Foreign products in Mexico: +15 imports in Mexico

Have you thought about the numerous amount of foreign products in Mexico? Imports to our country are a great tool to generate income and jobs since they add to the supply of goods and services available to the buyer, often improving the quality and competitiveness of domestically produced items.

If you are interested in the world of imports in Mexico, here I will explain how to import, the main imported products in our country as well as what foreign products can be brought into the territory and what cannot go through customs. Shall we start?

What are the most abundant foreign products in Mexico? 📦

, Mexico is one of the countries that imports the most worldwide, being in twelfth place in the list of the countries with the largest importers. In general, the main foreign products in Mexico are intermediate goods, that is, elements that still go through work or assembly processes for use or consumption.

provides data on the main products imported by Mexico from the world. Here I present the seven most important for the country.

Gasoline (9,077,434 million dollars)
Integrated circuits (6,437,049 million dollars)
Memory units (5,110,108 million dollars)
Natural gas (4,447,905 million dollars)
Yellow corn (2,841,627 million dollars)
Auto engines (2,740,419 million dollars)
Aeroparts and parts for the manufacture of aircraft (1,924,696 million dollars)

Main imports in Mexico 🇲🇽

Taking data from the , the main categories of imports from Mexico are:

Metal products, machinery and equipment.
Electrical and electronic equipment and appliances.
Machinery and special equipment for various industries.
Automotive products.
Chemistry.
Plastic and rubber products.
Iron and steel industry.

What is the percentage of imports in Mexico? 📈

Looking at the most recent data for the percentage of imports in Mexico from January to May 2021, the accumulated value was 193 million dollars, a growth of 26.4% compared to last year, presenting a rise of 24.7% in non-oil imports and 43% in oil imports. At least they are the

What percentage of GDP do imports represent in Mexico? 📊

Until last year, imports in Mexico represented 37.9% of the gross domestic product of our country, . Only one point below exports, resulting in a surplus in the trade balance of 2020.

Where do Mexico’s imports come from? 🌎

Taking as reference the main products that Mexico imports come from:

United States (124,805,437 million dollars)
China ($53,142,453 million)
Germany (10,140,033 million dollars)
Japan (9,756,047 million dollars)
Malaysia (6,687,345 million dollars)
Canada (6,469,110 million dollars)
Taiwan ($6,373,465 million)
Other Asian countries (5,810,226 million dollars)
Brazil (4,672,065 million dollars)
Thailand ($3,541,462 million)

What products cannot be imported into Mexico? 🚧

has published the list of restricted items that cannot be imported into Mexico as they represent a high risk of being carriers of pests and diseases to the national territory. Here I share it with you:

Weapons, whether real or imitation.
lithium batteries
Chlorine, abrasive chemicals, paint removers, among other dangerous substances.
Medicines not approved by the FDA.
Endangered animals.
Seeds of any type of food or plant.

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How to import to Mexico ❓

We have already talked about the main foreign products in Mexico, how important imports are in Mexico, now it is time to see how imported products reach our country.

Requirements to import

There is a list of requirements that must be followed if we want to bring foreign products to Mexico.

Registration to the Federal Registry of Taxpayers.
Have an Advanced Electronic Signature (FIEL) registered with the SAT.
Current tax situation.
A customs agent or customs agent.
Be registered in the Register of Importers.
Certificate of origin of the products to be imported.
Commercial invoice with the actual prices of the supplier.
Obtain the Electronic Value Voucher (COVE) through the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCEM).
Payment of taxes related to the cost of storage, loading, unloading and transportation of merchandise.
Import request document.

As you can see, for all products imported into Mexico, it is necessary to know and use the government platforms. From the SAT portal to the VUCEM.

📂 Type: all the documents that you use for the process of importing foreign products in Mexico, it is necessary that you keep them in original or in copy. Especially the import request. This can be prepared by your customs agent.

List of importers

Have you heard about the list of importers? Knowing about this registry, how it works and what it consists of is essential for imports into Mexico and all those who market these foreign products.

What is the Register of Importers?

The Register of Importers is a registry created by the Tax Administration Service (SAT) in which all taxpayers who wish to import merchandise to Mexico must be registered. Both natural persons and legal entities can register.

Requirements to register in the Importers Register

Be registered in the Federal Taxpayer Registry. (RFC)
Have a valid electronic signature. (FAITHFUL)
Be up to date with your tax obligations.
Have a fiscal domicile located in the RFC.
Possess a validated Tax Mailbox.

How to register to the Importers Register?

Enter the portal of the SAT
Access with your RFC, password, your e-signature and private key.
Register the number of the patent or the customs agent that will provide you with their services.
Indicate the validity of the movement to be carried out and select “Add”.
Add the specific sectors to your request. (In case you require any)
Attach the appropriate documentation depending on the sector you have chosen.
Choose “Send” and if your data is correct, in the preview press the button “Confirm”.
Attach your electronic signature to your application and conclude your application.
Generate your acknowledgment of the procedure.

How do I know if I am in the Importers Register?

Enter the SAT portal.
Access with your RFC, password, your e-signature and private key.
Select the date you registered on your enrollment application.
Verify that the process is resolved. In case it is still not resolved, select the button “See document”.

Steps to import a product 📥

Let’s see step by step what is needed to enter the field of imports in Mexico. Although the path may be different, depending on the foreign products you plan to bring into our country, these steps can give you an idea of what it means to be an importer.

1. Register in the Importers Register.

As we have seen, being on this platform is essential to start an import process to Mexico. Carrying out your registration is helpful to avoid customs crimes and comply with the requirements established by the Regulations of the Customs Law. Depending on the merchandise to be imported, it will be necessary for you to register in the sectorial Importers Register.

Can I import if I am not registered in the Register of Importers?

Yes, goods can be imported without being registered in the Importers Register in two ways:

If you only do it once. The SAT allows you to obtain an authorization to import merchandise if you will only do it once, once a year.
Through your luggage. If you travel abroad, it is possible to “import” merchandise in your suitcase as long as it does not exceed the franchise (or cost of the merchandise) of up to 300 dollars all year and 500 dollars during the holiday period.

2. Keep an inventory control in an automated way.

In addition to helping you in the management of foreign merchandise and products in your company, having an inventory control will help you keep an updated record of the items coming from foreign trade and in case the customs authority requires them, you will be able to make them available. .

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3. Choose a customs agent and give him your documentation.

Having a reliable customs agent is essential to carry out any import process in Mexico. A customs agent can help you apply a correct tariff classification, as well as pay the corresponding taxes, support you in case of obtaining benefits for trading with a country with an international treaty, as well as effectively apply foreign trade laws and regulations.

How to choose a customs broker?

Verify that you are affiliated with the Confederation of Associations of Customs Agents of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM).
Ask about their business partners or if they have experience entering merchandise like the one you want to enter the country.
Inquire about its base of operation and if it is located at a maritime customs, airport or land border crossing.
Make sure you have a valid patent issued by the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit in your name or your own patent.
Make sure that they know the technological solutions that your company has, either in the purchasing area or in warehouses.

💡 Type: If despite all this, the customs agent you hired did not provide you with the support you required, you can always change the agent. The law allows working with different agents, either by shipments or periods of time. Approach the one that best matches your company.

Can I import without a customs broker?

Yes, the importation of foreign products to Mexico without the need for a customs agent in the following cases:

When the value of the merchandise is less than 3,000 US dollars or its equivalent in other currencies.
When it comes to goods donated to the Federal Treasury.
In case of being a transmigrant with a single vehicle.
When they are goods that enter by post using the Customs Ticket.
When it comes to the temporary entry of trailers, imported vehicles or mobile homes.

4. Register in the order given to your customs agent.

In addition to providing your customs agent with a written declaration with the elements that allow determining the customs value of the merchandise, it is necessary that you register the data of your customs agent in the Register of Importers, making it part of the conferred order.

What is a conferred assignment?

The conferred order is a document that verifies the order assigned to the customs agent to carry out foreign trade operations on behalf of a company. It is also an obligation of importers marked in article 59 section III of the Customs Law.

This is a free procedure that you will need to do before performing the import process. You must do it through the SAT portal,

5. Complies with the payment of taxes and compensatory fees.

With an effective customs agent, this process is undoubtedly much simpler, although we must not forget before finishing this…