Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Mexico
Weekly service to Veracruz, Altamira, and Manzanillo from both U.S. coasts — vehicles, heavy machinery, and project cargo with full Mexican customs brokerage and IVA/ISAN guidance.
Mexico at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,000+
- Ocean transit
- 3–8 days (Gulf Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Veracruz · Altamira · Manzanillo
- Import duty + VAT
- 0–10% + 16% IVA
- Heavy machinery
- 0–5% duty, top project lane
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Mexico: What You Need to Know
Mexico pairs three major gateways with some of the shortest transits we run: Altamira and Veracruz on the Gulf are 3–8 days from Houston and Florida, while Manzanillo — Mexico's busiest container port — serves the Pacific side in 4–7 days from California. Beyond cars, Mexico is one of our strongest heavy machinery and project cargo lanes, feeding construction, mining, and energy projects across the country.
Vehicle imports follow two tracks. New North American-built vehicles enter duty-free under USMCA, paying 16% IVA plus ISAN, the new-vehicle tax that scales with price. Used vehicles are governed by the federal used-car decree, which limits permanent imports to NAFTA-region-built units within specific age windows at preferential duty — rules that change periodically, so we verify each VIN's eligibility before you commit to a purchase.
On the project-cargo side, Mexico's nearshoring boom is the story. As manufacturers relocate supply chains closer to the U.S., demand for American CNC lines, presses, generators, and material-handling equipment has surged across the Bajío industrial belt and the northern border states. We move these as containerized, flat-rack, or breakbulk consignments through Altamira and Manzanillo, and coordinate the Mexican customs broker, IMMEX/temporary-import options for maquiladora plants, and inland trucking to the factory door — so the equipment clears once and arrives ready to install.
Key takeaway
New North American-built vehicles enter at 0% duty plus 16% IVA and ISAN; used imports must fit the federal decree's age and origin window. Heavy machinery moves at 0–5% duty — often the smoothest Mexico import of all.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Mexico
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | Altamira | 3–5 days | Weekly |
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | Veracruz | 5–8 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Veracruz | 5–8 days | Weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Veracruz | 7–10 days | Weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Manzanillo | 4–7 days | Weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Mexico from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Mexico, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Mexico fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Mexico
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,000 – $1,600 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $2,000 – $2,900 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $2,800 – $4,000 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $1,100 – $1,900 | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Mexico →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentMexico Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New vehicles (N. American origin) | 0% | 16% IVA + ISAN | ISAN scales with price |
| Used vehicles (decree window) | 10% | 16% | NAFTA-built, age rules apply |
| Motorcycles | 0–15% | 16% | Origin & engine dependent |
| Heavy machinery | 0–5% | 16% | Strong project-cargo lane |
| Boats & yachts | 0–15% | 16% | Origin dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Spending part of the year in Mexico?
A Temporary Import Permit (TIP) lets foreign residents and temporary visa holders keep a U.S.-plated vehicle in Mexico legally without paying import duty or IVA. We arrange the permit, the deposit, and the border logistics.
What We Ship to Mexico
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Mexico's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Mexico.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Mexico.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Mexico
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Mexico Routes
Houston, TX → Altamira
3–5 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → Veracruz
5–8 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Veracruz
5–8 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
New York / New Jersey → Veracruz
7–10 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Mexico Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
3–8 days (Gulf Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Veracruz · Altamira · Manzanillo.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Mexico. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Sometimes — used imports are governed by the federal used-car decree, which limits permanent imports to vehicles built in the NAFTA/USMCA region within specific age windows, at preferential duty plus 16% IVA. These rules change periodically, and a model that qualifies today may not next year. We verify each VIN's eligibility against the current decree before you commit to a purchase.
New North American-built vehicles enter duty-free under USMCA, then pay 16% IVA plus ISAN — the new-vehicle tax that scales with the price (lower-priced cars can owe little or none). Vehicles built outside the region lose the USMCA duty break. We calculate IVA and ISAN per VIN so you know the full landed cost before shipping.
It's one of the shortest lanes we run. Altamira and Veracruz on the Gulf are 3–8 days from Houston and Florida; Manzanillo — Mexico's busiest container port — serves the Pacific side in 4–7 days from California. We route by your final destination and cargo type and provide full Mexican customs brokerage at arrival.
Yes — a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) lets foreign residents and temporary-visa holders keep a U.S.-plated vehicle in Mexico legally without paying import duty or IVA, ideal if you spend part of the year there. It requires a refundable deposit and must be canceled when you leave. We arrange the permit, the deposit, and the border logistics so it's done correctly.
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