Mexico Customs for Household Goods
What the Customs Law says about household goods, and what is unconfirmed
A few short questions. Nothing is sent until you check and confirm.
What does the Customs Law say about household goods?
It exempts them from import taxes in one case, and the wording is narrow. Article 61 of the Ley Aduanera lists goods that pay no foreign-trade taxes on entry. Item III reads “Los menajes de casa pertenecientes a residentes permanentes y a nacionales repatriados o deportados”, which means household goods belonging to permanent residents and to repatriated or deported Mexican nationals.
The copy we read is on a consultancy site, not the official text, and it says its text is current with no later amendment than 20 November 2023. Treat it as a pointer to the rule, not as the rule. The official customs-law text and the customs authority pages did not open for us.
Does that cover a British family moving on a temporary visa?
The article, as copied, names permanent residents, not temporary ones. That would leave a family on a temporary residence card outside it, but we cannot say so with confidence, because the same site reads the rule more narrowly in its own commentary.
That commentary states “Los menajes de casa aplican para mexicanos que regresan al pais despues de residir en el extranjero”, meaning household goods apply to Mexicans returning after living abroad. The commentary and the article do not match, so which reading a customs officer follows for a foreign resident is not yet confirmed. Ask the Mexican consulate in London in writing and keep the reply.
What must be declared whatever the exemption?
The declaration comes first. GOV.UK says “You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty”, and, for goods that are to be declared, a customs form has to be sent online before travelling.
The same page warns that undeclared goods can be seized and fined. Passengers’ luggage sits in a separate item of the same article (item II, international passengers’ baggage), so carrying a few things yourself and shipping the rest are two different customs questions.
What could we not find?
Most of what a household needs to plan a shipment. Nothing readable gave the list of goods allowed, any limit on appliances, the period around arrival in which the goods must land, the certificate or form a consulate issues, or the fees.
Cars, pets, alcohol and tobacco are also unconfirmed. Our guides on shipping a car and moving with a pet cover the UK end only. Entry and residence are on the UK to Mexico page and every place page is listed in the Mexico removals guide.
Questions about Mexico customs and household goods
What is menaje de casa?
It is the Spanish term for household goods.
Article 61 of the Customs Law exempts those of permanent residents and of repatriated Mexican nationals from import taxes.
Does the exemption cover a British family?
Not confirmed.
The copy we read names permanent residents, but its commentary describes Mexicans returning home. Ask the Mexican consulate in writing.
Do I still have to declare goods?
Yes.
GOV.UK says goods that may be prohibited or taxed must be declared, with a customs form sent online before travelling.
Tell us about your Mexico shipment
Share your departure postcode, arrival month, visa type and whether a car or pets are travelling.
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