Taxes arising from foreign trade in Mexico 

Taxes arising from foreign trade can become a real headache if you’re thinking about doing business in Mexico and don’t know where to begin. 

Because one thing is wanting to expand your business into a new market, and another is dealing with a pile of tax, customs, and logistics requirements. 

This is where many companies stumble. Not because they lack capability, but because they underestimate how complex it is to stay compliant with regulations. 

That’s why, in this article, we explain what you need to know to do business in Mexico and what the main taxes involved in the process are. 

What are the requirements to do business in Mexico? 

Now, before moving a single product, you need to be very clear that you can’t skip the legal, tax, and customs requirements. 

And this is where many companies, even experienced ones, make things harder than necessary. 

The first thing to understand is that Mexico has very specific rules for those who want to import or export goods. 

It’s not enough to have an attractive product or a local commercial partner. 

If you don’t comply with what the law requires, your goods can be held at customs, or worse, you can face costly fines and penalties. 

So, where do you start? 

First, you must register in the Importers Registry only when you import, or in the Exporters Registry only for certain goods that require it, depending on the case. This process is done with the Tax Administration Service (SAT) via VUCEM and it is mandatory. 

Without this registration, there is no legal way to move goods across Mexican borders. 

Also, depending on the type of goods you plan to commercialize, you may also need special permits from agencies such as the Ministry of Economy, COFEPRIS, or SEMARNAT, or you may need to comply with NOM labeling standards for commercial information. 

For example, if you work with food, cosmetics, medicines, textiles, or chemical products, be ready to comply with additional regulations. 

On the other hand, taxes arising from foreign trade are a point you can’t ignore. 

Especially because there are charges such as import VAT, the General Import Tax (IGI), the DTA (customs processing fee), as well as additional contributions for certain products. 

And while some goods are exempt from IGI or can benefit from international treaties such as the USMCA (T-MEC), that doesn’t mean you’re free from paying and complying with everything else. 

Another requirement is having a valid invoice, keeping proper accounting records, and filing your tax returns correctly and on time. 

This not only keeps you in good standing with the SAT, it also protects you in audits or inspections that, in foreign trade, are not as rare as one would like. 

Finally, don’t do it alone. Having the support of a reliable customs broker, solid tax advice, and a logistics plan makes the difference between a successful operation and a project that gets stuck. 

What are the foreign trade taxes in Mexico? 

When a company in Mexico decides to move its products across borders, it’s important to keep in mind that foreign trade is not only about moving merchandise. 

It also involves specific tax obligations. Two of the main ones are import taxes and export duties. 

Now, what do they include exactly? 

General Import Tax (IGI): what comes into the country pays 

If your business imports products from abroad to sell them in Mexico, IGI and DTA are terms you need to keep very present. 

This tax applies to all goods entering the country, although the rate varies depending on the type of product, the country of origin, and the current trade agreements in force. 

For example, importing machinery from China is very different from importing it from the United States or from a country with which Mexico has a free trade agreement. 

In some cases, you could pay a reduced tariff or even nothing, as long as you meet certain rules of origin requirements. 

Also, don’t forget that when you pay IGI you must also consider other related charges, such as VAT and DTA, other foreign trade contributions, and, in certain cases, countervailing duties. 

General Export Tax (IGE): when what goes out applies 

Unlike IGI, the General Export Tax (IGE) applies in much more specific situations. cases. 

In fact, the vast majority of goods that Mexico exports are exempt from this charge. 

But they must pay the DTA (customs processing fee) at the current fixed rate. 

Why? To promote competitiveness and encourage placing national products in international markets. 

However, there are exceptions. Some goods considered strategic or sensitive, such as certain minerals or materials with potential scarcity, may be subject to IGE. 

That’s why, before moving goods abroad, it’s essential to check the Tariff Schedule of the Law of General Import and Export Taxes (TIGIE) to verify whether your product is taxed. 

Why is it so important to have this clear? 

Because not understanding these taxes well directly affects your profit margin and changes logistics planning. 

Also, there’s something many companies overlook, and that is that these taxes are not static. 

They can change from one year to the next, depending on trade policies, the economic situation, or treaty renegotiations. 

Trust your exports to KENSA Logistics 



As we already mentioned, exporting isn’t just moving products from one country to another. 

It’s managing timelines, dealing with complex customs procedures, anticipating risks, and, above all, ensuring the goods arrive in good condition, on time, and without setbacks. 

And in Mexico, where foreign trade is shaped by a robust tax structure, having a logistics partner that knows the terrain is key. 

At KENSA Logistics, we understand that perfectly. Behind every export operation we manage, there’s a client who needs fast answers, clear solutions, and real support. 

That’s why there’s no room for surprises. 

So, from the very first contact, we take on your cargo as if it were our own. 

And this isn’t marketing language, it’s how we work. 

So, did you know that Mexican foreign trade is regulated by a network of taxes? 

If this sounds complicated, it’s because it is. 

But that’s where we come in. Our team, made up of specialists in logistics and Mexican tax and customs regulations, focuses on anticipating issues, guiding you, and saving you headaches. 

Also, we don’t just work well, we work with trust. 

For that, we maintain strong relationships with insurers, customs brokers, and other key players involved in the logistics chain. 

And if something worries you, talk to us about it. We’ll tell you what you can expect, what you need to watch, and what decisions make sense so your operation is successful. 

So, if you’re looking for a company that knows how foreign trade taxes work in Mexico, but also knows how to move your product efficiently from point A to point B, you’re in the right place.