Americas
Trade terms in Mexico: what works and what catches people out
Every Mexican import declaration must carry the importer's Mexican tax ID (RFC) and importers must be on the Padrón de Importadores, so a foreign seller cannot easily act as importer under DDP. Local insurance rules make CIF/CIP risky.
Record last reviewed · Check a route to Mexico →
DDP when importing into Mexico Practically hard ✓ Verified
Can a foreign seller clear the goods and pay import taxes in this country?
Practically hard. Since 1 January 2025 every import declaration must show the importer of record's Mexican tax ID (RFC), and importers must be listed on the Padrón de Importadores (with extra sector registers for 400+ product types). A foreign seller without a Mexican entity cannot meet this. ICC notes parties sometimes still agree DDP with the Mexican buyer lending its registration and customs broker, which needs careful contract drafting.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
CIF when importing into Mexico Restricted / blocked Needs review
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
ICC's January 2025 barrier list reports that transport insurance placed with a foreign insurer is not accepted for CIF, CIP or onward carriage into the country, so the seller usually cannot buy the cover itself.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
CIP when importing into Mexico Restricted / blocked Needs review
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
ICC's January 2025 barrier list reports that transport insurance placed with a foreign insurer is not accepted for CIF, CIP or onward carriage into the country, so the seller usually cannot buy the cover itself.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
EXW when exporting from Mexico Unverified Unverified
Can a foreign buyer handle export clearance out of this country?
No EXW barrier is listed for Mexico in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FCA when exporting from Mexico Unverified Unverified
Are there export-filing traps when the buyer arranges carriage from this country?
No FCA barrier is listed for Mexico in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FOB when exporting from Mexico Unverified Unverified
Are there local quirks with FOB when shipping from this country?
No FOB barrier is listed for Mexico in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
Key facts
- Importer of record ✓ Verified
Courier/express shipments: since 15 October 2024 the simplified procedure requires the consignee's own RFC; the generic tax number option was removed. Without it, the parcel goes through standard clearance.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · last checked
- Customs valuation ✓ Verified
The electronic value declaration (Manifestación de Valor) filed in VUCEM, listing customs value and adjustments such as freight and insurance, became mandatory on 9 December 2025.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · last checked
What catches people out
- Customs valuation Needs review
ICC reports that a Mexican buyer on CIF terms may have to declare the goods on an FOB basis for import taxes, which can clash with a CIF contract and invoice.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
- Importer of record ✓ Verified
Importers have been dropped from the importer register, or products added to sector lists, without notice — check your buyer's registration before shipping.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · last checked
Sources used on this page
- Mexico – Customs Regulations — U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov)
- Mexico – Import Requirements and Documentation — U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov)
- National regulatory barriers to the Incoterms® 2020 rules (updated January 2025) — International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Snapshot as of December 2024, compiled from ICC national committees. Used as a lead list: facts that rely only on this document are flagged for review until confirmed against national law.
'Needs review' means the fact relies on a secondary source (often ICC's January 2025 barrier list) or an inference we have not yet confirmed against the national law. Spotted an error or a change? Tell us.