With the deepening of bilateral trade between China and Mexico, China has become one of the most important sources of imports for Mexico. Whether it is manufacturing raw materials, machinery and equipment, or consumer electronics, more and more goods are shipped from China to Mexico by sea containers.
For exporters and importers, understanding the container transportation methods and cost structure is an important part of controlling costs and optimizing logistics.
Shipping Container from China to Mexico
In recent years, the container shipping trade between China and Mexico has shown a steady growth trend and has become an important logistics channel connecting Asia and Latin America. Full container transportation (FCL) has become the mainstream transportation method in China-Mexico trade due to its advantages such as high safety, relatively stable timeliness and controllable costs.
Main destination ports:
- Port of Manzanillo: Mexico’s busiest Pacific port, handling about 40% of the country’s container cargo, with high customs clearance efficiency
- Port of Lazaro Cardenas: highly modernized, suitable for heavy and special cargo, with dedicated freight railways, suitable for transit to central Mexico
- Port of Veracruz: major port on the Gulf of Mexico, mainly serving the eastern and southeastern regions
- Port of Altamira: industrial port, suitable for chemical products and heavy equipment
The Difference Between 20ft and 40ft containers
When choosing whether to use a 20ft or 40ft container for shipping from China to Mexico, you need to consider the following key factors: volume, weight, value, cost, and shipping requirements. Here are the specifications of the two types of containers:
| Category | 20ft container | 40ft container |
| Volume | 33 cubic meters | 67 cubic meters |
| Internal dimensions | 5.9 x 2.35 x 2.39 m | 12.03 x 2.35 x 2.39 m |
| Maximum loading weight | 28 tons | 26 tons |
| Applicable scenarios | Heavy goods, small amounts of goods | Large but light goods |
| Freight comparison | Unit freight is higher | Total freight is high, but unit cost is more cost-effective |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Container from China to Mexico
Container shipping from China to Mexico mainly passes through the Pacific route. The cost of transporting containers from China to Mexico is mainly composed of the following parts
- Sea Freight: Quoted according to the size of the container, 20GP and 40GP are different
- Document Fee: Export document operation fee
- Trucking: Land transportation fee from factory to port
- Port Miscellaneous Charges (THC, ORC, etc.): Loading and unloading fees incurred at the port of departure and the port of destination
- Customs Declaration: Generally handled by the freight forwarder
- Destination Surcharge (DTHC, ISPS, etc.): Fees incurred at the port of destination in Mexico
- Customs Clearance and Delivery Fees (Destination Charges): Applicable if DDU/DDP service is used
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Brazil) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Manzanillo | $3000 – $3500 | $4200 – $4800 |
| Shenzhen | Manzanillo | $3300 – $3800 | $4200 – $5000 |
| Ningbo | Manzanillo | $3000 – $3600 | $4100 – $4700 |
| Shanghai | Lazaro Cardenas | $3200 – $4000 | $4500 – $5200 |
| Shenzhen | Lazaro Cardenas | $3100 – $4000 | $4100 – $4700 |
| Ningbo | Lazaro Cardenas | $2900 – $3500 | $4100 – $4800 |
| Shanghai | Veracruz | $3000 – $3600 | $4200 – $5000 |
| Shenzhen | Veracruz | $3000 – $3500 | $4400 – $5200 |
| Ningbo | Veracruz | $3300 – $4000 | $4200 – $4800 |
| Shanghai | Altamira | $3100 – $4000 | $4500 – $5200 |
| Shenzhen | Altamira | $3000 – $3600 | $4200 – $5000 |
| Ningbo | Altamira | $3300 – $3800 | $4100 – $4700 |
Read below for container shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Canada
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to USA
Steps for Shipping Container from China to Mexico
The detailed steps for container transportation from China to Mexico are as follows; understanding the transportation steps will help you plan your transportation plan reasonably:
Booking and trailer
After confirming the weight and volume of the goods, book a space with the shipping company or freight forwarder and arrange for a trailer to enter the port.
Container loading
The goods are packed, reinforced, and marked, and photographed for record.
Customs declaration and release
Provide packing list, invoice, contract, customs declaration documents, etc.
Port loading
After customs declaration is completed, the container enters the terminal for loading.
Maritime transportation
Ship to Mexico via the Pacific route.
Customs clearance at the port of destination
Customs clearance is carried out by the Mexican importer or its agent.
Delivery or self-pickup
After customs clearance is completed, you can choose truck delivery or warehouse self-pickup.
Improving the Efficiency of Shipping from China to Mexico
Use the following methods to improve the efficiency of shipping from China to Mexico:
- Book space as early as possible to avoid rushing during peak season;
- Arrange container loading reasonably to reduce empty container rate;
- Choose routes and shipping companies with stable services;
- Based on the actual cargo situation, evaluate whether to use DDP or DDU to reduce operations at the destination port;
- Use a visual logistics tracking system to grasp the transportation progress;
- Cooperate with freight forwarders who are familiar with Mexico’s customs clearance policies to ensure smooth customs clearance;
Special Considerations and Compliance Requirements
- Mexico has strict requirements on the consistency between invoices and declarations. The name, quantity and price of goods must be consistent with the actual situation;
- It is prohibited to carry undeclared goods or hazardous items;
- Customs clearance takes a long time, so it is recommended to use an experienced customs clearance agent;
- A Spanish version of the document must be provided (depending on the situation);
- If using DDP service, be sure to confirm the tax rate, tariff policy and delivery conditions;
Through this article, you can fully understand all aspects of container transportation from China to Mexico. Export companies can plan logistics budgets more accurately, avoid potential risks, and establish an efficient supply chain system.
If you need to obtain real-time freight rates, book space, or arrange container trailers, you can provide the departure point, cargo information, and destination port. Ubestshipping can help you further develop transportation plans and cost budgets.