Company Formation
How Does the Mexican Importation Process Function?
Published dateJune 17, 2016
Last updateAugust 21, 2023
Reading time4 minutes
Authorization to allow customs clearance must be handled by an importation agent in Mexico. As a result, if you want to import products into Mexico for business purposes, you need an experienced importing agent.
Authorization to allow customs clearance must be handled by an importation agent in Mexico. As a result, if you want to import products into Mexico for business purposes, you need an experienced importing agent. In order to apply the correct taxes/duties, the importing agent must present an import requisition (issued by the Ministry of the Economy), a commercial invoice, a bill of lading, an exemption permit, and a certificate establishing the origin of the goods.
The gradual elimination and reduction of import duties was concluded in 2013 and the tariff structure now has six basic rates which are 0%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 15% and 20%; depending on the type of product being imported into Mexico. Certain products are subject to additional regulations, such as foreign manufactured medical devices and healthcare products, which must have a legally appointed representative or distributor in Mexico and must be registered with the Ministry of Health.
Companies that import goods that are listed in the customs classification schedule of the General Rules on Foreign Trade have to be registered in the Mexican Importers Registry for Specific Sectors. A special tax on production and services (IEPS) is assessed on the importation of alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and cigars, among others. These special taxes range from 25% to 160%, depending on the product.
Mexican Importation Process – Mexico’s Harmonized System Tariff Schedule (HS Code)
International trade with Mexico has increased over the past years with both importers and exporters experiencing investment success. However, if you plan on importing or exporting products for business purposes you need to know the country’s import and export codes, known as the harmonized system tariff schedule (HS code), for your particular product. The , generally referred to as the ‘Harmonised System,’ is a customs system which was developed by the World Customs Organization. The system comprises nearly 5,000 commodity groups, each identified by a six digit code, and is utilized by more than 200 countries.
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