Mexico’s tariff on Chinese imports rattles cross-border e-commerce

Under Mexico’s new policy, U.S. sellers must also certify that goods were cleared and fulfilled from the United States. Barbosa said those requirements began showing up in customs documentation over the past six weeks.

Tariff enforcement varies by shipping channel and port

The application of the new tariff often depends on the shipping channel and port of entry, Barbosa said.

“Sometimes it’s the interpretation by the customs agent or depending on where you’re clearing customs. One entry point can behave very differently than another,” he said.

“If the goods you’re selling into Mexico are of country of origin China, they’re getting hit immediately with a 33.5% duty — no question. But we’ve noticed different behaviors depending on how you’re shipping into Mexico. Some courier networks treat U.S.-fulfilled parcels under USMCA and exempt under $50, while others charge the full tariff. There’s ambiguity in how some networks apply it, so for us we’re moving through commercial channels and trying to avoid those courier channels.”

Commercial-broker networks have generally continued processing low-value U.S.-fulfilled parcels under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) de minimis threshold — under $50, duty- and tax-free — while some courier networks are collecting the full 33.5% up front when the country of origin is China, even if the shipment was fulfilled from U.S. inventory. Interpretation by customs agents and local port practices can lead to very different outcomes, Barbosa said.

Footwear, textiles hit by IMEX changes

Mexico has also tightened its IMMEX program, which had long supported manufacturing and finishing operations. Footwear is among the sectors hardest hit, now facing duties of 25% or more and fewer avenues for temporary processing.

The IMMEX Program is a Mexican government initiative that allows foreign companies to import goods into Mexico duty-free for manufacturing, assembly, or processing, provided these finished goods are subsequently exported to the U.S. within a specified timeframe.

“[Mexico] also changed the IMMEX program for temporary imports of shoes — now every shoe is going to pay over 25%, and you can no longer bring in raw materials for temporary processing and resale. We even had a courier tell us they could only clear shoes at Toluca Airport. That’s not a national rule — that’s their own port issue.”

Barbosa described cyclical customs slowdowns — weeks when shipments are held for verification followed by periods of normal flow — as Mexican authorities increase oversight of inbound parcels.

Sellers rethink Mexico’s role as a logistics hub

With higher duties, tighter oversight, and rising compliance risk, many brands that once used Mexico as a pass-through or light-finish hub for China-origin goods are reassessing their strategies.

Barbosa noted a potential short-term advantage for American sellers: small orders under $50 that qualify as U.S.-fulfilled under USMCA could become more price-competitive than Chinese marketplace listings for Mexican consumers.

“Maybe it’s not worth the hassle,” Barbosa said. “I think it’s pushing more people to bring inventory to the U.S., fulfill and clear it here, and avoid those massive fines if you get caught doing something wrong. More stuff will start here and stay here, less going to Mexico for re-export. And now Chile is removing its de minimis this month, so there’s a trend of Latin American countries wanting a piece of that revenue. It’s going to reshape the whole supply chain.”