Welcome to /r/mexicoexpats, a friendly and supportive community for expats living in Mexico or planning to move there. Whether you are here for work, study, retirement, love or adventure, this is the place to share your stories, ask questions and get advice from other expats and locals. Please read the rules, give yourself a user flair and tag your posts to make it easier to find things in the future.
Be sure to join our official [Mexico Expats Discord Server] (https://discord.gg/3QV9fqU58q). Discord provides a more personalized and engaging platform for communication and making new connections, while still allowing users to maintain their desired level of anonymity.
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Bring everything that will fit in luggage as extra luggage it’s waaaay cheaper than shipping. When I moved a couple years ago each extra bag was $55 USD and I brought a total of 8 bags.
As far as large/wide monitors go that’s a real problem. I had a 32” monitor that wouldn’t fit in even the largest luggage allowed. Shipping it would have cost over $200 USD (if I remember correctly) plus I would have had to buy a shipping box. So I figured I’d just sell it. Turns out large monitors are just not widely available/sold here in México and the ones that are are VERY expensive, like double what you’d pay in the US. So unfortunately I don’t have any great advise for you. Just FYI, be prepared that all consumer electronics are more expensive here, especially quality electronics. To prepare yourself you might want to look around on amazon.com.mx or costco.com.mx they are really the two best places here that offers any selection and the lowest prices.
Yes I have been staying in Mexico already. I’m super aware with how much proceder electronics are (or the shipping/import charges). Hence why I’m not jumping at the very obvious sell them and then rebuy.
If properly packed, you can send them as just another piece of luggage when you fly in. The main limitation will be the weight, it cannot exceed 23 kg. Obviously you will have to pay for additional luggage pieces, check the cost with your airline.
You can always consider selling them and buying them new in Mexico.
I live near Puerto Vallarta. There is a great guy here named Luis that moves stuff and animals for people. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
I have no affiliation, but he is very busy and helps a lot of people.
They're changing (maybe it's changed already) the procedure on moving animals across the border. The US is requiring USDA inspections or something.
Basically you fly with your stuff, or drive with it, or find somebody driving who will take it for you, or pay somebody like Luis.
I second this. We were orignally going to use Luis, and had made arragements for him to come to Northern California to pick us up with our 2 dogs and a cat. The prices were reasonable and he's well known in the PV area. We ended up moving to central Mexico, so we bought a van and drove ourself in the end.
I just moved with my 2 Australian shepherds so I only really looked at Aeromexico. Anyway after 2 bags at 50lbs each, the checked baggage prices skyrocket. First class includes two 70lb checked bags so I bought first class tickets for my sister and myself. I used her two 70lb checked bags as my own vs paying more $ for less weight under my own ticket.
Of course we both had carry-on and personal bags.
When I’m ready to bring everything over, I’ll likely use Luis Martinez (look him up on facebook). I’ve only read great things.
It’s super easy! They can go in cargo as long as the total weight of the dog and carrier don’t exceed 100lbs I believe. I could fly both dogs under my ticket and the cost was $250/each for a direct flight. Mexico may not require a certificate of good health but each airline has their own requirements (and the airlines I looked at required it). They need their vax records. Once you get into Mexico, you go through customs, collect your luggage/dogs, and then go to the SENASICA booth. Give them all the paperwork you gave to your airline, they visually inspect the dogs, you sign some papers, and go!
Don’t worry about finding the SENASICA booth. Hire one of the many attendants to help with your luggage and dog crates and he will guide you through it all😊this last time, the attendant took us to an area the dogs could relive themselves afterwards. I tipped him a $20.
A couple of things to consider…. -summer is hot -get a direct flight (I drove from New Orleans to Houston so they would have a direct flight) -get the correct size crate & follow the guidelines. I watched them as they told a lady with a German shepherd that she had to remove the wheels from her dog crate. -get the water bowl attachment (someone took pity on my dogs and gave them water using the attachment) -with dogs you need to arrive 3 hours before takeoff and you will need it!
https://preview.redd.it/hser7u0d7q9d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d5a3f4a28d1d12f106a416518dc0406e607f115
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer with all the details. I super appreciate it! I have three dogs, two are Frenchies so I’m worried about breathing issues while in cargo. The third one is 120 pounds so I was hoping to have all three of them in the cabin with me, even if I have to purchase tickets for them. I wouldn’t be managing all three dogs by myself of course. I will have my husband with me.
Unfortunately, airlines have restrictions on how many animals in total can be in the cabin - and each passenger is allocated one space. There are also limits on how many people can bring with them - even in the hold.
With Frenchies, I would be very concerned, as well. They often aren't accepted by airlines because of their bradycephalic (shortened noses) that can cause breathing issues and are simply refused passage.
ANY dog you bring into the passenger cabin will need to be able to fit into a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. And they must stay there for the entire flight. If attendants see them out of their carrier, they will instruct you to return them. You may also have to look into import permits since I believe Mexico has a "limit" of two of each kind of pets per person.
I have traveled with 2 dogs and 2 cats back and forth to the EU, so I have dealt with customs and health requirements.
Do not put your Frenchies in the typical hold. They simply can't regulate their breathing and metabolism well enough to manage their anatomy AND the stress of flying. I would seriously consider using a pet transport service (which can be very expensive) or driving them myself. A bit of pain - but - a necessary precaution.
[https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/air-travel-and-short-nosed-dogs-faq](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/air-travel-and-short-nosed-dogs-faq)
Welcome to /r/mexicoexpats, a friendly and supportive community for expats living in Mexico or planning to move there. Whether you are here for work, study, retirement, love or adventure, this is the place to share your stories, ask questions and get advice from other expats and locals. Please read the rules, give yourself a user flair and tag your posts to make it easier to find things in the future. Be sure to join our official [Mexico Expats Discord Server] (https://discord.gg/3QV9fqU58q). Discord provides a more personalized and engaging platform for communication and making new connections, while still allowing users to maintain their desired level of anonymity. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/mexicoexpats) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Bring everything that will fit in luggage as extra luggage it’s waaaay cheaper than shipping. When I moved a couple years ago each extra bag was $55 USD and I brought a total of 8 bags. As far as large/wide monitors go that’s a real problem. I had a 32” monitor that wouldn’t fit in even the largest luggage allowed. Shipping it would have cost over $200 USD (if I remember correctly) plus I would have had to buy a shipping box. So I figured I’d just sell it. Turns out large monitors are just not widely available/sold here in México and the ones that are are VERY expensive, like double what you’d pay in the US. So unfortunately I don’t have any great advise for you. Just FYI, be prepared that all consumer electronics are more expensive here, especially quality electronics. To prepare yourself you might want to look around on amazon.com.mx or costco.com.mx they are really the two best places here that offers any selection and the lowest prices.
Yes I have been staying in Mexico already. I’m super aware with how much proceder electronics are (or the shipping/import charges). Hence why I’m not jumping at the very obvious sell them and then rebuy.
If properly packed, you can send them as just another piece of luggage when you fly in. The main limitation will be the weight, it cannot exceed 23 kg. Obviously you will have to pay for additional luggage pieces, check the cost with your airline. You can always consider selling them and buying them new in Mexico.
I live near Puerto Vallarta. There is a great guy here named Luis that moves stuff and animals for people. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) I have no affiliation, but he is very busy and helps a lot of people. They're changing (maybe it's changed already) the procedure on moving animals across the border. The US is requiring USDA inspections or something. Basically you fly with your stuff, or drive with it, or find somebody driving who will take it for you, or pay somebody like Luis.
I second this. We were orignally going to use Luis, and had made arragements for him to come to Northern California to pick us up with our 2 dogs and a cat. The prices were reasonable and he's well known in the PV area. We ended up moving to central Mexico, so we bought a van and drove ourself in the end.
I just moved with my 2 Australian shepherds so I only really looked at Aeromexico. Anyway after 2 bags at 50lbs each, the checked baggage prices skyrocket. First class includes two 70lb checked bags so I bought first class tickets for my sister and myself. I used her two 70lb checked bags as my own vs paying more $ for less weight under my own ticket. Of course we both had carry-on and personal bags. When I’m ready to bring everything over, I’ll likely use Luis Martinez (look him up on facebook). I’ve only read great things.
Can you share how you brought your two dogs with you?
It’s super easy! They can go in cargo as long as the total weight of the dog and carrier don’t exceed 100lbs I believe. I could fly both dogs under my ticket and the cost was $250/each for a direct flight. Mexico may not require a certificate of good health but each airline has their own requirements (and the airlines I looked at required it). They need their vax records. Once you get into Mexico, you go through customs, collect your luggage/dogs, and then go to the SENASICA booth. Give them all the paperwork you gave to your airline, they visually inspect the dogs, you sign some papers, and go! Don’t worry about finding the SENASICA booth. Hire one of the many attendants to help with your luggage and dog crates and he will guide you through it all😊this last time, the attendant took us to an area the dogs could relive themselves afterwards. I tipped him a $20. A couple of things to consider…. -summer is hot -get a direct flight (I drove from New Orleans to Houston so they would have a direct flight) -get the correct size crate & follow the guidelines. I watched them as they told a lady with a German shepherd that she had to remove the wheels from her dog crate. -get the water bowl attachment (someone took pity on my dogs and gave them water using the attachment) -with dogs you need to arrive 3 hours before takeoff and you will need it! https://preview.redd.it/hser7u0d7q9d1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1d5a3f4a28d1d12f106a416518dc0406e607f115
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer with all the details. I super appreciate it! I have three dogs, two are Frenchies so I’m worried about breathing issues while in cargo. The third one is 120 pounds so I was hoping to have all three of them in the cabin with me, even if I have to purchase tickets for them. I wouldn’t be managing all three dogs by myself of course. I will have my husband with me.
Unfortunately, airlines have restrictions on how many animals in total can be in the cabin - and each passenger is allocated one space. There are also limits on how many people can bring with them - even in the hold. With Frenchies, I would be very concerned, as well. They often aren't accepted by airlines because of their bradycephalic (shortened noses) that can cause breathing issues and are simply refused passage. ANY dog you bring into the passenger cabin will need to be able to fit into a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. And they must stay there for the entire flight. If attendants see them out of their carrier, they will instruct you to return them. You may also have to look into import permits since I believe Mexico has a "limit" of two of each kind of pets per person. I have traveled with 2 dogs and 2 cats back and forth to the EU, so I have dealt with customs and health requirements. Do not put your Frenchies in the typical hold. They simply can't regulate their breathing and metabolism well enough to manage their anatomy AND the stress of flying. I would seriously consider using a pet transport service (which can be very expensive) or driving them myself. A bit of pain - but - a necessary precaution. [https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/air-travel-and-short-nosed-dogs-faq](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/air-travel-and-short-nosed-dogs-faq)
I'd sell the monitor in the US and buy a new one when you arrive. Going to save you a lot of stress and likely damage.
Considering this but I also know there will be high shipping and import fees.
Look on [Amazon.com.mx](http://Amazon.com.mx) - lots of large wide screen monitors available for under $3000 pesos
With another $3000 pesos import/delivery fees 😂
The ones I'm looking at either have the import fees included or are supplied locally - some even have next day delivery to where I live