Shipping from China to Mexico
Shipping from China to Mexico runs mainly through Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas on the Pacific side, with rail inland to Mexico City and Guadalajara. Sea LCL takes about 30–45 days at $55–95 per CBM; 20ft containers start around $1,700–2,800. Air freight runs 4–8 days at $4.00–8.00 per kg.
DDP shipping from China to Mexico covers pickup, freight, customs (duty 0–20% by HS code + VAT 16%), and door delivery. The catch for foreign sellers is the importer-of-record requirement (RFC registration) — our Mexican partner acts as importer of record under DDP, so you don't need a local entity.
Sea freight from China to Mexico
| Route | Transit | Reference price |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen/Guangzhou → Manzanillo | 28–38 days | 20ft from ~$1,700 · 40HQ from ~$2,500 |
| LCL (any origin → Mexican hubs) | 30–45 days | $55–95 per CBM |
| Air: → Mexico City (MEX) / Guadalajara | 4–8 days | $4.00–8.00 per kg |
Reference ranges checked September 2026 — live rates change weekly; ask for today’s price. LCL figures are ocean base — destination CFS adds $30–60/CBM on most lanes (listed in every quote we send).
Air freight from China to Mexico
Air freight to Mexico takes 4–8 days at roughly $4.00–8.00 per chargeable kg into Mexico City or Guadalajara. Express couriers are also strong into Mexico for samples — ask us to compare door times.
DDP door-to-door to Mexico
One all-in price covering pickup in China, freight, customs clearance, duties and final delivery — properly declared, no creative customs.
- Step 1 · Pickup in China
We collect from your supplier, inspect, and consolidate at our Ningbo warehouse.
- Step 2 · Export & freight
Export declaration, loading, and the route you chose — documents shared at every step.
- Step 3 · Customs clearance
Our destination partner clears the shipment and pays duties properly — correct values, real declarations.
- Step 4 · Final delivery
To your door, warehouse, or FBA center — with tracking that works the whole way.
DDP reference: sea ≈ $4.5–6.5/kg · air ≈ $8–9.5/kg
Customs in Mexico — what to know
Duty 0–20% by HS code + VAT 16%. Ports: Manzanillo (west, main for China cargo) / Lázaro Cárdenas; inland via rail to Mexico City. Importer of record (RFC registration) required — our DDP partner handles it.
FAQ — China to Mexico
+Do I need a Mexican company to import?
Formally, yes — imports need an importer of record with a valid RFC registration. Under our DDP service the destination partner acts as importer of record and clears in their name, so individuals and foreign companies can receive goods without a local entity.
+What are Mexico's import taxes?
Import duty 0–20% by HS code plus 16% VAT. Apparel and textiles sit at the higher end. The taxes are predictable; the risk is unlicensed brokers — we only quote with the fee breakdown in writing.
+Why is sea transit longer than to the US?
Manzanillo receives fewer direct sailings than LA/Long Beach, so some routings transship. It's still the default for volume; air covers the gaps.