FCL ocean freight from China to Mexico

Pacific gateways such as Manzanillo and Lázaro Cárdenas are typically 20–28 days from China; Gulf ports like Veracruz and Altamira run around 30–38 days. Inland delivery to Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey adds a few days by truck. Exact schedules are confirmed with each quote.

You pay ocean freight, China origin charges, and Mexican destination charges including import duties and taxes assessed on entry. Which Pacific or Gulf port is cheapest depends on your final delivery point — we compare both gateways in every quote so you ship via the smarter one.

As a rule of thumb: Manzanillo or Lázaro Cárdenas for central and western Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Querétaro), and Veracruz or Altamira for the Gulf region and the US border corridor. We quote both options with inland trucking included so you can decide on real numbers.

Shipments need a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, and a pedimento (import entry) filed by a licensed Mexican customs broker. We prepare the Chinese export declaration and coordinate the document flow so your broker can clear the box the day it arrives.

Yes. We truck containers from both coasts to warehouses, distribution centers and job sites across central Mexico, with unloading arranged on request. For buyers who want a single landed price, ask us about DDP terms on this lane.

Imports pay customs duty by HS classification, 16% IVA on the customs value plus duty, and the DTA processing fee of about 0.8%. Since a 2025 tariff decree, duty rates on many non-FTA categories — those applying to China — are materially higher, and countervailing duties exist on products like steel and textiles. We check your HS lines before quoting.

Yes — the pedimento carries the consignee's Mexican RFC tax number, and without it a licensed agente aduanal cannot complete a commercial entry for you. Foreign buyers normally ship either to a Mexican entity with RFC or work with an importer of record arrangement. Tell us your setup and we structure the shipment so clearance is not the bottleneck.

No — T-MEC (USMCA) preferences require North American origin, so goods manufactured in China enter on general rates regardless of where they are sold. The saving comes from correct classification and, where available, sector programs for registered Mexican manufacturers. We classify accurately at booking so you never pay a rate you do not owe.

The mandatory agente aduanal typically charges around $250–500 USD per pedimento for a standard shipment, plus the DTA fee of about 0.8% of customs value and any warehouse or handling charges. Complex entries with many tariff lines cost more. On our door-to-door quotes these destination charges appear as itemized lines, never as surprises at the border.

Yes — consolidated LCL moves to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey via our groupage services, most often routing through Manzanillo. Expect a few extra days over FCL for consolidation and deconsolidation, and compare all-in totals since destination handling weighs more per cubic meter on LCL. For regular volumes we will tell you honestly when a shared 20ft container beats LCL.

Count 20–28 days port-to-port to Manzanillo, plus a few days of truck or rail inland to Mexico City, plus clearance — typically 30–40 days door-to-door in the normal case. Gulf routings via Veracruz or Altamira run longer on the water but can suit the northeast. We confirm the exact sailing plan with every quote.