Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to Mexico
Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to <a href="/shipping-to/altamira-mexico/">Altamira</a> and <a href="/shipping-to/veracruz-mexico/">Veracruz</a>. The rate starts at USD 8 per cubic foot to Veracruz, and the carrier estimates 43–59 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.
Mexicans returning after at least two years abroad and foreigners with a residence permit can import used household goods (menaje de casa) free of duty, with a certificate from a Mexican consulate in Canada and an inventory in Spanish. Customs clearance requires a licensed Mexican customs broker.
Mexico's Gulf ports suit eastern and central Mexico. Commercial importers must be registered in Mexico's Padrón de Importadores, and products such as electronics, textiles and food may need labelling under Mexican standards (NOM). For the Pacific coast and western Mexico, ask us about routings, as the current tariff covers only Veracruz and Altamira.
Commercial cargo rates to Mexico
| Destination | From Toronto | From Montreal | From Vancouver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veracruz | USD 8 / cu ft 50 days · min. USD 578.11 | USD 8 / cu ft 45 days · min. USD 576.54 | USD 12 / cu ft 59 days · min. USD 716.63 |
| Altamira | USD 10 / cu ft 43 days · min. USD 805.19 | USD 10 / cu ft 43 days · min. USD 808.93 | USD 13 / cu ft 53 days · min. USD 917.87 |
Example: a small commercial shipment from Toronto to Veracruz
- A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 578.11
- One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 773.61
- Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 1,282.22
The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in Mexico.
Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to Veracruz
- From Toronto: USD 773.61, about 50 days
- From Montreal: USD 773.61, about 45 days
- From Vancouver: USD 1,027.91, about 59 days
Montreal is both the least expensive and the fastest gateway to Veracruz. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.
One pallet to different cities in Mexico
- Veracruz: USD 773.61 from Toronto, about 50 days
- Altamira: USD 900.76 from Toronto, about 43 days
The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 127.15.
Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 578.11 to Veracruz, against USD 578.11 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.
Documents for commercial cargo
- Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in Mexico classify the goods.
- Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
- Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.
Pallets and crates
Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in Mexico. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.
Carrier conditions for Mexico
- Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
How to book
Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to Mexico.
Shipping to Mexico by service
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to ship a pallet to Mexico?
One pallet of 120 × 100 × 150 cm weighing 350 kg from Toronto to Veracruz costs about USD 773.61 including all A1 fees. Destination charges, duties and taxes are confirmed separately.
Which documents does a commercial shipment to Mexico need?
A commercial invoice and a packing list, plus anything the carrier conditions for Mexico require. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.
Does A1 pick up or palletize the cargo?
No. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.
Rates valid through December 25, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.