Copyright 2014 Tuscor Lloyds Ltd
www.tuscorlloyds.com | [email protected] | +44 (0) 161 868 6000
MEXICO
INTERNATIONAL TRADE GUIDE
Capital City
Mexico City
Currency
Mexican Peso (MXN)
Int. Direct Dialing
00 52
Int. Country Code
MX
Weighths and Measures
Metric System
Time Zone
GMT -6hours
GENERAL INFORMATION
TERRITORY
Mexico is in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico,
between Belize and the United States and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between
Guatemala and the United States.
The total area of Mexico is 1,964,375sq km (slightly less than three times the size of
Texas) and is divided into 31 states and 1 federal unit.
The Tropic of Cancer divides Mexico in half, giving it a large variance in weather, Mexico
is also affected by the terrain which ranges from high, rugged mountains to low coastal
plains, high plateaus and deserts.
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
Spanish (official), various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional, indigenous languages
Major Freight Port
Tuscor Lloyds Office Locations
POPULATION
The Population of Mexico is 116,220,947 (2013)
Capital City
0-14 Years: 27.4%
15-64 Years: 65.7%
65+ Years: 6.9%
Male: 48%
Female: 52%
NATIONAL FLAG
The nation flag of Mexico is a vertical tricolour of green, white, and red with the
national coat of arms charged in the center of the white stripe. These three colours
were adopted by Mexico following independence from Spain during the country’s War
of Independence, and subsequent First Mexican Empire. The current flag was adopted
in 1968, but the overall design has been used since 1821.
IMPORT & EXPORT INFORMATION
MEXICO’S EXPORT PARTNERS
US:
78%
Other:
22%
MEXICO’S IMPORT PARTNERS
MEXICO’S GDP BY SECTOR
US:
49.9%
China:
15.4%
Services:
59.8%
Japan:
4.8%
Other:
29.9%
Agriculture:
3.6%
Industry:
36.6%
EXPORT COMMODITIES
IMPORT COMMODITIES
INDUSTRIES
Manufactured goods, oil and oil products, silver, fruits,
Metalworking machines, steel mill products, agricultural
Food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel,
vegetables, coffee, cotton.
machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly,
petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles,
repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft,
consumer durables, tourism.
and aircraft parts.
AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS
Corn, wheat, soybeans, rice, beans, cotton, coffee, fruit,
tomatoes; beef, poultry, dairy products; wood product.
Copyright 2014 Tuscor Lloyds Ltd
www.tuscorlloyds.com | [email protected] | +44 (0) 161 868 6000
SHIPPING & DOCUMENTATION INFORMATION
IMPORT RESTRICTIONS
Commercial importers in Mexico must be registered in the Registro
CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN
Not required generally for goods qualifying for tariff preference under the
Federal de Conlribuyentes (Federal Taxpayers Registry or RFC). The
EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement, for which the form EUR1 or invoice
Servicio de Administration Tributaria (SAT) issues a taxpayer ID number
declaration may be used instead, if the goods qualify under the EU
known as the RFC. The RFC number is then needed to register with
preferential trade agreement. If required a certificate of origin can be
Customs in the Padron de Importadores required for all commercial
drawn up on company letterhead as the standard EC C/O is no longer
importers. Mexican law requires that customs clearance be effected by a
acceptable to the Mexican authorities. The manufacturer’s certificate of
licensed Mexican customs broker so at the time of the electronic
origin must show the Harmonised System Tariff Classification number of
registration the importer must also designate Mexican customs brokers
the goods and includes a declaration that the document is complete and
who will be submitting entries and acting on behalf of the importer.
accurate. Exporters must also make available to the Mexican authorities,
Pharmaceuticals containing drugs are prohibited. Mexican importers must
on request, details of the producer of the goods (including the origin of
be registered with the Importers’ Registry of the Customs Administration
the various components comprising the finished article).This is in addition
and have a tax number issued by the Federal Taxpayers Registry.
to the information included in the standard EU C/O. Mexican law requires
the manufacturer’s C/O to be authorised by an approved issuing body (eg
a Chamber of Commerce). However, European law, as it stands, does not
SAMPLES
allow anything except a standard EU certificate to be authorised. All that
the chambers can do currently is attest to the company signature. It is
Samples of no commercial value may be imported free of duty. Those of
prudent for exporters to attach a Spanish translation of the completed
value are subject to the foregoing regulations or may be imported under
document.
being guaranteeing their re-export within one year.
BILL(S) OF LADING
EXCHANGE CONTROL
No special regulations. May be made out “to order”, in which case both
None
original and Customs copy should be endorsed.As long as there are no
payment or title (ownership) issues then check if the goods can move
with an express bill or on express release to avoid potential delays that
may occur when shipping with the full marine bill of lading (ie cargo
cannot be released until the original has been handed to the carrier in
your buyer’s country).
SPECIAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
2ND HAND CLOTHING
FOOD
footwear and tableware from Asian
Second-hand clothes should be
Health Certificates raised by an official
accompanied by a Fumigation Certificate.
authority in the exporter’s country are
countries, as well as steel products from the
Balkans. The various goods listed below are
restricted to entry through specific Mexican
required for food and foodstuffs, including
ports: meat of poultry in brine; apples; lard,
vegetables and fruit. The certificate is
fats and oils; beer; cigars and cigarettes;
required even if only samples of food are
ALCOHOL
matches; new pneumatic tyres of a kind
being shipped.
used on bicycles; used pneumatic tyres;
Whisky and other alcoholic spirits may
require a Certificate of Age.
footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such
PLANT LIFE
articles; bicycles; pencils; CDs, recorded and
unrecorded; sound recording equipment (CD
Plants and some, but not all, plant products
writers); textiles.
require a phytosanitary certificate.
ANIMALS
Phytosanitary controls are required for the
Animals and animal products must be
import of certain plants, seeds, potatoes,
accompanied by a Veterinary Health
seed potatoes, fruit and berries, plant
Certificate acceptable to the authorities.
propagation material products and peat that
WILDLIFE
Shipments of wildlife and wildlife products
subject to the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
could present a phytosanitary risk.
CHEMICALS
Certain chemicals will require a Certificate of
and Flora (CITES) require an import permit.
SENSITIVE PRODUCTS
Mexico has implemented a prior notification
Analysis.
requirement for sensitive products from
certain countries in order to closely monitor
the value of certain goods, such as textiles,
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MEXICAN SPECIAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS
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COMMERCIAL INVOICES
EXPORT CONTROLS
DUTIES
companies doing business with Mexico to show their
and EC regulations. Examples are military goods,
on the Harmonised System (HS). In addition to any
“Tax Identification Number” (TIN) on commercial
dual-use and military technology (including intangible
applicable duties, value added tax (IVA) and a customs
invoices. In lieu of any such TIN being in use in the UK, it
transfer of such technology, eg by e-mail or fax).These
processing fee called DTA (Derecho Tramite Actuarial)
is appropriate for UK exporters to show their VAT
are listed at the Department for Business, Innovation &
are assessed upon entry and are paid prior to customs
registration number instead.Five invoices, in Spanish or
Skills (BIS) website:
clearance. EC preferential tariff treatment granted on
English, showing name and address of consignee; place
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/departm
shipments from the EU if they meet the qualification
and date of issue; port and date of shipment; name of
ent-for-business-innovation-skills.
rules (see The European Economic Area Agreement in
Note: The Mexican Customs authorities require foreign
Certain classes of goods are controlled under National
vessel and sailing date; port and date of entry; marks;
Assessed at ad valorem on the GIF value. Tariff is based
Customs Procedures).
numbers; type; quantities per lot and total number of
Other goods not listed in the statutory instruments may
packages; gross and net weights; commercial
be controlled if their end-use involves chemical,
Mexico also has preferential trade agreements with the
specification of goods; value; country of origin; signature
biological or nuclear weapons or the means of
EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and
of seller and the following declaration:“Declaramos bajo
delivering them.
Switzerland), USA, Canada, as well as Bolivia, Chile,
Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador,
protesta de decir verdad que los valores y
especificaciones aqui descritos son ciertos coinciden
Note: For controlled military goods moved at your
Honduras, Israel, Japan, Nicaragua, Uruguay and
con los del mercado local.”(Translation: We hereby
instigation between countries outside the UK, consult
Venezuela.
certify and declare that the value and specifications on
the “trade — trafficking and brokering” rules on the BIS
this invoice are true and are the same as supplied to the
ECO website referred to above.If you need to contact
Tariff is based on the Harmonised System (HS).
local market [ie UK].)
the ECO with any export control-related queries, its
Information on the standard rates of duty on goods
contact details are: T: 020 7215 4594 / E:
entering Mexico and the preference applicable to EU
[email protected].
qualifying goods can be found on the EU Market Access
Original must be signed. Commercial invoices do not
require legalisation.If requested, invoices for goods of
Database page “Applied Tariffs Database”
non UK origin can be countersigned by an authorised
http://madb.europa.eu.
Chamber of Commerce (which requires an extra copy;
see Where to Obtain Certificates of Origin under
Additional information can be found on the Mexican
Certificates of Origin in Documents).
Customs website, at: www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx.
PACKING MATERIALS
MARKING OF GOODS
MARKING OF CASES
Protection Convention Guidelines for regulating wood
require all imported products to have a label in Spanish
kilos should appear, brush or stencil, on all packages.
packaging in international trade (ISPM#15). Exporters
on each box, package, bag, etc. This label must contain
who use wood packing, dunnage, etc in whatever form
the name of the item, number of items in the package,
should ensure that the wood is either clearly marked
full name of the exporter, country of origin and full
with the accepted international phytosanitary mark or
name and address of the importer. If there is already a
accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate.Customs
label on the package in English, another label in Spanish
official in Mexico will carry out visible checks on
must be applied.This must be in the same font type and
shipments with wood or wood packing prior to
size as the English language label. Labels on goods
determining if a full inspection is required.
registered at the Mexican Department of Health and
Mexico has implemented the International Plant
Labelling regulations are now in force in Mexico that
Sanitation must bear the number of the licence issued
by the Department. The licence number need not
appear on the outer wrapper.
Marks, numbers and gross, legal and net weights in
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PACKING CARGO FOR TRANSPORTATION TO MEXICO
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UK REGULATIONS
All goods must be declared to Customs on leaving the EU (generally arranged by the freight forwarder/carrier).
From 1st July 2009, with the introduction of increased cargo security measures, all shipments leaving the EC require a
pre-departure message to be sent to the country of destination — it is known as the ECS (Export Control System).
For goods travelling across the EU Member States to a non-EU country a new document, the Export Accompanying
Document (EAD), which will have a Movement Reference Number (MRN), came into force. Created by the Office of
Export (ie in the UK) it must be closed at the Office of Exit from the EU.
The information required differs depending on the security status of the exporter and freight companies involved, ie
whether all or some are approved under the EU’s AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) status. The export customs
declaration for shipments leaving the EC is also required giving details of the shipment including the exporter’s EORI
(Economic Operator Registration Identification number — similar to the VAT No.) commodity code, value, customs
procedure code, export licence requirements, transport and packing information.Details submitted to Customs on this
form must be notified to the freight company by the shipper and the shipper must check that the declaration has been
completed accurately to avoid customs penalties.
A copy of this official customs declaration and/or a certified transport document is
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FOR ASSISTANCE WITH SHIPMENTS
TO & FROM MEXICO
required for VAT purposes. From a UK port or airport this is via the electronic system
known as NES — the National Export System. All goods subject to Export Controls (ie
covered by an export licence — SIEL, OGEL or OIEL) coming under CAP regulations or
otherwise controlled under Customs regulations (eg under IPR/OPR, etc) must be
exported with a full declaration unless the shipper is authorised to use one of the
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simplified NES procedures.
All shipments must be given a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) made up of the
shipper’s VAT No., EORI and export reference, eg invoice number.
Copyright 2014 Tuscor Lloyds Ltd
www.tuscorlloyds.com | [email protected] | +44 (0) 161 868 6000