Ocean Freight to and from Mexico
FCL & LCL Sea Freight via Mexico's Four Major Seaports
Sea freight is the workhorse of global trade with Mexico. For high-volume shipments, heavy cargo, or goods moving from Asia or Europe, ocean freight delivers the best balance of cost and capacity. Cargo Mexico manages full container loads (FCL) and less-than-container loads (LCL) through Mexico’s four primary commercial seaports.
Whether you’re importing goods into Mexico or exporting Mexican products to international markets, our ocean freight team handles every step — booking, documentation, port handling, and Mexico customs clearance.
18–22 days
Asia-Mexico transit
Why Choose Cargo Mexico
Port of Manzanillo — Pacific Gateway
Manzanillo is Mexico's busiest container port and the primary entry point for transpacific cargo. Located on the Pacific coast of Colima state, it handles roughly 3.5 million TEUs annually. It's the n
Port of Veracruz — Gulf Hub
Veracruz is Mexico's oldest and most storied commercial port, handling trade from the US Gulf, Europe, and South America. It's the primary ocean gateway for cargo destined for Mexico City, Puebla, and
Port of Altamira — Industrial Specialist
Located in Tamaulipas near the Monterrey industrial corridor, Altamira specializes in bulk cargo, petrochemicals, and breakbulk shipments. It's less congested than Manzanillo and well-suited for indus
Port of Lázaro Cárdenas — Pacific Alternative
Lázaro Cárdenas is a deep-water port in Michoacán state, increasingly popular for transpacific cargo as an alternative to congested Manzanillo. It has a direct CPKC rail connection to the US Midwest —
Ocean Freight Transit Times
Transit times vary by origin and destination port. Here are typical ranges:
US West Coast → Manzanillo: 3–6 days
US West Coast → Lázaro Cárdenas: 3–5 days
US Gulf Coast → Veracruz: 2–4 days
What We Handle
Our ocean freight team manages the full shipment lifecycle:
- Booking & carrier selection — We work with all major lines serving Mexican ports: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Evergreen, ONE, and more
- Bill of lading preparation — Accurate documentation that meets SAT requirements
- Export documentation — Commercial invoice, packing list, EEI filing, and COVE where required
- Port handling coordination — Container tracking from origin port to Mexican port of entry
- Customs clearance in Mexico — Pedimento filing, duty calculation, and SAT compliance
- Inland delivery — Drayage and trucking from port to final destination within Mexico
Cargo Types We Ship by Ocean
Ocean freight to Mexico handles an enormous range of cargo. We regularly move:
For perishable goods requiring refrigeration, we handle reefer containers through all major Mexican ports.
- Consumer goods and retail merchandise
- Industrial machinery and equipment
- Automotive parts and components
- Electronics and appliances
- Food and agricultural products (ambient and temperature-controlled)
- Chemical and petrochemical products (with proper documentation)
- Steel, metals, and construction materials
- Project cargo and out-of-gauge loads
Related Services
Air Freight Mexico
Time-sensitive cargo via Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana. Express and standard.
Cross-Border Trucking
FTL and LTL across Laredo, El Paso/Juárez, Tijuana/Otay Mesa, and all major US-Mexico crossings.
Mexico Customs Clearance
Pedimento filing, SAT compliance, import duty calculation, and documentation management.
USMCA Trade Compliance
Rules of origin analysis, certificates of origin, and preferential duty claims.
Door-to-Door Mexico
Complete origin-to-destination freight — pickup, customs clearance, and inland delivery.
Ready to Move Freight to or from Mexico?
Tell us about your shipment. Our team responds with a tailored quote within hours.