Mexico Looking to Reform Customs Laws, Tighten Compliance Obligations
The Mexican government has introduced legislation to reform its customs laws, which would tighten compliance obligations, expand the use of digital tools, and increase liability for customs brokers and importers.
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The effort is part of the government's "Plan Mexico" and comes alongside the recently proposed increase in tariffs on countries with which Mexico doesn't have a free trade agreement (see 2509110056).
The proposed legislation would see brokers facing increased joint liability with importers and exporters for customs violations and also shift brokers' licenses, which are currently indefinite, to a 10-year renewable term. The legislation would create new grounds for the suspension and cancellation of customs brokers' licenses and a government body responsible for the regulation of customs agent licenses.
The digitization expansion would include the mandatory use of biometric controls and electronic seals to increase cargo traceability. Finally, the legislation would change the IMMEX program, restricting certain finished goods from the program.
Law firm Holland and Knight said that the reform "expands the catalog of customs violations and increases the severity of the corresponding penalties," more than doubling various penalties. They said that although the legislation is "aimed at modernizing and strengthening" customs enforcement, it could "affect the dynamism of Mexican foreign trade."
The legislation would enter into effect Jan. 1, 2026. In a blog post, law firm White and Case said that the reforms "mark a significant shift in Mexico's trade and industrial policy" and would "introduce substantial compliance, cost and operational impacts for companies engaged in cross-border trade."