Frequently asked questions
What people ask us most before bringing a shipment to Cancun or the Riviera Maya, answered plainly.
About Riviera Essentials
What is Riviera Essentials?
A 3PL and 4PL logistics operator based in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. We move, clear, insure, store and deliver cargo for companies operating in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
Which cities do you serve?
Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum and the rest of Quintana Roo. We bring cargo from anywhere in the world through Mexico's seaports, airports and border crossings.
What kind of companies do you work with?
Hotels, developers and builders, restaurants and retailers, as well as manufacturing, healthcare, energy and technology companies. Most of them buy outside the state or the country and need it to arrive complete and on time.
Do you handle small shipments?
Yes. One box by air or half a pallet in a consolidated load gets the same attention as a full container.
Quotes and timing
How do I request a quote?
Write to us through the form, by email or on WhatsApp with three things: what it is, where it's coming from and when you need it. We answer within 24 hours with route, timing and cost in writing.
What information do you need to quote?
A description of the goods, weight and dimensions (or number of packages), origin, destination and required date. If you have the proforma invoice or the packing list, even better.
How long does a shipment take to reach Cancun?
As a door-to-door reference: 30 to 45 days by sea from Asia, 20 to 30 from Europe, 7 to 12 by ground from the United States, 2 to 4 from central Mexico and 3 to 7 by air.
What happens if my cargo is delayed?
We tell you as soon as we know, with the cause and the new date, and look for an alternative: another sailing, an air leg for what's urgent, or a partial delivery.
Cargo and documents
Which documents travel with a shipment?
Commercial invoice, packing list and transport document: ocean bill of lading, air waybill or the Mexican carta porte. Depending on the product, add certificate of origin, permits and standards certificates.
Which Incoterm suits me?
It depends on how much control you want. With EXW or FCA you control transport from the factory; with CIF the supplier pays freight to the Mexican port, but you don't choose the carrier or the timing; with DAP it reaches your door uncleared. Tell us how your supplier quoted and we'll tell you what's left to pay.
Which port does cargo for Cancun come through?
It depends on origin. From Asia, Manzanillo or Lázaro Cárdenas and then by truck; from Europe and the US East Coast, Veracruz, Altamira or Progreso; air cargo, Cancun's airport; and smaller regional shipments, Puerto Morelos.
Do I need insurance if the carrier is already liable for the cargo?
Yes. A carrier's liability has a legal limit calculated by weight or per package, which almost never reaches the real value of the goods. Cargo insurance covers that gap.
Services
What do you need to bring in?
Tell us what it is, where it's coming from and when. Within 24 hours you'll have route, timing and cost in writing.