Customs
Abandonment of Goods
A legal situation in which goods deposited at customs are not withdrawn within the periods established by law, causing them to become property of the federal treasury.
A legal situation in which goods deposited at customs are not withdrawn within the periods established by law, causing them to become property of the federal treasury.
Abandonment of goods occurs when merchandise deposited at customs is not cleared or withdrawn within the deadlines established by Mexico's Customs Law. There are two types: tacit abandonment, which occurs by the simple passage of the legal time limit without clearance; and express abandonment, where the owner formally renounces the goods in writing.
Tacit abandonment: 3 days for explosive, flammable, or perishable goods; 15 days for all others. Express abandonment: by written notice from the interested party to customs. Once abandonment occurs, goods become property of the federal treasury.
To prevent abandonment, the customs broker and importer must coordinate documentation, duty payments, and clearance in a timely manner. Delays in obtaining permits, payments, or documents can cause legal deadlines to expire.
Customs Clearance
The complete set of procedures and formalities required for goods to legally enter or exit a country through customs.
CustomsCustoms Bonded Area
A location authorized by customs authorities for the entry, exit, handling, custody, and clearance of foreign trade goods, directly administered by the customs office.
CustomsPrecautionary Seizure
A precautionary measure by which customs authorities retain goods when irregularities are detected during clearance or verification, such as discrepancies in classification, value, origin, or documentation.
CustomsCustoms Declaration (Pedimento)
The official document filed with Mexican customs that covers the entry or exit of goods from Mexico, prepared and submitted by a licensed customs broker.