Moving to Mexico

People moving to Mexico can import their personal belongings duty free.  This is a one time right which results from becoming a non-immigrant resident (FM3) or an immigrant resident (FM2).

See Definitions to better understand terms used here.

You will need a list of your belongings in Spanish with the resale value of each item and serial numbers of all electronic equipment.

You will need an importation permit from your closest Mexican consulate  which used to be called Maneja de casa.  The cost was under US$200 (Feb 2010).

You will need an FMM, FM3 or FM2.  Ask at the consulate how the visa requirements work.  Because of the May 1, 2010 rule changes we are unclear on this.  It used to be that you had to apply for your FM3 or FM2 before entering with your goods but that can now only be done inside Mexico.   We assume that an FMM and the import permit will be all that is required but this needs verification with personal experiences. If anyone has a personal experience with this please comment below.

Prohibited items:

Firearms, plants, fresh food

Additional resources:

The Embassy of Mexico in Canada website says (August 2010):

A person holding a retiree status may take his or her household goods to Mexico duty free, by obtaining a permit from the nearest Consulate to their place of residence. Household goods include: furniture, linens, books, clothes, scientific and art work (as long as these are not collections for exhibitions), etc. A vehicle is not considered a household good. However, please consider that a pensioner may bring a car into Mexico, by presenting a temporary import permit.

This permit must be obtained when bringing the goods into Mexico, but no more than six months after the retiree’s first entry.

To obtain a temporary import permit the following documents must be presented:

• A list of the household goods, containing the label information and serial number of all electrical household appliances, in five copies.
• A letter addressed to the Mexican Embassy stating the retiree’s last address and, if possible, his or her new address in Mexico.
• Documents proving that the applicant has a previous house (telephone or hydro statements, lease)
• The consular fee equivalent to US $128.00, in Canadian funds.

New immigration rules in Spanish here.

Rolly Brook has a lot of detail about the process here including links to movers and brokers.