International Moving Services from the US to Mexico: What to Expect

Moving household goods from the US to San Miguel de Allende is doable but paperwork-heavy. The single most important rule: get a menaje de casa permit from the Mexican consulate BEFORE you ship, otherwise customs will tax everything as a commercial import. Here is the practical guide.

The Three Realistic Approaches

1. Full container (20 or 40 foot). Best for moving a whole household. $6,000 to $12,000 USD from US East/Gulf coast to San Miguel, $8,000 to $15,000+ from the West Coast, depending on size & service level.

2. Consolidated/shared container. Best for partial moves. You pay by volume (cubic foot or LDM). $2,500 to $5,000 USD for a small household worth of goods.

3. Drive down with a trailer or U-Haul. Cheapest for the truly minimalist, but you handle the border crossing yourself & need temporary import on the vehicle. Best for one-time, manageable loads.

The Menaje de Casa Permit

A menaje de casa permit is a one-time customs concession allowing residents to bring household goods into Mexico duty-free. You qualify if you have a Temporary or Permanent Resident visa, & you must apply at the same Mexican consulate where you got your residency visa.

• What it covers: Used personal household goods, furniture, kitchenware, clothes, books, art, tools. Not new items (anything obviously commercial), not vehicles (separate process).

• What you need: A detailed itemized inventory in Spanish with declared value per item. The consulate stamps & approves it.

• Timing: Apply at the consulate BEFORE shipping, ideally during your visa appointment. Shipment must arrive at the Mexican border within 6 months of the permit issuance.

• Cost: Around $300 to $500 USD in permit & customs broker fees.

Skipping this step is the most expensive mistake new movers make. Goods without menaje de casa can be subject to 16% IVA & duties of 15% to 30% on declared value, & customs delays of weeks.

The Logistics Chain

1. Quote stage: Get 3 quotes from movers experienced with Mexico. Atlas Van Lines, La Rosa del Monte, Mexicana de Mudanzas & Sirva are commonly used.

2. Pre-move survey: Movers do an in-home survey or video survey for accurate volume estimates.

3. Menaje de casa application: Submit at your US consulate.

4. Pack day: Professional packers in the US load the container.

5. Border crossing: Container goes to the US-Mexico border (typically Laredo for road, or Veracruz for ocean), customs broker (agente aduanal) clears it.

6. Delivery: Truck delivers to San Miguel, typically 3 to 6 weeks total door to door from US East Coast.

What to Ship & What to Leave Behind

Ship: art, family heirlooms, specific kitchen items you love, books, anything irreplaceable.

Skip: bulky US-voltage appliances (Mexico uses 120V/60Hz, mostly compatible, but Mexican appliance availability is good), most furniture (Mexican-made furniture is excellent & cheaper than shipping), mattresses (heavy, available locally).

San Miguel has strong local options for furniture, custom carpentry & home goods, so many new residents arrive with a few prized pieces & buy the rest locally over the first few months.

Cars: A Separate Process

Bringing a US-plated car requires a Temporary Vehicle Import permit (TVIP, only valid for Residente Temporal, not Permanente) or formal nationalization. Most full-time movers eventually sell the US car & buy Mexican-plated. The visa options guide covers the residency context.

Pets

Dogs & cats can enter Mexico with a recent US veterinary health certificate & current rabies vaccination. SENASICA inspects at the border or airport. Most international airlines accept pets in cabin or cargo. Plan ahead, this is much easier with 60 days of notice.

For the broader move timeline, see the honest look at moving here. For setting up after arrival, the utilities setup guide covers the first week.

If you want introductions to international movers, customs brokers, or pet-transport agents who specialize in US-to-San Miguel moves, reach out.