💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Mexico is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
📋 Service Details
China to Mexico Sea Freight — how the lane runs
Sea Freight into Mexico runs through Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz. Clearance is by Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) and SAT and typical dwell before release is 4–10 days.
Manzanillo handles the bulk of Asia–Mexico volume and is the congestion point to watch. Two things break DDP quotes here: the importer of record must be registered on the Padrón de Importadores, and Mexico has layered temporary tariffs on a long list of Chinese-origin goods. NOM certification for regulated products is verified at the border, not after.
Route facts
| Destination country | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Region | Americas |
| Mode | Sea Freight |
| Gateways used | Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz |
| Transit, China to gateway | 16–24 calendar days |
| Clearance / dwell | 4–10 days |
| Peak season | Aug–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Mexico City — the largest consumer market in the country. Via MEX air / Manzanillo sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Guadalajara — electronics manufacturing and second largest market. Via GDL air / Manzanillo sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Monterrey — industrial capital of the north. Via MTY air / Altamira sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Puebla — automotive and textile manufacturing centre. Via MEX air / Veracruz sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Queretaro — aerospace and logistics corridor. Via QRO air / Manzanillo sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Tijuana — border manufacturing and maquiladora belt. Via TIJ air / Ensenada sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Merida — Yucatan peninsula regional centre. Via MID air / Progreso sea; inland leg +3 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Leon — footwear and leather industry cluster. Via BJX air / Manzanillo sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Manzanillo — the country's largest container port. Via GDL air / Manzanillo sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Toluca — industrial belt west of the capital. Via MEX air / Manzanillo sea; inland leg +2 days. Sea Freight guide →
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ℹ️ Additional Information
Clearance requirements into Mexico
IVA 16%; duty 0–35%, with additional temporary tariffs of up to 35% applied to textiles, footwear, steel and several other Chinese-origin categories. The de-minimis position is USD 50 for courier consignments.
Conformity: NOM standards compliance for regulated goods; the consignee must be listed on the Padrón de Importadores.
Known friction points: A registered importer of record is mandatory — the forwarder cannot simply act as one. Temporary tariff decrees on Chinese-origin textiles, footwear and steel change periodically; verify the current rate. NOM certification cannot be remedied after arrival.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Mexico
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) and SAT or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to Mexico — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) and SAT |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | USD 50 for courier consignments |
| Import tax & duty regime | IVA 16%; duty 0–35%, with additional temporary tariffs of up to 35% applied to textiles, footwear, steel and several other Chinese-origin categories |
| Local currency | MXN |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 4–10 days |
| Peak / busy season | Aug–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | NOM standards compliance for regulated goods; the consignee must be listed on the Padrón de Importadores |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to Mexico. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Wondering whether your cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ for this Mexico route? The 3D container planner simulates cartons, crates, pallets, and even mixed box sizes in one container.
Open Container Planner →✅ Mexico Sea Freight Checklist
- Confirm whether your Mexico rate is per CBM or per container before comparing quotes.
- Verify the receiver's customs import capability in Mexico for DDP terms before booking.
- Photograph the container number, seal, and loading process for insurance evidence.
- Declare accurate gross weight — VGM misdeclaration delays vessels and triggers fines.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to Mexico take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 4–10 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Mexico?
Clearance is handled by Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) and SAT. The regime is: IVA 16%; duty 0–35%, with additional temporary tariffs of up to 35% applied to textiles, footwear, steel and several other Chinese-origin categories, with a de-minimis position of USD 50 for courier consignments. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
Which ports or airports does this route use into Mexico?
Sea cargo to Mexico clears through Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz; air freight clears via MEX (Mexico City), NLU (Felipe Ángeles), GDL (Guadalajara). We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
Can you ship special cargo (batteries, branded goods) to Mexico?
Yes — battery goods by sea follow UN3480/UN3481 rules with an MSDS; we prepare the dangerous-goods paperwork as part of DDP into Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz. Surcharges apply.
In what currency is this route priced and paid?
Freight is quoted and invoiced in USD; the destination-side currency is MXN. Payment is typically due before departure, and DDP means you settle the full landed cost once.
What documents are required for customs clearance in Mexico?
Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) and SAT typically requires a commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading/air waybill, a certificate of origin (may lower duty), and any product certification (NOM standards compliance for regulated goods; the consignee must be listed on the Padrón de Importadores). We file these under DDP.
⭐ Customer Reviews
What customers say about shipping to Mexico with us.
🇲🇽 Mexico
We tested this lane to Mexico with a mid-volume order. The goods were packed better than expected. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
This was a DDP shipment to Mexico for mixed cartons. The goods were packed better than expected. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports. La entrega fue ordenada y el seguimiento fue claro.
This was a DDP shipment to Mexico for mixed cartons. Lead time was realistic and easy to plan around. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
This was a DDP shipment to Mexico for mixed cartons. The goods were packed better than expected. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
This was a DDP shipment to Mexico for mixed cartons. Lead time was realistic and easy to plan around. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before. La entrega fue ordenada y el seguimiento fue claro.
We tested this lane to Mexico with a mid-volume order. Lead time was realistic and easy to plan around. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before. La entrega fue ordenada y el seguimiento fue claro.
We tested this lane to Mexico with a mid-volume order. The goods were packed better than expected. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
We tested this lane to Mexico with a mid-volume order. Lead time was realistic and easy to plan around. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Would use the same line again for general cargo.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Mexico. Lead time was realistic and easy to plan around. Pickup from the supplier was arranged quickly and customs stayed under control. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Muy buen servicio y sin cargos sorpresa al final.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Mexico. The goods were packed better than expected. Transit was close to the estimate and the destination delivery appointment was handled well. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Mexico through this team. Lead time was realistic and easy to plan around. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Muy buen servicio y sin cargos sorpresa al final.
The DDP service is excellent — everything included in the quoted price. No additional fees upon arrival.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Mexico through this team. The goods were packed better than expected. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before. Muy buen servicio y sin cargos sorpresa al final.
Mostly a smooth experience. There was a small delay at the origin port but the team communicated clearly and resolved it quickly.
Quick turnaround and great packaging. My goods arrived in perfect condition and ahead of the estimated delivery date.
Good service overall. The freight cost was competitive and the clearance process was handled well.
Decent service but transit took about a week longer than quoted. Goods arrived undamaged which is the main thing.
Very reliable for importing electronics. The declared value process was handled professionally and duties were prepaid.
Delivery was a few days behind schedule but goods arrived in perfect condition. The DDP coverage was genuinely all-inclusive.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Mexico
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Mexico City MEX air / Manzanillo sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Guadalajara GDL air / Manzanillo sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Monterrey MTY air / Altamira sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Puebla MEX air / Veracruz sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Queretaro QRO air / Manzanillo sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Tijuana TIJ air / Ensenada sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Merida MID air / Progreso sea inland +3 days Guide only — no rates
- Leon BJX air / Manzanillo sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
- Manzanillo GDL air / Manzanillo sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Toluca MEX air / Manzanillo sea inland +2 days Guide only — no rates
Shipping Mexico cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Inflatable Products Toys, Sports, Outdoor & Leisure
- Artificial Flowers Consumer Goods & Gifts
- Retail Products E-commerce & Retail Channels
- Sheet Metal Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Storage Tanks Metal Products & Industrial Components
- Electric Motors General Machinery & Industrial Equipment
- Agricultural Drones Agriculture & Livestock Equipment
- Wire & Cable New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Automotive Lighting Automotive & Vehicles
- Flooring Building Materials & Construction Products
- Cartons Wood, Bamboo & Paper Products
- Flexible Packaging Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.