Paperwork needed when moving to Mexico: A summary

Even though Mexican legislation is much more extensive, here is a brief summary of the paperwork you'll need for moving to Mexico, in some of the most common scenarios.

Returning Mexican citizens

• Copy of shipper's Passport
• Visado de menaje de casa (to get it you must show prove having resided outside of Mexico for at least two years)
• CURP: Clave única del registro de población
• Signed affidavit that no prohibited items are being imported.
• Destination address in Mexico.

FM-3 visa holders

• Copy of shipper's passport
• Copy of FM-3 visa
• El visado de menaje de casa (para conseguirlo hay que comprobar haber Visado de menaje de casa (to get it you must show prove having resided outside of Mexico for at least two years)
• US citizens are required to provide to US customs their Employee Identification Number (EIN) this number can be obtained by the shipper directly at http://www.irs.gov/ or by calling the IRS at 800-8294933 and to Mexican customs their US Social Security number.
• Other nationalities are required to provide tax ID number from their respective country to Mexican customs.
• Original and two copies of typewritten inventory in Spanish, with brand model and serial number on major electrical appliances.
• Signed affidavit declaring value of shipment and that no prohibited items are brought.
• Affidavit on company’s letterhead signed by company officer with power of attorney, stating that all imported items will be exported from Mexico once your visa expires and that your company is responsible for that.
• Shipper's address in Mexico as well as address in country of origin

FM-2 visa holders

• Regulations are the same as for FM3 visa holders and not having previously imported household goods and personal effects shipments

IMPORTANT: Remember that even though household goods and personal belongings are free of duty and taxes, it is necessary to comply with certain requirements for this, like not shipping any new or prohibited items, and having the paperwork in order. Every move is subject to custom process.

A household goods shipment should consist only of furniture and personal effects for the daily use of a family, such as beds, chairs, clothing, books, pictures, etc.

Check with us the rest of the specs and a complete list of prohibited items, by entering our free, live chat attended by experts.

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by Mauricio Pozas