How to import from China to Mexico like an expert [Guía]

If you have arrived here, it is because you have a serious interest in knowing how to import from China to Mexico without so much hassle. And it is that if there is something that is impossible to deny, it is that this Asian giant presents attractive business alternatives for many entrepreneurs.

Whether you want to start selling imported products from China or you want to streamline your processes, here I explain how to import from China to Mexico legally, as well as the requirements you will need to market Asian products in our country. Take note!

What is needed to start importing from China?

Let’s start from the most basic. To import from China to Mexico legally it is necessary that you have these essential aspects:

Customs agent.
Registration to the list of importers.
Reliable seller.
Marketer (optional).

Now I explain how each of these elements operate.

Customs Agent

What is a customs broker? 👨

A customs agent, as defined by the Customs Law, is that natural person authorized by the SAT who promotes, on behalf of others, the dispatch of merchandise in the different regimes provided for by law.

In other words, a customs agent is an expert in customs, import and export regulations that helps users to facilitate the entry and exit of merchandise in an agile, legal, economical and safe manner. Having a customs agent at the head will help you not only get started in the world of imports, but also help you in case something gets complicated when moving products from China.

Registration in the Register of Importers

Previously we have talked about the list of importers when we talked about how to import to Mexico, if you have not visited it yet,

What is the Register of Importers? 📋

In a nutshell, the Padrón de Importadores is a record of all taxpayers who import merchandise into Mexico. And I mention the term “taxpayers” because it is a tool created and managed by the SAT.

If you want to import from China to Mexico, being registered in this register is essential to be able to enter your merchandise into our country without legal problems.

reliable seller

We understand a reliable seller to be a supplier of products from China that, in addition to supporting you with the necessary documents to import into our country, supports you with the labeling of products so that when they pass through customs, they already have the appropriate label for his entry to Mexico.

Remember that another easy way to sell products imported from China is by using . You just need to find a reliable supplier that directly ships the product to your customers.

Marketer (optional)

A trading company is that company that can help you in the entry of imports from China. If you will import sporadically, if you are not registered in the Register or you simply want a third party to handle your merchandise, hiring the services of a marketer is a good option.

By contracting the services of a marketer, you can dispense with a customs agent and registration in the Importers Registry, since you will take advantage of the resources of said company, although it is necessary that you take into account the charge for their services, since if the merchandise that you want to sell has a low profit margin, it is possible that relying on a third party is not the most opportune choice.

Requirements to import from China to Mexico

Whether you decide to do it through a trading company or on your own, the requirements that you must keep in mind to be able to import from China to Mexico are:

Commercial invoice.
Certificate of origin.
Manifestation of value.
Import request.
Payment of corresponding taxes.

In itself, the requirements may vary depending on whether the import process will be carried out by you or by a third party. If you will do it on your own, you should additionally consider:

Be registered with the SAT.
Current tax situation.
Registration in the Register of Importers.

Steps to import from China to Mexico

1. Find a provider

Finding suppliers to import from China is relatively easy. Gone are the days where only by traveling to Asia you could find the perfect supplier for your business. Nowadays, platforms like Alibaba and MadeInChina make it very easy to find the ideal supplier to import from.

What can I import from China? ✅

You can practically import almost everything.

Clothing, footwear, garments of all kinds.
Electronic devices, mechanical or automotive parts.
Electrical and technological equipment.
Furniture for home and office.
Decorative items.
Cosmetics, bags and accessories.
School and stationery items.
Medical equipment and face masks.

What can not be imported from China? ❎

There are restricted items, which are classified as dangerous or that threaten health and the environment, such as:

Animals and living species.
Endangered species.
Animal skins and turtle eggs.
Wild plants and species.
Insecticides, pesticides and dangerous chemical substances.
Archaeological and historical remains.
Medicines.
Firearms or sharp elements.

2. Decide how you will import: on your own or through a marketer

While you are looking for the best supplier of Chinese imports for your business, you must decide whether you will carry out the process or you will have the support of a marketer, since if you do not have such support, it is necessary that you register in the Register of Importers, in addition to contacting a customs agent to help you with the process when the shipment arrives at customs.

How to register to the Importers Register? 📝

Enter the SAT portal.
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”.
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.

3. Select the means of transport

Do you already know how your merchandise will arrive in Mexico? To send your imports from China, you can consider two alternatives:

Shipping by sea.
Shipping by plane.

Sea transport is usually the cheapest shipping method, while air transport is used for special or luxury goods, as it is a more expensive shipping method.

When choosing your supplier, you can ask them to quote both options in addition to considering different Incoterms to find out how you can avoid additional costs with the shipment of your merchandise and choose the best option for your imports.

What are Incoterms? 🛄

Incoterms are international trade terms that are used in the purchase and sale of goods internationally and serve to specify the responsibilities of the parties involved.

What are Incoterms for? 🤔

In themselves, they serve to establish the four most important elements in an international sales contract: the delivery of the merchandise, the transfer of risks, the distribution of expenses and customs procedures.

What types of Incoterms are there? 🔎

Eleven types of Incoterms are used in international trade. Here we list them:

EXW: Ex-Works.
FCA: Free Carrier.
CPT: Carriage Paid To.
CIP: Carriage and Insurance Paid To.
DAP: Delivered At Place.
DPU: Delivered at Place Unloaded.
DDP: Delivered Duty Paid.
FAS: Free Alongside Ship.
FOB: Free On Board.
CFR: Cost and Freight.
CIF: Cost, Insurance, and Freight.

☝ TIP: The last four and in blue They are used for maritime transport, so if your merchandise will be shipped by ship, you can ask your supplier to quote you under the last four Incoterms on the list.

4. Calculate import costs

Since your supplier gives you the cost of imports plus shipping, to this amount you must add the corresponding taxes for your entry into Mexico. It is necessary that you do all this before making your purchase order to avoid hidden costs or amounts not considered when making your final quote.

How much does it cost to import from China to Mexico? 💰

Depends. If the cost of your importation is less than $50 US dollars, you will not have to pay any tax time. If your package is less than or equal to $1,000 US dollars, a 16% tax will be applied, but if it exceeds $1,000 US dollars, you must carry out the import procedure through a customs agent, with a formal process.

5. Generate the purchase order

Everything ok up to this point? Once you have the quotes, the documents and everything ready, it is time to generate your purchase order. When you do so, remember to ask your supplier for all the documents you will need for the shipment and entry of goods into the country. As an accordion, here I list some of the data that you should keep in mind, as they are super valuable and will be required by your customs agent when you enter your products from China:

Commercial invoice of the merchandise.
Data of the exporter.
Incoterm that will be used and shipping method.
Product datasheet.
Loading or packing list.
Sanitary or origin certificates (depending on what you are importing).
Bill of Lading or air transport documentation.
Freight transport insurance.

6. Send your documentation to your customs agent

With the documents in hand (or well, in your mail), you need to share them with your customs agent, so that the import process begins. While this is happening, with your supplier you can carry out the labeling of your products to be imported.

To pass your products through customs it is necessary that each of the pieces are duly labeled with the product content sheet. This label can be included when you arrive at customs, but consider that while this requirement is added to each product you import, it is likely that days will be added to the stay of your merchandise in customs and fees for the days that your merchandise lasts. in storage warehouses.

7. Supervises the shipment and transfer of merchandise

At this point, your merchandise can be prepared for the trip and the transfer of the merchandise. If your merchandise is expensive or there are many pieces, you need to think about transport insurance for the importation of your products.

How long does it take to get a package from China to Mexico by sea? 🚢

Generally, the time it takes for imports from China to arrive by sea to Mexico is 18 to 25 days. However, the maritime route, as well as the embarkation and disembarkation points can modify this duration.

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8. Make the import request

Good news! Your merchandise is already in Mexican territory. When you are notified that your imports are already in customs, it will be the moment in which your customs agent makes the import request.