Import: Right to Import

The right to import in most countries is easily achieved with few requirements.

All commercial imports into Mexico, whether they are temporary or permanent, can be executed by a qualified and authorized Mexican customs broker.

For tax purposes, all Mexican importers must register and be listed with the official list of importers (padrón de importadores), maintained by the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público or SHCP). The SHCP also maintains the Registry of Importers of Specific Sectors (Padrón de Importadores de Sectores Específicos). The Registry of Importers and Exporters is available here.

To be eligible to import more than 400 different items (including agricultural products, textiles, chemicals, electronics, and auto parts), Mexican importers must apply to the SHCP to be listed in these sector registries. US exporters have occasionally encountered problems when products are added to the list without notice or importers are summarily dropped from the registry without prior notice or subsequent explanation. It is important to keep in mind that, in many cases, releasing goods from Mexican customs can take more time than expected.

To complete the registration process, the importer is required to have an Advanced Electronic Signature Certificate issued by the Tax Administration Service (Servicio de Administración Tributaria or SAT) and an active number in the Federal Taxpayer Registration (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes or RFC).

Mexican importers and exporters can dispatch their goods through an authorized legal representative who meets certain technical requirements and who has a certain degree of experience. Mexican customs brokers can clear products through the National Customs Agency of Mexico (Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México or ANAM) but keep in mind that Mexico’s customs regulations are very strict and require total compliance with all requirements by official importers.

Note: Created by governmental decree in July of 2021, the National Customs Agency of Mexico (Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México or ANAM) is a decentralized administrative agency of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público or SHCP). This decree did not take effect immediately and further legislative reforms are required. The SHCP has 180 calendar days to draft implementing regulations to execute this change. Information in the above article is subject to change. Importers and exporters are advised to obtain the most current information from a customs broker, freight forwarder, logistics professional, or the local customs authorities.

Note: The above information is subject to change. Importers are advised to obtain the most current information from a customs broker, freight forwarder, logistics professionals, or local customs authorities.

Sources: International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce