Mexico Customs Clearance — From Pedimento to Delivery
Pedimento Filing, SAT Compliance & Duty Management
Mexico’s customs system is rigorous, document-intensive, and unforgiving of errors. A missing field on a commercial invoice, an incorrect tariff classification, or a mismatched packing list can result in cargo being held — sometimes for days. Our customs clearance team knows SAT requirements inside and out, ensuring your freight clears Mexico’s border without unnecessary delays.
This page explains how the Mexico import process works, what documents are required, what duties apply, and how Cargo Mexico manages the entire clearance process on your behalf.
Pedimento
Mexico customs doc
SAT
Customs authority
24–48 hrs
Standard clearance
100%
SAT compliance
Why Choose Cargo Mexico
Customs Duties (Arancel)
Mexico's import duty rates vary by tariff classification and country of origin. Under USMCA, qualifying goods from the US and Canada enter at preferential rates — often 0%. For goods from non-USMCA co
IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado) — Mexico's VAT
IVA is Mexico's value-added tax, charged at 16% on the customs value of imported goods (including the duty). For IMMEX/maquiladora importers making temporary imports, IVA is typically suspended — a si
IEPS (Impuesto Especial sobre Producción y Servicios)
IEPS is a special excise tax applied to specific goods — primarily tobacco, alcohol, fuel, and high-sugar beverages. If your products fall into these categories, we'll calculate and handle the IEPS ob
The Pedimento: Mexico's Customs Declaration
The pedimento is the cornerstone of Mexico customs. It is the official customs declaration document — the Mexican equivalent of a US Customs entry form — and it must be filed for every commercial import.
The pedimento captures:
Once filed and duties paid, SAT issues a validation that releases the cargo. Our agente aduanal manages this process for every shipment we handle.
- The importer’s RFC (Mexican tax ID number)
- Tariff classification (fracción arancelaria) for each product
- Country of origin
- Commercial value (in USD and MXN)
- Import duties and taxes owed
- Regulatory permits (where applicable)
- Customs regime (definitive import, temporary import under IMMEX, etc.)
Required Import Documents
To clear customs in Mexico, the following documents are generally required. Our team will advise on any additional requirements specific to your cargo or industry.
Must include seller and buyer details, Incoterms, unit price, total value, currency, and a complete description of goods. Vague descriptions like “auto parts” are insufficient — SAT requires specificity.
Detailed list of contents, weights, dimensions, and packaging types. Must reconcile exactly with the commercial invoice.
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
IMMEX and Maquiladora Imports
A significant share of US-Mexico freight flows through IMMEX (Industria Manufacturera, Maquiladora y de Servicios de Exportación) — Mexico’s program that allows manufacturers to temporarily import raw materials and components duty-free for processing and re-export. If your Mexico counterpart operates under IMMEX, the clearance process differs from a standard definitive import. Our team handles IMMEX temporary imports with the same precision we apply to all clearances. See our full IMMEX guide.
Related Services
Ocean Freight Mexico
FCL and LCL through Manzanillo, Veracruz, Altamira & Lázaro Cárdenas with full customs clearance.
Air Freight Mexico
Time-sensitive cargo via Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana. Express and standard.
Cross-Border Trucking
FTL and LTL across Laredo, El Paso/Juárez, Tijuana/Otay Mesa, and all major US-Mexico crossings.
USMCA Trade Compliance
Rules of origin analysis, certificates of origin, and preferential duty claims.
Door-to-Door Mexico
Complete origin-to-destination freight — pickup, customs clearance, and inland delivery.
Ready to Move Freight to or from Mexico?
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