Shipping to Mexico

[Apex_Speed]

Does anyone here have experience shipping knives to Mexico? I would use FedEx priority international. I’m not concerned with insurance as I have a shipping policy.

I would not be shipping autos, or OTFs.

The question generally is if there are issues with Mexican customs taking them. There laws are vague but prohibit swords, autos, and carrying knives with blades over 4”. Some sources state that carry of any knife is prohibited but that you can posses larger knives and daggers in your home.

Thanks for any input as I have googled myself to the brink of sanity.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

Mexico is a failed state where agents of the state are more likely to screw you over than help you. The old Mexican knife forums I used to participate in years ago were filled with a mix of horror & success stories. A big factor is luck and location, unfortunately.

Legally speaking, Mexicans have the right to own weapons inside of their homes for self-defense, collecting, etc. EXCEPT weapons that are used by the Mexican Army(lately expanded to include ANY army). As far as blades, this includes sabers, bayonets and spears because when that law was established Mexico was in the middle of a revolution and they were still viable weapons.

As far as carrying: do not carry any blades if you are in Mexico. You can get in trouble with local police including getting fined, arrested and surely having your property "confiscated" (which I call stolen). Even a little swiss army knife. Only carry if you have a good reason to carry(going camping maybe?), carry something dirt cheap and not tactical looking and bear in mind it is up to the police officer to decide if you have a good reason to have it or not. More likely than not if you have a blade they will take it from you.

As far as importing a knife from other countries: legally(last I checked) you do not need special permission IF you are importing less than 5 pieces and they do not fall under the prohibitions mentioned above. HOWEVER, like I said, the agents of the state and mail services are likely to screw you over and request SEDENA permits that are not applicable, confiscate your property, etc.

This is what the official customs site says:

http://omawww.sat.gob.mx/aduanas/importando_exportando/guia_importacion/Documents/Importacion_armas_Mx.pdf

My personal experience:

Many years ago(circa 2008) I bought a Cold Steel Recon Tanto online and had it shipped to a US address close to the border. I wanted to do the right thing and verify if it was ok for me to take it to Mexico. I printed a picture of the knife along with an older version of the document above. I went to the Mexican customs, parked, and asked them with picture and document in hand if it was ok for me to bring it back to Mexico. Those prepotent illiterates said they didn't know. One suggested to just hide it under the seats(lol?) and their supervisor who didn't give a shit just said it was prohibited. So

Good luck.

 

[jakemex]

Don’t waste your time trying to ship knives to Mexico, FedEx or otherwise. They won’t ship it. If mailed everything is opened and inspected anyway. If they like anything in the package it’ll go missing. I have lived in central Mexico as a permanent resident 27 years.

Another interesting item of info is that I have a mail drop on the border where I have most things shipped to me to pick up personally and bring across. The big river site at times will not ship items to that address due to proximity to the border. Not just knives but other items of interest. IMHO don’t bother.

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

I've heard all the stories about not being able to carry pocket knives in Mexico but I have seen both Spyderco's and the full line of Swiss Armies for sale in stores down there. Most public markets will also have that one guy with all kinds of folders including autos for sale too. Very mixed signals but I know being a gringo changes everything if you are stopped.

 

[jakemex]

I've heard all the stories about not being able to carry pocket knives in Mexico but I have seen both Spyderco's and the full line of Swiss Armies for sale in stores down there. Most public markets will also have that one guy with all kinds of folders including autos for sale too. Very mixed signals but I know being a gringo changes everything if you are stopped.

Guilty until proven innocent. Just because they have them for sale, doesn’t mean much. Armas of military caliber and armas blancas are prohibited to Mexicans too. Anyway these days the police may or may not be too. (Plain old screwdrivers are at times considered a weapon of choice)

 

[jakemex]

The importer would know best. No way is it advisable to do it in checked baggage.

 

[Apex_Speed]

OK. Thank you for the insight.

 

[Legendary_Jarl]

Guilty until proven innocent. Just because they have them for sale, doesn’t mean much. Armas of military caliber and armas blancas are prohibited to Mexicans too. Anyway these days the police may or may not be too. (Plain old screwdrivers are at times considered a weapon of choice)

As far as firearms are concerned military grade weaponry is restricted. In order to legally purchase approved firearms you have to go through the army store in Mexico City. You have to be employed, be over 18, pass background check, etc. I remember they call it DCAM. Armas blancas(blades) we can own, the only restriction is military sabers, bayonets and spears. But they cannot be carried outside of your home unless you have a demonstrated need: hunting(must have hunting club membership, etc.), camping, having a street fruit cart business lol, etc.

Essentially you're at the mercy of illiterate, power hungry, prepotent, corrupt @$$hole thieves. Orcs. And GOD FORBID you injure or kill actual criminals in self-defense in any way because the full force of the government will fall upon you. I guess they don't like their family & friends harmed.

Now if you wanna be an actual criminal the current government has an official policy of "hugs, not bullets" and the president himself will shake hands with your mother for the good job she's done with you.

Trash government of orcs. I'm pissed off now lol.

 

[Triton]

Only ship to Mexico what you can afford to lose. I had a friend with a son down there for a couple of years. They had to ship him new shoes one at a time...