Document checklist for companies shipping to Mexico

So you got an order from a Mexican customer! Congratulations! Now it’s time to prepare all documents and shop around to get an affordable AND reliable transportation service that will help you to offer to your customers a delivery service that exceeds their expectations.  Let’s get started.

In the shipping process to Mexico, there are many parties involved, such as carriers/drivers,  American customs broker, Mexican customs broker, border drayage, etc. Also, if shipping from Canada,  you will need to ship with a  bonded carrier. Sounds complicated?  No worries, we ‘ve got you covered.

Mexicom Logistics is a  freight forwarder with a wide network of carriers, so we can get you the best rates from reliable carriers that will offer you a transportation service that will exceed your customer’s expectations. Also, as an exclusive service for our end-users,  we provide the customs brokerage service too.  And, yes,  we take care of the bond too.

So,  if you are hiring a freight forwarder such as Mexicom Logistics,  you don’t need to worry about the transportation services. However, you still need to complete certain documentation.  We love guiding our customers through the shipping process,  so below you will find a checklist of the documents needed to ship freight from Canada and the US to Mexico.

Documents needed to ship freight from Canada and the US to Mexico:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• NAFTA certificate of origin (if applicable).
• Bill of lading

The Commercial invoice is created by the shipper. It is a legal document between the supplier (shipper) and the customer (receiver) that describes the sold goods, and the amount due by the customer. Based on this document, customs determine customs duties. The commercial invoice includes the following information:

• Products being shipped
• Origin
• Use
• Value of each product
• The total value
• The number of packages
• Total weight

The Packing list is created by the shipper and details the specific contents of each pallet. The packing list assists the Mexican customs broker with their inspection process. It should include:

• Shipper/Consignee
• Place and date of shipment
• Equipment/Skid/Crate
• Packing details, quantity, and type of packaging
• Description of the goods, such as weight
• Marks and numbers (if any) on the package and other information.

Bill of lading. This document is sometimes called Bill of lading, BL or BoL, it is signed by the Shipper and the Transportation company, as well as by the receiver when it receives the goods. This legal document includes:

• The details of the goods (weight, pallets, description,etc)
• The quantity
• The origin of the goods
• The destination of the goods
• Freight charge terms, among other information.

NAFTA Certificate of origin

«This is a trilaterally agreed upon form used by Canada, Mexico, and the United States to certify that goods qualify for the preferential tariff treatment accorded by NAFTA. The Certificate of Origin must be completed by the exporter. A producer or manufacturer may also complete a certificate of origin in a NAFTA territory to be used as a basis for an Exporter’s Certificate of Origin.» US Customs and Border Protection, visit their website here.

There are more documents involved in the freight shipping process to Mexico,  such as the DODA, Manifest, Carta Porte, etc. However, these ones are not prepared by the shipper but by the customs broker, carriers,  and other parties involved. For more information about the shipping process from the USA and Canada to Mexico, please refer to our post: The ultimate guide shipping freight  from the US  and Canada to Mexico