Shipping from Korea to Mexico in 2026: 33.5% Courier Rate, RFC, Post

A parcel from Korea to Mexico sent by a courier pays a flat "global rate" (tasa global) of 33.5% of its value, because Mexico has no trade agreement with Korea. Postal parcels follow different rules: up to US$50 per recipient they enter without import duty or IVA, and from US$50 to US$1,000 they pay a 19% global rate through Correos de México.

This guide covers both routes, what the RFC (Mexico's tax ID) has to do with your parcel, the January 2026 tariff increase on countries without trade agreements, and which Korean products cause trouble at Mexican customs.

Item	Value as of October 15, 2026
Courier global rate, goods from Korea	33.5% of the value
Courier simplified limit	US$2,500 per recipient
Postal parcels, no duty or IVA	Up to US$50 per recipient
Postal parcels with D1 form	19% global rate, up to US$1,000
IVA (VAT) on formal imports	16%
Trade agreement with Korea	None
Tariff increase, non-agreement countries	1,463 tariff lines, from January 1, 2026
RFC on courier imports	Courier's RFC used if yours is not given
HaulKorea to Mexico	Recipient pays Mexican taxes locally

This is general information, not tax advice. Mexico's customs agency, the Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM), and the tax authority (SAT) decide what each parcel owes.

Do you pay import taxes on a package from Korea to Mexico?

Usually yes, unless it is a small postal parcel. How much depends on how the parcel travels.

By courier (mensajería y paquetería). Registered courier companies can clear parcels worth up to US$2,500 per recipient using a simplified procedure. Instead of calculating duty and IVA separately, they apply one global rate to the value. Under rule 3.7.35 of Mexico's General Foreign Trade Rules (Reglas Generales de Comercio Exterior, RGCE) for 2026, that rate is 33.5%.

By post (vía postal). Parcels that arrive through Correos de México (SEPOMEX) follow the postal rule in the same RGCE. Small parcels can enter tax-free, and larger ones pay a 19% global rate.

By formal import. Above the simplified limits, or for goods that cannot use them, the import needs a customs declaration (pedimento) filed through a customs agent. Normal duty (impuesto general de importación, IGI), 16% IVA and fees apply.

How does the 33.5% courier rate work?

The global rate rose from 19% to 33.5% through the Fourth Resolution of Amendments to the 2025 RGCE, which took effect on August 15, 2025. The 2026 RGCE, published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación on December 27, 2025, keeps the 33.5% rate for 2026.

Lower rates in the same rule are tied to trade agreements:

Origin of the goods	Courier treatment
Countries without an agreement, including Korea	33.5% global rate
USMCA (T-MEC) countries, up to US$50	No IGI or IVA, if conditions are met
USMCA countries, US$50 to US$117	17% global rate
USMCA countries, over US$117	19% global rate
Some other agreement partners, up to US$1	No IGI or IVA, if conditions are met

Korean goods do not get the treaty rates. The ANAM page lists agreements and blocs such as USMCA, the EU, Japan, the Pacific Alliance and CPTPP (TIPAT), and Korea is not among them.

Worked examples by courier

Example 1: Korean skincare, US$80 value. Global rate: US$80 × 33.5% = US$26.80. The courier may add its own clearance charges.

Example 2: Korean clothing, US$300 value. Global rate: US$300 × 33.5% = US$100.50.

Example 3: The same US$300 order in two boxes. ANAM says splitting shipments to avoid duties excludes them from the simplified procedure. Splitting does not lower the rate anyway, because 33.5% applies from the first dollar.

The value used is the customs value, which is normally the price plus shipping and insurance. Ask the courier how it calculates the base before ordering.

How do postal parcels from Korea to Mexico work?

The postal rule in the 2026 RGCE is much friendlier for small orders.

Up to US$50 per recipient. The goods enter without the D1 "Formulario Postal", without a customs agent, and without paying IGI, IVA or the customs processing fee (DTA). Two conditions apply:

1. The customs value per recipient is US$50 or less.
2. The goods are not subject to non-tariff regulations and restrictions (regulaciones y restricciones no arancelarias), such as permits or official standards.

Books can enter this way regardless of quantity or value, except one tariff line that is subject to IGI.

From US$50 up to US$1,000. The goods can be imported using the D1 "Formulario Postal", still without a customs agent, by applying a 19% global rate to the value. The goods must meet any non-tariff regulations that apply. SEPOMEX hands over the parcel once it receives proof that the taxes were paid.

When the US$50 exemption does not apply. The 2026 RGCE says goods worth US$50 or less that owe contributions other than IGI, IVA or DTA must still be imported with the D1 form, paying those contributions. Alcohol and tobacco are the usual examples. Goods subject to non-tariff regulations also lose the exemption, because the second condition is not met. In both cases, the parcel waits until the payment or permit is sorted out.

Who receives the payment. For D1 imports, SEPOMEX receives proof of payment before it delivers the parcel. The 2026 RGCE also says imports made under the D1 procedure are not deductible for tax purposes, which matters only if you are buying for a business.

Correcting the D1. The 2026 RGCE says the D1 data can be corrected once before clearance, on a written request to customs or the SEPOMEX office, for the description, value, quantity or amount to pay.

Worked examples by post

Example 1: Korean stationery, US$40. Under US$50 and not restricted, so no IGI, IVA or DTA.

Example 2: Korean skincare, US$150. 19% global rate: US$150 × 19% = US$28.50, paid using the D1 form.

Example 3: The same US$150 skincare by courier. 33.5% global rate: US$50.25. The postal route pays a lower rate for the same goods, but it is not available for every shipment or speed.

What is the RFC, and do you need one for a parcel?

The RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes) is Mexico's federal taxpayer number. You will see it requested at checkout or by couriers.

For courier imports under the simplified procedure, ANAM's page says:

• If you do not give your RFC, the courier's RFC is used on the declaration.
• You do not need to be in the importers' register (Padrón de Importadores) if the observations field of the declaration includes your name and RFC, in cases where you would otherwise be required to register.

In practice, couriers often ask for the recipient's RFC or other ID to complete the declaration. Have it ready if you have one, and use the exact legal name that matches it.

Watch for frequent orders. ANAM says couriers must report to the authorities when there are more than three operations per month for the same recipient or address. Frequent shoppers should combine orders.

What changed with Mexico's 2026 tariff increase?

Mexico's Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía) announced on December 30, 2025 that a decree raising tariffs had been published in the Diario Oficial and would take effect on January 1, 2026. It covers 1,463 tariff lines in sectors including automotive, textiles, clothing, footwear, plastics, steel, home appliances, toys and furniture, from countries Mexico has no trade agreement with.

What it means for a Korean order:

• Courier simplified imports use the 33.5% global rate, which replaces separate duty and IVA calculations.
• Postal imports use the US$50 exemption or the 19% global rate.
• Formal imports above the simplified limits pay the tariff for the product, which may now be higher for Korean goods in the sectors listed, plus 16% IVA.

How is IVA calculated on a formal import?

Mexico's IVA law sets the general rate at 16%, and it applies to imports of goods. The SAT explains that the IVA base for imported goods is the value used for import duty plus the duty itself and the other contributions paid on the import.

So, on a formal import:

1. Customs value (price + shipping + insurance).
2. Add IGI at the tariff rate for the product.
3. Add other fees, such as DTA.
4. Charge 16% IVA on the total.

Most personal Korean orders fall within the courier or postal simplified procedures instead, where one global rate applies.

What Korean products are restricted in Mexico?

Powders, pills and capsules by courier. ANAM excludes goods that need laboratory analysis, such as powders, pills and capsules, from the courier simplified procedure. Korean supplements, powdered drinks and some health products fall here. Ask before ordering.

Goods subject to official standards (NOM). ANAM says goods subject to NOMs can use the courier procedure only up to US$1,000 and only if not for resale. The limit does not apply if the importer files two or more declarations for similar goods within seven days of the first. On the postal route, goods subject to non-tariff restrictions lose the US$50 exemption and must meet the rules.

Vague descriptions. ANAM says descriptions such as "regalo" (gift) or "artículos diversos" (assorted items) are not accepted, and goods declared at zero value are excluded. Each item needs a clear description and real value.

Alcohol and tobacco. These have their own, much higher global rates for goods from countries without an agreement. ANAM lists rates from 77% to 114% for alcoholic drinks and 401% to 691% for tobacco products. Ask before ordering.

Batteries, perfume, aerosols. These are limited by air transport rules. See what you cannot ship from Korea.

Product	Mexico rule	Our advice
Skincare and makeup	33.5% by courier; 19% by post above US$50	Consider postal for small orders
Clothing and shoes	33.5% by courier; sector tariffs on formal imports	Combine orders
Books, magazines	Postal entry without IGI regardless of value (with one exception)	Check the item
Supplements, powders, capsules	Excluded from courier simplified procedure	Ask before ordering
K-pop albums and merch	Normal global rate	Clear descriptions
Alcohol, tobacco	Special high rates	Ask before ordering
Perfume, batteries, sprays	Air transport limits	Ask before ordering

Should you buy direct, use a forwarder, or use a purchasing agent?

First, check whether the brand sells in Mexico or ships there itself. Some Korean beauty brands sell through Mexican retailers or global sites.

Many Korean stores sell only inside Korea. Coupang, Naver Smart Store and many fashion sites often need a Korean phone number for 본인인증 (bon-in injeung, identity verification) or a Korean card.

	Buy direct	You buy, we ship (package forwarding)	We buy for you (HaulKorea)
Who orders from the Korean store	You	You	We do, from your product link
Korean phone, card or language	Often needed	Often needed	Not needed
Item descriptions for customs	Store's	Forwarder's, from your input	Ours, from the actual receipt
Who pays Mexican taxes	You	You	You
Combine several stores	No	Yes	Yes
Photos before shipping	No	Sometimes	Yes

For Mexico, the recipient pays local taxes with all three options. HaulKorea ships duty unpaid to every country, including the US. Clear item descriptions matter in Mexico, because ANAM rejects vague ones like "regalo". We buy the item, keep the real receipt and describe each item.

More detail: purchasing agent vs package forwarding.

How do you order from Korea to Mexico through HaulKorea?

1. Find the item on a Korean site, such as Olive Young, and copy the product link.
2. Send us the link with the size, color or option you want.
3. We show one total for the item and international shipping before you pay. Mexican taxes and carrier fees are not included.
4. Pay once with PayPal. If the actual weight is lower than estimated, we refund the shipping difference. We never ask for extra payment.
5. We buy the items and can combine orders from several Korean stores into one box. See combining orders.
6. You get inspection photos before the box leaves Korea.
7. Give the carrier your RFC or ID if it asks, and pay the Mexican taxes when requested.

How can Mexican buyers keep import costs down?

Compare postal and courier. Up to US$50 by post can be tax-free. Up to US$1,000 by post pays 19%, compared with 33.5% by courier.

Do not split to stay under US$50. ANAM excludes split shipments from the simplified procedure, and frequent shipments to one address are reported.

Leave out capsules and powders. They cannot use the courier simplified procedure.

Describe everything clearly. "Gift" or "assorted items" can hold up a parcel.

Combine orders. One box means one set of carrier charges and fewer reported operations.

Shopping from the US too? See our US import duty guide.

FAQ

How much tax do I pay on a courier parcel from Korea to Mexico?

Couriers apply a global rate of 33.5% of the value for goods from Korea under the simplified procedure, up to US$2,500 per recipient. The rate replaces separate duty and IVA.

Are small parcels from Korea to Mexico tax-free?

By post, yes, if the value per recipient is US$50 or less and the goods are not subject to non-tariff restrictions. By courier, there is no tax-free amount for goods from Korea.

What is the 19% rate for postal parcels?

Postal parcels worth up to US$1,000 can be imported with the D1 "Formulario Postal" by paying a 19% global rate, without a customs agent. SEPOMEX releases the parcel after you pay.

Do I need an RFC to receive a parcel in Mexico?

Not always. ANAM says that if the importer's RFC is not given, the courier's RFC is used. Couriers may still ask for your RFC or ID, so have it ready.

Does Mexico have a trade agreement with Korea?

No. Korea is not on ANAM's list of agreement partners for courier rates, and Korea is among the countries covered by the January 2026 tariff increase on non-agreement countries.

Can I order Korean vitamins to Mexico?

Powders, pills and capsules that need laboratory analysis are excluded from the courier simplified procedure. Ask us before ordering so we can check the route.

Are Korean books and manhwa taxed in Mexico?

By post, the 2026 RGCE lets books enter without IGI, IVA or DTA regardless of quantity or value, except one tariff line that is subject to IGI. By courier, the 33.5% global rate applies to the value.

Does HaulKorea include Mexican taxes in the price?

No. For Mexico, the recipient pays local taxes and carrier fees. HaulKorea ships duty unpaid to every country, including the US.