Sea Freight Shipping from China to Mexico [Guide 2022]

China is one of the largest exporting countries on the globe supplying the world’s demand in different industry fields. In 2019, the export sales from China to Mexico were 46.6 billion Dollars.

Among some of the commercial products being exported, the following are worth naming: oil, gas, vehicles (cars), oversize vehicles (buses, trucks), household appliances, beverages, pharmaceuticals, aluminum, electrical equipment, plastic gear products, advanced electronic components, epoxy chemical compounds, adhesives, foam tapes, lathes, farming equipment, medical equipment, heavy machinery, food processing equipment, solar power signs, LED products and many others.

This guide to help you how to shipping from China to Mexico.

· Sea freight from China to Mexico

· What is the cost of shipping from China to Mexico?

· How long does it take to ship by sea from China to Mexico?

· Which is better, shipping from China to Mexico, sea or air?

· What is the most reasonable way to transport from China to Mexico?

· Can shipping costs from China to Mexico be reduced?

· What are the customs formalities for shipping from China to Mexico?

· What is the cost of customs clearance for shipments from China to Mexico?

· Will my package be detained by customs when shipping from China to Mexico?

· What are the consequences of not paying customs fees from China to Mexico?

· What goods are imported into Mexico?

· What items cannot be sent to China?

· Are you looking for transportation and logistics services from China to Mexico?

· Door to Door shipping from China to Mexico

· Freight Storage And Warehousing

· Customs Clearance in Mexico

Sea freight from China to Mexico

Sea freight is generally suitable for more than 500 kg or product volume more than 2 cubic meters. However, it is also the most complicated mode of transportation and takes a long time.

From China to Mexico, the sea freight time from port to port is estimated to be about 23 to 25 days.

In China, there are several ports such as Shanghai Port, Ningbo Port, Shenzhen Port, Tianjin Port, Qingdao Port, Xiamen Port and Hong Kong Port from where your cargo can be sent to Mexico.

If your freight forwarder is located in one of these cities, you have the advantage that he will be more familiar with the handling rules of each port, making it easier to handle your cargo and saving you time.

The largest ports of import in Mexico are the ports of Ensenada, Altamira, Veracruz, La Zaroca de las Naciones, and Manzanillo (the largest port in Mexico).

Sometimes sea freight is the only option, but it is the best choice for bulk shipments. When importing from China, if your total cargo volume does not meet a full container requirement, you can choose full container (FCL) or consolidation (LCL).

In terms of size, there are three types of cube containers: 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high. 20ft containers are designed to carry more weight, such as minerals, metals, machinery, sugar, paper, cement, etc., while 40ft containers are designed to carry large amounts of cargo rather than heavy cargo, such as furniture, steel pipes, waste paper, cotton, tobacco, etc.

If you do not have enough cargo to fill a 20-foot or 40-foot container (FCL), you should use a consolidation container. This allows importers to ship smaller quantities of cargo that are not large enough to make a full container load a viable option. This means combining your cargo with other shipments to the same destination. Your freight forwarder will need to do more work when combining multiple shipments in one container. LCL freight is calculated in cubic meters (CBM) and charged by volume.

A full container load is when you have a large enough number of shipments to fit them into at least one container. In this case, freight is calculated on a full container basis. Full container shipments will be loaded and sealed by your supplier at origin and then shipped to your final destination.

What is the cost of shipping from China to Mexico?

You may have to choose sea freight from China to Mexico when the package volume is large.

Ocean freight is the most common shipping method used for import and export purposes.

Although sea freight is one of the slowest modes of transportation, it is also one of the cheapest.

Ocean freight has the highest loading capacity and is less restrictive.

While the cost of shipping by sea from China to Mexico depends on the size, quantity and type of cargo, it is usually less than other freight services.

Depending on the mode you choose, LCL and FCL shipments can also change your ocean freight costs.

How long does it take to ship by sea from China to Mexico?

Port congestion, customs delays, and weather conditions may increase the time it takes to ship goods from China to Mexico.

Sea freight is slower, nearly 30% slower than air freight, and can cause delays in the arrival of your goods.

Ocean freight is less restrictive, has a larger load capacity, has lower carbon emissions, and is better for the environment.

It can take up to 40 days to get cargo from China to Mexico.

Ocean freight takes longer to arrive and often takes longer to clear from customs due to the high volume of loads.

Please see these examples of shipping times to Mexico from major ocean freight hubs around the world:

Which is better, shipping from China to Mexico, sea or air?

Both sea and air shipping are popular methods of parcel delivery.

Shipping by sea from China to Mexico will provide you with greater space flexibility and lower costs.

Air freight will deliver your shipment in a short time.

Any shipment weighing more than 500 kg is too expensive to be shipped by air.

Ocean freight will provide you with more space and lower costs for your packages.

If you want fast delivery, air freight is great.

But it will cost you more.

Air freight will give you reliability and all your goods will be better protected.

Because air freight is a more expensive option, smaller valuables are often shipped by it.

What is the most reasonable way to transport from China to Mexico?

Shipping from China to Mexico by sea will provide you with the most reasonable price.

Government-run courier companies also cost less than the average shipping method.

Although these companies usually ship domestic shipments rather than international shipments.

There are certain things you must keep in mind before shipping.

You don't want to ship your sensitive items by sea or freight train.

By trying to save some money on shipping costs, you may be risking shipping expensive items in bulk.

If you are shipping less fragile or standard items, then ocean freight would be the best choice.

When shipping items such as jewelry, expensive items, paintings, etc., it is wise to choose air freight.

Can shipping costs from China to Mexico be reduced?

Many of your business expenses depend on shipping costs.

Freight rates have changed dramatically recently.

Costs have increased due to shortages of goods coming in and out from several locations.

The increase in transportation costs is reducing the profitability of many business owners.

Thankfully, there are still ways to reduce the cost of shipping from China to Mexico.

- You can negotiate freight rates with the carrier. If you have a small business, then your best option for shipping is through a postage company.

- You can use smaller cartons. Packing your goods in a compact size will reduce a lot of the volume weight shipping costs.

- Using plastic bags can reduce shipping costs a lot. These will take up less space for shipping and therefore cost less.

- To reduce your shipping costs, you may want to stick with your freight forwarder. The more you do business with them, the better your chances of getting a discount.

What are the customs formalities for shipping from China to Mexico?

Customs formalities are an important part of your shipment.

During the shipping process from China to Mexico, your products will not reach you without customs formalities.

Customs officials ensure that the goods are being transported and that all rules and regulations are being followed.

There are few basic things that customs officials need to determine.

- Details of the exporter about the type of goods to be exported.

- If the package is paid for, and if not, who is responsible for it.

- Whether the goods are well packaged, comply with the agreement and whether there are dangerous goods.

- Authentic documentation, including permits, shipping documents, invoices, etc.

- Information about both parties, who is shipping, from where, what is being shipped, and how much. Together with their actual business documents.

What is the cost of customs clearance for shipments from China to Mexico?

The cost of customs clearance from China to Mexico depends on the goods to be shipped.

This is a job done by customs brokers and clearance agents.

They are responsible for processing, preparing and submitting customs documents.

Customs fees are paid directly to the customs agent or broker to cover the cost of processing and filing the documents.

The average cost of customs clearance from China to Mexico is about 15% for standard items such as food and medicine.

This cost may vary depending on the country and the goods being shipped.

If your shipment stays in customs longer than expected, the cost of customs clearance will increase.

If you have sensitive or expensive items in your shipment, then the cost may also increase.

Will my package be detained by customs when shipping from China to Mexico?

It is not uncommon for packages to be held by customs when shipping from China to Mexico.

It can disrupt your business and affect customer satisfaction.

These parcels can get stuck for various reasons, such as missing CI, HTS code or wrong ECCN number, change in weight of the parcel, different goods mentioned, etc.

What are the consequences of not paying customs fees from China to Mexico?

Failure to pay customs fees for shipments from China to Mexico will be directly linked to smuggling.

Taxes and fees need to be cleared before the goods can enter the country.

Any insignificant product of low value or with a small quantity of goods can be shipped free of charge.

However, products priced higher than this are considered to be entering the border illegally.

What goods are imported into Mexico?

Some of the top goods are:

· Electrical machinery

· Machinery

· Vehicles

· Computers

· Mineral fuels

· Plastics, plastic articles

· Optical, technical, medical apparatus

· Iron, steel

· Articles of iron or steel

· Organic chemicals

· Aluminium

What items cannot be sent to China?

Every country has its own list of items that are prohibited. Mexico is no exception and we list below some of the key items that are prohibited.

It’s important to know this as being aware of the law when it comes to importing is vital to making your business a success. If in any doubt at all, then make sure you contact your freight forwarder who will be able to properly assess whether the goods you want to import are feasible and legal.

Failure to do so could result in a nasty surprise when it comes to customs and as the importer you’ll be responsible. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to importing, so get in contact with us.

Restricted and prohibited goods for importing into Mexico (note this list may not be comprehensive):

· Alcohol (all types: natural, industrialized, ethylic)

· Alcoholic beverages

· Animal- based products

· Animal skins

· Benzyl cyanide

· Bunker oil sample (for analysis)

· Chemicals: Haz and Non-Haz

· Circuits and circuit boards

· Coal and firewood

· Coffee and Coffee samples

· Cologne and Perfume

· Compact discs

· Computer components and parts

· Cosmetics

· Toxins and Poisons

· Cotton

· Cotton seeds

· Dactyl morphine

· Drugs (narcotic, hallucinogenic, etc.)

· Drugs, Prescription and Non-Prescription

· Oil (all kinds)

· Electronic Cigarettes

· Cigars and cigarettes

· Apples

· Beer

· Matches

· Lard, fats and oils

· Used pneumatic tires

· New pneumatic tires of a kind used on bicycles

· Compact discs, recorded and unrecorded

· Sound recording equipment (CD writers)

· Textiles

· Candy

· Used Clothing

Remember that this list can also change as regulations and laws on which goods can be imported are subject to regular change, so consult with your freight forwarder for any recent updates.

Are you looking for transportation and logistics services from China to Mexico?

We offer a wide range of services, tailored to your needs. Our team will all work hard to bring you the best and most affordable transportation solutions from China to Mexico. STU Supply Chain is one of the companies that perform all the shipping tasks to safely deliver your products. We offer sea freight, air freight, truck freight, express freight, FBA shipping, door to door shipping and handle all kinds of clearing and forwarding services. 

Door to Door shipping from China to Mexico

Transport by sea is one of the most popular options for shipping and this is a key means for goods coming to Mexico from China. In China we can make sure your goods are exported from all major ports such as Shanghai, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dalian, Tianjin, Xiamen, Macao, and Hong Kong. We offer a variety of services from full door-to door, to door-to-port, and port-to-port, DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) & DDU (Delivery Duty Unpaid). With a door-to-door service, your goods will be in our hands from the factory/retailer in China all the way to your address in Mexico.

Goods coming into China arrive at Mexico’s premier ports such as Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Veracruz. From there, we’re able to bring your goods to cities such as Mexico City, Monterrey, Mexicali, Tijuana, Guadalajara, Puebla, and many others. Transit from China to Mexico via ocean container shipping takes around 20 to 30 days from port to port. This time varies according to certain factors such as the ports of departure and arrival and season sailing schedules.

Freight Storage And Warehousing

We offer a warehousing service for all your logistic needs. When transporting goods you might want to temporarily store them in a warehouse, especially if you are sourcing your cargo from many different outlets. Warehousing means you can collect and consolidate your goods which can save you money in the long run, especially if it means you can collect enough to make a full container economically viable. Our facilities provide all the standard services when it comes to warehouse logistics such as loading, unloading, crating, palletizing, and temporary storage.

Customs Clearance in Mexico

Navigating the waters of customs documentation as well as arranging for your goods to be transported in the most cost and time-efficient way can be a daunting task for importers.

That’s why it makes financial sense to utilise the services of a freight forwarder, who will not only take care of the details but also bring their wealth of knowledge and contacts to negotiate the best deals for your transportation needs.

If you’re transporting goods from China to Mexico, then choosing the right freight forwarder can make a huge difference to the success of your business.

You’ll save not only money but time as well, which can be just as important to businesses. We make it our business to be familiar with the ins and outs and the fine print of importing laws and regulations. Of course, each country has different regulations and expected standards when it comes to importing.

By using a freight forwarding service, you save yourself the hassle of having to learn all the different contexts and required documentation. That’s our job and we’ll be able to make sure your goods’ journey is as smooth as possible while you can devote your time to better serving your bottom line elsewhere.