The Chinese government estimated that Mexico’s tariff hikes on imports of light industrial products and handicrafts originating in China will cost Chinese exporters approximately $1.5 billion.
Effective January 1, Mexico raised tariffs to a range of 5% to 50% on 1,463 product classifications imported from countries with which Mexico has no relevant trade agreements.
Imports of Light Industrial Products
In response, the Chinese government expanded its own investigation into non-tariff barriers. In addition, it estimated losses from Mexican tariffs at $30 billion, based on a survey of companies. Chinese officials also visited Mexico as part of the estimation process.
The survey showed that on April 22, 2024, Mexico raised import tariffs on a large number of light industrial products, including certain plastic, paper, glass, and ceramic products, furniture, and consumer goods, significantly increasing tariffs compared to previous Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rates.
The measures under investigation raise tariffs on 180 tariff lines for light industrial and handicraft products. They cover a wide range of categories, including everyday chemical products (perfumes, cosmetics, detergents), essential plastic items and packaging products. Glass and ceramic products, paper and stationery products, handbags, rugs, footwear, furniture and furniture parts are also affected. Moreover, various handicrafts, toys, and sporting goods fall under these measures.
This essentially covers the main light industrial and handicraft products exported from China to Mexico.
Tariff rates for most of these products have increased to 25 or 35 percent.
Labor
Responding companies indicated that light industrial and handicraft products are primarily labor-intensive and price-sensitive. As a result, these products have generally small profit margins.
Given the current weak global demand, China’s Ministry of Commerce reported that China’s total light industrial exports grew by only 0.4% from January to September 2025.
Exports to Mexico reached $13.84 billion, a year-over-year decrease of 12.2%, deviating from the slight overall growth trend in Chinese exports and showing a significant decline.
According to the Chinese government, this demonstrates the negative impact of the tariffs imposed by Mexico on April 22, 2024, on Chinese exports to Mexico.