Export Documentation

Export Documentation for Mexico: Required Documents

Documents for shipping to or from Mexico: core documents, certificates, restricted goods, and customs procedures.

Country
Mexico
Customs authority
SAT (Tax Administration Service) / Customs Agency
Trading bloc
USMCA
Currency
MXN
Estimated clearance
2-5 days typical

Padrón de Importadores (Importer Registry) required

RFC (tax ID) mandatory

NOMs (Mexican Official Standards) compliance for many products

Pre-validation of documents

Core documents

  • Commercial Invoice (required): Spanish translation recommended, detailed values
  • Pedimento de Importación (required): Mexican customs declaration form
  • Bill of Lading / Air Waybill (required): Transport document
  • Packing List (required): Detailed contents

Additional documents

  • Certificate of Origin: For USMCA preferential treatment
  • NOM Certificate: Product safety standards Mandatory for covered products
  • COFEPRIS Permit: For health products

Special certificates

  • NOM Mark: applies to Electronics, appliances, toys, issued by Accredited certification bodies.
  • COFEPRIS License: applies to Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, issued by COFEPRIS.

Customs procedures

  • VUCEM electronic filing
  • Pre-validation required
  • Random red/green light inspection

Restricted goods

  • Pharmaceuticals (COFEPRIS)
  • Food (SENASICA)
  • Electronics (NOMs)
  • Used goods

Prohibited goods

  • Used tires
  • Certain chemicals
  • Weapons
  • Counterfeit goods

Tips

  • Register in Padrón before first import
  • NOM certification takes time
  • Spanish documentation strongly recommended

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Padrón de Importadores?

Importer registry with SAT required before importing commercially into Mexico.

What are NOMs?

Normas Oficiales Mexicanas are mandatory product safety and quality standards for many product categories.