The Mexican Ministry of Economy announced that it will promote reforms to the Customs Law in order to better supervise the use of customs patents.
“There will be changes to the law that will strengthen the government’s ability to supervise customs matters and also to penalize those who misuse customs patents, for example,” said Vidal Llerenas, Undersecretary of Industry and Trade at the Ministry of Economy, on Wednesday.
Customs patents
The official participated in a press conference on the imposition of definitive countervailing duties on imports of footwear originating in China starting this Thursday.
“We are working hard, beyond the fact that one of the initiatives to be discussed in Congress this session is a new Customs Law, which has been developed with the private sector and all stakeholders,” added Llerenas.
The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) and customs agents are moving forward with a reform of the Customs Law. The objective arises in response to changes in foreign trade and pressure to curb corruption.
On July 1, the agents presented a proposal to the SHCP’s Tax Legislation Unit. The Confederation of Customs Agents Associations of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM) proposed making the customs agency operational. The intention is to consolidate this corporate entity as a permanent scheme.
Today, the rule states that if an agent dies, their license is revoked and the business is lost. Therefore, the initiative seeks to ensure continuity of operations and avoid legal loopholes.
At the same time, the federal government proposes to change the liability scheme. The aim is to move from a shared model to a direct one. Thus, agents would assume a clearer role in the validation of operations. Other participants in foreign trade would also be held accountable.
Rafael Marín Mollinedo, head of Mexico’s National Customs Agency (ANAM), stressed that agents are the first filter in the commercial chain. This, he said, can prevent bad practices such as undervaluation or smuggling.
There are currently 804 agents operating in Mexico. Another 66 are in the process of being canceled. In addition, Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration suspended 47 licenses for alleged irregularities.
Industrial protection
At the same time, Donald Trump’s tariff policy is impacting global trade. In response, Marcelo Ebrard, Secretary of Economy, stated that the Mexican government is promoting a reform of the Customs Law to protect domestic industry.
“We are in a new stage determined by what the United States is deciding. So, if we are going to protect our industry more, we need changes in the Customs Law that was intended for another circumstance of total free trade… Now we are in another circumstance,” he said.