Menaje doméstico, step by step.

Who can use it

• —Mexican nationals repatriated (deported) or returning voluntarily from the United States (DOF 17-07-2025; RGCE 2026 rule 3.2.11). It is not available to foreigners or to people coming from other countries — they use the traditional menaje de casa.
• —It can be used once (“por única vez”).
• —Family members who arrive at the same time and in the same means of transport can combine their allowances (rule 3.2.11).
• —If you were deported and can't do it yourself, you can authorize a third person to handle the procedure with the INM and customs (rule 3.2.11).
• —Customs checks that you (and anyone authorized) are registered with the INM — the immigration institute is the link between the consulate and customs (rule 3.2.11; DOF 17-07-2025).

What you can bring

The 22 appliances (one of each): vacuum, mixer, coffee maker, electric heater, stereo, stove, juicer, mini-fridge, microwave, electric oven, washer, dishwasher, blender, iron, lawn mower, floor polisher, air purifier, refrigerator, sandwich maker, clothes dryer, toaster and waffle maker.

• —Not included: vehicles of any kind — a definitive vehicle import follows its own rule (3.5.1) — see bringing a car.
• —Cash: amounts above the equivalent of USD 10,000 (cash, checks, money orders) must be declared under rule 2.1.3.
• —Pets: up to three, with a SADER health certificate (rule 3.2.3).
• —If you go over the USD 1,000 allowance, the excess can still be cleared at the 19% global rate without a broker, up to USD 3,000 (rule 3.2.2) — try the allowance calculator.

Step by step

1. 01Make your list. In Spanish, typed, one line per item, grouped by room or category. Appliances need brand, model and serial number. It also needs your full name, address, and the date and customs office where you plan to cross (DOF 17-07-2025, article 7). Your MenajeFlow inventory can generate it for you.
2. 02Apply online at menajedomestico.gob.mx: click “Comenzar solicitud”, sign in with Llave MX, fill in your details and upload your proof of nationality and the list. You get a folio by email.
3. 03Or apply in person at a Mexican consulate with the same documents; they give you a folio receipt. Some consulates (e.g. Houston) take menaje requests without an appointment on weekday mornings.
4. 04Wait for approval. The consulate sends your request to the INM, which forwards it to the customs agency (ANAM) to validate the goods. The INM emails you when customs authorizes them.
5. 05Cross. Bring the authorization and your goods to the northern-border customs office you chose. Officers check the goods against the approved list, and everything has to come in a single transport and a single trip.

Timing

The Nogales consulate's menaje page says your goods can come with you, up to three months before you arrive, or up to six months after you enter Mexico. The DOF guidelines themselves don't set a window, and neither does rule 3.2.11 — so confirm the dates with your consulate when you apply. Goods must have been acquired at least six months before.

Menaje doméstico vs. the traditional menaje de casa

Rule of thumb: if your household fits in one truck and within the limits, menaje doméstico saves the consular fee and the broker. If you have a fully furnished house, several appliances of the same kind, or tools worth more than USD 5,000, the traditional route may fit better. Either way, deciding what's worth bringing first makes both cheaper — the ship-or-sell calculator does that item by item.