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Ocean freight··8 min read

Shipping Helicopters and Yachts: RoRo, Flat Racks, Insurance and Mexican Customs

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A helicopter changing owners, a yacht coming to spend the season on Mexico's Pacific coast, the full stage set of a touring theatre company. They're very different loads, but they share three traits: they're worth a lot, they don't fit a standard operation and a planning mistake costs more than the whole freight bill.

This guide covers how they're shipped, what to check at Mexican customs and how the cargo's value is protected from start to finish.

Regulatory information verified as of October 1, 2026.

What are the options for moving a helicopter or a yacht?

ModeHow it worksBest for
RoRoCargo rolls onto the vessel on its own wheels or on a rolling platformHelicopters and boats on trailers or platforms, on lanes with RoRo service
Flat rackA container without walls or roof; cargo is lifted and lashed onto the platformSmall and mid-size boats, hulls and pieces wider or taller than a container
40' HC containerDisassembled cargo inside a closed containerHelicopters with rotor blades removed, engines and spare parts
Lift-on/lift-off (breakbulk)Ship or port cranes lift cargo onto the deck or into the holdLarge yachts and loads that don't fit any standard equipment
Air charterA dedicated cargo aircraftUrgent moves, lanes without suitable ocean service or highly time-sensitive cargo

RoRo usually means less handling, because the unit rolls on and off without being lifted, but it depends on a regular RoRo service on your lane. A flat rack opens up more routes, since it travels on container ships, at the cost of cranage at each end. A closed container offers the most protection from the elements, but only works if the unit can be partly disassembled.

The choice depends on dimensions, weight, route and schedule. See our ocean freight and air freight services.

How is the cargo prepared for the voyage?

Preparation is where the voyage is won or lost:

  • Inspection and photos of the unit's condition before loading, with a report signed by both parties.
  • Custom cradles. A yacht travels on a cradle designed for its hull, supported at the right structural points. A helicopter needs supports and tie-downs at the points the manufacturer specifies.
  • Controlled disassembly. Rotor blades, antennas, masts or accessories are removed, protected and inventoried.
  • Fuel and batteries. Powered units with batteries may fall under dangerous goods rules; fuel is usually reduced to a minimum and batteries disconnected, as the carrier requires.
  • Protection against salt, dust and rain, such as shrink-wrap and desiccants.
  • Lifting and lashing plan reviewed by the port or carrier.

What happens at the destination port?

The job isn't over when the ship berths. At destination you need to coordinate discharge with the right equipment, an arrival inspection against the origin report, temporary storage during clearance and the final move. If the unit exceeds road size or weight limits, the ground leg may need special transit permits, lowboy trailers and, in some cases, escort vehicles. For a yacht, the final stop may be a marina or shipyard with a crane or travel lift; for a helicopter, a hangar where it's reassembled under technical supervision.

Planning these steps from the quote stage avoids demurrage and improvised handling, which are the biggest damage risks for high-value cargo. See our ground transportation service.

What insurance makes sense?

For high-value cargo, the conversation starts with all-risk coverage, which covers physical loss and damage from external causes except for the policy's express exclusions, rather than coverage limited to named perils. Three points to review:

  • Insured value backed by an invoice or appraisal.
  • On-deck cargo. Some policies restrict coverage for goods carried on deck, which is common with flat racks and breakbulk.
  • Covered legs, including handling, temporary storage and road transport.

See our cargo insurance service.

Temporary or definitive import?

This is the most important customs decision, and it depends on how the unit will be used in Mexico.

Yachts and recreational boats. Article 106, section V, of Mexico's Customs Law, in its current text, allows temporary import of recreational and sports boats such as launches, yachts or touring sailboats over four and a half meters long, including their trailers, for up to five years, provided the requirements of the Regulations are met. This term has changed with recent amendments, so confirm it before planning the stay. SAT states that the temporary import permit for these boats is processed through Banjercito. If the boat will stay in Mexico permanently or be used commercially, the right path is a definitive import with a customs entry (pedimento) and payment of taxes, followed by flagging and registration with the maritime authority; confirm current requirements with the relevant Port Captaincy.

Helicopters and aircraft. An aircraft that will stay in Mexico is imported definitively with a pedimento filed by a customs broker. To obtain Mexican nationality and registration marks, the Mexican Aeronautical Registry Regulations require, among other documents, notice of cancellation of the foreign registration or confirmation of non-registration issued by the origin country's aviation authority, the temporary or definitive import pedimento and validation of the aircraft's type certificate. Registration is handled before Mexico's Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC). Aircraft and helicopters in military configuration also appear in the agreement on goods regulated by the Ministry of National Defense and require its permit.

Our partner licensed customs broker can walk you through both paths; see our customs brokerage service.

How is touring equipment moved internationally?

Touring productions, such as theatre companies, concerts or exhibitions, carry sets, lighting, sound, costumes and props that enter a country, are used for a few days and leave for the next stop. Paying definitive import taxes in every country makes no sense; that's what the ATA Carnet is for, an international customs document for temporary admission.

What to know for Mexico:

  • Mexico accepts ATA Carnets for professional equipment, commercial samples and exhibitions and fairs since May 16, 2011, according to the U.S. carnet issuer.
  • The Mexico City Chamber of Commerce (CANACO) was appointed as the country's guaranteeing and issuing organization, according to the International Chamber of Commerce.
  • Mexican customs requires a Spanish translation of the general list of goods and pre-registration before arrival.
  • Only certain customs offices accept carnets, and goods may stay up to six months, extendable if requested before expiry. Confirm the current list of customs offices before deciding where the tour enters.

When an ATA Carnet doesn't apply, Mexico's Customs Law has other temporary import options your customs broker can assess.

In tour logistics, the calendar rules: load-in and load-out dates, back-to-back cities, air and road legs, and an inventory that must leave the country exactly as it entered. Kold Gold coordinated tour logistics for the Black Light Theatre of Prague, a Czech black light theatre company that tours internationally, including Mexico.

Which documents should be ready?

DocumentWhat it's for
Invoice or bill of saleProving ownership and value
Origin registrationIdentifying the unit; for aircraft, handling deregistration
Spec sheet with dimensions and weightsChoosing the mode, cradle and lifting plan
Insurance policyCovering the real value on every leg
ATA Carnet or temporary permitFor tours or temporary stays
Special permitsIf the unit has a military configuration or controlled equipment

Checklist for high-value cargo

  1. Dimensions, weights and lifting points confirmed with the manufacturer.
  2. Mode chosen based on route and schedule.
  3. Cradle, supports and protection defined before pickup.
  4. All-risk insurance with legs and on-deck terms reviewed.
  5. Customs regime (temporary, definitive or ATA Carnet) decided before shipping.
  6. AFAC or maritime registration planned if the unit stays in Mexico.

How Kold Gold handles it

We've moved helicopters, yachts and the touring logistics of the Black Light Theatre of Prague. We design the operation from the spec sheet: RoRo, flat rack, container, breakbulk or air charter; inspection and pickup at origin; cargo insurance available; clearance through our partner licensed customs broker; and delivery with GPS tracking on the ground leg. We operate in the world's busiest international ports and at every customs office in Mexico.

We speak your language: multilingual agents who coordinate with the seller, the marina, the hangar or the production, and with you.

Visit our high-value and special project logistics page, review our track record or get a quote with our freight quote tool. Message us on WhatsApp or call +52 55 8897 4255 (Mexico) or +1 (619) 359-6567 (United States). You can also email direccion@kold.gold.

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