Shipping from China to Mexico

Shipping from China to Mexico Shipping Schedule( Sea Freight)

Port of Loading	Port of Arrive	Transmit Time(days)
Shanghai	Manzanillo	19
Shenzhen	Manzanillo	22
Ningbo	Manzanillo	18
Qingdao	Manzanillo	20
Tianjin	Manzanillo	28
Xiamen	Manzanillo	23

Shipping from China to Mexico: The Definitive Guide for Importers

Today, I am going to show you how to import and ship goods from China to Mexico.

The best part?

I will make every process simple and easy for you to understand.

From goods to import, finding freight forwarders, ocean freight, air freight to methods of shipping from China to Mexico.

So, I am going to walk you through every step – I just want to ensure you get everything right.

Chapter 1: JMS your Best Freight Forwarder from China to Mexico

Are you shipping from China to Mexico?

Well, JMS is here for you.

At JMS, we offer air freight, ocean freight, packaging, customs clearance and door to door shipping from China to Mexico.

It doesn’t matter the goods you’re importing from China, JMS will tailor one to your shipping needs.

Even if you want warehousing, distribution, cargo insurance, pick up and delivery or loading supervision, JMS’s team will handle everything.

What’s more?

You’ll get all these at competitive rates.

And, with our years in the freight forwarding from China to Mexico, we can negotiate the best deals for you.

Worry no more.

Whether you want FCL shipping from China to Mexico or LCL shipping from China to Mexico, you’ll get just that.

More importantly, at JMS, we focus on efficiency and reducing the cost of shipping from China to Mexico.

Can you imagine a freight forwarder who delivers goods to your airport, seaport, city or town of your choice in Mexico?

Well, that’s exactly what JMS offers.

That aside.

By the way, if this the first time, you’re shipping from China to Mexico, you could be having many unanswered questions:

• Which goods can I source from China and how do I find them?
• Who is the best freight forwarder?
• Should I go for ocean freight from China to Mexico or air freight from China to Mexico?
• What are the import duties when shipping from China to Mexico?

And, many other questions.

Well, I am going to handle everything here.

Just stay with me and read this guide to the end to learn how to import and ship from China to Mexico.

Now, let me take you to another crucial aspect:

Chapter 2: Importing Goods from China to Mexico

Frankly, you can import virtually anything from China to sell in the Mexican market.

However, you need to know goods that will guarantee more profits.

Or, for personal use, it should be affordable for importing it from China than buying locally.

Now, in this chapter, you are going to learn about:

        i. Goods/products to import from China to Mexico

       ii. How to find the right goods to import from China to Mexico

Let me walk you through these:

2.1. What Products to Import from China to Mexico

As a requirement, you need to know what the authorities can allow you to import to Mexico.

It is for this reason that I want to take you through a quick overview on this.

And, by the way, if you import prohibited products, you’ll be arrested.

Just avoid them to be safe.

As a matter of fact, Mexico imports a lot of products from China.

You can see this in the diagram below:

Imports to Mexico – Source: OEC

Clearly, there are so many opportunities here.

Below are some of the main products you can import to Mexico:

• Electrical machinery and equipment
• Organic chemicals
• Machinery
• Rubber products
• Vehicles
• Mineral fuels
• Optical instruments
• Plastic products
• Steel and iron
• Jewelry
• Clothes
• Gaming equipment
• Toys, and many others.

However, there are restrictions on importing certain products or goods from China to Mexico.

These include:

• Firearms and ammunitions – you need special permits for this. For more information on this, you can read this: Mexico firearms laws.
• Animals and animal products; however, there are rules and laws when importing some
• Turtle eggs
• Turtle skin
• Images depicting kids to be degrading or showing kids in a ridiculous way

For a comprehensive list of these products, please follow this link: Prohibited & Restricted Goods to Mexico.

Don’t worry about this so much.

In case you want to import a product and you’re not sure whether it is restricted or not, just contact us.

Now, let me show you how to get goods to import from China to Mexico.

2.2. How to Find Goods to Import from China to Mexico

Let me tell you the truth:

China is a manufacturing hub for many companies across the globe.

In fact, if you import from China, there is a chance that you’ll get better prices.

Now, let me walk you through how to find goods to import from China to Mexico.

Basically, this is a step-by-step process that is simple and straightforward:

Importing from China to Mexico

Here is what you should do:

Step 1: Have a List of Goods you wish to Source from China

Let’s be honest – you can’t wake up one morning, then claim you want to import from China.

What are you importing?

There are so many things you can import from China to Mexico such as electronics, furniture, machines, etc.

 Household Products in YiWu Market

It is this point that you must list all specifications of what you intend to import.

It may include size, color, production capacity, etc.

Of course, this will depend on your scope of your business.

Once you have this list, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Search for the Right Supplier in China – You May Consider Hiring a Souring Agent

Finding the right supplier in China can be a challenging process.

First, you got to deal with the hundreds of suppliers.

The truth is, some of them are not genuine.

Two, the language barrier will be a major impediment.

Unless you speak Chinese, but even with that, you may not get the best deals in China.

Here is the secret.

You need a sourcing agent in China.

This way, nothing will ever go wrong.

By the way, I have a useful and informative article on finding the best sourcing agent in China – Best 10 China Sourcing Agent That Will Make Your Shipping from China Easier.

China sourcing agent

Once you have the right sourcing agent they will:

          i. Identify the right supplier for your products

         ii. Negotiate the best deals in the market

        iii. Arrange for the production of goods to your unique specifications

        iv. Oversee the quality control process

         v. Help in proper packaging process

        vi. Work closely with a freight forwarder when shipping from China to Mexico

As you can see, hiring a Chinese sourcing agent will save you a lot whenever you want to import from China.

Remember, whether you get referrals, or look for a supplier from:

• com
• AliExpress
• Made-in-China.com
• com
• com

Verifying the authenticity of the supplier can still be a major challenge.

That’s why I insist on using a Chinese sourcing agent.

They are familiar with the Chinese market and will give you the best deals.

Step 3: Come to the Negotiation Table with the Supplier

By hiring a reputable Chinese sourcing agent, they will help you get the right product supplier.

But once you get the supplier, it is now time to negotiate the terms of business.

You need to focus on the nitty-gritty of the deal.

Negotiate a deal with the supplier – Photo courtesy: EU SME Center

Once you get to understand every aspect of the deal at hand, go ahead and place an order.

Step 4: It’s time to Place an Order

Now it is time to place an order.

Of course, you can do this through the sourcing agent.

You should then request for a proforma invoice.

It contains essential details about the goods you have bought.

These may include quantity, harmonized code system number and other specifications.

Once you have all these, it’s time to pay for the goods and ship them to Mexico.

And, do you know how to do it?

Well, you need a freight forwarder who will help you in shipping from China to Mexico.

Let me show you how to find one – keep reading.

2.3 Howto Find Freight Forwarder China to Mexico

So what next after identifying the goods you would like to import from China?

Definitely you will have to find a way these goods will reach Mexico from China.

is where you will require the services of a freight forwarder.

JMS Freight Forwarder

A good freight forwarder is an important link to your company.

Therefore, you need to invest time in finding one.

But how do you go about identifying a good freight forwarder?

People ask me this question everyday – And, I know, you’ve been waiting for this.

Well, in this section, I am going to simplify this process for you.

Let’s get straight to these steps so that you can understand the process:

Step 1: Do research on Freight Forwarding Companies

There are so many freight forwarding companies around.

While some offer quality services, others don’t.

Poor services have a direct impact on your cargo – you’re likely to make losses when importing from China to Mexico.

Therefore, you need to find a reputable and reliable freight forwarder.

So, what should you do?

Search on the internet – just to a thorough search.

Use relevant terms/keywords such as:

• “Top freight forwarding companies in china”
• “China freight forwarder list”
• “Top 10 freight forwarders in china”

I know you will get so many companies through this simple search.

Also, I am sure the search results will be overwhelming.

Now, let’s move a step further.

The truth is, China is a big country and using the above search terms, may not give you the right freight forwarder from China to Mexico.

Here is what you need to do – just “optimize your search” .

That may sound confusing right?

What I mean is this:

As you plan to import from China to Mexico, you’ll basically get these goods in a specific city.

It can be Shanghai, Shenzhen, Yiwu, Foshan or Qingdao.

Now, here is the tip – get a freight forwarder with an office in that city.

And, that takes us to another important way to look for freight forwarders in China.

Just specify the city.

You can use:

• “Shanghai freight forwarders”
• “Shenzhen freight forwarder”

As you can see this is more specific.

Searching for a freight forwarder

You see that?

Good, let’s move on.

You should pick at least 10 “best freight forwarders in China”.

Remember, to note down the following information:

         i. Company name

        ii. Contact person

       iii. URL to the official website

Now, let’s move to yet another important step.

Step 2: Does the Company has an Experience?

I know you don’t want a company that will delay your imports in China.

Even before you contact the company, visit their official website.

Take for example:

On JMS freight forwarder official website, you will find this:

China freight forwarder

You see what I have marked on the image above?

Good.

For each company, you need to find out the following:

• How long has the Chinese freight forwarder been in the industry?
• Do they offer ocean freight from China to Mexico?
• Does the company offer air freight from China to Mexico?
• What mode of shipping do they offer? Is it FCL shipping from China to Mexico, LCL shipping from China to Mexico or both?
• Are there any other services that they offer? This can include door to door shipping from China to Mexico, custom clearance, insurance or loading supervision
• Where does the company operate from? Do they have offices in China?

In short, scrutinize all information just to ensure you hire the right freight forwarder from China to Mexico.

At this stage, I am sure, you will eliminate some companies that do not pass this stage.

You may have say 5 to 7 freight forwarders from China to Mexico at this stage.

That’s good enough.

Let’s keep going to find the best freight forwarder in China.

Step 3: It’s time to Evaluate Professionalism & Seriousness

There are a few things that define professional and reputable freight forwarding companies.

Let’s have a look at some obvious facts:

        i. A physical location

They must have an office.

And please verify if the information they have listed here such as street or building number is accurate.

I know it can be a tiresome task – but, you shouldn’t give up.

There is nothing as painful as losing thousands of dollars by hiring unqualified freight forwarders in China.

Below is JMS’s contact us page:

Verify freight forwarders office

You see that?

Verify that information.

      ii. Legal Existence of the Company

Caution !

Importing from China to Mexico is not a child’s play.

You will be making transactions in thousands of dollars, paying taxes, declaring goods, verifying documents – it’s a lot.

In all these stages, you have to deal with a genuine and legitimate company.

Let me tell you one secret:

Chinese authorities are strict more so for companies that do not company with their legislations.

In a nutshell, ensure the company has all licenses and certificates.

    iii. Deal with a Freight Forwarder who’s a Member of International Organizations or Associations

You know what?

Such companies have nothing to hide.

For example, the company can be a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations.

FIATA

Or, if you’re importing from Shenzhen, China to Mexico, you may consider a company which a member of the Shenzhen International Freight Forwarders Association (SIFFA).

In case they don’t belong to any of these associations, you must ask yourself one question:

What is the Chinese freight forwarder hiding?

The answer is obvious, right?

And, you know it.

     iv. What to other Clients of Customers say about them?

Well, this is a challenging part, since some companies pay people to write good reviews or feedback about them.

But, if you can get honest review or feedback, from an organization or person you trust, the better.

This is because it will give you an insight of the kind of services the freight forwarder in China offers.

I know this is a vigorous exercise, but once you do it successfully, you’re good to go.

At this stage, I am sure, you will remain with either 3 or 4 freight forwarders from China to Mexico.

It’s now time to contact them.

Step 4: Contact the Freight Forwarder

Now, you can contact the freight forwarders.

At this stage, you should strive to know the following:

• What other services does the freight forwarder offer that were not listed on their website?
• How do they handle your inquiry?
• Do they respond promptly to inquiries and address your concerns?
• What are their quotes when shipping from China to Mexico?

Now, you can compare all these and make the final decision.

I know if you follow all these steps, you will definitely get the right freight forwarder from China to Mexico.

That was simple and useful right?

Now, let’s see different ways of shipping from China to Mexico.

Chapter 3: Air Freight Shipping from China to Mexico

Once you have found your cargo and your preferred freight forwarder, you are now ready to start the process of shipping.

You want your goods to be within your premises so that business can continue or start for the beginners.

Or you may be in need of that sample from a supplier which you want to make an informed decision.

Whatever the case, the urgency of the goods is paramount.

The sooner you get them in Mexico, the better.

That is where the option of air freight comes into place.

It is the fastest freight service.

With air freight, you are assured of having your cargo within hours or a few days.

In this section we will discuss important facts about air freight.

Also, you’re going to learn about important air freight terms.

Let’s get to the main subject of this section:

 3.1. Major Airports in Mexico

As a fact, the economy of Mexico is the third largest economy in North America.

This makes it the best market when importing goods from China.

Generally, there are three major airports handling cargo shipment in Mexico that you should know about.

They are:

         i. Mexico City International Airport

        ii. Cancun International Airport

       iii. Guadalajara International Airport.

Let’s discuss each of these airports in terms of their cargo handling and the areas they serve.

· Mexico City International Airport

You should consider Mexico City International Airport any time you’re choosing for air freight from China to Mexico.

Well, for starters, here are quick facts about this airport:

• Formed in 1910
• Owned by GrupoAeroprtuario de la ciudad de Mexico
• Operated by Aeropuertos y serviciosAuxiliares
• The biggest airport in Mexico and the entire Latin America
• Situated in Venustiano Carranza in Mexico city
• Served by modern facilities around the clock. At this airport, you will always be assured of timely clearance of your cargo.

Also, it has gone through major infrastructural changes to facilitate its cargo handling system.

This incorporates plans to build New Mexico City International Airport to compliment the airport in its operations.

Mexico City International Airport

It is therefore safe to say that with this airport, your cargo will be handled properly.

Moreover, the airport serves the areas around Mexico City and its environs.

However, this should not discourage you from using it if you are not around the airport.

With its well-integrated modes of transport, your cargo will arrive safely to the point of destination.

And, before I forget, in 2017, it handled a total of 537,262.69 tons of cargo.

This indicates that many importers use this airport to import handle their cargo.

· Cancun International Airport

Cancun International airport is Mexico’s second busiest airport.

But what makes Cancun International airport to be considered Mexico’s second busiest airport after Mexico International airport?

The answer to this lies in the following facts.

• It is operated by GrupoAeroprtuariodelSureste.
• Cancun International Airport is located in Cancun on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.
• Served by four terminals.
• Currently undergoing expansion to be able to handle 210,000 tons of cargo per year at terminal 3.

This airport best serves Cancun and its environs.

This should not hinder you from Shipping from China to Mexico via air freight when you’re not within this area.

Cancun International Airport

An integrated transport network in place will assist you in transporting your cargo to your point of destination.

· Guadalajara International Airport

Lastly is the Guadalajara International Airport, which is located in the City of Guadalajara.

These are the facts that relate to this airport.

• This is Mexico’s main airport in the city of Guadalajara.
• It is located 16 km south of the city center. It is also Mexico’s second busiest airport in terms of Cargo flights.
• Was recently expanded to be able to store around 350,000 tons of goods annually in its 27,000 square meters.
• Consists of 6 positions which enables it to handle any kind of aircraft.

Guadalajara International Airport

It best serves the city of Guadalajara and its environs.

However, with interlinked transport system, you do not have to worry importing from China to Mexico via this airport.

3.2. Air Freight Terminologies

As you are going to use air freight for your cargo shipment, it is import you get to know the terms that you will encounter with along the shipping process.

These terms will help you to understand the shipping process.

Also, you’ll get to know what to do in case of any eventuality.

Air freight to Mexico

So what are these terms?

1. AWB

An airway bill is a document that is issued by the carrier or an agent indicating that they have accepted the goods listed therein.

This non-negotiable document obligates the carrier to carry the cargo to the airport of destination as per the set conditions.

This important document is issued by the carrier or an authorized IATA cargo agent who normally acts on behalf of the carrier.

The importance of this document to you is that:

• Acts as a contract of carriage between your goods and the carrier.
• It is a receipt evidence that your goods are with a particular carrier.
• Acts as a certificate of insurance.

2. IATA

IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association.

It is a body that formulates the guidelines that support airline activities.

3. ETD and ATD

ETD refers to the estimated time that your cargo will depart from a particular airport.

On the other hand ATD indicates the real time your cargo departs from the airport.

4. ETA and ATA

ETA refers to the estimated time that your cargo will arrive at the port of destination.

ATA on the other hand, refers to the actual time of arrival of your cargo at a port of destination.

5. ETT

This refers to the estimated time that your cargo will take while on transit.

6. Dangerous goods

This refers to goods which have been classified by IATA as being dangerous.

These goods depending on their nature and size may affect the safety of the carrier.

You need to follow certain safety precautions when importing from China to Mexico.

Most airlines will advise you if the goods that you are shipping are dangerous or not.

They will carry dangerous cargo under special conditions.

Obviously, you will pay more for these.

However, it is a risk that not many airlines would like to take.

7. Dimensional weight

It is also known as chargeable weight.

This is the weight that is measured based on the dimensional weight that is, width, length and height or the gross weight of the cargo.

Carriers normally pick the one that is higher between the two and charge it on your cargo.

8. Bonded goods

In case you fail to pay customs for your goods, they are termed as bonded goods.

As such, they are under the control of the customs normally stored in a bonded warehouse.

9. Complaint

Let’s say you were not satisfied with the services of a particular carrier, you are required to file an official statement to the carrier.

This is known as a complaint.

10. Consolidation

This refers to a collection of goods that belong to different shippers but heading to the same destination port.

3.3. How much Time Ship from China to Mexico by Air

Air shipment is fast and convenient compared to other modes of shipment.

We all understand what delays of your cargo can do to your business.

Therefore, understanding how many days your cargo will take is crucial.

At the same time, you cannot do anything once your cargo has been taken over by the carrier.

It is therefore important to know the estimated time that your carrier will take from the port of departure to the port of destination.

Estafeta Cargo to Mexico

This can be done by shopping for a reliable carrier and understanding the carrier’s route schedule.

With these in mind, let’s see how long it will take shipping via air from Mexico to China.

3.4. Air Freight Cost from China to Mexico

When you want to estimate the air shipping cost of your cargo, you will have to put into consideration a number of factors.

They include the chargeable weight of your cargo, the airway bill and any extra services the airline will offer your cargo.

The latter is important if you are shipping perishable goods and fragile goods.

This will imply that the airline will have to take extra care.

3.5. Air Cargo Tracking

Track the movement of your cargo using air cargo tracking services.

This allows you to monitor real time movement of your cargo, hence you are in the know of where your cargo is.

Air cargo tracking to Mexico

All you need to have is your air waybill number for your cargo and the airline code.

With these two, you will log online and you will be able to view the movement of your cargo.

3.6. Cargo Airlines from China to Mexico

When it comes to the number of airlines that make direct cargo flights from china to Mexico, you will realize that they are a few.

Actually, they are three airlines so far.

When you want to use air freight, you may consider two flights.

That is one from China to Europe or the USA and another from that destination to Mexico.

Most flights, however, operate from Mexico to the USA so you might want to consider that option.

Here is a list of airlines that operate from Mexico to destinations like the USA and Europe.

Note : I have compiled the list based on the airport they serve in Mexico.

· Mexico City International Airport

It is served directly by 17 cargo airline, which includes:

• Aero union air cargo
• Air France cargo
• Amerijet international
• Atlas air
• Avianca cargo
• CAL Cargo air lines
• CargoLogicAir
• Cargolux

On top of these airlines, there are airlines which serve on demand services which include

• Aero naves air cargo
• Air transport International
• Ameristar air cargo
• Cielos Airlines
• Florida west international airways

· Cancun International airport

This airport is served by the following cargo airlines.

• Amerijet International
• EstafetaCargaAerea
• FedEx Express

· Guadalajara International Airport

This is served by the following cargo airlines

• AeroUnion
• Air France cargo
• Amerijet International
• Cargolux

Having stated that, let us discuss the airlines that offer direct cargo flights to Mexico from China.

· Aero México Airline

This airline was formed in 1934 while flights to China began in 2006.

The headquarters is based in Paseo de la Reforma.

It’s the official flag carrier airline of Mexico.

It flights operate from Mexico to China landing at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai.

Aero Mexico

With over 70 cargo fleets, it is considered the largest airline in Mexico.

The fact that it has been in the market for over half a century and it has many fleets indicate experience to handle goods safely.

You do not have to worry when shipping with this airline.

· Cathay Pacific Cargo

It was founded in the year 1946 and it is the official flag carrier of Hong Kong.

This is Hong Kong International Airport based carrier.

Cathy Pacific Cargo

Cathy Pacific Cargo started its operations in Mexico the year 2014 by offering three cargo flight per week

It covers the following routes

a) Hong Kong- Achillage-los angel-Mexico

b) Guaddajara-Archillage- Mexico.

Cathy Pacific Cargo operates Boeing 747-8f for its cargo services.

This is due to the large space that they have thereby they can handle any size of cargo that you want to ship.

· China Southern Airline

It was formed in 1988 and operates from China to Mexico City International Airport.

Its headquarters is in Raiyun district, Guangzhou Guangdong province.

Southern China Airline Cargo

And by the way, you don’t have to worry about air freight from China to Mexico.

JMS is here to solve all shipping from China to Mexico.

Chapter 4: Ocean Freight to Mexico from China

At times, it is impossible to use air freight from China to Mexico.

Therefore, you’re left with only one option – ocean freight from China to Mexico.

Remember, at times air freight can be too expensive and it comes with the limitation of the size of cargo it can carry.

The best part?

With ocean freight, you can save a lot.

Besides, you can ship goods of any size.

It is an option you can consider if you’re not in a hurry to receive your goods in Mexico.

By the way, ocean freight from China to Mexico takes several days.

Ocean freight to Mexico

In this chapter, I am going to show you ways in which you can utilize ocean freight for your shipment.

We are also going to look at how best to minimize your shipping cost and the shipping routes for your cargo.

So let’s read along to understand ocean shipment.

4.1. Sea Freight Cost to Mexico from China

The cost of shipment for your cargo varies greatly.

This is because it is affected by a couple of factors, some which go beyond your freight forwarder.

As an importer, you need to be aware of what affects your shipping costs.

Let’s have a look at these factors:

· Fuel cost

The variation of the fuel cost does have an impact on your shipping cost.

You are likely to pay a higher shipping cost when the price of fuel is high.

Likewise, if the price of fuel is low, you will pay a lower shipping cost.

Global oil prices – Source: EIA

 A reliable freight forwarder will keep you updated on any change of fuel pricing during the shipping process.

· Nature and quality of your cargo

Is your cargo hazardous, then you are likely to pay a higher shipping cost as compared to general cargo.

Also, if your cargo is of high value, let’s say minerals then you will pay a higher shipping cost.

Shipping container

Mostly this comes from the cargo insurance you will pay for your shipment.

· The port of origin and the destination port

There are many ports both in China and Mexico, which are distances apart.

This distance will inevitably have an effect on the shipping cost between different ports.

As you ship, you choose ports that are closer to you.

Distance from Port of Shanghai to Port of Chiapas, Mexico – Image source Ports.com

The difference in ports also arises from the factors such as:

• Depth of water
• Loading and unloading conditions of the ports
• Charging distance between ports.

All these factors have an effect on the shipping cost of your cargo.

As an advice, always go for ports that are in good condition and have adequate depth for ship docking.

This is because they are able to handle your goods effectively.

· Your shipping company

Different shipping companies have different shipping charges for the cargo they are shipping.

This is in a bid to lure their customers and retain them.

Always shop around for a shipping company that is cost effective and will be able to handle your cargo appropriately.

Shipping to Mexico from China

After considering factors affecting your shipping cost, maintain low shipping cost will definitely save you money.

But what are some of the ways you can do that?

      i. Have a Good Business Relationship with the Logistics Company

It starts with you building a strong and long lasting relationship with your shipping agent.

This will create mutual trust which will translate into incentives by the carrier to you.

You can do this by trying to explain to your agent about your annual shipping commitments.

      ii. Make all the necessary Payment on Time

Another way of doing this is by making payments on time.

This indicates commitment which builds trust with your shipping agent.

Along the way your shipping agent will give you a shipping discount as a trusted client.

    iii. Consider Consolidating Cargo if Possible

Remember to consolidate your cargo.

You can always consolidate your cargo in China before shipping to Mexico.

This will reduce your shipping cost.

As compared to shipping separately, consolidation reduces your shipping cost.

     iv. Import from China to Mexico during Off Peak Season

Don’t forget to ship during off peak season.

The reason for this is that during this season, the shipping cost is cheaper.

There are a lot of carriers that are also willing to carry your cargo.

In case you are wondering when the peak season is in China, let me explain it to you.

Generally there are two peak seasons in China.

One is the holiday retail peak season which spans from the month of August all the way to October.

The other one is a shorter peak season occasioned by the Chinese New Year around January to February.

You will be charged more if you want to ship during this period as the shipping carriers are high on demand.

Lastly, when confronted with a choice between a 40ft and a 20ft container, always pick a 40ft container.

This is because the size of a 40ft container is big and is most likely to fit all your cargo.

Types of shipping containers – Source: China Woven Bag

You can always get in touch with us and let us tailor a quotation that will fit your budget need no matter the size of your cargo.

4.2. Main Sea Ports in Mexico

The geographical location of Mexico makes it an important destination when it comes to ocean freight.

It is surrounded to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean, to the east by the Gulf of Mexico.

To the southeast, it is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea.

All these water bodies play host to a number of sea ports that serve Mexico and the USA.

As such, ocean freight is considered the best option for import shipment into Mexico.

Let’s go through the main sea ports in Mexico.

· Port Veracruz

Also known as the great port of Mexico, it is an important commercial port in Mexico.

It provides shipping services to 11 shipping lines bringing in a variety of goods on a weekly basis.

It also boosts of 12 piers with depth varying between 27 to 42 feet.

Port of Veracruz

It has the capacity to handle around 25 million tons of cargo annually.

In case you are shipping via this port to your final port of destination, you don’t have to worry.

The port has a well-integrated system that links it to other cities within Mexico.

· Port Altamira

Port Altamira is served by 11 shipping lines bringing a total of 16 million tons of goods annually.

With an area covering 300hectares, port Altamira accommodates 12 maritime terminals that allows it to serve a wide range of cargo carriers.

Port Altamira

Ships that dock at this port carries shipments that include liquids, mineral and general cargo.

It is well connected to other cities within Mexico by a well-integrated system of Highways and a railway line.

· Port Lazaro Calderas

Port Lazio is located in the city of Lazio Calderas and is considered to be the biggest seaport in Mexico.

Port Lazaro Calderas

It has a capacity to handle 25 million tons of cargo annually.

On top of this, it handles 2,200,000 TEU’s annually.

Most cargo carriers that dock at this port ship dry bulk, liquid cargo and containers.

The port is served by one terminal and it is owned by the Ports Authority of Lazio.

· Manzanillo Port

This is the busiest port in Mexico based on the total tonnage and volume of container cargo.

Situated in the town of Manzanillo, this port was founded in the 1950.

Manzanillo Port

It is connected to the city of Guadalajara and Mexico City by the ferromax railway line.

It is also connected to the cities of Colima and Puerto Vallarta by a modern highway.

4.3. Shipping Sea Routes from China to Mexico

Having understood the ports that your cargo will land when importing to Mexico, it is good to understand the shipping routes.

Let’s see these routes and the distance each route starting from the port of origin in China.

· Mawei port in China- Port Manzanillo in Mexico

This route covers a distance of 17379nm taking a ship 72 days to arrive at Port Manzanillo in Mexico from China.

It starts at Mawei port in china from where it moves to the Pacific Ocean via the East and South China Sea.

From there, it enters the Indian Ocean through the Adman Sea before joining the Arabian Sea.

It moves to the Suez Canal via the Gulf of Suez and the red proceeding to the Mediterranean Sea.

It links up with the Atlantic Ocean passing through the Strait of Gibraltar heading to the Caribbean Ocean.

It arrives at port Manzanillo through the North Pacific Ocean while passing through the Panama Gulf.

· Port of Qinhuangdao – Port of Lazaro Cardenas

This route starts at Port Qinhuangdao in china entering the Pacific Ocean through the East and South China Sea and the Philippine Sea.

It then proceeds to the Strait of Malacca before entering the Indian Ocean through the Adman Sea.

From the Indian Ocean, the route proceeds to the Arabian Sea and into the Gulf of Aden.

It then continues to the Mediterranean Sea via the Nile and Damietta River.

It connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the strait of Gibraltar before going to the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal.

Your cargo carrier will land at Port Lazaro in Mexico.

This will take approximately 76 days in the sea covering a distance of 18342nm.

· Port of Zhenjiang- Port of Altamira

Your shipment in this route will start at the Port of Zhenjiang in China.

It joins the Pacific Ocean through the East and South China Sea and the Philippines Sea.

It then proceeds to the Strait of Malacca before entering the Indian Ocean through the Adman Sea.

From the Indian Ocean, the route proceeds to the Arabian Sea and into the Gulf of Aden.

It then continues to the Mediterranean Sea via the Nile and Damietta River.

It connects to the Atlantic Ocean via the strait of Gibraltar before connecting to Mexico via the Gulf of Mexico.

After covering a distance of 16057nm in 70 days, your cargo docks at the port of Altamira.

· Port of Guangzhou – Port of Veracruz

Another shipping route for your cargo is the Guangzhou- Veracruz route.

This starts off at the Port of Guangzhou in China before joining the Pacific Ocean via the South China Sea.

It proceeds to the Indian Ocean through the Adman Sea.

From there, it heads to the Arabian Sea and into the Gulf of Aden.

It joins the Suez Canal via the Suez Canal River and the Gulf of Suez.

It proceeds to the Mediterranean Sea and into the Strait of Gibraltar before joining the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

It heads to the Caribbean Sea and into the Bah ’a De Campeche Bay before docking at Port Veracruz.

This route will take your cargo 63 days before docking covering a distance of 15150nm.

Here at JMS, we provide you with information on ports which you can choose for the shipment of your cargo.

4.4. Container Shipping Companies from China to Mexico

Having looked at the shipping routes that your cargo will follow, let’s look at shipping companies that will ship your cargo.

· COSCO shipping company

This is a state owned shipping company that has been in operation since.

It has its headquarters in Beijing.

COSCO

It owns 114 ships including 365 dry bulk vessels, container fleet with a capacity of 158000 TEU and a tanker fleet.

It calls at over a thousand ports worldwide.

· Maersk shipping company

It operates the largest container ship vessels in the world and has over 600 vessels having a capacity of 3.8 million tons.

Maersk

Its headquarters is based in Denmark.

· CMA shipping company

Serving 200 shipping routes between 420 ports, the CMA shipping company has been in the industry since 1978. It is based in Marseille.

CMA

· APL shipping company

APL shipping company started operation in Mexico in 1991.

It operates 153 container vessels, making it the 3^rd largest shipping company.

APL

It has six offices spread across Mexico and offers 80 weekly shipping services.

One of its 10 terminals is located in Qingdao China.

· MSC shipping company

The Mediterranean Shipping Company is the world’s 2^nd largest shipping company in terms of container vessel capacity.

Its vessels have a capacity of up to 19244 TEUs.

MSC

It was founded in 1970 and has its headquarters in Italy.

It operates more than 200 routes worldwide calling at over 300 ports.

With our strong presence in China and Mexico, you can always contact us for the best information on your preferred shipping company.

Chapter 5: Methods of Shipping Chinese Products to Mexico

Your cargo needs to arrive safely to your port of destination.

No matter the mode of shipping that you choose, the safety of your cargo is paramount.

To do so, you have to pick a method of shipment that will best fit your needs.

In this section, I am going to illustrate to you the various methods available that you can choose from to ship your cargo.

Let’s read along to understand these methods

5.1. Express Courier from China to Mexico

With a courier service, you are able to ship parcels and cargo of up to 1000kgs depending on the service provider.

It is a perfect choice when shipping samples from China to Mexico.

Courier services from China to Mexico

You can also utilize it if you are importing small quantities of a product.

What I find first time importers asking about is what they can ship and not ship using a carrier service.

Well, let me take you into details about a courier service.

For starters, you need to note the vital details required before picking a courier service for your shipment.

These details include:

· Understanding the prohibited products

According to IATA, you cannot ship animal skins or ivory and ivory related products.

Also included in this list are goods like aerosol sprays, explosives, firearms and car batteries.

· Shipment of hazardous goods

These are products including household items that are dangerous to be shipped via a courier.

Normally, not many couriers will accept these products.

Those that do have safety precautions and utilizing them is expensive.

If you choose to ship via these couriers be prepared to incur the cost.

Always confirm with your forwarding agent to about goods that constitutes hazardous goods before shipping.

· Counterfeit goods

Leading airlines like DHL prohibit the shipment of counterfeit goods.

This is because selling these goods is illegal.

If you happen to ship these goods, they will be seized by the customs and you will be penalized.

The next question that you will probably ask is how then do courier service providers calculate the cost of your shipment.

The answer to this is based on the following factors:

1. Weight of the package

The weight of the package for most couriers form the basis for calculating the cost of your shipment.

As such, if you are planning to ship, maintain your cargo to the minimum weight possible.

2. The packaging size

When we are talking about the packaging size, I am referring to the protective layers that cover your cargo.

Remember, you want your cargo to arrive safely and in good condition.

This will include wrapping your cargo in a packaging material like boxes and water proof wrappers.

These materials have an effect of increasing the weight of your cargo.

As a precaution, always measure the packaging material to arrive at an appropriate size and weight.

This will save you some cost.

3. The destination of your cargo

The cargo destination will definitely have an impact on the cost of your shipment.

This is due to the following factors:

• Lift gate fees
• Inside delivery fees
• Extended area surcharge in case the cargo is to be brought to your doorstep.
• Packaging circumstances

If you are in an urgent need for your cargo, it will mean that your courier will have to work hard.

This will definitely cost more.

Reason?

The courier will have to work beyond schedule to deliver your cargo.

Other factors like delivery over the weekend and over the holiday tend to increase the cost of your shipment.

5.2. LCL Shipping to Mexico

At times your cargo cannot fill a container, but still you have to ship your cargo.

As such you will need the services of a Less than Container Load.

A less than container load is where the freight forwarder arranges grouping of your cargo with those of others.

Grouping will fill a container, then shipment takes place.

For this to happen, they must be heading in the same direction as you.

When it comes to the pricing of your load, it will be based on the package measurement.

These measurements are then converted to a density figure.

LCL Shipping

This implies that whichever is higher between the weight and the measurement is picked for cost calculation.

Of importance to note is the minimum amount your cargo can be charged.

This is normally at 1cbm even if your shipment is too small.

I know you might be wondering what process is involved in LCL.

Let’s go through it for you to have a clear understanding.

You initiate the process by contacting your freight forwarder explaining to them that you need LCL services.

They will then inquire about the measurement and weight of your cargo.

Also, they will need a copy of your commercial invoice.

They will use this to create their documents.

These documents will include house bill of landing which states their rights and responsibilities for your cargo.

Another document that they will derive from the invoice is the ocean bill of landing.

Your freight forwarder will need this since they will combine your goods with others.

Remember that you will incur the cost for these documents.

After that, the forwarder will shop around for a shipper heading your way and get a fair quote for you.

Always be keen on the shipping quotation.

It will include charges such as fuel cost, ocean bill of lading fee and consolidation fee.

What you might not find is the potential destination charges which I will explain below.

Destination charges will include entry filling, customs bond, import duty and sales tax.

Also included is the tariffs which will depend on the origin and nature of your cargo.

Destination charges constitute the LCL custom charges.

It is important to have the correct information for these charges in order to get clearance with the customs.

Failure to do this will lead to penalization of your cargo.

Before I forget, always ensure your packaging material match the international shipping standard.

This will include pallets, secure wrapping and clear labelling.

Lastly, you should note that not all goods can be shipped using LCL.

Goods like vehicles are not allowed.

This is because there are other procedures that are involved which your freight forwarder cannot handle.

As such, your freight forwarder should be able to give you accurate information concerning this.

5.3. Door to Door Shipping China to Mexico

With door to door shipping, you are relieved of the burden of shipping.

This is because your freight forwarder will be responsible for your shipping requirements.

These requirements will include customs clearance, duties, and taxes.

Your freight forwarder will pick the goods from the door of your supplier and load it to a carrier.

They will also organize for transportation from the port of destination to your premises.

Door to door shipping – Source: FedEx

This will entail the use of multimodal transport.

The advantage of this is that yours is just to wait for your goods at your premises.

The flipside is that you will pay your forwarder more to cover for the extra transportation.

It is best utilized by importers who have experience shipping.

Also, those who have established suppliers can use this mode.

5.4. FCL Shipping from China to Mexico

If combining your cargo with others is not convenient for you, you can opt for a Full Cargo Loading.

This is necessary if you are shipping fragile items and items that are more than 12 pellets.

You can also utilize this if you are shipping cargo that will fit a whole container.

So what does FCL entail?

As the name suggests, this is where you have an empty container in which you only fill your cargo.

You then seal it securely ready for shipment.

The advantage is that you don’t incur risks associated with LCL like your products breaking.

FCL Shipping

What options do I have for stuffing my cargo?

You have three options for stuffing your cargo.

1. Live Load Shipping from China to Mexico

This is where your freight forwarder gives you a container and gives you a few hours to load your cargo.

This is normally 3 hours, after which you will be penalized.

2. Drop and Pack Stuffing from China to Mexico

Then there is the drop and pack stuffing.

This is much like the live load only that you are given more time.

Normally it is between 1-7 days for you to load your cargo.

For the first above, you are responsible for securing your cargo and loading it properly in the container.

3. Warehouse/terminal Handling

Lastly, we have warehouse/ terminal handling.

This is where your forwarder provides you with a warehouse.

You then deliver your goods to the warehouse.

Your forwarder will consolidate and pack the goods into the container on your behalf.

Loading container

There are a number of delivery option available for FCL cargo.

Allow me to explain to them.

· Port to port delivery

In this mode of delivery, your forwarder is responsible for the shipment of your cargo from the port of origin to the port of destination.

This implies that you are responsible for the good from the point of origin to the port of origin.

You are also responsible for your shipment from the port of destination to the final destination point.

· Door to door delivery

As discussed earlier, your forwarder is responsible for your cargo from your supplier to the port and finally to you.

This saves you resources as yours is to wait for your cargo.

· Port to door delivery

Here, you will deliver the cargo to the port of origin for loading.

Your forwarder will then pick the roles from there.

They will load, ship, clear with the customs and deliver the cargo to your premises.

It works best if you are a first time importer and you have confidence with your freight forwarder.

· Door to port delivery

You will let your forwarder collect the goods from your supplier, transport them to the port of origin.

They will load the cargo and ship to the port of destination.

They will contact you when the goods arrive at the port from which you will take over the responsibilities of shipping.

What you need to note here is that you will hand over the necessary documents to your forwarder.

These documents will include a shipper/importer declaration, the invoice and the packing list.

Your choice of a delivery method will depend on factors such as your loading preparedness and the cost involved.

Also, you will have to consider prior arrangements with your supplier.

With modern technology you’re able to track your cargo as it is being shipped.

5.5. RO-RO Shipping to Mexico

Roll on /roll off shipping is a type of shipping that is used to ship wheeled cargo.

This includes vehicles, trucks, buses, and tractors.

Vessels that offer these services are spacious to accommodate this kind of cargo.

They also have an inbuilt ramp that allows for loading and unloading of the cargo.

NYK Line Ro Ro Shipping

There are various types of Ro-Ro vessels including:

Pure Car Carrier (PCC) which are designed to ship purely large quantities of passenger vehicles.

We also have Pure Truck and Car Carrier (PCTC) that are designed to ship all types of wheeled vehicles.

Your cost will be calculated differently under this type of shipment.

It will be a product of the carrier’s width in terms of lanes, length in meters and number of decks.

Ro-Ro vessels come in the following variations

• RoPax which is designed to ship vehicles and passengers at a go.
• ConRo is designed to ship cargo and vehicles. The vehicles will stacked below the decks while the cargo will be stacked on top.
• Rolo refers to a hybrid vessel that has the Ro-Ro features and a crane which handles cargo loading.

5.7. Reefer Shipping to Mexico from China

What does it mean by reefer shipping services?

This is when you ship a refrigerated cargo from China to Mexico.

A refrigerated cargo is one that is perishable, easily, hence the need to be shipped in a given temperature.

These cargoes include fish, meat, fruits and milk.

It may also include medicines that require certain temperature.

MV Silica Frigo

You will ship this cargo via specially designed vessels known as reefer ships.

have been built to maintain the temperature of a cargo at a certain level.

This minimizes the chances of the cargo getting spoilt.

When you are planning to ship these goods, always ensure to pre cool them to the required temperature.

This is because the reefer ship is not meant to cool your cargo.

is instead meant to maintain the cargo at the pre cool temperature.

This pre cooling is done by having a steady power supply connected to the main power supply of the vessel.

Compressors fitted on the refrigerated system ensures the coolness of the container.

What’s more?

Water coolers in some vessels are used to maintain the temperature of the cargo.

This is where the cargo is stored inside the ship.

And before I forget:

In some countries like China cold treatment of your shipment is required.

This is also known as steri shipment.

It involves allowing minimal temperature tolerance.

What happens is that your cargo is pre cooled to a temperature lower than the commercial market.

Steri probes are then injected at the pulp of the fruit before shipment occurs.

Chapter 6: Mexico Import Duties from China

The cost of your cargo is not only that of the goods as purchased from China.

There are taxes and duties that will be charged at the customs before they are allowed into Mexico.

Therefore, you need to understand the various duties and taxes that will be imposed on your cargo.

This will help you to prepare effectively:

Mexico customs

Also, I know you won’t like the idea of your goods taking longer to be cleared at the port.

Therefore, you should have all documents ready to submit them to customs authorities for clearance.

In this chapter, I will walk you through some of the most vital components of Mexico import duties.

Let’s get started.

6.1. Documents needed when shipping from China to Mexico

Before I start off, it is necessary for you as an importer to get registered.

This is done by the official register of importers in Mexico.

Having said that, here is a look at documents you will need when importing from China to Mexico.

1. Certificate of origin

When you import, you need to have this document with you.

As the name suggests, it indicates the country of the goods imported in this case China.

Some goods are exempted from tax depending on the country of origin.

Always consult with your forwarder to find if the goods you’re importing will be tax exempted.

2. Volume or weight certificate

This document is issued to you by an agent who are authorized by the ministry of finance and public order in Mexico.

3. Customs declaration

It carries information about your goods, their value, the final destination of your cargo and the consignee.

4. Commercial invoice

This document indicates your supplier’s business, their name and address, and your name and address.

Also included here is the description of your cargo, the terms of sale and the price of your cargo.

It is issued by the supplier.

5. Packing list

With the packing list, details of what is in your shipment is indicated.

This includes quantity, weight of each item and the total weight of the cargo.

It also indicated is the dimension of each item in the cargo.

It is issued by the supplier.

6. Bill of lading

It is issued to your supplier by the shipping agent.

The supplier will remain with it till you pay the agreed amount.

Do not forget to check the number of original copies of the BOL.

You will require all of them to clear your cargo.

6.2.Mexico Taxes and Duties

Having looked at that, let us see the various taxes and duties that will be levied on your cargo.

· Duties

The Mexican government will impose duties differently on your cargo.

There are products such as electronics which you can import duty free.

Always confirm with your forwarding agent to confirm which category your cargo lies.

Generally, you will be charged a duty rate of 13.97% on your imported goods.

An important fact that you should know is that there is a global tax of 16% charged on the CIF terms which applies to

       a) When you are importing via post where the FOB is between US$ 300 and US$ 1000

       b) When you are importing via a courier and the FOB is between US$ 50 and US$ 1000

Before I forget, remember that the value of your cargo is judged generally on the CIF.

This implies that your import duties are based on the complete shipping value.

This value indicates the freight cost, insurance cost and the cost of your imported cargo.

· Taxes

      a) Sales tax

You will be charged a sales tax based on the value of your CIF, duty and excise duty if applicable.

Note that while importing via post, cargo with FOB value of up to US$ 300 will be excluded all taxes and duties.

Also, when you import via courier, cargo with FOB value of up to USD$ 50 will be exempted from taxes and duties.

· DTA

Another charge that you should note is the DTA which is also known as customs processing fee.

It is applicable on all imported goods at a flat rate of 0.8% based on the CIF value.

In case you are importing alcohol and tobacco products, you will be charged an exercise duty.

This is at a flat rate of between 25% -60% based on the CIF value and duty levied.

For more information about Mexico imports and duties:

Mexico Import Tariffs

Mexico Customs and Duties

Important things to Remember when Importing to Mexico

Regulations and Customs in Mexico

Conclusion

As you can see, shipping from China to Mexico is a systematic process.

And I am sure, if you follow everything I have mentioned in this guide, you will get goods in time.

Moreover, by hiring a reliable freight forwarder, you’ll save a lot on shipping costs.

In case you’re looking for a reliable freight forwarder from China to Mexico, JMS is here for you.

At JMS, we tailor our services to match those of our clients.

Delivering on our word and always at your service.

Contact us today and experience a new world of shipping.