Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Mexico City to Illinois

Budget: The shorter the distance, the more cost-effective it is to drive instead of ship your car. Regardless of the total distance, look at your total moving budget and how much you can afford to spend on car shipping services compared to a cross-country drive.

Yes, you can buy a car in Mexico and bring it to the U.S., but it's complex; the car must meet strict U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, requiring specific compliance letters, forms (HS-7, 3520-1), import duties (2.5%), Customs processing, state registration, and potential modifications (like MPH gauges), with the easiest imports being vehicles 25+ years old or already certified for U.S. sale.

Generally, cars are not cheaper in Mexico compared to the US, especially for comparable models, due to higher taxes (IVA), import duties, and different safety/feature standards, but the exchange rate (USD to MXN) and specific models (some not sold in the US) can sometimes create an illusion of savings or make certain niche cars more accessible. While some reports suggest lower prices, others indicate higher overall costs after factoring in fees, with a significant price gap often favoring the US market for mainstream cars.