Import Regulations in Mexico
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Import Regulations in Mexico What Is SECURUS? Second Quarter 2019 SECURUS Strategic Trade Mexico has a dynamic and competitive economy with a (USMCA) was signed by the countries’ leaders on Solutions, LLC is a global gross domestic product (GDP) of US$2.5 trillion in November 30, 2018. However, the USMCA must be 2018. Since 1994, the Mexican economy has ratified by the legislature of each country to enter into foreign trade consultancy. quadrupled in size. It is now the fifteenth largest force. As of the second quarter of 2019, NAFTA is still economy in the world and the second largest in Latin in place and its provisions have not changed. America. We operate on the front Mexico’s open and highly diversified market offers lines of the global economy. In 2017, Mexico was the thirteenth largest importer in many opportunities for businesses wishing to import We maintain up-to-date the world. Its total value of import goods was US$432 their goods to Mexico. However, in order to take billion. During that year, Mexico was a leading global advantage of preferential trade arrangements and information on foreign trade importer of electrical machinery (US$86 billion), avoid fines for non-compliance, importers must be regulatory changes, the industrial machinery (US$71 billion), motor vehicles informed of the complexities of Mexico’s foreign trade trading environment, and and parts (US$42 billion), oil and mineral fuels (US$36 system. billion), and plastics (US$23 billion). Mexico’s top trade challenges in virtually import partners are the United States (US$194 billion in Laws & Regulations every corner of the globe. imports), China (US$74 billion), Japan (US$18 billion), Germany (US$16 billion), and South Korea (US$15 The Foreign Trade Act (last amended in 2006) billion). empowers the Mexican government to promote and We help traders of all sizes regulate foreign trade with the goals of increasing Mexico is party to more international trade agreements enter and navigate the Mexico’s competitiveness in the global market, making than any other country in the world. These include the complex world of foreign efficient use of Mexico’s natural resources, protecting North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Mexico’s producers from unfair trade practices, and Mexico-EU Free Trade Agreement, the Mexico-Japan trade regulation. We work increasing the well-being of Mexico’s citizens. with major multinational Economic Partnership Agreement, the Pacific Alliance, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement enterprises, small for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Due to businesses, and Mexico’s participation in these agreements, many In order to take advantage of individuals—anyone looking products, materials, parts, and components can enter preferential trade agreements to move their goods across the Mexican market free of duties, and products manufactured in Mexico can enter other markets under and avoid fines for non- borders. preferential terms. Mexico’s open market makes it an compliance, importers must be attractive investment destination for businesses informed of the complexities of seeking to establish regional and global supply chains. SECURUS is also a partner Mexico’s foreign trade system. to governments in NAFTA underwent trilateral renegotiations in 2017-18. promoting a fair, safe, and The resulting U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement secure global foreign trade Other Import Laws and Regulations Include... What They Do... landscape. Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives (last amended in Regulates imports of arms, munitions, gunpowder, and 2015) explosive devices and substances SECURUS has the Regulates imports of vegetables, their products and sub- products, transport vehicles, machinery, materials, and solutions to your trade Federal Plant Health Law (last amended in 2017) equipment that may be susceptible to carrying diseases, challenges and compliance and pathogens that may pose a phytosanitary threat needs. SECURUS is your Regulates imports of animals, animal products, and related Federal Animal Health Law (last amended in 2018) port of entry to the world. merchandise Regulatory Law of Constitutional Article 27 on Nuclear Issues Regulates imports of radioactive material and ionizing (last amended in 2012) radiation-generating devices To learn more, please Federal Law for the Control of Chemical Substances Regulates imports of toxic and precursor chemicals used in contact us at: Susceptible to Diversion for the Manufacture of Chemical manufacturing of chemical weapons and related facilities, Weapons (last amended in 2009) technology, and equipment [email protected] Regulates trade in medical equipment, prostheses, diagnostic agents, surgical materials, narcotics, General Health Law (last amended in 2018) psychotropic substances, medical radioactive sources, human organs and blood, and related items www.SECURUSTrade.com Federal Law for the Control of Chemical Precursors, Regulates trade in chemical precursors, essential chemical Essential Chemical Products and Machines to Prepare products, and machines used to prepare pills and other Capsules, Pills and/or Compressed Products (last amended twitter.com/SECURUSTrade compressed products in 2018) The Customs Law (last amended in 2018) and the Secretariat of Economy Issues General The Foreign Trade Act provides the Mexican its implementing regulations, the Customs Law Rules and Criteria Regarding Foreign Trade. federal government with foreign trade-related Regulations (last amended in 2017), establish These items include tires for rethreading and powers. These include: customs procedures for the entry of goods, laboratory tests, articles of clothing, used merchandise, and transport vehicles to Mexico. vehicles, agricultural products originating in • Regulating, restricting, and prohibiting the certain countries or imported under certain free importation of specific goods pursuant to Each year, Mexico’s Tax Administration Service trade agreements, and raw diamonds. other laws relating to national security, the (SAT) issues the General Foreign Trade Rules environment, and public health through pursuant to the Customs Law. The rules agreements published in the Official establish import requirements and provide Gazette of the Federation; details concerning import processes and The Secretariat of Economy procedures. proposes tariffs and non- • Creating, increasing, reducing, or eliminating tariffs on products; and Additionally, the Mexican government issues tariff restrictions on the agreements (acuerdos) with competent importation of foreign trade • Establishing measures to regulate or regulatory bodies to regulate, restrict, or prohibit goods and issues permits trade in certain items. These agreements contain restrict imports. import control lists detailing the items subject to for imports of certain The Foreign Trade Act is implemented by the import licensing. merchandise subject to Foreign Trade Act Regulations (last amended in Import tariffs and customs procedures are control. 2014). The regulations identify the specific updated regularly, and import control lists often functions of government bodies relevant to feature commonly traded products and foreign trade and requirements for foreign trade merchandise. Therefore, it is crucial that traders procedures. The Foreign Trade Commission (COCEX) is an interested in the Mexican market remain aware interagency body that operates under the SE. It The Law of General Taxes on Imports and of any changes in Mexico's statutes and must review and issue opinions in the Official Exports (last amended in 2018) establishes agreements, as they will affect the tariff rates Gazette of the Federation on any proposed tariffs on goods and merchandise imported to and licenses that apply to imports of goods or import restrictions, prohibitions, and regulations, Mexico. merchandise to Mexico. import quotas, rules of origin, safeguard measures, and non-tariff measures such as the Regulatory Bodies requirement of permits for certain transactions. COCEX recommendations can influence The Foreign Trade Act The Secretariat of Economy (SE) proposes Mexican import regulations, although its tariffs and non-tariff restrictions on the decisions are not binding. empowers the Mexican importation of foreign trade goods, procedures government to promote and regarding unfair trade practices, safeguard The General Customs Administration (AGA), measures, and countervailing measures. within the SAT, executes Mexican customs laws, regulate foreign trade. approves the entry of all goods and merchandise SE also issues permits for imports of certain to Mexico, ensures that imports comply with merchandise subject to control. These items are Mexican laws, and collects any import taxes and found in Annex 2.2.1 of the Agreement by Which duties that apply. Other Regulatory Bodies Include... What They Do... Monitors and controls activities and industrial and commercial operations dealing with arms, munitions, and explosives Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) Issues permits for imports of arms, munitions, and explosives Assists in the customs clearance process for arms, munitions, and explosives National Commission of Nuclear Security and Safeguards, Secretariat of Energy (SENER) Issues permits for imports of nuclear materials and fuels and radioactive waste National Investigation and Security Center (CISEN), National Authority (NA), Coordinates the application of the Federal Law for the Control of Chemical Secretariat of the Interior (SEGOB) Substances Susceptible