International · MX

How to Ship to Mexico from the US

Mexico is a major shipping destination for US sellers — cross-border volume is massive but customs can be unpredictable. DHL and FedEx are popular for US→Mexico shipping because USPS hands off to the Mexican postal service, Correos de México, and delivery times on that last leg vary.

Mexico charges 16% IVA (value-added tax) on imports plus duty that depends on the item. For US goods sent by courier, the first $50 is tax-free and goods up to $117 are duty-free, subject to conditions. By mail, USPS says import taxes apply to goods declared above $50.

Typical 1 lb cost

$27–$69 by USPS (retail, July 2026)

Typical transit

2-15 business days

Carrier Options to Mexico

DHL Express Worldwide

Best for Mexico. 1-3 business days. Strong customs network.

FedEx International Priority

1-3 business days. Competitive with DHL. Good tracking.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

2-5 business days. Slightly cheaper for heavier packages.

USPS Priority Mail International

From $69.40 for 1 lb at retail; tracking included. Final delivery by Correos de México. USPS quotes 6–10 business days for major markets.

USPS First-Class Package International

Lowest USPS price under 4 lb: $26.60 for 1 lb at retail. Delivery confirmation to Mexico when you buy online.

Customs Forms Required

A customs form goes on every parcel — it prints with the label when you buy postage online. USPS says Correos de México asks for a commercial invoice with goods worth over $50, two copies inside the box for commercial shipments, and an import permit above $1,000.

Commonly Prohibited Items

  • ✕Firearms, ammunition and tear gas sprays
  • ✕Certain alcohol (requires import license)
  • ✕Medicines, pills, tablets and capsules (banned in USPS mail to Mexico)
  • ✕Used clothing (commercial quantities restricted)
  • ✕Certain seeds and plant products (agricultural restrictions)
  • ✕Powders of any kind, e-cigarettes and pork products (banned in USPS mail to Mexico)
  • ✕Cash, coins and jewelry (banned in USPS mail to Mexico)

Mexico-Specific Shipping Tips

  • 💡 For anything valuable or urgent, use a courier or Priority Mail International — USPS mail is delivered by Correos de México, and delivery times vary
  • 💡 Address accuracy is critical — include colonia (neighborhood name) and municipio (municipality)
  • 💡 Couriers need the recipient's RFC (Mexican tax ID) to use Mexico's simplified customs process
  • 💡 Keep gifts under $50 if you can: that is where tax starts for both courier and mail shipments
  • 💡 Leave out pills, vitamins in powder form and protein powder — USPS lists medicines and all powders as banned in mail to Mexico

How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Mexico?

USPS puts Mexico in its price group 2. These prices took effect on July 12, 2026; the first number in each case is the Post Office (retail) price.

  • First-Class Package International (up to 4 lb, up to $400 in value): $20.15 for 8 oz, $26.60 for 1 lb, $29.70 for 2 lb and $51.05 for 4 lb. Online: $25.27 for 1 lb.
  • Priority Mail International: $69.40 for 1 lb, $73.40 for 2 lb, $92.30 for 5 lb and $125.20 for 10 lb. Online: $67.17 for 1 lb.
  • Priority Mail International Flat Rate: Envelope $48.80, Small Box $50.45 (both up to 4 lb), Medium Box $90.85 and Large Box $102.55 (both up to 20 lb).
  • Couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS): priced per shipment, by size and weight — get quotes for the same box.

💡 A 10 lb box costs $125.20 by weight but $90.85 in a Medium Flat Rate Box, if it fits. USPS gives no tracking on Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Boxes, so use a bigger option for anything you need to follow.

Mexican Taxes: The $50 and $117 Limits

  • Courier, US goods, up to $50: no tax and no duty.
  • Courier, US goods, $50–$117: no duty, but 16% IVA applies — subject to conditions.
  • Courier, over $117: duty plus IVA. Couriers can apply a single 19% rate to US-origin goods when conditions are met.
  • By mail (USPS → Correos de México): USPS says import taxes apply to goods declared above $50. Above $1,000, an import permit is needed.
  • Couriers need the recipient's RFC (Mexican tax ID) to use the simplified process.

ℹ️ Declare the true value. Rules change often at this border — check with your carrier before you ship anything worth more than $50.

How to Write a Mexican Address

Mexican addresses include the colonia (neighborhood). Leave it out and the carrier may not find the address. Use this order:

  1. Recipient's full name and phone number.
  2. Street and number — for example 'Av. Paseo de la Reforma 222' (add 'Int.' and the unit number for an apartment).
  3. Colonia — for example 'Col. Juárez'.
  4. 5-digit postal code (código postal), municipality or borough, and state — for example '06600 Cuauhtémoc, Ciudad de México'.
  5. MEXICO.

What USPS Won't Carry to Mexico

Mexico's mail rules catch many care packages. From USPS's own list for Mexico:

  • Medicines of any kind — pills, tablets, capsules and lozenges.
  • Powders of all kinds, which rules out protein powder and powdered drink mixes.
  • Electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
  • Pork and pork products, whey proteins, and perishable sweets, pastries, fruit and vegetables.
  • Cash, coins, jewelry and other valuables.
  • Chocolate needs prior approval, and cosmetics and beauty products need health approval before they can go by mail.

Frequently asked questions

Why is USPS slow to Mexico?
USPS hands packages to Correos de México after they reach Mexico, and delivery times on that leg vary. Private carriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) handle the whole trip themselves.
How much is duty to Mexico?
It depends on the item's classification (HS code), plus 16% IVA. For US goods sent by courier, the first $50 is tax-free and goods up to $117 are duty-free, subject to conditions. Above $117, couriers may apply a single 19% rate for US-origin goods when conditions are met. By mail, USPS says import taxes apply to goods declared above $50.
Do I need a commercial invoice?
Yes for commercial shipments. USPS says Correos de México asks for one on goods worth over $50, with two copies inside the box for commercial shipments. Mexican customs may request additional documentation for flagged items.
What's the fastest way to ship to Mexico?
FedEx International Priority or DHL Express Worldwide — 1-3 business days to most Mexican cities.
Can I ship electronics to Mexico?
Yes, but some require COFEPRIS or NOM certification for import. Personal-use electronics (phones, laptops) are usually fine for individual buyers.
How much does it cost to ship to Mexico?
USPS retail prices from July 12, 2026: $26.60 for a 1 lb First-Class Package International parcel, or $69.40 by Priority Mail International. A 5 lb parcel is $92.30 by Priority Mail International — or $90.85 in a Medium Flat Rate Box. Online postage is a little cheaper ($25.27 and $67.17 for 1 lb). Couriers quote each shipment.
Does UPS or FedEx ship to Mexico?
Yes. UPS, FedEx and DHL all deliver across Mexico and clear customs themselves. For the simplified customs process, they need the recipient's RFC (Mexican tax ID).
Has Mexico suspended shipping to the US?
Mexico's postal service paused mail from Mexico to the US on August 27, 2025, after the US ended its $800 duty-free rule, and restarted parcel service to the US on March 25, 2026. That affected mail going north. This page covers shipping from the US to Mexico.
What is the cheapest way to ship to Mexico?
Up to about 3 lb and worth under $400: USPS First-Class Package International — $26.60 for 1 lb at retail, $25.27 online, with delivery confirmation when bought online. At 4 lb, a Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope ($48.80) can be cheaper if it fits. From about 5 lb, the Medium Flat Rate Box ($90.85, up to 20 lb) beats the price by weight.

Other International Destinations

CN
China
KR
South Korea
IT
Italy
ES
Spain
NL
Netherlands
PH
Philippines

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