Countries · MX
Mexico: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 562 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Mexico.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Mexico in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Mexico may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
562 entries on the official lists name Mexico — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 562 | 562 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Mexico recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Mexico: logistics and trade
Industrial and nearshoring hub for North America
Mexico (MX) is North America's manufacturing and nearshoring hub, linking the country's production regions with the US market and the Pacific routes to Asia. Mexico is part of the USMCA/T-MEC free trade area (not a customs union); customs clearance is electronic via a pedimento through the single window VUCEM under the customs authority ANAM, and import VAT (IVA) is 16 percent on the customs value plus import duty (IGI) and the customs processing fee (DTA). The main cargo airports are Felipe Ángeles (AIFA/NLU), Mexico City (MEX), Guadalajara (GDL) and Monterrey (MTY); the largest container port is Manzanillo (around 3.9 million TEU in 2025), complemented by Lázaro Cárdenas on the Pacific and Veracruz and Altamira on the Gulf of Mexico. Key corridors are Nuevo Laredo–Monterrey–Mexico City, the Bajío industrial belt and the Ferromex/GMXT and CPKC rail networks towards the US. Main exports are vehicles and parts, electronics, machinery and petroleum products; key partners are the US, Canada, China and Germany. Swiss exporters benefit from the EFTA-Mexico free trade agreement (in force since 2001).
- Capital
- Mexico City
- Population
- 129,875,529
- Area
- 1,972,550 km²
- Currency
- Mexican Peso (MXN)
- Continent
- North America
- Region
- North America
- Economic area
- USMCA/T-MEC (free trade area); EFTA and EU FTA
- Religions
- Catholic, Protestant, Other
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Road · Rail · Sea · Air
- Current situation
- Manzanillo: ongoing clearance delays and additional costs (up to approx. 20 percent) after the customs staff strike of May 2025; regional security incidents (Guadalajara/Manzanillo) may occasionally disrupt road transport. Customs reform 2026 strengthens digital control via VUCEM/ANAM. EU-Mexico Agreement signed on 22.5.2026 (ratification pending). No nationwide disruption verified. (Status as of 2026-07-19)
- Seasonal conditions
- Hurricane season June to November on the Pacific, Gulf and Caribbean coasts; heavy rain can temporarily affect ports and road corridors.
Main seaports
- Manzanillo
Manzanillo (MX ZLO), Mexico's largest Pacific container port: 1.74M TEU Jan–May 2026, four terminals, MSC Sierra service, Ferromex rail, expansion to 2030.
- Lazaro Cardenas
Lázaro Cárdenas (MX LZC): major Mexican Pacific container port, 2.2M+ TEU, APM & Hutchison terminals, CPKC rail inland. A real alternative to Manzanillo.
- Veracruz
Veracruz (MX VER): Mexico's historic Gulf gateway, ~1.14M TEU. Containers, autos for Puebla plants, grain and bulk; alternatives Altamira and Manzanillo.
- Altamira
Altamira (MXATM) on Mexico's Gulf coast: containers, chemicals, RoRo and LNG. New 350 m quay, Logistec buys the IPA terminal, rail-linked hinterland.
- Puerto Progreso
Puerto Progreso (MXPGO): Yucatán Peninsula's main seaport, APM Terminals container terminal handling ~150,000 TEU/year plus grain, cruise and general cargo.
- Acapulco
Acapulco (MX ACA): Mexican Pacific port focused on cruise, petroleum products, breakbulk and Ro-Ro. For containers use Lázaro Cárdenas or Manzanillo.
Road corridors
- Nuevo Laredo - Monterrey - Mexico City
- Tijuana - West Coast
- Mexico City - Veracruz
- Bajío industrial belt
Rail corridors
- Ferromex / GMXT network
- CPKC corridor Mexico - USA - Canada
- Lázaro Cárdenas - Bajío - northern border
Main trade lanes
- Mexico - USA (road/rail)
- Asia - Manzanillo/Lázaro Cárdenas
- Europe - Veracruz/Altamira
Customs and import
Customs authority Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de Mexico (ANAM) / SATOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic Pedimento via VUCEM (Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior); since the 2026 customs reform, stronger digital control by ANAM.
- Export customs system
- Export Pedimento via VUCEM; clearance by ANAM, with licensed customs agents (agente aduanal) commonly involved.
- Import VAT
- Standard IVA rate 16 percent (northern border region reduced to 8 percent via stimulus, valid until 31.12.2026). Imports are always 16 percent on customs value plus IGI plus DTA.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- EUR.1 / origin declaration (EFTA-Mexico, in force since 1.7.2001); Certificate of Origin under T-MEC; EUR.1/REX under the EU-Mexico Agreement.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Authorization requirements apply to, among others, weapons/ammunition, certain chemicals, medicines (COFEPRIS), agricultural/food products (SENASICA), used vehicles and cultural property.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice (factura)
- Pedimento de importación
- Packing list
- Consignment note / B/L / AWB
- Proof of origin (FTA)
- where applicable, NOM compliance / prior approvals
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Pedimento de exportación
- Packing list
- Consignment note / B/L / AWB
- Proof of origin (EUR.1 / Certificado de Origen)
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium to high
- Customs delays
- Medium to high
- Port congestion
- High
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium to high
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- High
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Electronic devices
- Machinery
- Mineral oils
- Vehicles
- Plastics
Top export goods
- Vehicles
- Equipment
- Machinery
- Petroleum products
- Apparatus
Typical cargo
- Vehicles and parts
- Electronics
- Machinery
- Plastics
- Agricultural products
- Petroleum products
Upcoming public holidays
- Revolution DayMon, 16 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
- Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- Constitution DayMon, 1 Feb 2027 · businesses closed
- Benito Juárez's BirthdayMon, 15 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
- Labour DaySat, 1 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Independence DayThu, 16 Sept 2027 · businesses closed
- Revolution DayMon, 15 Nov 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- Mexico: Trucker Protests Increase Risk in US Border Traffic28 Oct 2026
Mexico's transport protests continue without a fixed end date. For US border traffic, access routes and actual customs clearance must be reviewed separately.
- Customs: Verify Master Data and Value Declarations Before Shipment12 Oct 2026
Verify importer data, commodity values, and procedure status: The changes in the USA, Mexico, and Europe have different timelines and consequences.
- Mexico Plans Stricter Controls on Import Values and Customs Documentation6 Oct 2026
Stricter customs valuation inspections in Mexico can hold shipments longer at the border. Proper documentation becomes even more critical.
- Santa Teresa Reopens for Cattle Imports from Mexico1 Oct 2026
After more than one year of closure, cattle are once again crossing the Santa Teresa border crossing. The reopening takes place under strict animal health requirements.
- Blockade in Mexicali Ends – Dispute Over Thousands of B-1 Visas Remains7 Sept 2026
Mexican truck drivers have ended their blockade at the California border. However, the dispute over withdrawn B-1 visas and alleged cabotage violations continues.
Logistics questions
What is the import VAT rate in Mexico?
IVA is normally 16 percent on the customs value plus import duty (IGI) and the customs processing fee (DTA). A reduced 8 percent rate applies to certain domestic sales in the northern border region, but imports are always taxed at 16 percent.
Do Swiss exporters benefit from a free trade agreement?
Yes. The EFTA-Mexico free trade agreement has been in force since 1 July 2001. With a valid proof of origin (EUR.1 or origin declaration) preferential tariffs apply. A modernisation of the agreement is under negotiation.
How does customs clearance work in Mexico?
Clearance is electronic via the single window (VUCEM) using a pedimento under the customs authority ANAM. Using a licensed customs broker (agente aduanal) is common practice. The 2026 customs reform has strengthened digital oversight.
What are Mexico's main ports?
Manzanillo is the largest container port (about 3.9 million TEU in 2025), followed by Lazaro Cardenas on the Pacific coast. On the Gulf of Mexico, Veracruz and Altamira are the key ports for trade with Europe.
What are the main air cargo hubs?
Most air cargo in the Mexico City area now runs through Felipe Angeles airport (AIFA/NLU) after the relocation, complemented by Mexico City airport (AICM/MEX), Guadalajara and Monterrey.
What supply chain risks should be considered?
Consider periodic congestion at Manzanillo, a regionally elevated cargo theft risk in road transport, and the hurricane season from June to November. Careful routing, partner selection and insurance are recommended.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 19 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.