Can I send medicine to Mexico?
Yes, with conditions.
Needs a COFEPRIS sanitary import permit, with the prescription, if customs holds it. Free for ordinary medicines. Unidentifiable pills or powders can't use the courier lane.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo can't carry prescription drugs. Over-the-counter medicine and vitamins follow the destination's own rules.
More rules for Mexico
Allowed with conditions
- Medicines and medical devices
- If customs holds them, the buyer or the person named on the prescription (or a relative or proxy with proof) must get a COFEPRIS sanitary import permit, with the quantity matching the prescription. Free for ordinary medicines and up to 10 business days; controlled medicines carry a fee and take up to 14.
- Food supplements and packaged food
- COFEPRIS may require a sanitary import permit if customs holds them (fee, up to 5 business days). Products of animal or plant origin must also meet SENASICA rules.
- Pills, powders, and liquids customs can't identify
- Goods that would need lab analysis to identify can't clear in the courier's simplified lane, whatever their quantity or value. Keep medicines and cosmetics in labeled original packs.
Quantity limits
- Medicines
- Travelers may carry medicines for personal use, with a prescription for psychotropics. Shipped medicines held at customs need a COFEPRIS permit.
Before you ship to Mexico
- Tax-free limit
- Only boxes sent from the US or Canada get a tax-free amount: a customs value up to USD 50 (about MXN 880) pays no duty or IVA, only the customs processing fee (DTA), as long as the goods need no permit. From every other country there is no tax-free amount, and the 33.5% flat courier rate applies from the first dollar. Gifts and used personal items get no separate allowance.
- Receiver ID
- RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), or CURP if the receiver has no RFC needed. Customs rules have the courier declare the receiver's RFC on the simplified courier entry. If none is given, the courier must enter its own RFC instead, but it may still ask the receiver for an RFC or CURP before delivery. Customs rules also allow a CURP for private individuals such as students and homemakers, and a generic RFC for foreigners, so a newcomer without either should ask the courier what it needs before shipping.
- Transit
- 2-4 business days from the US or Canada; 3-6 from Europe; 4-7 from Asia
Questions
Can I send medicine to Mexico?
Yes, with conditions. Needs a COFEPRIS sanitary import permit, with the prescription, if customs holds it. Free for ordinary medicines. Unidentifiable pills or powders can't use the courier lane.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA)
Productos prohibidos (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios (COFEPRIS)
Importación de medicamentos para consumo personal (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Servicio de Administración Tributaria (Diario Oficial de la Federación, December 27, 2025)
Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior para 2026 y Anexo 13 (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM)
Mensajería y paquetería (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM)
Menaje de casa (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Cámara de Diputados del H. Congreso de la Unión
Ley de los Impuestos Generales de Importación y de Exportación (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Cámara de Diputados del H. Congreso de la Unión
Ley del Impuesto al Valor Agregado (opens in a new tab) - 8.
Cámara de Diputados del H. Congreso de la Unión
Ley Aduanera (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Mexico makes the final decision on every box.