Cost to Move to Mexico from the USA
Mexico is the cheapest and fastest destination on this calculator, because for most of the US it is not a sea move at all — it is a truck. That makes the freight simple. The paperwork is not: Mexico requires a permit obtained in the United States, before the goods move, and it is tied to your immigration status.
What it costs
Door-to-door sea and air freight ranges from New York to Mexico, by home size. Ranges include origin services, freight, destination services and routine clearance. They are planning figures, not quotes — a firm price needs a survey of your home.
| Home size | Sea freight | Air freight |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,720 – $4,250 | $5,440 – $11,900 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,825 – $6,375 | $7,650 – $17,850 |
| 2 bedrooms | $5,950 – $10,200 | $11,900 – $28,560 |
| 3 bedrooms | $8,500 – $13,600 | $17,000 – $38,080 |
| 4 bedrooms | $11,475 – $18,700 | $22,950 – $52,360 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $15,300 – $25,500 | $30,600 – $71,400 |
Because the move is usually by road, the price tracks distance to the border and onward rather than container space. A move from Texas to Monterrey and a move from Boston to Mérida are very different numbers even for the same house.
Price your own move — pick your origin city and home size and the calculator will give you a range in a few seconds, with no contact details required.
How long it takes
Road freight is typically 2–4 weeks door to door including clearance. Sea freight to Veracruz or Manzanillo exists and makes sense from some origins, but for most of the US the truck is faster and cheaper.
Customs and duty
Menaje de Casa
The Menaje de Casa is the household-goods import permit, and it is obtained from the Mexican consulate in the US before your shipment leaves — not at the border, and not afterwards. It requires a Temporary or Permanent Resident visa, so the immigration process comes first, and it is submitted with a detailed inventory in Spanish listing what is being imported. It is generally a one-time entitlement per person, which is worth knowing before you decide to leave half your belongings for a second trip: there may not be a second trip.
Customs requirements change and are applied at the discretion of the authorities at the border. Treat this as orientation, not advice — confirm current requirements with your moving company or the destination’s customs authority before you ship.
What you cannot ship to Mexico
- The Menaje de Casa must be issued before the goods move; there is no retroactive route.
- It requires resident status — a tourist visa does not qualify.
- New or unused items do not belong in a Menaje de Casa shipment and can jeopardise the whole clearance.
- Vehicles are an entirely separate and considerably harder process.
- Firearms and ammunition are prohibited; Mexico enforces this severely.
Common questions
Do I need residency before I can ship to Mexico?
For a Menaje de Casa, yes — it is issued against a Temporary or Permanent Resident visa. This is the item that sets the timeline for the whole move, so start the immigration process well before you start getting moving quotes.
Is it cheaper to move to Mexico by road or by sea?
For most US origins, by road. It is faster, it avoids container handling at both ends, and it is usually cheaper. Sea freight to Veracruz or Manzanillo can win from the coasts or for very large shipments, so it is worth asking for both.
Can I use the Menaje de Casa twice?
Generally not — treat it as one shipment, one entitlement. That is a strong argument for moving everything you intend to keep in a single consignment rather than planning to bring the rest later.
What will your move to Mexico cost?
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