Electronics: the easiest yes.
If there's one category where the answer is almost always “bring it”, it's electronics. They're small for their value, and the same models listed for noticeably more in Mexico when we checked in October 2026.
Updated
- TVs: Samsung's 65" U8000 listed at MXN 13,499 (≈$747) at Liverpool vs $429.99 at Best Buy — 1.7×.
- Laptops and consoles: MacBook Air M5 ≈$1,660 vs $1,299; PS5 1 TB ≈$813 vs $649.99.
- Each traveller can bring up to 2 laptops, 2 tablets, 3 phones and 1 console duty-free as baggage; anything in a menaje needs brand, model and serial number on the inventory.
TVs, a laptop and a console
Even with a 15% crating premium for TVs, shipping cost is a fraction of the price gap.
| Item | U.S. new | Est. resale | Mexico price | Cost to bring | Verdict | Ship if under |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Samsung 55" TV | $350 | $140 | $552 | $92 | Ship | $52.42/cu ft |
Samsung 65" TV | $430 | $172 | $747 | $130 | Ship | $50.94/cu ft |
Samsung 75" TV | $550 | $220 | $812 | $177 | Ship | $37.81/cu ft |
MacBook Air 13" M5 | $1,299 | $844 | $1,660 | carry | Take | always |
PlayStation 5 (1 TB) | $650 | $390 | $813 | carry | Take | always |
Prices checked 2026-10-01 at Liverpool and Best Buy; MXN converted at 18.071 (Banxico FIX 2026-09-29). Laptop resale ≈65% after two years (Swappa vs Apple launch prices); console 60% and TV 40% resale are our assumptions — no reliable public data. Volumes approximate.
The price gap, model by model
| Item | Mexico (MXN) | ≈ USD | U.S. (USD) | MX ÷ US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 55" U8000 | 9,969 | 552 | 349.99 | 1.58 |
| Samsung 65" U8000 | 13,499 | 747 | 429.99 | 1.74 |
| Samsung 75" (U8200 MX / U8000 US) | 14,679 | 812 | 549.99 | 1.48 |
| MacBook Air 13" M5 16 GB / 512 GB | 29,999 | 1,660 | 1,299 | 1.28 |
| PlayStation 5, 1 TB | 14,699 | 813 | 649.99 | 1.25 |
U.S. prices before sales tax.
What you can carry duty-free
Under Mexico's 2026 customs rules (RGCE rule 3.2.3), each passenger's duty-free baggage can include, among other things:
- 2 cameras, 3 cell phones, 2 tablets and 2 laptops
- 1 game console and 5 games
- 1 portable printer and 1 portable projector
- 2 musical instruments
- Plus a general allowance of goods worth up to USD 500 per person, by land, air or sea.
Everything else comes in with your menaje de casa, where consulates require brand, model and serial number for each electronic item on the Spanish inventory. Your MenajeFlow inventory has a brand field — add model and serial in the notes as you go.
Practical tips
- Voltage: laptop and phone chargers are usually rated 100–240 V, and Mexico uses 127 V / 60 Hz with U.S.-style plugs, so most U.S. electronics work without adapters.
- TVs: keep the original box if you can, or budget for crating; our calculator adds a 15% fragile premium to shipping.
- Selling instead: if you do sell, phones and laptops hold value well — Swappa sale prices for 2-year-old Apple devices were around 65% of launch price.
Check your device
Enter what you paid and the Mexican price you found.
Bringing it costs less than selling and buying again.
5 cu ft · Send it with your mover or freight.
Bring it = shipping (volume × rate, + fragile premium) + insurance + duties. Sell & replace = Mexico replacement price − U.S. resale after fees. The cheaper net cost wins.
Duties default to 0%. Some movers may qualify for a household-goods (menaje de casa) exemption; eligibility and rules vary. Confirm with a Mexican consulate or licensed customs broker — MenajeFlow is not legal or customs advice.
Add your items in minutes and get a take / ship / sell / replace plan with every assumption visible. Free, no account.
Questions people ask
Are TVs more expensive in Mexico?
In our October 2026 checks, yes: the same Samsung U8000 models listed 1.5–1.7× their Best Buy price at Liverpool (for example MXN 13,499, about $747, for a 65" vs $429.99).
How many laptops and phones can I bring into Mexico duty-free?
Mexico's 2026 customs rules allow each passenger 2 laptops, 2 tablets, 3 cell phones and 2 cameras, plus 1 game console with 5 games, as duty-free baggage, along with a USD 500 general allowance.
Do I need serial numbers for my menaje de casa inventory?
Yes. Mexican consulates require the brand, model and serial number of each electronic item and appliance on the Spanish inventory.
Sources
Every price and rule on this page comes from these sources, checked on the date shown. Prices change; tell us if you find a better one.
- 01Liverpool — Samsung UN-55U8000 (MXN 9,969) — checked 2026-10-01
- 02Best Buy — Samsung UN55U8000F ($349.99) — checked 2026-10-01
- 03Liverpool — Samsung UN-65U8000 (MXN 13,499) — checked 2026-10-01
- 04Best Buy — Samsung UN65U8000F ($429.99) — checked 2026-10-01
- 05Liverpool — Samsung UN-75U8200HF (MXN 14,679) — checked 2026-10-01
- 06Best Buy — Samsung UN75U8000F ($549.99) — checked 2026-10-01
- 07Liverpool — MacBook Air 13" M5 16/512 (MXN 29,999) — checked 2026-10-01
- 08Best Buy — MacBook Air 13" M5 16/512 ($1,299) — checked 2026-10-01
- 09Liverpool — PS5 1 TB (MXN 14,699) — checked 2026-10-01
- 10Best Buy — PS5 Slim 1 TB ($649.99) — checked 2026-10-01
- 11Banco de México — tipo de cambio FIX — checked 2026-10-01
- 12Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior 2026 (SAT compilation) — checked 2026-10-01
- 13Consulado de México en San Diego — Certificado de menaje de casa (mexicanos) — checked 2026-10-01
- 14WorldStandards — Mexico plugs and voltage — checked 2026-10-01
- 15Swappa — iPhone 16 Pro average sale prices — checked 2026-10-01
- 16Swappa — MacBook Air M3 13" average sale prices — checked 2026-10-01
MenajeFlow gives planning estimates. It is not a moving company, customs broker or legal adviser — confirm customs requirements with your Mexican consulate and a licensed customs broker.