Menu
Expat.com

Transporting furniture across the border

Post new topic

Marylulu

My name is Marylou. We are buying a condo in club Santiago, Manzanillo, Mexico. I have been visiting there for 12 years already. My question is transporting furniture across the border and any complications that could arise. Thanks for any help.

See also

Living in Mexico: the expat guideTransporting pets to MexicoNeurologists in Quintana RooStatus between America and mexicoInformation on Merida ? US couple considering move.
travellight

Marylulu wrote:

My name is Marylou. We are buying a condo in club Santiago, Manzanillo, Mexico. I have been visiting there for 12 years already. My question is transporting furniture across the border and any complications that could arise. Thanks for any help.


Most of us who live here decided not to do that, because it is expensive, and in many cases the items did not work as well as in the U.S.
Wood for example does not hold up well. Most of the original wood items in mexico are very dense and heavy for a reason. Near the water and with humidity metals quickly succumb to rust. Oiling the doors and locks is a 4 times a year chore if you want your locks to work.

Then there is the , if you haven't used it in months do you really need it test.

Check out moving prices for shippers under the handy tools tab at the top of the page. Appliances and furniture is not hard to get here, and could be cheaper than the cost of shipping plus free heavy lifting and delivery..

As for the borders, it depends, they might take a long time inspecting and they may not. I only brought the essentials and bought a bed and since then linens here, other things were delivered for free by Amazon.

Jan2017

travellight wrote:
Marylulu wrote:

My name is Marylou. We are buying a condo in club Santiago, Manzanillo, Mexico. I have been visiting there for 12 years already. My question is transporting furniture across the border and any complications that could arise. Thanks for any help.


Most of us who live here decided not to do that, because it is expensive, and in many cases the items did not work as well as in the U.S.
Wood for example does not hold up well. Most of the original wood items in mexico are very dense and heavy for a reason. Near the water and with humidity metals quickly succumb to rust. Oiling the doors and locks is a 4 times a year chore if you want your locks to work.

Then there is the , if you haven't used it in months do you really need it test.

Check out moving prices for shippers under the handy tools tab at the top of the page. Appliances and furniture is not hard to get here, and could be cheaper than the cost of shipping plus free heavy lifting and delivery..

As for the borders, it depends, they might take a long time inspecting and they may not. I only brought the essentials and bought a bed and since then linens here, other things were delivered for free by Amazon.


Hi,  travellight,
I was not aware that Amazon shipped to Mexico. We are Prime members and this sounds very appealing. What kind of delivery  times do they offer? What about import fees,  etc.? I will also try to find answers on the Amazon site but will appreciate your personal experience! Thanks!

Jan2017

travellight wrote:
Marylulu wrote:

My name is Marylou. We are buying a condo in club Santiago, Manzanillo, Mexico. I have been visiting there for 12 years already. My question is transporting furniture across the border and any complications that could arise. Thanks for any help.


Most of us who live here decided not to do that, because it is expensive, and in many cases the items did not work as well as in the U.S.
Wood for example does not hold up well. Most of the original wood items in mexico are very dense and heavy for a reason. Near the water and with humidity metals quickly succumb to rust. Oiling the doors and locks is a 4 times a year chore if you want your locks to work.

Then there is the , if you haven't used it in months do you really need it test.

Check out moving prices for shippers under the handy tools tab at the top of the page. Appliances and furniture is not hard to get here, and could be cheaper than the cost of shipping plus free heavy lifting and delivery..

As for the borders, it depends, they might take a long time inspecting and they may not. I only brought the essentials and bought a bed and since then linens here, other things were delivered for free by Amazon.


Hi,  travellight,
I was not aware that Amazon shipped to Mexico. We are Prime members and this sounds very appealing. What kind of delivery  times do they offer? What about import fees,  etc.? I will also try to find answers on the Amazon site but will appreciate your personal experience! Thanks!

travellight

Well Jan 2017,

They are having more and more available, and I think I have only had an import fee once. You can use their U.S. based store, or their Mexican store. The U.S. based store will let you know if an item can't be shipped to your address.

At first the Mexican site had little, but it has quite a bit now. Shipping is pretty quick , like the U.S. site they send a shipping notice and tracking. The only problem I have had is that it was due  on tuesday and actually arrived on the previous Friday. So you need to keep an eye on the tracking and have someone available to take delivery.

The packages arrive in good shape. If the item isn't available I check at Liverpool in the mall. I rarely do without something. Liverpool has pretty reasonable prices, and I bought a washing machine and bed there, with quick delivery and no problems.

The problem is some vendors just are not sure about Mexico, so they don't ship there. Mexican mail is slow but I find it reliable , and shipping is very fast.

One of the problems with that is because mail takes much longer than the U.S. people receive their package 2-3 weeks after the sender said it would arrive. I know it will be a week or two later so I just wait.
Some people appear to accept a refund on an item , then when it actually arrives they never let the vender know that. They just keep the item and the refund. 

I'm trying to get vendors to understand the longer time frame, but they don't change easily. Meanwhile the item is listed as a lost item and Mexico is blamed.

Recently I got something from iHerb , I mentally added a month for delivery because they use the mail, iherb asked me how I liked the product on their delivery date, I said I didn't have it yet and they immediately refunded my money . The package arrived a week later. I informed them and they asked about repeating the charge I said sure, and they were amazed about my honesty. So some of Mexico's reputation wasn't earned by Mexico.

Jan2017

Hi,  travellight, thanks again,  I appreciate your info! That will help me to "let go" of some things a little easier :). Sadly,  honesty has become something to reward,  but when I grew up it was expected of all us kids,  no wiggle room. To this day I cannot tolerate people who lie and cheat.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Mexico

  • Dating in Mexico
    Dating in Mexico

    We can recognize an intrinsic spark of love in the Mexican culture, "la serenata." Remember that ...

  • Leisure activities in Mexico
    Leisure activities in Mexico

    Mexico has activities for everyone: from exciting adventure to peaceful relaxation, high culture to rowdy street ...

  • Working in Cancun
    Working in Cancun

    Cancun and surrounding areas are popular destinations for both tourists and expatriates alike. Cancun is the ...

  • Childcare and education in Mexico
    Childcare and education in Mexico

    Many Mexicans' lives, young and old, revolve around family issues. Children are accepted on most social ...

  • Accommodation in Cancun
    Accommodation in Cancun

    Like in other parts of Mexico, the best way to find accommodation in Cancun is by searching for one while ...

  • Travelling around Mexico
    Travelling around Mexico

    One of the best parts about living in Mexico is being able to travel across the country. Mexico may appear small ...

  • Study in Mexico
    Study in Mexico

    If you're planning to move to Mexico with your family or choose to study there, here is all you need to know ...

  • Buying property in Mexico City
    Buying property in Mexico City

    People travel from all across the globe to reside in Latin America because of its cultural richness and usually ...

All of Mexico's guide articles