Moving back to Mexico? Your things come in duty-free
Your used furniture, appliances and tools of your trade enter Mexico without import tax under menaje de casa — and if you were repatriated or deported, the certificate is free and you don't even need a customs broker. Tell us your case and we'll show what qualifies, what's excluded, and what it really costs.
Check your case
What are you bringing?
What qualifies (duty-free)
What's excluded
Documents you'll need
What it really costs
Email me my document checklist for the consulate
Methodology & data sources
Rules verified against the Ley Aduanera (Art. 61-VII), the Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior 2026 (DOF 27-Dec-2025, Cap. 3.3) and Mexican consular (SRE) menaje pages. The duty-free benefit (franquicia) covers used household furnishings, appliances and the tools of your trade — "used" means acquired at least 6 months before import — for Mexicans (including repatriated and deported nationals) who lived abroad more than 6 months, and for foreigners with permanent residency; temporary residents and students get a temporary import instead (students: 1 year abroad). Automobiles are always excluded, as are commercial/industrial goods and new items. The certificate is issued at your consulate; a standard applicant pays a consular fee (varies by consulate) plus a customs broker (agente aduanal). Under the Segob agreement of 17 July 2025 (México te Abraza), repatriated and deported nationals get the certificate free and clear goods without a broker; the program is confirmed active through 2026. There is no "one of each appliance" limit — that's a common misconception. Our Freshness Keeper tracks the RGCE annual updates and the program's status.
Sources: ANAM — Menaje de casa · Ley Aduanera Art. 61-VII · SRE — consular menaje · Segob — México te Abraza
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay tax to bring my furniture to Mexico?
No — a documented menaje is duty-free and IVA-free on your used goods. You pay the freight, the broker and (if standard) the consular fee.
Can I only bring one of each appliance?
No, that's a myth. There is no quantity or value limit on used household furnishings.
Can I bring my car in the menaje?
No — vehicles are always excluded. Importing a car is a separate customs process.
Is it free for deported or repatriated Mexicans?
Yes — free certificate and no broker under México te Abraza (active through 2026). Vehicles still excluded.
How long do I need to have lived abroad?
More than 6 months for returning Mexicans and permanent residents; 1 year for the student/researcher route.