The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recommended the establishment of a single customs window in North America.

In a letter, the ATA presented this proposal as part of its comments to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in the context of the joint review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Single customs window in North America

In considering possible changes to the USMCA, the ATA highlighted some customs issues. First, the Mexican government has reorganized the structure of its customs operations since the USMCA came into force in July 2020. 

In 2021, Mexico created the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM), the entity responsible for enforcing customs law, as an entity independent of the Tax Administration Service (SAT). 

A year later, it replaced career customs officials with military personnel with no experience in trade facilitation. 

The ATA stated that these changes fragmented Mexican border clearance responsibilities among the Army at land ports, the Navy at seaports, and the Air Force and private companies at airports. In addition, coordination between the SAT and ANAM has faced technical and regulatory challenges. 

Supply chain

As a result of these changes, land carriers face delays in customs clearance. These delays can last for hours or even days. They occur mainly when there is scheduled maintenance. They also occur when technical failures arise in the e-commerce system, the Mexican Foreign Trade Single Window (VUCEM).

“In order to streamline the clearance of goods, the ATA recommends that the USTR promote a single window system that includes non-customs government agencies,” he said. 

From his perspective, a single customs window system would benefit the North American supply chain. In addition, it would allow for faster shipments and lower costs. This would be possible thanks to the simplification of bureaucratic procedures.

At the same time, governments would achieve greater compliance with regulations. They would also achieve more revenue and better trade statistics.

Customs agents

According to the Agreement, each Party must administer its customs procedures in order to minimize costs for traders. In addition, the goal is to facilitate the import, export, or transit of goods. It also seeks to support compliance with current legislation.

Although ANAM aims to improve customs compliance in Mexico, in recent months it has increased burdensome regulations. As a result, a system has been created with higher costs and uncertainty for North American companies.

For example, foreign trade regulations allow trailer loads with merchandise from various customs brokers to be consolidated into a single motor unit bound for the United States. However, this rule does not apply due to limitations in the Mexican customs system. Therefore, each truck crossing the border must be cleared by a single customs broker.

“This prevents carriers from consolidating multiple shipments from different customers onto the same truck, which limits the efficiency and speed of cross-border trade and creates greater congestion and costs at the border. The USMCA review process could resolve this issue,” said the ATA.