Many people move from Northern Nevada to Mexico for retirement, work or family. The paperwork is set by Mexican authorities, and it changes, so this guide shows how to work with official sources and prepare on the Reno side.
Residency first
Your right to live in Mexico is set by Mexican immigration rules, and Mexican consulates in the United States are the first stop. The consulate can explain the visa or residency route that fits your plans and the documents they ask for. The Mexican consulate network has a site at consulmex.sre.gob.mx.
Do not ship household goods until the residency question is clear. The treatment of your belongings at the border can depend on your status.
Customs and your household goods
Mexico's customs authority, the SAT, publishes rules for bringing in personal and household effects, and the Mexican consulate can point you to the right office. Ask about vehicles, electronics, food, plants and medicines, which often carry their own conditions.
Prepare an itemized list in clear terms: what each item is, how many, and where it was bought. The home inventory builder helps you build it, and the moving inventory guide explains the principle.
Booking the move from Reno
O'Brien's arranges international moves through partner carriers. Call the office at 775-359-6683, and we will explain how your move is booked. See international moving for the overview. An estimator walks your Reno home, and the free in-home estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes to keep.
Tell the estimator what stays behind, what goes to Mexico and what you plan to sell. The three lists change the work.
- Confirm residency with the consulate.
- Check customs rules for each category of goods.
- Prepare an itemized, accurate list.
- Decide what to sell, store or donate.
What to do with a car
Vehicles follow separate rules. If you plan to drive to Mexico, read the U.S. State Department's travel information and the Mexican authorities' vehicle rules before you leave. If a car is part of the move, the shipping a car guide explains the basics.
Store, sell or ship
A move abroad is a good time to cut the load. Furniture that costs more to ship than to replace is a candidate for sale. For what stays in Nevada, vault storage in the Sparks warehouse starts from $40 per month, with about 2 to 3 weeks notice to ship. See full-service storage, and the moving overseas guide for the general picture.