How much does it cost to ship a container to Mexico

Ocean freight shipping to Mexico varies by port. Shipping to Vera Cruz begins around $900 for the smallest container (20 foot). Rates also vary by country and can take anywhere from ten days to three weeks to arrive. Mexico has the 9th largest export economy with its top exports being cars, delivery trucks, vehicle parts, computers, and crude petroleum. Its top export destinations are the US, Germany, Japan, China, and Canada. The country typically imports refined petroleum and vehicle parts from the US, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and China.

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Historical ocean freight rates from the USA to Mexico

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This chart shows the average rates of the past 18 months for ocean freight from USA to Mexico. These prices don’t comprise unanticipated or supplementary charges that may come up in the course of your booking and freight transaction.
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Main ports in Mexico

Need to ship your container to a specific port in Mexico in FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than a Container Load)? At iContainers we offer the best rates for ocean freight transport to 5 different ports in Mexico from the US and 9 ports in Mexico from Spain!

FAQs about shipping your container to Mexico

What is the estimated transit time for shipping a container to Mexico?

The estimated transit time for shipping a container to Mexico will evidently vary depending on the country where it is being sent from. The chosen port of origin and destination will also affect transit time: on average, a shipment leaving Charleston (USA) for Veracruz (Mexico) will take 5 days, while the estimated time for the route Miami – Veracruz is of around 3 days.

What type of cargo can be sent in a container?

Despite the large number of existing containers, most shippers choose dry shipping containers when transporting dry bulk. These standard containers are hermetically sealed and are appropriate for dry commodities and other non-perishable goods that don’t require special conditions during transit such as ventilation or temperature control. In addition, these containers have been standardized in order to offer a range of sizes and volume capacities.

How do you figure out shipping cost to Mexico?

If you’re trying to calculate how much your international shipment will cost, you probably know by now it’s not exactly a straightforward affair. Although there are a number of set costs that you will always have to consider – your shipment’s dimensions, the container you choose, the Incoterm to be applied or the port of origin and destination – there are other variables (extra costs for sensitive cargo, for instance) you will have to factor in.

What container capacity do I need for my cargo?

Dry shipping containers’ dimensions and capacities are varied enough to fit a wide range of needs. The lowest-volume container (20ft) has a capacity of 1,172 CFT / 33.2 CBM while the largest in volume (45ft) offers 3,122 CFT / 88.4 CBM. That being said, when looking at low-volume cargo, using a Shared Container (LCL) may be more cost-effective since shippers only pay for the space in the container their goods occupy.

FOB vs CIF: What´s the difference?

Although details of each Incoterm should be looked into carefully, there are a number of crucial differences between FOB and CIF that can be identified fairly easily. According to CIF, sellers are responsible and liable for the shipment right up until it reaches the destination port assigned by the buyer; FOB, on the other hand, states the seller relinquishes responsibility once the cargo is loaded on the vessel.

What paperwork is needed for international shipments to Mexico?

Although sometimes complicated, all documents you will have to deal with when shipping internationally can be sorted into those that are invariably compulsory (a Bill of Lading, a commercial invoice or a packing list, for example) and those that will be required based on specific details of your freight: complimentary forms for sensitive or hazardous cargo, customs authorization etc.,.

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"Customs duties play an important role in your international shipment. How they're determined and calculated varies from country to country"

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