Everything about non-tariff regulations in Mexico: from NOMs and prior permits to quotas and country-of-origin marking, with compliance processes and mistakes to avoid.
Non-tariff barriers (NTBs), known in Mexico as regulaciones y restricciones no arancelarias (RRNA), are measures that countries impose on international trade for reasons other than revenue collection through tariffs. While tariffs are fiscal barriers, NTBs serve public policy objectives: protecting human, animal, and plant health, ensuring consumer safety, preserving the environment, maintaining national security, and protecting domestic industry against unfair trade practices.
In Mexico, NTBs are regulated by the Foreign Trade Law, the Customs Law, the Quality Infrastructure Law, and regulations and agreements issued by competent agencies. Non-compliance with an NTB can result in goods being detained at customs, significant fines, and in serious cases, destruction or seizure of the merchandise.
According to WTO data, NTBs affect more than 60% of Mexico's tariff classifications. This means the majority of imported products are subject to some type of non-tariff regulation, from simple country-of-origin marking to complex sanitary certification or technical standards processes.
NTBs are classified into two broad categories: quantitative non-tariff regulations (which limit the quantity of goods) and qualitative non-tariff regulations (which establish conditions that goods must meet).
Mexican Official Standards (NOMs) are the most frequent NTBs in import operations. Over 100 NOMs apply to imported products, covering everything from textiles and footwear to food and electronics. The most relevant by operation volume are the following.
Before importing any product, verify which NOMs apply to your tariff classification by consulting the Ministry of Economy's NOM System (SINEC) or using tools like Camtom that automatically identify NTBs associated with each tariff classification.
NOM compliance for imported products follows a specific process that must be completed before or at the time of customs clearance. The process varies depending on whether the NOM requires batch certification, product certification, or a verification report.
The certification process can take from 5 days (for simple labeling) to 3 months (for complex laboratory tests). It is crucial to start the process well before goods arrive to avoid delays and storage costs at customs.
Prior import permits are authorizations issued by the Ministry of Economy that must be obtained before goods arrive in Mexican territory. They are processed electronically through VUCEM, and their validity and conditions vary by product type.
It is important to verify whether your product requires a prior permit before purchasing from the foreign supplier. Importing goods without necessary permits can generate storage costs while the permit is processed, or worse, the inability to import if the permit is denied.
Sanitary regulations are administered by two main authorities: SENASICA (National Service for Agri-food Health, Safety, and Quality) for animal and plant-origin products, and COFEPRIS (Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks) for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, processed foods, and beverages.
Imported food and beverages may be subject to both SENASICA regulations (if unprocessed animal or plant origin) and COFEPRIS regulations (if processed), in addition to labeling NOMs. It is essential to identify ALL applicable regulations before importing.
Countervailing duties are additional tariffs imposed on imports of products sold in Mexico at prices below their normal value in the country of origin (dumping) or that benefit from government subsidies in the exporting country. These measures seek to protect domestic industry from unfair competition.
Countervailing duties are determined by the Ministry of Economy through an investigation process lasting between 8 and 18 months. Products subject to countervailing duties in Mexico include various steel products, textiles and apparel from certain origins, and specific chemical products.
NTB compliance can be complex and costly if not managed properly. The following strategies help companies comply efficiently without unnecessary delays or excessive costs.
Camtom Team
Editorial Team
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