Mexican Customs

Mexican customs deals with a lot of travel and shipping options in Mexico and they restrict a variety of things from happening in the realm of these topics. A Mexican customs agency is set up to protect the country through its limitations on what can cross the Mexican border. Here are a few commonly asked questions regarding the Mexican customs and the rules that apply:

• What is the deal with Mexican labeling? One of the biggest problems people seem to have with the customs department of Mexico deals with the labeling of things through the postal service. Many businesses are told they can’t export goods to Mexico because of labeling issues- the goods aren’t labeled correctly in the Mexican way. As a United States citizen you should realize that when you ship to a different country that you have to adapt to their customs rules. When labeling it will depend highly on the products you are shipping. To get a full detailed list look in the NAFTA FACTS document 1602
• If something is subject to NOM, what does that mean? Some people, consumers and businesses alike, are told they can’t ship anything to Mexico because their products are ‘subject to NOM. NOM is the Mexican standard that regulates the safety and health of the goods that come into the country. NOM has very little wiggle room as far as getting through the cracks but if you are told that your product is subject to NOM then you will have to look at the NAFTA FACTS document 1102 to get a better understanding about what you need to do.
• The Mexican customs offices will often request that some products have a certificate of origin, what is that and how do I get it? The customs office will ask that you either get a certificate of origin to determine the origin of non-NAFTA products or a NAFTA certificate of origin. These certificates of origin are just another section of NOM that regulates the safety of what comes into Mexico. If you have the first case then you should look in the NAFTA FACTS document 5003. If you have the second case then you should look at NAFTA FACTS document 8410.
• Under NAFTA, what is the treatment of used goods? When it comes to already used products, goods and/ or equipment, there are a few restrictions that people will have to keep in mind. The NAFTA FACTS document 8400 details these restrictions. The Mexican customs agencies are the main determinants on transactions and happenings as far as shipping and travel are concerned and they keep an eye out for used products and goods.

It is always a better idea to stay on the right side of the Mexican customs agencies because in the end, they are the ones who determine your actions in the country. Staying on good terms with these agencies will ultimately be better for you in the end.

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