Receiving parcels from abroad in Mexico can involve customs taxes, and it pays to know how much and when they apply before you buy, so there are no surprises. In this guide, updated for 2026, we explain from what amount Mexican customs charge, which taxes exist, and how to shop in Europe and receive it in Mexico with MDE while paying only what you should.
From what amount do you pay customs in Mexico?
It depends on how your parcel enters. By postal mail (Correos in Spain to Correos de México), up to USD 50 per recipient pays no IGI, VAT or DTA, whatever the origin, Europe included, and from USD 50 to USD 1,000 a single 19% global rate applies. By courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS...) from Europe you pay a 33.5% global rate on the value, which already includes the 16% VAT.
Taxes an imported parcel may pay
- 16% VAT: applies to ordinary (non-simplified) imports; under the simplified courier procedure the 33.5% global rate is applied instead.
- General Import Duty (tariff): varies with the product's tariff classification (from 0% to more than 30%).
- Simplified global rate: by postal mail, nothing up to USD 50 per recipient and 19% from USD 50 to USD 1,000; by courier, since 15 August 2025 it is 33.5% for shipments from any country other than the United States and Canada (USMCA/T-MEC), including Europe and China, and it replaces duty and VAT.
- IEPS: a special tax on specific products (alcoholic drinks, tobacco, sugary drinks, etc.).
Simplified courier regime: how much you can import
When the courier company handles the clearance for you (simplified regime):
- From the US or Canada (USMCA/T-MEC), such as our US warehouse: up to USD 50 free of IGI and VAT (the DTA fee is paid), 17% up to USD 117 and 19% above. From Europe, the USD 50 tax-free threshold is the postal one.
- From Europe, up to USD 2,500 per recipient: you pay the 33.5% global rate on the declared value, which replaces duty and VAT (it is not added to them).
- USD 2,500 per recipient is the ceiling of the simplified courier clearance (a simplified customs declaration filed by the registered courier company).
- Above USD 2,500 the simplified courier clearance does not apply: a formal import with a customs broker is required.
Buying in Europe: what taxes to expect
From Spain, Germany, Italy or France you have two options. By postal mail, up to USD 50 per recipient enters tax-free and, above that, 19% applies up to USD 1,000: for small purchases it is usually the cheapest. By courier it arrives sooner, and you pay 33.5%, which already includes the 16% VAT. Our quoter shows postal and courier options so you can choose.
How to shop in Europe and receive it in Mexico with MDE
With MDE you get a real address in Europe where you can buy from any European store, even if it doesn't ship to Mexico. We receive your purchases at our warehouse, consolidate them into a single shipment if you buy from several stores, and reship them to your home in Mexico with end-to-end tracking.
How to pay less at customs (legally)
- Declare the real value of your purchases. Under-declaring is an offence and can lead to fines or the seizure of the parcel.
- Compare postal and courier in the quoter before shipping: for small purchases, postal is usually cheaper, taxes included.
- Consolidate several purchases into one shipment to pay for transport only once.
- If you buy from US stores, use our US warehouse: USMCA rules apply (up to USD 50 free of IGI and VAT, 17% up to USD 117 and 19% above).
- Keep your invoices: they speed up clearance and support the declared value.
Frequently asked questions
From what amount do you pay customs in Mexico?
It depends on the channel. By postal mail (Correos to Correos de México), up to USD 50 per recipient pays no taxes, from Europe too, and from USD 50 to USD 1,000 a 19% global rate applies. By courier from Europe you pay a 33.5% global rate on the value, which already includes VAT. From the US and Canada (USMCA), courier parcels pay no IGI or VAT up to USD 50.
How much tax do you pay on an imported parcel to Mexico in 2026?
It depends on the value, the origin and the channel. By postal mail, from any origin: tax-free up to USD 50 per recipient and a 19% global rate up to USD 1,000. By courier from outside the US and Canada (Europe, China...): a 33.5% global rate since 15 August 2025, which replaces duty and VAT. By courier from the US and Canada (USMCA): up to USD 50 free of IGI and VAT, 17% up to USD 117 and 19% above.
Which items pay tax at Mexican customs?
By postal mail, shipments over USD 50 per recipient (up to USD 1,000) pay a 19% global rate on their value; by courier, goods from Europe pay the 33.5% global rate on their value; in an ordinary import, VAT and, depending on the tariff classification, the General Import Duty apply. Certain specific products (alcoholic drinks, tobacco, sugary drinks) also pay the IEPS special tax.
How much can I import by courier to Mexico without a customs broker?
By postal mail, up to USD 1,000 per recipient, with the D1 Postal Form. By courier, the registered courier company can clear shipments of up to USD 2,500 per recipient with a simplified customs declaration, paying the global rate (33.5% from Europe). Above those amounts a customs broker is required.
Is it better to buy in Europe rather than China to receive in Mexico?
It depends on the product and the final price, not on tax treatment: Europe and China pay the same, both by postal mail (tax-free up to USD 50 and 19% up to USD 1,000) and by courier (33.5%). Compare the final price (product + shipping + taxes) before buying.
How do I receive in Mexico the purchases I make in European stores?
With MDE you get an address in Europe to shop in any European store. We receive your parcels, consolidate them into a single shipment and reship them to your home in Mexico with full tracking.
Want to shop in Europe and receive it in Mexico while paying only what you should at customs? Sign up with MDE in under 2 minutes, get your European address and make your first shipment. Check our customer reviews and remember you have a 14-day money-back guarantee.
