COVID-19: Mexico implements changes to facilitate the importation of goods in light of COVID-19

On the 26th of March, the Mexican Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía - SE) issued a criterion (Oficio No. 414.2020.827) to facilitate the importation of goods subject to Official Mexican Standards (NOMs) at entry points. This criterion took effect on March the 27th and will be valid until termination is notified.

To accelerate the process of importation, goods can be imported by presenting the folio from the application form to the Certificate Body (CB) or the Verification Unit (VU), even if the conformity certificate has not been issued yet. In the case the product does not obtain the conformity certificate from the CB or VU, the importation will not be able to continue with the same folio granted by the CB or VU.

Additionally, companies registered in the Sectorial Promotion Program (PROSEC) can import goods designated only for further processing, even though those goods do not prove compliance with NOMs and are not listed on the numeral 5 of the PROSEC Decree.

Furthermore, on April 1st, the SE notified the Mexican Customs Administration to accept the propositions presented by the European Union on the 27th of March, regarding the application of origin proof requirement during the COVID-19 crisis. This leads to the following benefits:

• Traders can apply for preferential tariff treatment of goods using the copies of origin certificates issued by the EU member states, either on paper or electronically.
• Widening of the "approved exported status" to facilitate the making out of proofs of origin.

On March 31st, the United Kingdom sent similar propositions that were also accepted by Mexico.

The notifications (in Spanish) sent to the Mexican Customs Administration including the EU propositions (in English) can be found here. Regarding the UK's request, please look here.