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Cash on delivery in Mexico: a guide for Shopify stores

By the COD Confirmation teamUpdated 2 min read

In Mexico, many shoppers prefer to pay in cash, either at a convenience store such as OXXO before shipping or with pago contra entrega when the parcel arrives. If you offer cash on delivery, confirm every order on WhatsApp in Spanish before shipping, collect a complete address with colonia and postal code, and offer OXXO or card payment to customers who are happy to prepay.

Key takeaways

  • Cash payments are popular in Mexico, through OXXO or on delivery.
  • Confirm every contra entrega order on WhatsApp in Spanish before shipping.
  • Collect colonia, postal code and references with the address.
  • Offer a prepaid option (OXXO, card) in the confirmation for customers who prefer it.

How cash on delivery works in Mexico

Mexico has a strong cash culture. Customers who don’t want to pay by card online usually choose between paying at a convenience store (OXXO and others) before the order ships, or pago contra entrega, paying the carrier on arrival. Contra entrega converts best with first-time buyers from ads, but it’s also where returns happen.

Why contra entrega orders get returned

  • Impulse purchases from Facebook, Instagram and TikTok ads.
  • Customers who aren’t home when the carrier arrives.
  • Incomplete addresses missing the colonia, postal code or references.
  • Long delivery times outside the main metropolitan areas.
  • Fake and duplicate orders.

Carriers and delivery

Mexican stores use national carriers such as Estafeta and last-mile companies such as 99minutos and J&T Express, among others. Not every carrier offers cash on delivery everywhere, so check COD availability, coverage by state, fees and payout times.

Confirming COD orders in Mexico

A short Spanish WhatsApp message confirms the order and gives you a chance to offer a prepaid option:

Spanish (Mexico)
¡Hola {{1}}! 👋 Gracias por tu pedido en {{2}}. Pedido: {{3}} Total a pagar contra entrega: {{4}} Envío a: {{5}} Por favor confirma tu pedido para enviarlo.
✅ Confirmar pedido
❌ Cancelar pedido

Tips for Mexican stores:

  • Ask for colonia, postal code and references (“entre calles”, “portón negro”) if they’re missing.
  • Offer OXXO or card payment in the reply for customers who prefer to prepay.
  • Ship confirmed orders quickly, and share tracking.
  • Call high-value orders that don’t reply, using a short call script.

More Spanish messages: WhatsApp COD confirmation templates. Also selling in Colombia? See cash on delivery in Colombia.

Checklist for contra entrega stores in Mexico

  • Confirm every COD order on WhatsApp before shipping.
  • Collect colonia, postal code and references.
  • Offer prepaid alternatives (OXXO, card) to reduce risk.
  • Check carrier COD coverage for each state you sell to.
  • Track returns by state, product, campaign and carrier.

Questions merchants ask

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Email info@usewhapi.com.

Is cash on delivery common in Mexico?
Cash on delivery is available from many stores and carriers in Mexico, especially for orders from social media ads. Many cash-paying customers also use OXXO payments, where they pay at a convenience store before the order ships.
What is the difference between OXXO payment and cash on delivery?
With OXXO payment, the customer pays in cash at a convenience store before the order ships, so the store carries no risk of refusal. With cash on delivery, the customer pays the carrier when the parcel arrives, which converts more first-time buyers but adds the risk of returns.
Which carriers offer cash on delivery in Mexico?
Options include national carriers such as Estafeta and last-mile companies such as 99minutos and J&T Express, among others. COD availability, coverage and fees vary, so check each carrier for the regions you sell to.

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