shipping, you can foster trust, loyalty, and brand reputation among Mexican customers. Partnering with ePost Global streamlines the process and adds value for your customers. With our meticulous attention to detail, you can find the best way to ship to Mexico effectively.
Shipping Rate Transparency: We ensure transparent information about shipping costs, duties, and taxes, empowering customers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Mexico shipping procedures can be complex. Contact us to start sending international shipments with excellence.
